You likely already know how damaging direct sunlight can be to your skin if you are not using a strong sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF when you head out on a sunny day, but did you know that there may be some issues with being exposed to rain water as well. It's true, but it's also complicated.
Let us explain.
Many often consider the natural beauty and cleansing power that a good rainstorm may have on the environment around us. It can feel like rain is washing away things like pollen and molds, which it very well may be, but there is also another element to understand here, pollution.
Sadly, humans inhabit the planet, but also contribute to the change that the natural world experiences and one of the harming changes is the existence of pollution. This is why the natural beauty of rain water can be overshadowed by the toxins it picks up in our air and distributes to your face and skin if you are letting yourself become engulfed by it.
Pollution is not the only reason that rain water may become damaging to your skin either. In fact, rain water has a natural acidity to it that can actually disrupt the pH balance of your skin and lead your skin to become dry and itchy. Believe it or not, rain water can even lead to breakouts.
While pollution and acidic rain are everywhere, your location can play a significant role in determining just how damaged your skin may become if it is exposed to rain. Those who are living in heavily populated areas like cities are more likely to be exposed to the damage effects of rain then those who are in a more rural setting. While this is not a hard and fast rule, it is a good starting place to understand your risks.
There are a couple of things you can do to help your skin avoid the damaging effects of rain water;
1.) Use an umbrella. While it can be a little cumbersome to carry an umbrella everywhere you go it will not only keep you dry, but it will keep the rain water off your skin and face which will help protect you against the pollutants that may be in the air.
2.) Wear a hat. A wide-brimmed hat will give you protection from the rain that an umbrella gives you, but without the need to carry it everywhere you go. Of course, you'll need to remember to wear your hat when you head out and this will not be particularly useful for your other exposed skin like hands and arms.
3.) Moisturize. If you are exposed to rain water your skin may become dehydrated and you may need to utilize a good quality moisturizer. We have one that we recommend to all of our rain soaked friends.
4.) Move. This may be an extreme option, but some cities are so polluted that extreme options may be the only ones that work. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to a rural setting where less pollution is likely and you can stomp around in the rain like you were a child again.
You may have seen this viral video of Drew Barrymore enjoying a recent rainfall. We love her youthful exuberance, but we would really like to encourage her to avoid that much direct contact with rain water OR she could just rejuvenate her skin after this romp in the rain by utilizing one of our moisturizers.
Whatever you decide to do, remember the weather elements that we often talk about (great small talk right?) can go a long way to damage our skin if we're not careful and take good care to protect your skin from these elements.
