Our skin is our body’s first line of defence—which means taking care of it is essential. Excitingly, research has shown that saunas offer a range of incredible benefits for skin health.
Today, we’ll take a look at a few of those key benefits, delving further into how saunas are good for our skin. For valuable insights, we spoke with Angélica Mesisca Barrientos—a highly experienced physiotherapist, accredited lymphoedema practitioner, and owner of the best-in-class skincare treatment and product provider Sculpt.
Saunas rid skin of harmful microorganisms
One of the standout sauna benefits for skin is the way it allows the body to sweat out impurities. Sweating is your skin’s natural way of eliminating toxins and harmful microorganisms.
Heat from the sauna promotes clearer skin complexion. It also helps prevent new blemishes from forming.
There is evidence that shows how regular sweating during sauna sessions can improve the skin’s immune response to allergens. If you suffer from atopic dermatitis, going in a sauna can potentially help improve your skin’s defences, although that may not be applicable in all cases—which brings us to another way sauna benefits your skin.
Improves skin nutrition and hydration
Many of the skin benefits that can be derived from regular sauna sessions stem from exposure to heat. More specifically, research shows saunas can stimulate blood flow. Blood carries with it oxygen and nutrients that nourish the skin. So, as blood circulation improves, your skin also glows with health.
Angélica shares her team’s observation at Sculpt, “We find that patients who use saunas experience an improvement in skin texture and function, which leads to accumulated benefits with regular and ongoing use”.
Saunas strengthen the outer skin barrier
In looking at evidence-based skin benefits of sauna use, one thing we found is that sweating helps in fortifying the stratum corneum, the skin’s outermost layer. This layer sheds continuously and protects against environmental irritants. Like physical exercise, sauna use promotes proper sweating which, in turn, retains the skin’s natural hydration and prevents moisture loss.
Although sweating it out in the sauna could help improve the skin’s natural immune response against allergens and other external stressors, Angélica cautions those with rosacea or atopic dermatitis to stay attuned with their skin.
Promotes better absorption of skincare products
Sweating not only improves skin nutrition but also softens the normally thick and tough outer skin layer. This way, a sauna helps prime the skin to receive treatments and better absorb skincare products.
Sauna sessions can help you make the most from typically expensive skincare products in your beauty arsenal, helping you harness promising returns for your investment.
Saunas aid in detox
The act of sweating is nature’s way of helping the body flush out toxins. Although the body’s natural way of ridding the body of toxins is much more complex, research proves sweating caused by physical activity and spending time in the sauna can clear the body of heavy metals like lead and nickel.
The combination of heat and sweating induces natural exfoliation by deep cleansing your pores, releasing excess oils and dirt, and lifting dead skin cells to reveal newer and softer skin. Angélica stresses that spending time in the sauna “softens skin debris, making extraction easier”.
Keeping skin devoid of impurities results in fewer breakouts and a more even skin texture. Minimising toxins in the body also improves your overall health which promotes healthier skin.
Expert skincare tips before, during, and after a sauna
It’s important to know that saunas might not be suitable for everyone. Stay mindful of your skin type and listen to your body’s cues for the best results.
To maximise sauna benefits for skin, it’s essential to practice proper aftercare.
Angélica’s advice — “The best way to nourish your skin after a sauna session is to rinse the body thoroughly and apply a body serum followed by a moisturiser while the skin is still damp.” She adds, “hydrate adequately before and after a sauna to promote skin health and hydration from within”.
A home sauna could be the ultimate boost to your skincare and wellness routine needs. Enquire about our Custom Saunas and Prefab Saunas today.
References:
SDS Australia interview with Angélica Mesisca Barrientos, founder and director of Sculpt, a premier luxury rejuvenation clinic located in Adelaide, South Australia.
Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury in Sweat: A Systematic Review
J Environ Public Health. 2012 Feb 22;2012:184745. doi: 10.1155/2012/184745
Excretion of Ni, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg in Sweat under Two Sweating Conditions
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4323; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074323
Effect of Regular Sauna on Epidermal Barrier Function and Stratum Corneum Water-Holding Capacity in vivo in Humans: A Controlled Study. Dermatology 217(2):173-80. August 2008 https://doi.org/10.1159/000137283
The sauna, skin and skin diseases. Annals of clinical research 20.4 (1988): 276-278.
Some like it hot: Cardiovascular health benefits of Finnish sauna. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, Volume 25, Issue 2, 1 January 2018, Pages 127–129, https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487317742501
Sweat is a most efficient natural moisturizer providing protective immunity at points of allergen entry. Allergology International. Vol. 67, Issue 4, October 2018, Pages 442-447 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alit.2018.07.010
