Okay, so, “astronaut skin.” Sounds kinda weird, right? I saw this term floating around and got curious, so I decided to dive in and see what it was all about. Turns out, it’s not about, like, actual spacesuit material. It’s more about how astronauts’ skin changes in space and how they take care of it.
My “Astronaut Skin” Experiment
First things first, I am not an astronaut. I just pretended to be one for a day (well, sort of). I wanted to see if I could mimic some of their skincare challenges and solutions at home.
- Step 1: Dryness Investigation. I read that space is super dry, like, way drier than a desert. So, I turned my humidifier off, cranked up the heat a bit, and just let my skin get all parched. Boy, did it get tight and itchy! My usual moisturizer was NOT cutting it.
- Step 2: Getting sweaty.
Astronauts exercise a lot in space, and with limited access to, showers, and other resources, I wanted to simulate that feeling. I wore more clothes than usual to simulate this and make my body sweaty. Boy, did it get tight and itchy!
- Step 3: The “No-Rinse” Wash. Apparently, astronauts use these special no-rinse cleansers. I found a similar one online that’s kind of like a body wipe but way more hydrating. Used that instead of my usual shower. It felt… different. Not bad, just different. Kinda refreshing, actually.
- Step 4: Mega Moisture. I swapped my regular lotion for a really thick, intense cream – the kind they recommend for super dry skin. I slathered that stuff on everywhere. It felt a little greasy at first, but my skin just drank it up.
- Step 5: Sunscreen, Even Indoors. Astronauts are exposed to a lot more radiation, so sunscreen is a must. I usually only wear it outside, but for this experiment, I put it on even when I was just chilling on the couch. Gotta protect that skin!
After a day of this, my skin actually felt…pretty good? I mean, it was definitely more hydrated than usual. And the no-rinse wash was surprisingly effective. I don’t think I’ll be switching to an all-astronaut routine anytime soon, but it was a fun experiment. It definitely made me appreciate how tough those space explorers are – and how important it is to take care of your skin, no matter where you are!
My biggest takeway? Keep it simple, and keep it moisturized.
