Why Does Summer Leave Our Skin Dry from Within in an Era of Extreme Climate Change?
We are living through a summer unlike any we have known before.
Extreme heat is no longer confined to specific regions. In many parts of the world, temperatures now regularly exceed 45°C (113°F) — far above the average human body temperature of 36.5°C (97.7°F). In parts of Southern Europe, enormous amounts of moisture evaporating from the Mediterranean Sea linger in the atmosphere, creating an intensely hot and humid environment that feels almost suffocating.
Across Asia, record-breaking heatwaves and persistent humidity have become increasingly common, fundamentally changing what summer feels like.
Climate scientists suggest that these conditions are not merely seasonal anomalies but part of a new normal driven by long-term changes in the Earth’s climate system.
These dramatic environmental shifts are also transforming our skin.
Many people assume that because their skin feels oily or sweaty during summer, it must also be well hydrated. In reality, the skin is telling a very different story.
High temperatures accelerate the evaporation of moisture from within the skin, while intense UV exposure continuously stresses the skin barrier. Frequent wiping of sweat, repeated cleansing, and prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments further weaken the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture.
Moist on the Surface, Dry Beneath
This condition — often called internal dehydration — has become one of the most common skin concerns during modern summers.
As dehydration continues, the skin attempts to compensate by producing even more sebum in an effort to restore balance. The result is a frustrating cycle: increased oiliness, recurring breakouts, tightness, enlarged pores, and a rougher skin texture.
For this reason, summer skincare today can no longer focus solely on removing excess oil or creating a matte finish.
Instead, maintaining the skin’s internal moisture balance and supporting the skin barrier’s natural function have become far more important.
Rather than layering on heavy products, the skin benefits more from lightweight formulations that it can comfortably absorb — products that respect the skin’s own ability to maintain balance.
Our skin is the body’s first boundary to respond to changes in the environment.
Skincare, therefore, is no longer simply about choosing cosmetics. It is also about understanding the seasons we live through and the environment that surrounds us.
At XUYONI, we do not separate the changing seasons from the changing condition of the skin.
As nature changes, so does the skin’s delicate balance. And with that change comes the need for a new standard of skincare.
The Seasons of Skin begins with this understanding.
It is a journal about learning to understand our rapidly changing climate, listening carefully to the signals of our skin, and discovering ways to live in harmony with nature.
So that the skin may preserve its original Gyeol — its natural texture and flow — XUYONI will continue sharing seasonal skincare insights and the wisdom that nature quietly offers.