We keep hearing that summer is deadly for our skin's hydration levels, but we actually feel the opposite: we seem to have too much of everything and we notice more oil than ever. Why is this?
In summer, whether during your daily routine or on vacation, your skin seems shinier, oilier, and stickier. Although experts say our skin is drier during this time, it actually seems the opposite. The key is that our skin produces more oil, but it's not more hydrated; in fact, it lacks water . This is explained by Daniel Jiménez, cosmetologist and technical director of Skin Generics and CEO of BeLab Services.
Does my skin get drier in the summer?
The short and easy answer is yes, especially if you live in an inland location. According to the expert, skin becomes dehydrated due to heat, low water intake, and factors like chlorine in swimming pools and sea salt . This is even more common in dry places like Seville or Madrid, where there is little heat and low humidity. Skin is hydrated from within and also needs ambient humidity; without it, skin becomes more dehydrated.
Why does my skin feel oilier?
Although you may feel like cosmetics make your skin look worse in the summer, this is because your skin may be oilier but less hydrated . According to the cosmetologist, the lack of hydration causes the skin to produce more oil to try to compensate . Also, in the summer, we use more sunscreen, which often contains oils, which can increase the oiliness of the skin without actually hydrating it.