Why your skin gets dry when the heating comes on
Summer is officially over, and autumn has now begun.
While many of us will no doubt be excited for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, copious amounts of knitwear and the delights of spooky season, a few of us will no doubt be concerned about what this colder weather will be doing to our skin.
In order to combat the bone-chilling temperatures, many of us will be keen to crank the heating up - but this could affect our otherwise glowing visage in a number of ways.
Dr Memee Ahmad, a medically trained aesthetics doctor, speaking on behalf of SkinCouture, has since exclusively explained to Tyla all we need to know about how the heating affects our skin and how to best navigate these chilly months.
Advert
The science linking dry skin and heat
Dr Ahmad begins by outlining that cold air holds very little moisture.
"Heat it up indoors and the humidity in the room drops, so water leaves your skin faster than the deeper layers can replace it," he explains.
The expert also notes that, alongside the heat drying out our skin, there's also a 'second thing' going on that skincare fanatics should be in the know about.
Read more: I wrecked my skin barrier with acne treatment - this £16 La Roche-Posay Balm fixed it
"Skin produces its own moisturising compounds in the top layer, and that process depends on there being some moisture in the air around you," Dr Ahmad says.
"In a dry, heated room, it slows down. You end up losing water quickly and holding on to less of it."
What does central heating do to your skin?
Dr Ahmad tells Tyla that tightness after washing tends to come first, then flaking, rough patches and itch.
"In one study, women with normal skin sat in a heated room at low humidity for six hours. Water loss from the arms went up, and the face got redder and rougher. That was a single afternoon," he continues.
Read more: Adult acne: why it happens and what actually helps
Now, over a winter, skin can crack, and there is a particular winter rash that looks like 'cracked paving', usually on the shins.
The expert continues: "Eczema, psoriasis and rosacea often flare.
"In brown and Black skin, the itch matters more than the dryness, because scratching leaves dark marks that can take months to fade."
How to fix dry skin
Dr Ahmad recommends applying moisturiser within a few minutes of showering, while skin is still damp. He suggests using something thicker than your summer product, 'ideally with glycerin and ceramides'.
Alongside this, be sure to turn the shower temperature down and swap foaming soap for a gentler wash.
"Pause retinol and acids until the skin settles," the expert concludes.
Rhiannon Ingle