What are Man-Made Climates and How Do They Affect Skin?

By lacey / 18 December 2023

What are Man-Made Climates and How Do They Affect Skin?
The climate is all around us, which is why it’s important to think about the external factors that we are choosing to immerse ourselves in. We’re talking about our beloved air-conditioning and central heating. In tropical and desert climates, it’s relieving to get out of the intensely hot atmosphere and into a comforting air-conditioned room. It’s the other way around, too. After being in the rain, snow, or cold all day, sometimes all you want is to curl up in a cozy heated space. This is why Pour Moi accounts for man-made conditions in its climate smart formulations. We know that it’s inevitable. Our convenient lifestyles allow us these pleasures but not without some drawbacks. We’re here to make the playing field equal.

Going From 0 to 100 Real Quick

Going from one extreme to another is never a smooth transition for skin. When traveling or moving to a new climate, for example, skin can lash out in unhealthy ways as a result of the climate that shocks the skin’s natural moisture balance. It’s the same shock when going from the blistering hot atmosphere into an artificially chilled room. Sitting in front of a fan or air-conditioning for extended periods of time (such as during work hours at the office or all day during summer) throws off the skin’s balance between water and oils. Because the extremely chilled air prevents skin from producing enough oils, skin becomes dry, dehydrated, and even flaky. If skin exhibits shrivelling due to the extended exposure to air-conditioning, skin can show signs of premature aging, especially fine lines and wrinkles. The circulation of air-conditioning can also cause airborne bacteria to blow around the room, which may infiltrate the skin and cause free radical damage. In addition to creating new skin issues, air-conditioning also exacerbates pre-existing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

Is Heating Worse Than Air-Conditioning?

Both types of man-made climates affect skin in similar ways, but heating is a little bit more extreme because it strips the air of its moisture. Air-conditioning can dehydrate the skin, and so can heating due to the severe dryness in combination with the artificially high temperature. This affects the health and function of the skin barrier, which is responsible for promoting new skin cell regeneration. Going from the naturally cold climate in winter to the central heating in most buildings can cause sensitivity and dehydration in the skin. However, it’s not always the kind of dehydration you think. Excessive oiliness and dryness are common signs of dehydrated skin, so don’t be surprised if central heating causes your skin to over-compensate with increased oil production. When you’re going from one extreme to the other, variations in climate can cause swelling in facial vessels and damage to the veins. Your skin can respond in various ways, none of which are ideal — acne, dryness, oiliness, redness, sensitivity, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and so on.

Get Smart with Climate Smart Skincare

In order to best care for skin in all climate conditions — natural and man-made — your best bet is to invest in climate smart skincare that accounts for these fluctuations and extremities in the atmosphere. Even when using air-conditioning and central heating, be sure to match your Day Cream to the natural climate outside, such as the Polar Day Cream and Desert Day Cream. By restoring the moisture balance in skin and repairing damages, the nutrient-dense formulations by Pour Moi will give your complexion the boost it needs when the climate would have it otherwise.