“We’re not at the weather service here,” a colleague recently exclaimed. True. And yet, in November, it’s important to lay out the facts. The eleventh month averages 77 hours of sunshine; in many regions, it’s even less than 50. Meanwhile, humidity often climbs above 80 percent – and daytime temperatures drop into the low single digits for the first time. Why are we listing all this in such detail? Because all of this together forms the basis for the November blues. The lack of light puts a strain on our mental health, and together with the changing climatic conditions, this often leads to visible problems for our skin. In other words, the November blues are literally written all over our faces.
Less sun, fewer vitamins
Sunlight is a crucial factor for skin health. It's especially important for the production of vitamin D, which strengthens the skin and supports cell division. In fact, vitamin D is a key factor in hormone regulation throughout the body. This explains why we mentioned the number of hours of sunshine earlier: the amount is far from sufficient to meet our vitamin D needs. The consequence: without this essential vitamin, tissue – especially on the face – becomes drier and paler. Furthermore, the skin becomes more susceptible to external influences. Cold winds outside and dry air from heating systems inside quickly become problematic.
November stress 1: Cold
As we just mentioned, the constant switching between cold and warm weather is particularly damaging to our skin during the transition to winter. To explain this better: The onset of coolness – or rather, cold – causes the blood vessels on the skin's surface to constrict. This is meant to reduce heat loss from the body. It's a natural protective reaction, an important one, but unfortunately, its effect is detrimental to the freshness and beauty of our outer layer. This is because the skin receives less blood flow and therefore less oxygen and nutrients. As we all know, this makes it look pale and tired.
November stress 2: hot air
After the cold comes (usually) the warmth. For example, when we go to the office – or come home in the evening. Especially indoors, the humidity often drops below 30 percent due to heating. This is really not good. Ideally, skin needs 40 to 60 percent humidity. This lack of moisture has consequences: it damages the skin's natural lipid barrier. The skin then becomes dry, flaky, and tight.
Why care needs to be adapted
Skin needs change with the seasons – we all know that. Dermatologists even state that skin loses up to 30 percent more moisture in November than in the summer. Therefore, November should be considered the starting month for adjusting your skincare routine. For the first time in a while, you need richer, more nourishing products, and ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and plant oils become even more important. And – although we often forget this – now is the time for "internal hydration." You need to drink even more water. In addition, you should use vitamin C powder – or, even better, infuse your skin with citrus fruits. It's delicious and beneficial for your skin.
Psychological effects are reflected in the face.
November is indeed a "dangerous" month. It leaves not only physical marks on the skin, but also emotional ones.Studies show that up to 20 percent of Germans suffer from severe mood swings, especially during this month. The lack of sunlight and dreary weather take their toll on mood. This leads to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. This also has negative effects on the skin: High cortisol levels impair collagen production and thus accelerate skin aging. Researchers at the University of Leipzig have found that the face, in particular, quickly loses elasticity and becomes prone to inflammation under stress. So, quite literally, our emotional state is written all over our faces…
