90% of Women in Their 20s-30s Suffer from Inner Dry Skin in Summer: Is the Cause the 'Subtraction Skincare' Routine Skipped by 70%?

In recent years, with continuing hot and humid summer days, the environment has become increasingly harsh on the skin due to strong UV rays and prolonged air conditioning. Especially among women in their 20s and 30s, it's not just about superficial troubles like stickiness from sebum or makeup melting, but also an increasing number of cases of 'inner dry skin,' where the inside of the skin is dry. Therefore, The Founders JAPAN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), which develops the global skincare brand 'Anua', conducted a survey on 'Summer Skincare Routines' targeting women in their 20s and 30s. Survey Results Summary - The most common summer skin concern is a 'mix of oiliness and dryness,' with many facing inner dry symptoms. - As a result of simplifying skincare to avoid stickiness, about 70% experienced worsening dryness and oiliness. - While about 60% feel 'skin heat' in the morning, many are not implementing effective cooling measures. - About 30% 'endure' daytime dryness, but mist users feel relief from inner dryness and a refreshing effect. - 'Vitamin C' is the most noted ingredient for summer, with high interest in a 'cooling x moisturizing' approach tailored to different times of the day. Survey Overview: Survey on 'Summer Skincare Routines' [Survey Period] April 21 (Tue) - April 22 (Wed), 2026 [Survey Method] Internet survey by PRIZMA [Number of Respondents] 1,022 [Survey Target] Monitors who identified as women in their 20s-30s at the time of response [Survey Source] The Founders Co., Ltd. [Monitor Provider] Sacrisa *This survey is an questionnaire regarding the awareness and usage habits of general consumers and does not guarantee or certify the effects or efficacy of any product. [2026 Latest] Inner Dry Skin Check for Women in their 20s-30s First, please select the answers that you think apply to you from the following questions. How many of these questions did you relate to? The 'Inner Dry Skin Check' for women in their 20s-30s yielded the following results. About 90% of women from their 20s to 30s seem to have at least one symptom of inner dry skin. The group in a serious condition, corresponding to three or more items, accounts for just over 30% of the total. The most common specific symptom was a combination of oiliness on the nose and forehead and dryness on the cheeks and around the mouth, at about 35%. This was followed by skin tightness immediately after washing the face, at just over 30%, indicating that a lack of internal moisture is significant even in summer. Additionally, over 20% reported concerns about makeup breakdown, suggesting that damage from UV rays and air conditioning is degrading their daytime skin condition. It has become clear that while many women are aware of oiliness, they are actually suffering from complex issues caused by internal dryness. With many facing symptoms unique to inner dry skin, how is summer skincare being performed? 'Subtraction Skincare,' skipping steps, is practiced by 70% of the total When asked about 'summer skincare procedures,' the following responses were obtained: 'I try not to change it from winter, but I use a smaller amount (31.5%)' and 'I consciously reduce it because I dislike the stickiness (19.0%).' It was found that 'subtraction skincare,' which involves reducing steps or amounts, is the mainstream. The group that consciously reduces steps or skips certain processes to avoid stickiness reaches about 40%. Including the group that adjusts by using smaller amounts of the same winter items, it was revealed that about 70% of the total simplify their moisturizing process in the summer. This result clearly shows a tendency for many women to prioritize avoiding summer heat and unpleasant stickiness, leading them to omit necessary skincare steps. However, this simplification of skincare does not lead to an improvement in skin condition. When asked about the 'worsening of daytime 'dryness' or 'oiliness' due to simplified summer skincare,' about 70% answered 'I feel it often (28.1%)' or 'I feel it sometimes (43.4%).' The reality is that reducing moisturizing steps to avoid surface stickiness leads to a vicious cycle: it causes severe internal moisture deficiency, which in turn triggers excessive sebum production to compensate. Daytime Dryness Measures: About 30% 'Endure,' while 'Vitamin C' and a new cooling routine attract 60% It has become clear that many people suffer from inner dry skin in the summer, but what about daytime care outside of their at-home skincare routine? When asked about 'measures against daytime skin 'dryness' and dullness,' the results were as follows: 'Moisturize with a mist lotion, etc. (25.6%)', 'Reapply lotion or serum (18.1%)', 'Just use oil-blotting paper or powder (26.7%)', 'Do nothing and endure it (29.6%)'. Due to concerns about makeup breakdown, about 55% of respondents resort to temporary fixes like enduring dryness or using powder, showing a tendency to postpone fundamental care. On the other hand, those who use a mist lotion for daytime moisturizing report high effectiveness. Regarding the 'benefits felt from 're-moisturizing with a mist' during the day,' the most common answer was 'It resolves daytime 'inner dryness and tightness' (47.0%),' followed by 'It cools down hot skin and is refreshing (33.6%),' 'It settles powdery makeup and gives a natural glow (32.1%),' and 'It's easy to replenish beauty ingredients over makeup (32.1%).' Those who use mists experience not only relief from inner dryness but also a refreshing effect from cooling the skin. Furthermore, they highly value the ability to combine daytime skincare with perfecting their makeup finish, such as achieving a natural glow and easily replenishing beauty ingredients. About 60% Suffer from Morning 'Skin Heat,' 70% Experience Foundation Caking or Breakdown, but Few Take Action Inner dry skin, as discussed so far, is one reason makeup doesn't set well, but in the hot summer months, skin heat further accelerates makeup breakdown. When asked about 'skin heat (flushing)' in the summer morning after skincare or during makeup application,' about 60% responded 'I feel it often (25.1%)' or 'I feel it sometimes (36.6%).' It seems that many people experience a rise in skin temperature during their morning routine due to factors like bathing or the heat from a hairdryer. A high skin temperature can promote sweat and sebum secretion, potentially affecting how well skincare products are absorbed and how makeup finishes. In fact, about 70% of people feel the impact of skin heat on their makeup. Among them, just over 40% feel it 'causes makeup to start breaking down immediately,' and just over 25% say 'foundation doesn't adhere and looks cakey.' When the skin temperature is high, base makeup doesn't set properly, which, combined with the unstable foundation from inner dry skin, seems to make summer makeup breakdown more severe. However, the reality is that few people are taking measures to cool their skin to prevent makeup breakdown. When asked about 'measures to 'cool the skin' before makeup,' the most common answer was 'I don't do anything in particular (36.1%),' followed by 'I know I should cool it, but I don't know how (31.5%)' and 'I know I should cool it, but I haven't been doing it (21.4%).' Just over 50% of people feel the need for cooling but are unable to do it because they don't know the specific methods. The current situation seems to be that many women start their makeup with warm skin and end up struggling with makeup breakdown. To solve these issues of inner dry skin and skin heat, what ingredients are gaining attention in summer skincare? When asked about 'ingredients you want to incorporate into your summer skincare,' 'Vitamin C (antioxidant, dullness care, pore care) (59.9%)' was the most popular, followed by 'Niacinamide (whitening, sebum control, wrinkle improvement) (33.2%)' and 'Cica/Centella Asiatica Extract (soothing after sun exposure, preventing skin roughness) (33.1%).' It appears many people want to actively incorporate 'Vitamin C,' which is useful for dullness and pore care, considering the damage from strong UV rays. Furthermore, the fact that sebum-controlling and skin-soothing ingredients ranked high indicates a need to specifically address summer-specific skin concerns like oiliness and heat. As interest in ingredients grows, a '4-step routine' that effectively combines them has emerged. In the morning, the skin is prepped for a bright and translucent impression with moisture. Before makeup, catechins are used to cool the skin and enhance adhesion. During the day, a Vitamin C mist replenishes moisture, and at night, a PDRN serum is used again to thoroughly repair inner dry skin. When asked if they would like to try this routine, many positive opinions were received. ■ Would you like to try it? - 'The idea of being able to do summer cooling care with four items and steps is appealing, and I want to try it.' (30s/Tokyo/Part-time worker) - 'I never thought of cooling down my skin in the summer to make my makeup apply better, so I want to try it.' (30s/Hyogo/Company employee) - 'I want to try it. PDRN is trendy lately, and while it's not oily, it gives a glow. Thanks to vitamins and catechins, my skin feels balanced, and it's great that I can replenish moisture even after makeup. The night repair serum seems good for UV damage too.' (30s/Tokyo/Company employee) - 'I'd like to try it. I especially didn't know that catechins could cool the skin.' (30s/Tokyo/Company employee) Many people agreed with the rational approach of cooling the skin to improve makeup application and using different ingredients according to the time of day and purpose. The presentation of a concrete routine seems to have significantly raised expectations for summer inner dry skin care. Conclusion: Is 'Skipping Care' Counterproductive? A New 'Cool and Replenish' Approach to Break the Cycle of Summer Inner Dry Skin This survey revealed that about 90% of women in their 20s and 30s experience issues with inner dry skin and fall into the trap of 'subtraction skincare,' where they cut back on moisturizing steps to avoid summer-specific stickiness. However, this simplified care accelerates the skin's moisture loss, creating a vicious cycle of further oiliness and dryness. Additionally, even when they notice skin problems like dryness or dullness during the day, about 30% choose to 'endure' it without taking any action, highlighting that the habit of compensating for insufficient morning moisturization with daytime care has not been established. To maintain healthy skin in the harsh summer environment, instead of simply reducing steps, a care routine that differentiates skin temperature and ingredients by time of day, which was well-received by many women in their 20s and 30s, could be an effective way to get through the summer. For Complex Summer Skin Concerns! Anua's Cooling x Moisturizing Care with Popular Ingredients from the Survey In this survey, Vitamin C*¹, Niacinamide*², and Cica (Centella Asiatica Extract*³) ranked high as ingredients people want to incorporate into their summer skincare. Many people suffer from 'inner dry skin,' a mix of strong UV damage, excessive sebum, oiliness, and dryness in the summer, indicating a demand for functional ingredients that can precisely address summer skin troubles*⁴. Answering the summer need to 'replenish necessary ingredients with a cool and comfortable feel' are the items from 'Anua,' the cosmetics brand by The Founders Co., Ltd., which conducted this survey on 'Summer Skincare Routines.' We introduce four items that create a summer 'cooling*⁵ x moisturizing' routine, well-balanced with the ingredients that garnered high interest in the survey. *1 Ascorbic Acid (skin conditioning ingredient) *2,3 Skin conditioning ingredients *4 Due to dryness, roughness, etc. *5 Limited to the sensation of use Featuring the Overwhelmingly Popular 'Vitamin C'! A Next-Generation Serum ■ Vitamin 10 PORESTRIX Serum A next-generation vitamin serum that targets skin with noticeable pores, leading to a bright and smooth impression through moisturization. [Product Details] - Content: 20 ml - Price: 2,580 yen (tax included) In addition to ANUA VITA 10 (Pure Vitamin C*¹ 5% + 3 types of Vitamin Derivatives*² 5%), it contains Glutathione*³ (3000ppm) and Niacinamide*⁴. It provides moisture for a bright and translucent skin impression. 'ANUA PORESTRIX™*⁵' supports the tightening*⁶ of skin with noticeable pores. With Ceramide*⁷ and Panthenol*⁸, it offers a gentle user experience that considers the potential irritation and dryness of vitamins. *1 Ascorbic Acid (skin conditioning ingredient) *2 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Glucoside (all skin conditioning ingredients) *3,4,9 Skin conditioning ingredients *5 ANUA PORESTRIX™: Collagen, Dipeptide-15, Tannic Acid, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract (all skin conditioning ingredients) *6 By conditioning the skin with moisture *8 Ceramide NP (skin conditioning ingredient) 'Cool Prep' Cool Gel Cream that Targets Summer Skin In response to the high-ranking survey feedback of 'wanting to keep skin healthy,' the 'Hyaluronic Acid Catechin Cool Gel Cream' was created. ■ Hyaluronic Acid Catechin Cool Gel Cream [Product Details] - Content: 80ml - Price: 2,475 yen (tax included) A gel cream that combines intensive moisture charge from 10 types of Hyaluronic Acid*¹ with green tea-derived Catechin*², balancing the skin's oil-water levels while addressing skin heat with a cool sensation. It absorbs smoothly without stickiness, preparing the skin for makeup by making it smooth, leading to better makeup application. Its unique moisturizing complex 'ANUA 10HYAL-LAYER™*³' delivers moisture deep into the stratum corneum to address inner dryness.