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According to the calendar, the beginning of autumn is Wednesday, August 7th, and the custom in Japan for sending summer greetings is to use "summer greetings" until the beginning of autumn, and "late summer greetings" from the following day until the end of August. Meanwhile, after the end of the rainy season, Kanto to Western Japan have been experiencing scorching hot days with temperatures exceeding 35°C every day, and this trend is expected to continue for a while. The rainy season is expected to end soon in the Tohoku region, but heavy rains have hit the Japan Sea coast, causing extensive damage, and we would like to express our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to those who have been affected. This August, the whole country is bracing for scorching heat, and it looks like it will be the start of summer, which is tough on the skin.
This time, we would like to give you some tips for a soothing beauty lifestyle that suits the summer skin environment.
Understanding the summer skin environment
First, let's understand the summer skin environment. When summer hits full swing in August, the skin environment has five characteristics: high temperature and humidity, sweating, increased sebum secretion, ultraviolet rays, and dry skin caused by air conditioning. This particular summer skin environment is what causes summer fatigue, which can be described as a parade of skin problems.
High Temperature and Humidity <br data-mce-fragment="1">High temperatures and humidity do not directly cause skin problems, but going back and forth between a hot and humid external environment and an air-conditioned indoor or work environment can cause temperature difference stress for the skin, leading to poor circulation and disruptions to skin metabolism. On the other hand, it is also important not to refrain from using air conditioning in order to avoid heatstroke. Carrying and wearing a jacket or other garment that can help relieve temperature difference stress is effective.
Sweating and Sebum Secretion <br data-mce-fragment="1">In hot and humid environments, sweating has the benefit of removing heat from the skin surface as sweat evaporates, lowering the surface temperature. However, when sweat mixes with the secreted sebum and dirt, it can clog pores and cause skin problems such as acne and breakouts. It is important to wipe away sweat frequently and keep your skin clean by washing your face.
Ultraviolet rays <br data-mce-fragment="1">In Japan, the hours of sunlight are at their longest on the summer solstice on June 21st, and ultraviolet radiation exposure reaches its annual peak.
After that, the daylight hours get shorter towards the winter solstice on December 21st, but in mid-summer August, when skin is more exposed, it is more susceptible to the effects of UV rays, so UV protection is essential. Direct sunburn caused by UVB rays can be prevented with sunscreen or a parasol. The more troublesome are UVA rays, which penetrate clouds and glass and make up 90% of the UV rays from the sun. They reach the dermis of the skin and cause photoaging, which causes wrinkles, sagging, and other loss of skin elasticity. Don't forget to apply sunscreen before going out, and make it a habit to reapply more as it will wash off with sweat.
Air conditioning <br data-mce-fragment="1">During this hot and humid season, air conditioning is essential to prevent heatstroke. Air conditioning works by expelling indoor moisture outside through an outdoor unit, so air conditioning = dryness, and moisture is stripped from the skin. Air conditioning inevitably causes dryness, which is the skin's greatest enemy, so moisturizing as part of skin care is essential. Also, relying too much on air conditioning can lead to "sensitiveness" or "air conditioning sickness," which can make you unwell.
How to use your air conditioner wisely to ensure a good night's sleep
Good quality sleep (good sleep) is essential for both health and beautiful skin. Be smart with your air conditioner, fall asleep easily, and wake up refreshed with sleep beauty. Sleep takes up 1/4 to 1/3 of our day. Whether this time is of good quality or not is directly linked to our beauty and health.
■ Set the air conditioner temperature to 28°C. If your air conditioner allows you to set the temperature even in dehumidification mode, set it to 28°C. Too much cooling can cause air conditioning sickness and dry skin.
■One hour before going to bed, first cool down the room to create an environment conducive to falling asleep.
■To prepare for quality sleep, refrain from watching TV, using the computer, or using your smartphone right before going to bed. This will keep you awake and make it harder to fall asleep.
■Set the timer to stop the air conditioner one hour before you wake up. By raising your body temperature before you wake up, you can eliminate the lethargy caused by the cold when you wake up, and relieve stress caused by the difference in temperature between inside and outside after waking up, leading to a refreshing awakening.
■Once you start to fall asleep more easily and wake up feeling refreshed, aim to turn off the air conditioner three hours after you go to bed.
■Even if you use a fan, cool the room with the air conditioner at least one hour before going to bed. Use the fan indirectly, not directly on your body. Direct airflow can strip moisture from your body and skin.
■We recommend that you use curtains that are not blackout curtains in your bedroom. Waking up naturally as the bedroom gradually becomes brighter with natural light is the best way to wake up refreshed.
■When you wake up and are exposed to sunlight, your timing for waking up and sleeping resets, allowing you to spend the day more focused and leading to better quality sleep.
It may be difficult to do all of these things at once, but why not try doing what you can? We have told you about a soothing beauty lifestyle that suits the summer skin environment!
The next topic will be about skin care to pay attention to in early autumn.
