As temperatures rise, your skin quickly reacts to the heat, often struggling to stay healthy and fresh. Hot weather can bring a variety of skin challenges that go beyond the surface. Let’s explore how hot weather affects your skin, particularly the outermost layer known as the stratum corneum, and what you can do to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
The Stratum Corneum: Your Skin’s First Line of Defense
Before we dive into the details, it’s important to understand what the stratum corneum is and why it’s so crucial. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin, made up of “dead” skin cells and natural fats that work together to protect your skin. This layer is your skin’s first line of defense against environmental stressors, such as bacteria, pollutants, and, of course, weather changes.
In hot weather, this protective barrier can weaken. High temperatures can cause you to sweat more, which leads to a loss of moisture from your skin. At the same time, the heat can make the stratum corneum more open to outside elements, allowing irritants to get in and disrupt the skin’s natural balance. This combination of moisture loss and increased exposure to irritants sets the stage for a variety of skin issues that can leave dull, wrinkled and accelerate the aging process (1).
Heat Waves and Skin Waves: How Hot Weather Affects Your Skin
The Biological Response: What Happens to Your Skin in the Heat?
When the weather heats up, your skin goes through several changes to help it cope with the higher temperatures. For starters, your sweat glands kick into high gear. Sweat is your body’s natural cooling mechanism, and it helps regulate your temperature by evaporating sweat off the skin’s surface. However, as sweat evaporates, it takes some of your skin’s natural moisture with it, leading to dry skin (2).
But that’s not all. The heat can also cause your skin to produce more oil also known as sebum. While this extra oil can help prevent some moisture loss, it can also lead to clogged pores and breakouts, especially when mixed with sweat and external pollutants.
Additionally, the stratum corneum becomes more open in high temperatures, as heat affects the bonds between skin cells. This increased openness allows irritants and allergens to get into the skin more easily, potentially leading to redness, irritation, and allergic reactions (1).
The Vulnerability of the Skin Barrier
One of the biggest challenges your skin faces in hot weather is keeping its protective barrier strong. This barrier is responsible for keeping moisture in and harmful substances out. However, in hot and humid conditions, the barrier can weaken, leading to what’s known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). TEWL is when water from the deeper layers of your skin moves to the surface and then evaporates.
When TEWL increases, your skin becomes dry, and its protective barrier weakens. This can result in a range of skin problems, from dryness and flakiness to increased sensitivity and a higher risk of sunburn. Additionally, a weakened barrier is less effective at protecting against UV rays, making the skin more vulnerable to sun damage and photoaging (1).
Hot Weather Skin Woes: Common Issues and How to Manage Them
Sweating: The Double-Edged Sword
Sweating is a natural response to heat, and while it helps cool your body down, it can also cause some skin troubles. As sweat evaporates, it leaves behind salt and other minerals, which can irritate the skin and lead to conditions like heat rash (also known as prickly heat) and sweat-induced acne. To prevent these issues, it’s important to keep your skin clean and dry. Regularly wiping away sweat from your body and wearing lightweight, breathable fabrics can help reduce the risk of irritation.
Sunburn: A Red Flag for Skin Damage
Sunburn is one of the most immediate and visible effects of hot weather on the skin. UV rays from the sun can damage skin cells, leading to redness, pain, and in severe cases, blisters. Beyond the immediate discomfort, repeated sunburns can weaken the skin barrier, damage the DNA of skin cells thus increasing the risk of skin cancer over time. The key to preventing sunburn is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours, especially if you’re sweating or swimming (3).
Oil Overload: Managing Excess Sebum Production
As mentioned earlier, hot weather can lead to increased oil production, which can result in shiny skin, clogged pores, and acne breakouts. To manage this, opt for oil-free or non-comedogenic skincare products that won’t clog your pores. Using a gentle cleanser twice a day can also help keep excess oil at bay without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.
Heat-Proof Your Skincare Routine: Tips for Keeping Your Skin Fresh
Now that we’ve covered the challenges hot weather presents to your skin, let’s talk about what you can do to keep your skin fresh, hydrated, and protected.
-
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Keeping your skin hydrated is crucial in hot weather. Drink plenty of water (and don’t forget your electrolytes which help your body hold on to the water you drink) throughout the day to replenish the moisture lost through sweating. Additionally, look for skincare products that contain ingredients which draw water into the skin and help maintain its moisture levels, like Pour Moi's Climate-Smart® Day Creams.
-
Stay Cool with Climate-Smart™ Skincare
Your skin’s needs can change with the weather, which is why it’s important to use products that are suited to your current climate. In hot temperatures, Pour Moi’s Climate-Smart™ Tropical and Desert Day Creams are formulated not only to lock in moisture, but also to pull water from the atmosphere into your skin resulting in moist, radiant and youthful looking skin. Pour Moi’s patented rotating day creams ensure that your skin is getting the right balance of hydration, protection, and nourishment.
-
Shield Your Skin from the Sun
Sun protection is key, especially in hot weather. In addition to using sunscreen, wear protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, and seek shade during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Remember that even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV rays can still reach your skin, so don’t skip the sunscreen!
-
Don’t Forget to Exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin regularly can help remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. However, be gentle - over-exfoliating can damage the skin barrier and make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Aim to exfoliate 1-2 times per week, and only in the morning, so as not to disrupt your skin’s natural exfoliation process that happens at night while you sleep!
Stay Fresh, Stay Smart
Hot weather can be tough on your skin, but with the right care, you can keep it looking and feeling fresh all summer long. By understanding how your skin responds to heat and using products that are tailored to your environment, you can protect your skin’s barrier and prevent common issues like dehydration, sunburn, and breakouts. Pour Moi’s Climate-Smart™ Skincare is here to help you navigate the changing weather with ease, so you can enjoy the sunshine without sacrificing your skin’s health.
References
- Diaz-Calvillo, P., et al. (2022). Impact of Water Exposure and Temperature Changes on Skin Barrier Function. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(2), 298.
- Park, S., et al. (2022). The Effects of Hot and Humid Environments on Skin Barrier Function: An Analysis of Skin Hydration and Barrier Integrity. Journal of Dermatological Science, 35(10): 555–565.
- Hui-Beckman MD, J.W., Goleva PhD, E. (2023). Humidity and Its Effects on Skin Permeability: Understanding the Complex Interactions. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 131 (6): 713-719.