The Real Reason Minneapolis Skin May Be Struggling Right Now
Dew Point & Your Skin💧
Have you noticed a difference in your skin as temperatures cool off since our very toasty, humid July? If so, you're not alone — it's been a common thread in treatment room conversations lately.
The reason comes down to TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss) — a measurement of how much water evaporates off the surface of your skin. TEWL is shaped not only by the quality of your barrier layer, but by how much water is in the air around you.
Moisture in the air is measured two ways:
Relative Humidity
How full the air is of water vapor compared to what it can hold at that temperature.
Dew Point
A fixed, absolute measure of moisture, regardless of temperature. This is the one I trust for skin.
What I Observed in Minneapolis This Past Year
As the nerdy esthetician that I am, I track dew point daily — here's where it landed at its two extremes.
Dry Comfortable dew point: 40–60° Saturated
−13° late Jan / early Feb
-81° end of July
−13°0°30°60°81°
That's a 94-degree swing between the two — both landing well outside the 40–60° range where your skin's barrier is most comfortable. If skin is dry when the dew point is high, something other than weather is likely going on.
What's happening to your skin:
Low dew point under 30°
TEWL increases
The stratum corneum (skin's uppermost layer) dehydrates — reducing elasticity and impairing the barrier's ability to retain moisture and defend against stressors
Cell turnover slows, leading to visible flaking, rough texture, and heightened sensitivity
Sebaceous glands may activate — not necessarily more oil, but breakouts can result from cell buildup becoming occlusive
Mid dew point 40–60°
TEWL is minimized
Skin attracts and retains water within its cells
The barrier layer is well organized and resilient
Skin turnover is properly regulated, for smoother texture
High dew point 65° or higher
TEWL is reduced
Cells can overhydrate and swell, disrupting cohesion and compromising the barrier
Higher oil and sweat production shifts the skin's microbiome, which can worsen inflammatory conditions like acne
What you can do:
Low Run a humidifier and reach for humectant serums (like hyaluronic acid) plus richer moisturizers
High Lighten the weight of your moisturizer
Both Mild exfoliation helps skin adjust at either extreme
Always Change up products as the dew point shifts — what your skin needs in January isn't what it needs in July
With how much Minneapolis dew points swing, at least quarterly facials are worth it — a good check-in and a place to get guidance on adjusting your routine as the season changes.
