Environmental Stressors On Your Skin
While many places around the world may experience all four seasons, there is perhaps nowhere that does so as distinctly and reverently as Japan. Spring (haru), summer (natsu), autumn (aki), winter (fuyu)—in Japan, each season represents an inherent connection with nature and the natural cycle of beginnings and endings.
There are special Japanese traditions, ceremonies, and activities that celebrate all of the unique changes inspired by this continual transition, and these rituals play an important role in shaping daily life in Japan. With such a close relationship to the seasons, it’s no wonder that the Japanese are an authority on seasonal skin changes and all the best ways to address those nuanced skincare challenges. The Japanese recognize that, while each seasonal shift brings its own set of skin-related problems and solutions, no transition is more dynamic than the one from winter to spring.
Freezing rain, snow, icy winds—these wintertime extremes might herald the season of comfy sweaters, hot cocoa, and cozy moments by the fire, but they can also wreak havoc on your skin.
Lower temperatures, low humidity, and frigid winds create a dry, moisture-leaching environment around your skin whenever you’re out in the elements. Additionally, most inside spaces are heated with artificial hot air that can further exacerbate already dry and irritated skin. In these extremes, you may amp up your use of exfoliators, oil-rich creams, and other formulas to create a protective barrier that effectively seals in moisture and shields your skin from the damaging effects of cold, dry weather.
However, once the world begins to thaw with the promise of spring, a whole new set of skincare challenges and solutions emerge. Along with it’s warmer temps, springtime also brings a higher UV index, fluctuating humidity, and dust and pollen-filled winds—all of which creates an unstable environment that your skin is constantly struggling to adjust to. Just as you might transition your heavy layers to something more comfortable or adaptable in warmer weather, the same principle is true for your skin: spring demands a lighter, more versatile approach to give your skin what it needs to be happy and healthy. So what’s the best way to shed your winter mindset and welcome a new spring skincare routine? Here are three simple J-Beauty tips.
