5 Wet Season Activities That Are Bad for Your Skin
Do you prefer feeling the rain on your skin or staying dry indoors? Find out how typical wet season activities can potentially harm the skin.
Dancing in the Rain>
Taking Long, Hot Showers>
Indulging in Unhealthy Comfort Food>
Splashing in Floodwater>
Binge-Watching TV>
The rainy season brings out two types of people: one who plays outside in the downpour and the wistful onlooker gazing out the window. If you're the latter and you dislike rainy day activities, it's probably due to the widespread belief that rainwater can trigger various skin issues – and that’s not entirely false. However, hunkering down at home can be equally detrimental to your skin.
Keep scrolling for indoor and outdoor wet season activities and how rainy weather can be harmful to your skin.
Dancing in the Rain
The thrill of twirling around on a rainy street is magical, to say the least. It’s like starring as the main character in your very own rom-com. The catch? Those raindrops carry contaminants that can trigger irritation or, worse, breakouts. Moreover, drenched clothes are the ideal breeding ground for bacteria, which may cause more skin issues.
Don’t worry, rain romantics. You can still live out your movie-worthy moment by observing proper hygiene. Opt for a gentle cleanser like Lifebuoy Antibacterial Soap Mild Care that’s safe for sensitive skin prone to acne. It fights 99.9% of germs with its one-of-a-kind ActivSilver+ formula, keeping your skin fresh and protected throughout your wet season activities.
Taking Long, Hot Showers
Nothing feels better than washing away the cold in a steamy shower. But as with many good things in life, moderation is key.
A hot shower can be harmful to your skin. While it helps loosen the sebum clogging the pores on your face and back, it also strips the natural oils necessary to maintain your skin moisture balance. Over time, this leads to dryness, damaged skin barrier, and eczema. In short, a lukewarm shower is the superior choice.
If your hand becomes more sensitive due to those long, hot shower sessions, use Dove Nourishing Hand Wash Cucumber and Green Tea, enriched with ¼ moisturizing cream. The pH-balanced formula deeply cleanses and moisturizes the skin, leaving your hands feeling refreshed and soft.
Indulging in Unhealthy Comfort Food
Hot chocolate is delicious all year round, but it's even more heavenly when it’s chilly outside. Turns out, your sudden craving for sugary treats on rainy days is not a mere coincidence. A study from the University of New South Wales reports that the bad weather brings down your serotonin levels. As a natural response, your body seeks sugar to boost this “feel good” hormone.
A few slices of cake won’t hurt anybody. Besides, are there better wet season activities than curling up with a bowl of champorado? Still, excess sugar in your bloodstream can break down collagen and dehydrate your skin. For those with a sweet tooth, the solution lies in controlling your daily sugar intake. Try to reduce the amount of sweetener in recipes by a third. You can also choose healthier alternatives like dark chocolate, which, BTW, is packed with antioxidants.
Splashing in Floodwater
Standing water can be dangerous for both children and adults. Stepping into puddles exposes your skin to potential hazards, including germs and chemical waste. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contact with contaminated floodwater increases the risk of developing skin rashes, wound infections, and even leptospirosis.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where wading through floodwater is unavoidable, equip yourself with a raincoat and a pair of waterproof boots to minimize skin contact with the water. Upon safely returning home, immediately take a shower and check for any wounds. Lastly, make sure to wash your clothes in hot water and detergent before using them again.
Binge-Watching TV
A heavy thunderstorm is the perfect excuse to take a raincheck on plans and stay glued in front of the TV. However, the blue light from your devices can cause discoloration and photo-aging as it penetrates the skin deeper than UV rays. A Unilever Science & Technology study also reveals, “30 hours of exposure to blue light from smartphone or laptop screens can increase the inflammation level in skin cells by 40%.”
But how much is too much screen time? When it starts to interfere with your sleep pattern and personal life. It’s okay to take a little escape from reality, though. When you do, limit it to a few hours a day. Most importantly, put on sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and an SPF 30 minimum, rain or shine.
Whether you prefer to brave the storm or nestle in your house, enjoy your favorite wet season activities with precautions. Remember to give your skin extra attention throughout the drippy weather. One last piece of advice? Look out for mosquitoes!
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