When you think of humidity, where’s the first place your mind goes? Maybe it’s that wet and sticky feeling as soon as you step outside, uncontrollable hair, or nothing ever drying quite enough. Or maybe it’s a tropical vacation and you are suddenly finding yourself in need of a Piña Colada stat.

While we definitely feel you on all of these (especially the Piña Colada), that’s not what we’re here to talk about. We’re turning the spotlight to humidity levels and your skin.

Spoiler alert: there isn’t a yes or no answer to humidity, just like there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to skin care. We’ll be taking a closer look at highs and lows of humidity, and how to adjust your routine for happier skin.

 

 

What Are the Benefits of Humidity for Your Skin?

 

The level of humidity is measured by the amount of water vapor in the air; more water vapor means higher humidity, and vice versa. 

In low humidity, studies have shown that we’re more likely to experience transepidermal water loss (TEWL), aka the amount of water that passes from our body through our skin, to the outside environment. The higher the TEWL, the greater impact it has on our skin barrier, as one of its critical functions is to retain water. Your skin may be rougher, and you could experience decreased skin elasticity over time.

Have dry skin? Humidity may be just what you want to combat the dryness. The extra moisture in the air can, in turn, make your skin feel more hydrated too. Humidity can give skin a plumper, dewier look and feel. No wonder we’re always glowing on vacation.

 

 

What Are the Cons of Humidity for Your Skin?

 

What do heat, humidity, and the sun all have in common? They make us sweat.

Especially in cases of excessive sweating,, dead skin cells are less likely to be naturally removed, and more likely to stay trapped in our pores, kept there by a combination of sweat and sunscreen. When our pores are clogged, they’re more likely to become inflamed and cause… you guessed it: breakouts.

High humidity levels  can also trigger our sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.

 

 

Glossary Break

 

Sebaceous Glands: Microscopic glands found in hair follicles that produce oil. Sebaceous glands provide 90% of our skin’s surface lipids.

 

Sebum: A mixture of fats that give our skin a slightly greasy feel. Sebum is beneficial for skin elasticity and regulation of water loss.

While this may be perfectly fine for someone with balanced or dry skin, for those of us on the oilier side, we may be experiencing a bit more shine than we like in humid climates.

Even though higher humidity equates to more moisture, you might not be able to escape dry skin. More time in the sun, pools, and air conditioning can all play a part in dehydrating your skin—even if the rest of you feels anything but dry.

What About Low Humidity Levels?

 

We can’t talk about humidity without addressing the lack of it. Low humidity and low temperatures can, in fact, lead to a decrease in skin barrier function—and skin health as a result. 

These dry environments can increase the number of dermal mast cells, which stimulate inflammation in the skin. Up goes the number of dermal mast cells, and up go your chances of sensitive, irritated skin. If your skin barrier is compromised, dry air and low humidity amplify the negative effects.

 

 

What Is a Good  Skincare Routine for Humid Conditions?

 

When the environment is already giving you more, less is more when it comes to your skincare routine. 

• Cleanse: If you usually wash your face either in the morning or the evening, you’ll want to do both when you’re in a humid climate. Cleanse your skin of any dirt and impurities, and reduce oil with each rinse.

• Light Moisturizer: If you’re in a humid environment, put those heavy creams to bed for now. Opt for a lightweight water- or gel-based moisturizer.

• Exfoliate: Unclog pores and remove dead skin cells through exfoliation. Since this is a stronger treatment for skin, exfoliate just once or twice a week.

• Sunscreen: This is a step we’ll never skip. Opt for a non-greasy, non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores) formula.

 

What Skincare Ingredients Are Best in High Humidity?

 

Ultimately though, it’s all about the ingredients. Here’s what we’d look for when creating a routine for humidity:

• Hyaluronic Acid: One of our favorites, this ingredient is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin from the environment, and is great at retaining water too. It’s naturally found in our skin, eyes, and even joints, but levels decrease as we age. So, we bring in a little backup with a serum or cream.
• Niacinamide: It may be hard to pronounce, but it’s so powerful. Niacinamide can help manage the amount of oil your sebaceous glands produce (ideal for humidity). A form of vitamin B3, it can help reduce the appearance of large pores and protect your skin from oxidative stress, like sunlight or pollution.
• Salicylic Acid: A Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), it’s often found in chemical exfoliators, cleansers, and even shampoos. Salicylic acid can help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, helping you manage any pesky breakouts or acne.
• Benzoyl Peroxide: Often used in treating mild acne, Benzoyl peroxide decreases the amount of sebum around follicles, and increases the turnover of epithelial cells. These cells are found both inside and outside the body, including the structure of your epidermis.

It may look like a lot, but there are really just three things you have to keep top of mind when it comes to skin care and humidity: managing oil production (sebum), keeping skin hydrated, and of course sun protection.

In low humidity, you’ll want to prioritize products with humectants—ingredients that attract and retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and petrolatum all fall under this category. Making sure your skin barrier is properly moisturized in drier conditions will only support its strength and function as your first line of defense.

 

Our Staples

•  DEINDE Purifying Whipped Cleanser: If you’re looking for a new cleanser for warmer temps, the Purifying Whipped Cleanser may be just what you need. Gentle enough for all skin types (even you, sensitive) it’s mymicrobiome certified and washes away pollutants while preserving the moisture barrier.
•  DEINDE Skin Strengthening Serum: This serum has everything. It’s lightweight, targets all 5 signs of inflammaging, and locks in moisture. Formulated with Niacinamide and Naringenin, which strengthens the skin against daily disruptors. 

Naringenin is DEINDE’s novel biotech bioactive, 15x (!!!) more powerful than the leading comparable active. It also works to protect your skin against inflammaging by mitigating the response of inflammatory genes.

 

What Other Skincare Products Should You Consider?

 

If you’ve got the basics down, and are looking around for a little something extra to add, consider:

• A face mist. If those little vegetables in the grocery store can have it, so can you. Make sure to use it on clean skin and follow up with a moisturizer to seal in that hydration.
• Blotting sheets. These can be a lifesaver for sebum overproduction, especially if you have oily skin.
• A clay mask. Another winner for humid weather, clay is great for oil-control, and in turn, can help clear pores and fight breakouts.

Humid or not, having a staple cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen are all critical steps for preserving your skin barrier. Looking for a more tailored approach? Reach out to a dermatologist for targeted advice.

 

Does Humidity Impact Aging?

 

The question on everyone’s mind: will high humidity turn back (or fast forward) the clock? Once again, humidity leaves us in a bit of a grey area. Just like most environmental factors, humidity can have longer-term effects on your skin. 

We already know that humidity means moisture, and moisture is critical for skin barrier health. As we get older, sweat and sebum gland activity also decrease, so our skin tends to become drier. The extra bit of hydration from humidity, which also boosts sebum production, can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

However, as we age, our skin structure and its immune composition changes. Our epidermis grows thinner, we experience more water loss, and it can be more susceptible to infections. As much as humidity may benefit older skin, it can also cause inflammation and irritation brought on by clogged pores. Then again, it may just feel like you’re back in high school, reaching for the salicylic acid to beat breakouts.

 

Should I Move?

 

Just kidding. Skin, not unlike a toddler, is picky. Depending on your skin type, it may thrive in humid climates (dry skin), or go into overdrive (oily). Due to the high level of moisture, humidity can help fine lines and wrinkles appear less prominent. On the flip side, humidity can lead to clogged pores, breakout and more sebum production than we want or need.

Whether you’re going on vacation or swapping between seasons, using lightweight products that lock in moisture and won’t clog pores, will help manage your skin in more humid weather.

If you’re dealing with drier conditions, you’ll want to layer your routine with humectants, preserving skin moisture and therefore, your skin barrier. 

Just promise you’ll take us along on your next vacation? In exchange, we’ll keep the tips coming. Take care, everywhere!

 

Sources:

Moisture control and ventilation - WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality | NCBI Bookshelf

Effect of room humidity on the formation of fine wrinkles in the facial skin of Japanese | NCBI.

Anatomy, Skin (Integument) - StatPearls | NCBI Bookshelf.

Skin barrier function | PMC.