Climate change is increasingly affecting weather patterns and human health worldwide. The ongoing Super El Niño is expected to intensify weather extremes, bringing changes in temperature, rainfall, humidity and heat across different regions. These environmental changes can contribute to health concerns such as dehydration, heat-related illness and respiratory problems, while also placing additional stress on the skin.
The skin is constantly exposed to these changing environmental conditions. High temperatures, dry air, low humidity, cold winds and prolonged air-conditioning can increase moisture evaporation from the skin, making it dry, rough, flaky and irritated. This increased moisture loss is closely linked to transepidermal water loss (TEWL). As TEWL rises, maintaining adequate skin hydration and a strong skin barrier becomes increasingly important.
What Is Transepidermal Water Loss?
Transepidermal water loss refers to the movement of water from the deeper layers of the skin through the epidermis and into the surrounding environment. Some water loss is a normal part of skin physiology. However, when the skin barrier becomes compromised or environmental conditions increase water evaporation, TEWL can rise.
The skin barrier acts as an important protective layer that limits excessive moisture loss. Climate-related conditions can place additional stress on this barrier. Dry air, cold weather, wind and low humidity can increase evaporation from the skin, while heat and frequent exposure to air conditioning can also contribute to changes in skin hydration.
As water is lost from the skin, it may feel dry, rough or tight. In people with already dry or sensitive skin, these effects can become more noticeable.
How Climate Conditions Can Increase Skin Water Loss
Different environmental conditions can influence the skin in different ways.
- Low humidity: Dry air contains less moisture, increasing the gradient between water in the skin and the surrounding atmosphere. This can increase water evaporation from the skin surface.
- Cold weather: Lower temperatures and dry outdoor air can affect the skin barrier, while indoor heating can further reduce humidity.
- Hot weather: Higher temperatures can increase water evaporation. Sweat and repeated washing may also affect the skin's surface condition.
- Wind exposure: Wind can increase evaporation from the skin surface, leaving exposed areas feeling dry and rough.
- Air conditioning: Spending long periods in air-conditioned environments can expose the skin to relatively dry indoor air, potentially contributing to moisture loss.
With increasingly variable weather conditions, maintaining adequate skin hydration becomes an important part of everyday skin care.
Why Does the Skin Barrier Matter?
A healthy skin barrier limits excessive water loss while providing a protective interface between the body and the external environment. When the barrier is weakened, moisture can escape more readily.
This is why moisturizing is not simply about making the skin feel soft immediately after application. A well-formulated moisturizer can provide water-binding ingredients and lipid-rich components that improve the skin's moisture balance and form a protective layer over the skin.
Reducing excessive TEWL can therefore be an important part of keeping dry skin moisturized.
How Does a Moisturizer Reduce TEWL?
Moisturizers generally work through a combination of mechanisms. Humectants attract and retain water, while occlusive ingredients form a barrier that reduces water evaporation from the skin surface. Emollient ingredients fill spaces between skin cells and improve the skin's smoothness and texture.
This combination is particularly useful when environmental conditions are contributing to increased moisture loss.
Glycerine, for example, is a humectant commonly used in moisturizers to attract water. Occlusive ingredients such as petroleum jelly can form a protective layer that reduces water evaporation. Oils and butters can also contribute to the barrier-forming and skin-conditioning properties of a moisturizer.
Verdura Advanced Intense Moisturizing Lotion – The best lotion for dry skin
Verdura Advanced Intense Moisturizing Lotion is formulated for dry, irritated and rough skin, with a focus on hydration and reducing moisture loss. It is dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic and provides 24-hour hydration. Its formulation is designed to strengthen the skin barrier while reducing TEWL.
This best lotion for dry skin combines moisturizing and skin-conditioning ingredients including glycerine, avocado oil, cocoa butter, bisabolol, allantoin, arginine and glutamine.
Avocado Oil and Cocoa Butter
Avocado oil and cocoa butter provide rich moisturizing properties. Their combination with glycerine creates a rich barrier on the skin that helps lock in moisture. Avocado oil also provides vitamins A, D and E along with essential fatty acids.
Glycerine
Glycerine is a humectant that attracts and retains water, making it an important component in moisturizing formulations. In this lotion, it works alongside the barrier-forming ingredients to maintain skin hydration.
Bisabolol and Allantoin
Includes bisabolol and allantoin for dry and irritated skin. Reduces itching, scaling and redness while moisturizing the skin.
Arginine and Glutamine
Arginine and glutamine are included as skin-conditioning ingredients in the formulation. Together with the other moisturizing components, they form part of the lotion's approach to hydrating and conditioning dry skin.
Moisturizing Across Changing Seasons
Skin does not experience the same environmental conditions throughout the year. Hot and humid weather, dry seasons, colder temperatures, wind and air-conditioned environments can all change the skin's moisture requirements.
Using a moisturizer regularly can provide the skin with an additional layer of hydration and reduce excessive moisture loss. For dry, rough or irritated skin, applying a moisturizer generously over the skin can be particularly useful.
Verdura Advanced Intense Moisturizing Lotion is intended for use across all seasons and is described as a fast-absorbing, long-lasting moisturizing formula. It is recommended to apply generously over the skin to hydrate and protect the skin from moisture loss.
Protecting Skin Moisture in a Changing Climate
Climate-related changes can make skin hydration more challenging, particularly when low humidity, wind, temperature fluctuations or prolonged air-conditioning increase water loss. While environmental conditions cannot always be avoided, maintaining the skin barrier and using an appropriate moisturizer can reduce the effects of excessive moisture loss.
Understanding TEWL makes it easier to see why moisturization is more than a temporary solution for dry skin. A moisturizer formulated with humectants, emollients and occlusive ingredients can provide hydration while forming a barrier that reduces water evaporation.
Verdura Advanced Intense Moisturizing Lotion is formulated for dry, irritated and rough skin and is designed to provide 24-hour hydration while reducing TEWL.
When changing weather conditions affect the skin's moisture balance, consistent moisturization can be an important part of maintaining hydrated, soft and supple skin.
FAQ’s
1. What is transepidermal water loss (TEWL)?
TEWL is the natural movement of water from within the skin through the epidermis into the surrounding environment. Excessive TEWL can contribute to dry, rough and irritated skin.
2. How can climate conditions increase TEWL?
Low humidity, hot or cold weather, wind and prolonged exposure to air conditioning can increase moisture evaporation from the skin, potentially increasing TEWL.
3. Why is the skin barrier important for preventing moisture loss?
The skin barrier acts as a protective layer that limits excessive water loss. When the barrier is weakened, moisture can escape more readily, leaving the skin dry and rough.
4. How does a moisturizer reduce TEWL?
Moisturizers combine humectants, emollients and occlusive ingredients to attract moisture, condition the skin and form a protective layer that reduces water evaporation.
5. How does Verdura Advanced Intense Moisturizing Lotion reduce TEWL?
Verdura Advanced Intense Moisturizing Lotion combines moisturizing and barrier-forming ingredients to reduce moisture loss. It is formulated to reduce TEWL, strengthen the skin barrier and provide 24-hour hydration.
6. Is Verdura Advanced Intense Moisturizing Lotion suitable for dry and rough skin?
Yes. It is formulated for dry, irritated and rough skin and is described as fast-absorbing and long-lasting.
7. Does Verdura Advanced Intense Moisturizing Lotion provide long-lasting hydration?
Yes. The product provides 24-hour hydration and is formulated for long-lasting moisturization.
8. Can Verdura Advanced Intense Moisturizing Lotion be used throughout the year?
Yes. The product information states that it is suitable for all seasons.
