When cool, dehydrating air is directed at your face or body for any length of time, an air conditioner will see to it that your skin loses moisture. Throw in the heat, UV rays, hot winds and salt or chlorinated water of an Australian summer and the cumulative effect can be a tight, rough or irritated complexion, humidity be damned.
Adelaide Crowe would know; she has had her cheeks put to the test by a room that is all too happily cool while they are being reduced to two small pieces of toast. But there is no need to worry over permanent harm to healthy skin from the air con. With a few unobtrusive adjustments to how you cleanse and moisturise, and to the indoor humidity and airflow, the skin barrier can be looked after without making of one’s bathroom a laboratory. These are useful routine changes in humid Australian summers.
How Air Conditioning Deprives The Skin Of Hydration
An air conditioner will not only bring the indoor temperature down but also the relative humidity. Transepidermal water loss is what happens when the drier air draws water from the outer layers of the skin with some alacrity.
Yet it is not as if every person in an air-conditioned room is going to be left with parched skin. One has to consider the setting of the thermostat, the direction of the air, the state of one’s own skin barrier and how long the exposure has been.
The Barrier Lets Moisture Out
Lipids, natural moisturising factors and skin cells make up the protective outer surface of the skin, its barrier, which is there to hold water in and keep irritants at bay. Should the barrier be weakened by the wind, the sun or too much cleansing, any dryness present will be made more apparent by the air conditioning.
Is the air con dehydrating the skin? It is a factor in surface dehydration if you are under it for long enough, but “contribute” is the operative word. It is not some kind of vacuum cleaner removing every last drop of water from your face.
Dryness Under Cool Air
One might think of cool indoor air as a comfort but it can conceal the usual signs of heat such as sweating and thirst. You could be positioned under a vent for the duration of the working day and be none the wiser as to your low water intake or the moisture your skin is giving up.
To equate a comfortable skin temperature with good hydration is a mistake most make. They are not synonymous.
What Makes An Australian Summer Drier
In a single day the skin is put through its paces. There is the hot air of Adelaide, an hour by the coast to get some salt water on you, a cold office and then the drive home with the fan in your face. Your skin endures the whole itinerary. Up north the wet season may have high humidity outside but indoors the cooling is severe. Down south in the cities you will lose moisture to hot, low-humidity winds before you have even got to the supermarket.
UV And Heat
Sweat is uncomfortable and contains salts; wash it away repeatedly and the skin will feel tight. Sunburn and UV exposure can be an irritant and impair the skin’s defences. The Australian Government’s sun-safety guidance is for those planning to be out of doors in the height of the day when UV is strong.
Indoor Air, Wind And Water
After a swim in salt or chlorinated water there is often a residue that is itchy or tight. Add to that a harsh cleanser after a day so sticky as to be an affront and you have added irritation. Then the air conditioning alters the environment once more. The result is a sense of sudden dehydration in summer, though the loss of moisture has been a slow build up.
Telling If Your Skin Requires Some Help
It is usually quite subtle at first. A little tightness post-wash, makeup that does not sit right, a general lack of comfort come late afternoon. Easy to put down to something else until you see some flaking. People are different in their symptoms so do not judge by a single day, look for the pattern. Should you find the same discomfort in a bedroom, car or an office that has been put on the cool side, then the environment is likely to blame.
Common Dryness Signals
| What You Notice | What It May Suggest | A Good First Step |
|---|---|---|
| Tightness post-cleansing | Your routine, the water or the cleanser are taking the surface oils with them | Go for lukewarm water and something gentle |
| Fine flaking | An irritated barrier or dryness at the surface | Put on some moisturiser on skin that is a little damp |
| A rough feel | Environmental stress of one sort or another has left the surface without hydration | Do away with any harsh scrubs and keep your products simple |
| Stinging from products | An ingredient sensitivity or a barrier that has been weakened | Put down the offending product and revert to basics |
| Cheeks or nose going red | Rosacea or other conditions, plain irritation or sensitivity | Keep out of direct airflow and get some advice if it does not go away |
Expectation Versus Reality
It is often thought that dehydrated skin is not an issue for those with oily or combination types. In fact the reverse can be true; a forehead may be shiny yet the barrier is far from comfortable as the skin makes oil but is short of water on top. Then there is the notion that one needs a heavier product. A thick cream will suit some, but in the humidity it can be off-putting or lead to congestion. It is better to select a moisturiser suited to the conditions and your skin type.
Who Is More Vulnerable?
A compromised barrier means air conditioning and dry skin are more apt to be a problem. One sees this with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, rosacea, or where there is a record of reacting to fragrance and actives. The like holds for older adults, children and anyone whose work takes them into very cold buildings. Travellers too should be mindful when they are going from a coastal town with its humidity to a hotel room that is cold and arid.
Fewer Variables for Sensitive Skin
Do not make the mistake of switching five products at once if your skin is sensitive. A straightforward routine is preferable, what with being able to tell what is of help and what is not. This is of particular use after a day at the beach, some long driving or repeated showers. While you can have both an air conditioner and sensitive skin, it is best to eschew the direct blast from the vent. Set the fan to the lowest you can bear and step outside for a few minutes now and then.
How To Stop AC Drying Your Skin
You do not have to forgo the air conditioning or go to bed with a wet tea towel to put a stop to it. The way to go is a mix of some changes to your surroundings and skincare that is kind to the barrier. Tackle the room first and then your routine; small adjustments are more sustainable than an elaborate scheme that will fall apart come the first hot weekend.
An Indoor Checklist
- Vents should not be directed at your face, hands or legs.
- Opt for a moderate temperature as opposed to one that is extreme.
- If the dryness is an ongoing thing, put in a basic hygrometer to see what the indoor humidity is like.
- Make sure to moisturise following cleansing and again later in the day should you feel tight.
- Follow the manufacturer in cleaning the AC filters.
- And while you should drink regularly, water intake by itself will not address surface dryness.
There is no one figure for humidity that will do for every room or person. Too much dampness can bring on mould and be uncomfortable, very dry air will exacerbate the tightness. Just have a clean room and let your skin’s behaviour be your guide.
Timely Moisturising
After you have washed, put on your moisturiser within a couple of minutes, the skin will still be somewhat damp which curtails evaporation. There is no need to put a heavy layer over the whole face each time, just reapply where it is dry. By day pick a texture you can wear under sunscreen with ease; at night a richer one for any dry patches. Oily but dehydrated skin might do well with a gel-cream or light lotion before anything more substantial.
Ingredients for the Skin
The right hydrating skincare will see to several aspects of the barrier. Humectants draw water to the outer layers, emollients take the edge off roughness and occlusives are there to keep water from the surface. But no ingredient is indispensable to all. The test is a practical one: does it improve the tightness without stinging or making new irritations?
Humectants, Emollients And Occlusives
You will find humectants in the form of urea, hyaluronic acid or glycerine. Emollients serve to fill in between the cells on the surface, whereas an occlusive puts a protective layer in place to retard moisture loss. Some will put all three in one moisturiser.
Reactive skin should be given new products one by way. A patch test on a small part of the face is a good precaution; it spares you from any unpleasant surprises before an event you have to put your best face forward for. Skin has its own timing and is not always forgiving.
Be Gentle With Your Cleansing
Hot water is to be eschewed in favour of lukewarm, and do not be tempted to scrub at flaky skin. Scrubs might give the impression of smoothing roughness but only serve to agitate what is underneath. Most will find a mild cleanser in the evening sufficient, with nothing more than a rinse in the morning if their skin is amenable. And after a swim, get the salt or chlorine off and put on some moisturiser. Should a product burn as opposed to a passing tingle, put it down.
Hydrating In The Summer
Across Australia, hydrating your skin in summer is not as simple as having a bottle of water at hand while at the keyboard. While adequate water intake is necessary for the body, you are not going to put back the surface moisturiser or barrier lipids of dry skin by overdoing it. Make hydration a matter of course: drink when you are thirsty and as conditions dictate, eat well, stay out of the heat and put on topicals where the skin requires it.
A Day Made Practical
Say you have a day to put right a dry summer regimen, make three things your priority: a gentle moisturiser post wash, no direct airflow and UV protection. It is all you need to counter the environment without recourse to a whole cupboard of wares. Out of doors put on sunscreen and cover up, and make for the shade. On a long drive put the vents elsewhere and have something for dry hands to hand. As for the office, do not sit under a vent for eight hours like some potted plant that has been overlooked; take a break for some movement and water.
When The Weather Is Humid
Rich creams can be too much of a sticky business in humid weather, so go for a lighter application of a less substantial moisturiser. You want a barrier you can live with, not a sheen that can be seen across the tram. Such adjustments are of use in the Australian summer when one goes from the heat outside to the cool of indoors. One’s skin in January will call for different textures than in a dry winter.
Getting Some Expert Opinion
If you have done away with the usual triggers and pared down your routine to no avail, persistent dryness is something to look into. A doctor or other skin professional should be consulted for redness, swelling, rashes that spread, stinging, bleeding, cracking or any itching or pain of note. What may seem like run of the mill dryness could be rosacea, eczema or contact dermatitis. If it is interfering with your work, sleep or desire to be outdoors, then professional input is warranted.
Cease Experimenting
There is no point in piling on exfoliants, acids, retinoids or anything with fragrance in an attempt to put an end to flaking. An irritated barrier is better served by a few days of sensible sun protection and gentle cleansing than some grand overhaul of products. More does not necessarily mean progress.
Prices in Australia are not uniform. A straightforward approach with a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen will do, but expect to pay more for a prescription or to see a specialist. Look up the going rates before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer heat and cold air indoors tend to prompt the following.
Is Air Conditioning Dehydrating?
It can lead to moisture loss from the skin, particularly with low humidity or many hours of direct exposure. But it is not the sole culprit; wind, UV, swimming and pre-existing sensitivities are also factors.
How To Prevent AC Drying Out Your Skin?
Keep the temperature moderate and away from direct blasts, keep the barrier routine unadorned and moisturise. A humidifier is of some use in certain rooms provided it is properly cleaned and not putting contaminants in the air.
Does an Air Conditioner Dry You Out?
Indeed it can, through evaporation. You will notice it more if the skin is already sore or if you are shuttling between the hot outdoors and a dry, cool room.
Will AC Do My Skin Any Good?
By taking the edge off the heat and sweating it can be calming. Yet cooler air is no guarantee of better hydration and may heighten tightness if the room is dry or the vent is in your face.
What About The Water From the Unit?
Do not put condensate on your face or body. It is liable to have picked up dust and residues from the drain or appliance. Stick to tap or bottled water and service the unit as instructed.
Your Summer Routine
An air conditioner is no villain in an Australian summer, though it will show up any deficiencies in your skin barrier. Make the room to your liking, shield yourself from UV and change up your products as needed. It is a sensible compromise: cool enough for a good night’s rest, hydrated and uncomplicated enough for a trip to the beach or a bush track or even a supermarket in the heat.
