Tag: summer skin

  • Humid Outside, Dry Inside: Skin Comfort in an Air-Conditioned Summer

    It is one of the odd contradictions of a Southern summer. Outside, the air is so thick with moisture that your skin feels damp within minutes. Inside, under the steady breath of the air conditioner, your hands feel tight, your lips feel dry and your skin can feel almost wintry by the end of the day. If you spend long hours moving between the two, your skin is adjusting all the time.

    Why air conditioning dries the air

    An air conditioner does two jobs at once. As warm indoor air passes over its cold coils, the air is cooled and some of its water vapor condenses into liquid, which drains away. That is why an air conditioner drips and why a cooled room feels less muggy. It is also why air that has been conditioned for hours, especially in offices, stores and cars with vents aimed right at you, can feel noticeably dry.

    A steady stream of cool, dry air moving across your skin can leave it feeling tight. Many people also notice dry lips, rougher hands and eyes that feel a bit scratchy after a long day in a cold office.

    Gentle habits for skin that lives indoors

    • Keep showers lukewarm. Hot water can leave skin feeling stripped, even in summer.
    • Moisturize after washing, while skin is still slightly damp. A light lotion or gel cream suits the daytime, and something a little richer can feel good at night.
    • Carry a small hand cream and a lip balm. Frequent handwashing plus dry indoor air is a recipe for rough hands.
    • Redirect vents. Angle office, car and bedroom vents so the air is not blowing straight onto your face or bed.
    • Drink water through the day. It will not transform your skin, but it is a simple comfort when the air feels dry.

    Finding a comfortable indoor humidity

    Indoor air does not need to be humid to feel pleasant, but it should not feel parched either. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency generally recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally somewhere between 30 and 50 percent, which helps discourage mold while keeping the air comfortable. An inexpensive humidity monitor can tell you where your home sits.

    If your bedroom feels very dry, a small humidifier may help it feel more comfortable. Clean it often and follow the manufacturer’s directions, since standing water in a humidifier can grow mold and bacteria. In a Georgia summer, many homes will not need one at all, so check the numbers before adding moisture.

    Moving between two climates

    Sudden shifts from a hot parking lot to a chilly lobby can feel jarring. A light cardigan or wrap in your bag lets you adjust without cranking the thermostat, and it keeps cold air off your arms and shoulders. Take a minute in the shade before walking into a cold building, and try not to blast the car’s air directly at your face.

    Pay attention to how your skin feels at the end of the day, and adjust your routine to match. If dryness, itching, redness or eye discomfort persists despite these changes, talk to your doctor, a dermatologist or an eye doctor. Most of the time, though, a lighter touch with hot water, a little extra moisture and a mindful eye on the vents will keep your skin comfortable in both climates.

  • The Spots Sunscreen Often Misses: A Head-to-Toe Summer Checklist

    Most of us apply sunscreen the same way every time: a quick pass over the face, the arms and maybe the legs, then out the door. The trouble is that a few spots get skipped again and again, and by the end of a long July day they are often the ones that feel tight, warm and pink. Here is a head-to-toe checklist of the places people commonly miss, with a few simple fixes.

    Head and face

    • The tops and backs of the ears. Ears stick out into the sun and are easy to forget. A sunscreen stick makes them simple to cover.
    • The hairline and the part in your hair. A wide-brimmed hat is the easiest answer. Some sunscreens are made for the scalp, including powders and light sprays.
    • Around the eyes. Many people avoid this area because sunscreen can sting. A stick or a formula labeled for the eye area can help, and sunglasses do the rest.
    • The lips. Look for a lip balm with SPF and reapply it after eating and drinking.
    • Under the jaw and the sides of the nose. These areas tend to get a quick swipe rather than a full coat.

    Neck, chest and arms

    • The back of the neck. It is fully exposed when you garden, read on the porch or walk with your head bent toward a phone. Collared shirts and hats with a back brim help.
    • The chest and neckline. Open collars, sundresses and swimsuits leave this area out in the sun for hours.
    • The backs of the hands. Hands are washed often, which removes sunscreen. Reapply after washing, especially when you are driving or gardening.
    • The shoulders and upper back. These are hard to reach on your own. Ask for help, or choose a shirt or swim top that covers them.

    Legs and feet

    • The backs of the knees and legs. Easy to skip and easy to burn, especially when lying face down at the pool or the beach.
    • The tops of the feet. Sandal season means bare feet in the sun all day. Apply sunscreen to the tops of the feet and the ankles, and reapply after swimming or walking through wet grass.

    Habits that make it easier

    Coverage is less about the perfect product and more about routine. Apply sunscreen before you dress, so the edges of your clothes are covered too. Use a generous amount, following the directions on the label, and reapply as the label advises, especially after swimming, sweating or toweling off. Check expiration dates and replace bottles that are old or have spent the summer baking in a hot car.

    Shade, hats, sunglasses and lightweight long sleeves all help, and on the brightest days they do much of the work. Planning outdoor time for the early morning or evening keeps you out of the strongest midday sun.

    A note on sunglasses and skin checks

    When choosing sunglasses, look for a label that says they block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, sometimes listed as UV400. Darker lenses alone do not guarantee protection.

    Summer is also a natural time to notice your skin. If you see a spot that is new, changing, itching or bleeding, or anything that simply worries you, talk to your doctor or a dermatologist. Sun care is one of the simplest forms of self-care, and a few extra seconds on the ears, lips and feet make it complete.

  • Sweat, Skin and Summer: How Sweating Works and How to Stay Comfortable

    By the middle of a Georgia July, most of us have accepted that we will be a little damp from the moment we step outside until the moment we step back in. Sweat is not glamorous, but it is remarkable. Understanding how it works can make the season feel less like a battle and more like something your body is quietly handling for you.

    Two kinds of sweat glands

    Your skin holds millions of sweat glands, and they come in two main types.

    • Eccrine glands are spread across nearly the whole body, with especially many on the palms, the soles of the feet and the forehead. They open directly onto the skin and release a thin, watery sweat that is mostly water with a little salt. Their main job is cooling.
    • Apocrine glands are concentrated in the underarms and groin. They open into hair follicles, become active around puberty and release a thicker fluid, especially in response to stress or strong emotion.

    Fresh sweat has very little smell. Body odor develops when bacteria that naturally live on the skin break down the components of sweat, particularly from apocrine glands. That is why odor tends to build over time rather than appearing the moment you start to perspire.

    How sweat cools you, and why humidity gets in the way

    Sweat cools the body as it evaporates. Turning liquid into vapor takes energy, and much of that energy comes from the heat of your skin. On a dry day, sweat evaporates quickly and you may barely notice it.

    On a humid day, the air is already holding a great deal of moisture, so sweat evaporates more slowly. It beads up, soaks your shirt and leaves you feeling sticky without the same cooling effect. This is a big part of why a muggy afternoon in Macon can feel more draining than a drier day at the same temperature. A breeze from a fan or a shady spot with moving air helps by carrying moist air away from your skin.

    Keeping skin comfortable

    A few simple habits make sweaty days easier on your skin:

    • Choose breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen for everyday wear, and moisture-wicking fabrics for exercise.
    • Change out of damp clothes, socks and swimsuits when you can, rather than letting them sit against your skin for hours.
    • Rinse off after heavy sweating with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, then pat dry, paying attention to skin folds.
    • Wash workout clothes and towels promptly so odor does not settle in.
    • Keep heavy, rich creams for cooler evenings and favor lighter textures during the day.

    Deodorant or antiperspirant?

    The two words are often used interchangeably, but they do different things. Deodorants are designed to address odor, often with fragrance and ingredients that make the skin less friendly to odor-causing bacteria. Antiperspirants contain aluminum-based compounds that temporarily reduce the amount of sweat that reaches the skin. Many products combine both. Which you choose is a personal preference, and if a product irritates your skin, try a different formula.

    Sweating is a normal part of how the body handles heat, but some changes are worth a conversation with your doctor or a dermatologist: sweating that seems unusually heavy or happens without heat or effort, a rash that does not settle, or a sudden change in body odor. For everything else, a cool rinse, a clean shirt and a little patience are summer’s best companions.