Ways our skin can react to humidity and how to fix them

As the humidity rises in the air, our skin gets affected adversely. This can further lead to numerous skin issues such as acne outbreaks, which are characterised by redness, itching, and pain. Additionally, sweating aggravates our pores, resulting in unsightly pimples on your skin. Speaking to HT Lifestyle, Dr Oshin Agrawal, Consultant – Dermatologist, Fortis Hospital, Noida said, “Unfortunately, climate change-related changes in humidity levels can have a severe influence on the skin. The facial skin is delicate and sensitive in comparison to the rest of the body. It is easily affected by weather variations and humidity swings, making the skin more sensitive to harm. Excessive sweating occurs as a result of high humidity, resulting in sticky, oily skin, making the skin more prone to pimples and acne, whereas, low humidity can induce skin dryness.”

Dr Oshin Agrawal further noted down the ways by which our skin can react to humidity; they are:

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Breakout: Acne-prone skin can very easily break out when the humidity in the air jumps up.

Heat rashes: Sweat ducts closing off leading to Anhidrosis which further leads to trapping of heat and heat rashes like bumps and blisters.

Infections: With the rise in the humidity, the skin gets prone to fungal infections, eczemas, and other skin allergies as well.

Hair health: One of the disadvantages of imbalanced humidity is that it takes a toll on our hair’s health, making it dry and frizzy and increasing hair fall.

How can humidity’s impact on the skin be controlled? Dr Anand Toshniwal, Consultant Dermatologist and Founder for Aesthetic Aura Skin and Hair Clinic noted down a few ways by which we can protect the skin from damage:

Hydration: Hydration is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Therefore, we should ensure to drink at least 10 glasses of water each day. Also, contrary to popular opinion, moisturising throughout the summer can help protect our skin even more.

Hyaluronic acid: incorporating hyaluronic acid into our anti-ageing skincare routine is definitely a good idea. Regular night care routine helps to build up collagen and decongest the skin and repair the skin or hyaluronic acid sleep masks can also be added as a regular night routine.

Sunscreen: “The intense sunshine is one of the things that hurt your skin the most when you’re outside. Simply shielding your head and eyes won’t do it. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and protect your skin whenever you go outside,” suggested Dr Anand Toshniwal.

Face mist: With the aid of these mists, we can beat the heat and instantly keep our skin calm, cool, and hydrated.

Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle changes can also play a vital role for good skin. Caffeine and coffee dehydrate the skin so the intake of coffee should be reduced. It is also advised to avoid smoking. Consumption of foods which are rich in water content like watermelon and muskmelon must be taken for hydrating skin.