What are the common misunderstandings about skin at the change of seasons?
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
"My skin plays up when the seasons change" is a feeling widely shared in Japan, where four distinct seasons bring large swings in humidity. Many newcomers notice it in their first year. This article sets out what actually changes, and what to adjust, using public weather data and general dermatological explanations.
What changes (Tokyo climate normals)
| Seasonal switch | Change | Effect on skin (general explanation) |
|---|---|---|
| Winter → spring (Feb–Apr) | Humidity stays in the 50s (%) while temperatures rise; UV climbs sharply (March is about the same as September); cedar (sugi) and cypress (hinoki) pollen | Sebum increases while dryness lingers; pollen brings redness and itching |
| Spring → summer (Jun–Jul) | Humidity above 75%, temperatures of 30°C (86°F), sweat and sebum | Greasiness, irritation from sweat, dampness under masks |
| Summer → autumn (Sep–Oct) | Humidity and temperature drop sharply; summer's UV damage shows on the surface | Dryness, rough texture, dullness |
| Autumn → winter (Nov–Dec) | Humidity below 50%, and 20–30% indoors with the heating on | Dryness, flaking, itching |
- UV levels rise sharply from March and peak in May–August (Japan Meteorological Agency). Assuming the spring sun is "still weak" is the classic reason people start sunscreen too late.
- Skin trouble in hay-fever season (pollen dermatitis, 花粉皮膚炎) typically shows as redness and itching around the eyes, on the cheeks and on the neck, and is well known to dermatologists.
- Switching between heating and air-conditioning: indoor humidity changes sharply just after the heating or the cooling goes on, so this is also the time to review humidifying and moisturising.
[Verify] Check the Japan Meteorological Agency climate normals (humidity, temperature) and monthly UV data. The explanation of pollen dermatitis is based on Japanese Dermatological Association material.
Misunderstanding 1｜The change of seasons is when skin "gets weaker"
Your skin does not change its nature; the environment changes suddenly. The practical response is to look at the environment (humidity, UV, pollen) and adjust how much you moisturise and protect from the sun.
Misunderstanding 2｜When skin flares up, fix it with new products
Adding several new products at once makes the cause impossible to find. While the skin is irritated, stick to a minimum of products you know, and once it settles, add one at a time.
Misunderstanding 3｜Spring UV is still weak
UV in March is about the same as in September. Sunscreen from February–March is the general dermatological advice.
Misunderstanding 4｜You do not need moisturiser in summer
Air-conditioning dries the air and sweat evaporates water from the skin, so skin dries in summer too. Keep moisturising with a lighter product (see the oily skin article).
Misunderstanding 5｜Seasonal flare-ups settle on their own, so leave them
Most do settle once the skin adjusts, but redness, itching or bumps lasting more than 2 weeks may be pollen dermatitis or contact dermatitis. Have a dermatology clinic (covered by Japanese health insurance) check.
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Sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency, "Historical weather data search" (Tokyo climate normals: temperature, humidity) / "Monthly UV information" [紫外線の月別情報]
https://www.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/env/uvhp/
- Japanese Dermatological Association, "Dermatology Q&A: Pollen dermatitis, dry skin" [皮膚科Q&A 花粉皮膚炎・乾燥肌]
https://www.dermatol.or.jp/qa/
- Ministry of the Environment, "Environmental health manual on hay fever" [花粉症環境保健マニュアル]
https://www.env.go.jp/chemi/anzen/kafun/manual.html
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
About this article
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Cosmetics are not medicines and are not meant to diagnose, heal or prevent any condition. If your skin reacts, stop using the product and see a dermatologist.
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