Looking back at 2023, the COVID-19 virus was classified as "Class 5" in May, and is now treated the same as influenza, which has led to a transition to a new era of "After Corona" and "With Corona" worldwide. The popularity of Japanese people as a travel destination has increased, with the number of inbound tourists exceeding pre-COVID levels, and tourist destinations are facing problems with overtourism. On the other hand, following the release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean on August 24, the Chinese government imposed a ban on the import of Japanese seafood, which has had a major impact on exports of not only seafood but also Japanese products to China, resulting in an unexpected situation. Looking to the world, the Ukrainian war is at a stalemate, and in October a conflict began between Palestine's Hamas and Israel, bringing to a close a year in which international politics and the international economy will likely remain uncertain heading into next year. What kind of year was 2023 for you?
This time, I would like to take a look back at the year and share some skin care tips to keep in mind in December.
Looking back at the skin environment in 2023
Let's take a look back at this year's skin condition based on Tokyo's weather data trends up to November 2023.
What is notable is that the temperature in the summer (June to August) reached record highs and continued to do so from September through October. Even in November, there were many days when the temperature exceeded 20°C, making us feel the effects of global warming. The out-of-season blooming of cherry blossoms was in the news, and it was a climate where even plants were confused about the seasons.
Meanwhile, recently (late November), an extremely cold front has entered northern Japan, causing early records of heavy snowfall, and in some areas it feels as though autumn has been skipped and winter has come into full swing. For both us humans and our skin, this climate can be said to make us confuse the seasons, and some people may be noticing that their skin is in a different condition than before. As we enter December, where temperatures and humidity continue to fall, we can only hope that the weather will shift to a more "winter" climate than usual.
Skin care tips to keep in mind in December as you close out the year
Taking into account the weather conditions in 2023, we will share three skin care points to keep in mind in December as winter enters its final stages.
1. After a hot summer, it's now autumn, and your skin may still be tired from the summer.
Just as plants get the seasons wrong, skin cells are also unable to accurately detect the change in seasons, and there is concern that they are dragging on the fatigue of summer skin. If you are concerned about dullness, acne, breakouts, rough skin, or enlarged pores after the summer, try using mild cleansing and facial cleansing products and taking basic care of your skin.
2. Preparation for the coming winter, when extreme temperature changes are expected
From this autumn until now, there have been many days with extreme temperature changes, which can cause stress and problems due to poor metabolism of the skin (rough skin, lack of firmness, stiffness, sagging, etc.). Be mindful of choosing the right serum for your skin problems.
3. Drying from the outside air + drying from indoor heating (double) - the start of winter, when dryness hits us
In addition to the dryness of the air outside, the humidity inside the room drops to about half of that outside due to heating. To combat dryness, which is the enemy of the skin, make sure to hydrate your skin with highly moisturizing gels and creams.
Recommended anti-aging beauty lifestyle
Last month, we discussed "natural (physiological) aging" and the factors that promote it, such as "oxidative stress," "photoaging," and "glycation."
This time, I will tell you about some recommended beauty lifestyle tips that will help you take care of these skin problems.
We cannot fight against skin aging that occurs with age. However, as there are individual differences, here are five lifestyle tips that can help control the speed of skin aging.
1. Skin care that protects the skin from stress and provides plenty of moisture
Cleansing and washing your face are the foundation of beautiful skin, so choose a mild formula and get into the habit of washing gently. Proper cleansing and washing your face will ensure that the skincare products in the steps after toner are effective. Be sure to also use a finishing gel or cream as a step. It seals the effects of toner and serum, and also replenishes the sebum secretion that declines with age, strengthening the barrier function that protects the skin from external stress. In other words, not neglecting skin care will protect your skin from oxidative stress and help control natural (physiological) skin aging.
2. Beauty-conscious diet
Eating three meals a day and a well-balanced diet without any particular preferences is essential for a beauty lifestyle. Carbohydrates such as rice, bread, and noodles are a source of energy for biological activity as "sugar," but excess sugar can become the basis of fat and trigger glycation, so do not eat too much. "Proteins" such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products turn into amino acids and become components of muscles and internal organs, and are also essential for skin cells because they produce hormones, enzymes, and immune cells. The vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber abundant in vegetables and seaweed, which are consumed as side dishes, help regenerate skin cells and improve the intestinal environment. In particular, incorporating foods with high "antioxidant power" (Table 1) into your diet in a balanced manner will help prevent aging caused by oxidative stress.
From the perspective of glycation care, it has been reported that fermented foods such as miso, natto, and yogurt inhibit the production of AGEs (advanced glycation end products), so it is recommended to regularly incorporate them into your diet.
It has also been reported that starting your meal with vegetables such as salads can help prevent a sudden rise in blood sugar levels, so why not keep this in mind?
Table 1. Foods containing antioxidants
3. Exercise habits
Exercise habits not only increase your basal metabolism, but also digest glucose, which is a cause of glycation and obesity. It is recommended that you make it a habit to incorporate exercise into your diet.
4. Sleep
Sleep is an important time when the hormones "melatonin" and "growth hormone" are secreted, which relieves fatigue and regenerates the body, and activates metabolism and immune function. Lack of sleep inhibits the excretion of AGEs and accelerates glycation. Make sure to get at least 6 hours of sleep.
5. Anti-photoaging
Be sure to use sunscreen all year round and take thorough measures to prevent photoaging, such as using a parasol, sunglasses, long-sleeved clothing, etc. to prevent your skin from coming into direct contact with sunlight.
We looked back on the year to conclude the year and shared some skin care tips to keep in mind for December.
The next theme will be "Skin Care Calendar for 2024."
