The Effects of Regional Climate and Aging on Seasonal Variations in Chinese Women’s Skin Characteristics

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Skin characteristics change depending on the external environment such as UV, temperature and humidity. But the research how to affect the regional climate, age and seasonal variation on the skin conditions was not well studied. Therefore, we investigated the seasonal variation in the skin by comparing Beijing women and Guangzhou women by age groups. METHODS: 440 healthy Chinese women participated in this study. The skin hydration, sebum secretion, TEWL and skin pH were measured on the cheek front. All the parameters were analyzed in terms of the age, season and region. RESULTS: The skin hydration in Beijing was lower than that in Guangzhou and significantly decreased during winter than summer. The sebum secretion in their 20s and 30s was significantly high in summer in both regions, and this phenomenon was more remarkable in Guangzhou ( p < 0.05). The skin pH increased with age during winter, but it decreased in the old age groups in Beijing during summer. TEWL increased during winter, and differences in TEWL between summer and winter were greater in the old age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Skin hydration and barrier function decreased more during a cold, dry winter than summer. The barrier dysfunctions such as an increase in TEWL and pH occurred more commonly in old age groups. The greater the differences between summer and winter climates, the greater damage to skin barrier and skin hydration. The sebum secretion was more affected by hot, humid summers. Further, the aged skin was influenced by seasonal variation except for sebum secretion.