The skin is the largest organ in the body, so it demands a great deal of attention if you want it to remain at its best.
It’s not always easy achieving the perfect complexion – skin is prone to getting dry, itchy or flaky, and when the weather heats up this certainly doesn’t do it any favours.
Thankfully, the invention of air conditioning has made our lives invariably more comfortable when the mercury rises, but there’s also the commonly held notion that it can be bad for the skin.
Air conditioning sucks moisture out of the air, so it makes sense that it will deplete moisture from your skin, too. However, there’s no scientific evidence to prove that it is bad for your skin.
Some people also report that sitting in an air-conditioned room for prolonged periods of time can exacerbate skin conditions such as eczema, or cause skin to feel itchy or become flaky, but again, this isn’t scientifically proven. Some skins cope fine being immersed in a temperature-controlled setting, while others don’t, so it suggests that other factors might also come into play.
Whether you think air conditioning is adversely affecting your skin or not, you can still reap the benefits of being in a temperature controlled room without letting your skin suffer. Indeed, the many benefits of air con, such as filtering out allergy-triggering bacteria, germs and pollen, and preventing cases of heat stroke, far outweigh any negative impact it might have on your skin.
Caring for your skin
If you want to savour the cooling effects of air con on a hot day, but still enjoy glowing skin, there are plenty of measures you can take to ensure this happens.
To prevent skin from drying out from moisture loss, simply get into the habit of applying non-fragranced moisturising cream to skin, about three times per day. Never use soap on your skin, because this will wreak havoc with the natural PH balance, resulting in a tight and uncomfortable feeling. You might also want to periodically spray your skin with a moisturiser mister for added hydration benefits.
Speaking of hydration, skin that’s thirsty can soon look under par, so keep fluid levels topped up. Aim to drink eight glasses of water each day. If water isn’t your thing, try a slice of juicy watermelon, snack on cucumber or munch on grapes to sneakily increase your fluid intake. Tomatoes also boast a high water content, so will keep you from feeling thirsty, but they also contain carotenoids which can reduce skin wrinkling and even protect skin from sun damage.
If the air in your space feels dry, increase hydration by placing a bucket of water near the air con unit, or invest in a humidifier.
If you’re worried that air con might be drying your skin out, perhaps where you sit could make a difference. The closer you are to an air con vent, the cooler the air will be, so move further away, if necessary. Consider turning the temperature up a notch so that the air isn’t as cold or turn it off for small periods of time.
Take a break from being in an air conditioned space, too. For example, if your work environment is air conditioned, go outdoors at lunchtime for some fresh air. Don’t forget to slap on some sunscreen, however, to keep harmful UV rays from damaging your skin.
Sometimes the quality of the air con system can influence its effect on your skin, so invest in a reliable system and make sure to get the filters changed every four to six weeks.
If you require high-quality air conditioning solutions and services, you’ll find GREE UK hard to beat.
