Skin so dry it peels from sitting in aircond all day? 5 key moisturising steps

Hi, I’m Derrick. Here it’s summer all year round, so logically our skin shouldn’t get dry, right?

But many aunties tell me: after sitting in the office the whole day, by afternoon their face feels tight, foundation turns patchy, and there are even small flakes on the cheeks. After a week’s holiday in Japan or Korea, they come back with skin so dry it itches.

This usually isn’t because your skincare suddenly “stopped working”. It’s because the environment your skin is in has changed, so the way you care for it needs to change too. This article covers the causes of dryness and 5 moisturising steps you can do every day.

It’s so hot, so why does my skin still get dry?

• Aircond all day: in the office, the mall, the car, and at home while sleeping, the aircond is on. The air is drier, so water on the skin’s surface evaporates more easily.
• The older we get, the less oil we have: mature skin produces less oil on its own, so the protective layer is thinner and holds water less well.
• Travelling to cold countries: in winter in Japan, Korea or Europe, it’s cold and dry outside, the heater is on indoors, and the air on long-haul flights is very dry too. Skin can’t adjust that fast.
• Habits haven’t changed to match: washing your face with hot water, taking long showers, and always using an oil-control cleanser all make dryness more obvious.

5 key moisturising steps

1. Wash your face gently, not with hot water

Use lukewarm water close to body temperature, or cool water. Water that’s too hot strips away the skin’s natural oils.

When your skin feels dry, you can switch a strong cleanser to a gentle one, and exfoliate less often for now.

2. Start your skincare right after washing

After washing your face or showering, the water in your skin evaporates quickly. Pat dry gently with a towel, then start applying skincare as soon as possible. Don’t leave your face “drying out” too long.

3. Order: from thin to thick

Start from the lightest: toner → serum → lotion or cream. Hydrate first, then use something richer last to lock the water in. For details, read “The order to apply skincare“; to learn about ingredients like vitamin C and retinol, read “What is “C in the morning, A at night”?“.

4. Don’t stop daytime sun protection

Here the sun is strong all year, and there’s UV even on cloudy days. Even if you’re indoors all day, sitting by the window, driving, or going out to tapau lunch, you’re still getting sun.

Same when you go to cold countries: cold weather doesn’t mean no UV, and on snow, sunlight reflects back up from the ground. Sunscreen is the last step of your morning routine. Don’t skip it just because it’s cool.

5. Adjust your daily habits too

• Don’t sit right under the aircond vent, or let the air blow directly on your face.
• When sleeping, you don’t need the aircond too cold. You can keep an eye on the room’s humidity.
• Don’t shower too long, and don’t use water that’s too hot.
• Drinking enough water, keeping regular hours and getting enough sleep also matter for your skin.
• When travelling to cold countries, moisturise a few more times on the plane and in the hotel.

3 common moisturising myths

• Keep spraying face mist? If you don’t follow up with lotion or cream after spraying, as the water evaporates it may actually take some of your skin’s moisture with it.
• Is a sheet mask every day better? Leaving it on too long or using it too often isn’t necessarily better. Just follow the product instructions.
• Only dry skin needs moisturising? Oily and combination skin sitting in aircond rooms all day can also be “oily outside, dry inside”, and still needs the right amount of moisturising.

Everyone’s skin needs different care

The above is the general direction. In reality, your skin type, lifestyle and the products you use now all affect what kind of care suits you.

The brand suggests that when skin is dry and flaky, the pink bottle, purple bottle, 9A and the moisturising mask can be used together for extra care. If there’s stinging, redness or swelling, stop first and ask a doctor.

FAQ

※ This website is run by Derrick, an independent IT’S BEATTIYA distributor, and is not the official website of the IT’S BEATTIYA company. This article shares general skincare knowledge. Cosmetic results vary from person to person and cannot replace medical advice; if your skin reacts abnormally, stop using the product and consult a dermatologist.