Why Does Skin Become More Sensitive in Summer? | Hongdae Summer Skin Care

In summer, there is a noticeable increase in the number of people visiting Hongdae dermatology clinics because of skin concerns.

"My skin breaks out every summer."

"I have more sebum, but my skin still feels tight."

"My makeup doesn't apply well, and my face keeps getting red."

"I guess it's just because it's summer~"

Why Does the Skin Become More Sensitive During Summer?

The main reason the skin becomes more sensitive during summer is that strong UV rays, high temperatures and humidity, and repeated exposure to air conditioning all affect the skin barrier at the same time.

Many people assume that because summer is humid, their skin will also stay moisturized.

However, in reality, the opposite is often true.

Outdoors, the skin is continuously exposed to hot sunlight and UV rays, while indoors, air conditioning causes moisture within the skin to evaporate quickly.

On top of this, increased sweat and sebum continue to irritate the skin.

As a result, the skin may produce more sebum to protect itself, while the skin barrier gradually weakens, causing the skin to become easily red and irritated even by minor stimuli.

Therefore, summer skin concerns should be understood not simply as "the skin getting hotter," but as the result of multiple environmental changes placing stress on the skin at the same time.

Why Does the Skin Produce More Sebum During Summer?

Sebum is a 'natural protective barrier' produced by our body to protect the skin.

This is a question I hear very often in the consultation room every summer.

"Doctor, my face gets so oily every summer."

In fact, sebum itself is not bad.

Sebum acts as a natural protective barrier that protects the skin and prevents moisture from escaping.

During summer, as temperatures rise and the skin temperature increases, our body naturally increases sebum production to protect the skin.

This is where the problem begins.

When many people notice increased sebum, they wash their face more frequently or use products with stronger cleansing power.

However, when the skin's protective barrier is washed away as well, the skin tries to produce even more sebum to restore the protective barrier it has lost.

As a result, even though you wash your face more because of excessive sebum, it can create a vicious cycle in which the skin actually becomes even oilier.

Another thing to remember is that having a lot of sebum does not necessarily mean that the skin is well hydrated.

Because moisture within the skin continues to evaporate due to strong UV exposure and air conditioning, it is common to experience 'inner dryness,' where the skin looks oily on the surface but feels tight underneath.

How Do UV Rays Affect the Skin?

Many people think that UV rays only cause melasma, but in fact, UV exposure can also affect skin aging and the skin barrier.

Strong UV rays can reduce collagen within the skin and weaken the skin's protective function.

This is why many people say that their skin feels less firm after summer or that it becomes red and sensitive more easily than usual.

In particular, if you have experienced your skin feeling hot or dry after spending a long time outdoors, it may be a sign that your skin needs time to recover from UV exposure.

What Kind of Skin Care Can Help During Summer?

During summer, rather than over-treating the skin, it is important to create an environment that allows the skin to recover on its own.

Rather than washing your face too frequently, we recommend gentle cleansing that helps protect the skin barrier.

Also, instead of skipping moisturizer because your skin is oily, it is better to consistently use lightweight moisturization suited to your current skin condition.

It is also important to apply enough sunscreen before going outside and reapply it when spending extended periods outdoors.

If heat in the skin persists for a long time or redness does not easily subside, soothing treatments such as LDM may help restore the skin's condition.

If you are concerned about both insufficient moisture within the skin and reduced elasticity, you may also consider a skin booster such as RE2o, which helps improve the skin's regenerative environment and promote collagen production.

In addition, if UV exposure has caused a dull skin tone or pigmentation concerns, combining pigmentation treatments such as toning laser treatments after thoroughly assessing the skin condition can also be a good option.

What is important is that the care your skin needs changes with the seasons.

What Do We Check First When Assessing Summer Skin at a Hongdae Dermatology Clinic?

Not all summer skin concerns are caused by the same factors.

For some people, the cause may be a weakened skin barrier,

for others, irritation caused by UV exposure,

and for others, sebum and pore concerns may be the greater cause.

That is why, during consultations, rather than recommending treatments first, I consider identifying why the skin has become sensitive to be the most important step.

This is because accurately assessing the skin condition and then choosing an appropriate care method is more likely to lead to satisfactory results.

For Summer Skin, 'Recovering Skin' Is More Important Than 'Enduring Skin'

As interest in skin care for hot summer weather and Korean anti-aging treatments continues to grow overseas, the number of people visiting Korean beauty clinics is steadily increasing.

In particular, Korean beauty clinics are known as Korean aesthetic clinics that place importance on treatments that restore the skin's natural health and balance rather than simply making the skin look better.

In my own practice, what I consider most important is creating an environment in which the skin can become healthy on its own.

Good skin is not created in a single day.

When seasonal lifestyle habits and skin care are combined with appropriate treatments at the right time, the skin gradually changes in a healthier direction.

If you are visiting a Hongdae dermatology clinic because of summer skin concerns, rather than simply following skin care methods recommended online, I recommend first checking what type of care is appropriate for your current skin condition.

Today, we discussed why the skin becomes more sensitive during summer.

Next time, I will continue to explain the questions I frequently receive in the consultation room one by one in an easy and interesting way.