How Air Conditioning Affects Your Skin
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What is the first thing you do after coming back to your home or stepping into your office on a scorching hot day in summer? Immediately switch on the AC unit, right? The burning hot sun outside, combined with humidity, is getting unbearable. Agreed! But what you have perhaps not realised is that the extended use of air conditioner is only damaging your skin. Besides, a sudden and drastic change in temperature is doing more harm than good to your health.
Of course, it is not practical to completely avoid the use of air conditioners. At the workplace, you may not have the choice but at home you do! More discrete use of air conditioning and some skincare hacks will go a long way in protecting your skin against the harmful effects of AC.
1. Dry, Itchy, And Flaky Skin
Developing dry, patchy, and itchy skin in winters is totally understandable, but why is it that you are complaining of these skin problems in the summers too? Uncontrolled use of AC is the culprit, indeed! The purpose of air conditioning is to suck out all the moisture from the room. But remember, your air conditioner does not differentiate between your room and your skin! It dries out all the natural oils and moisture from your skin as well, leaving it flaky and itchy. It gets worse if you do not hydrate yourself enough.
2. Affects The Release Of Toxins And Oil Production
When you sit in an air-conditioned room, your body is unable to release the harmful toxins in the form of sweat. The temperature, which could vary from 18 – 26 degrees Celsius, also affects the oil production of the skin. All of this leaves your skin dehydrated, dull, and unhealthy.
3. Premature Wrinkles
If you want to look younger forever, try reducing the number of hours you spend in an air-conditioned room. The water in your skin is what makes it elastic. When AC dehydrates your skin, it becomes wrinkled and creased. The result is premature aging!
4. Skin Damage Caused By Sudden Temperature Changes
The sudden temperature variations from hot to cold and cold to hot lead to many types of skin damages. Under normal conditions, the skin undergoes a natural process of rejuvenation, which is severely affected due to air conditioning.
5. Worsens Disorders and Allergies
For all those of you suffering from rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema, stay away from air conditioners as much as possible. AC only worsens any skin disorder because of dryness and dehydration. If you are prone to or suffer from any of these skin conditions, you need to consult your physician and take extra care of your skin.
Here’s how to combat the effects of air conditioning:
1. Always remember water is the best health mantra to protect your body from many ailments and, at the same time, reduce the possibility of damage caused by a harmful environment. So, drink at least eight glasses of water and keep yourself well-hydrated.
2. Keep your skin well-moisturized. Instead of a chemical moisturizer, opt for those containing natural/organic ingredients to combat the effects of AC and the dryness caused by it. Whenever you feel your skin looks dull and flaky, you can apply the moisturizer.
3. Avoid indiscriminate use of soaps made with harmful chemicals. Many people resort to excessive use of soap, going by misinformation about hygiene. Be cautious and use a mild glycerine-based soap so it does not wash away the natural oils from your skin.
4. Do make sure to change the filters of your AC at least once in every 45 days. This will keep your air conditioning unit in good condition.
5. Try to reduce the number of hours you spend in an AC room. The more time you spend in an air-conditioned room, the more you are making your skin vulnerable to the harshness of sudden temperature changes.
Tropical weather conditions and rising temperatures owing to global warming have increased the overall usage of ACs. But what we also need to understand is that air conditioning is not the solution to this problem. Smart interior planning can be a more effective and eco-friendly way of staying comfortable. Having potted plants around, blinds made of natural cooling materials, and good ventilation helps in keeping the place cool without the use of an air conditioner.
Basically, avoid the AC as much as possible. But if it is unavoidable and is affecting your skin adversely, follow skincare routines to rehydrate it. Cucumber face packs, ice massages, face mists, and moisturizers will help in maintaining the oil balance. Treating your skin to the goodness of nature retains its health and improves the glow of your skin.
So, the next time you switch off the AC, you are not only cutting down your electricity bill but also protecting your skin from dehydration!
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