Do you know what the largest organ in the body is? The skin. In an average adult, it covers approximately 2 square meters and weighs around 5 kg.

It’s our first line of protection and also a reflection of physical and emotional imbalances: we sweat when we’re nervous, we blush when something embarrasses us, and we get goosebumps during certain emotions or stimuli.

Skin is a vital organ that often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Taking care of the skin is not just about aesthetics — it’s health.

Why Skin Health is Important?

To answer this question, it’s essential to understand its main functions:

1. Protection: Skin is the first line of defense against bacteria, toxins, extreme temperatures, and injuries.

2. Body temperature regulation: It helps maintain stable body temperature despite external changes.

3. Touch: With more than 5,000 sensory receptors in just one square centimeter, it allows us to perceive stimuli and transmit them to the brain.

4. Detox: It supports the elimination of toxins and heavy metals through sweating.

5. Indicator of health: Changes in the skin can signal underlying conditions.

6. Vitamin D synthesis: When exposed to sunlight, the skin produces this essential vitamin for bones and tissues.

7. Emotional wellbeing: Healthy, well-cared-for skin improves appearance and therefore self-esteem and mood.

We asked Agus Yarde Buller, herbalist and founder of Naked Lunch, why he considers skin health fundamental:

“The skin is much more than ‘how we look.’ It’s a living organ that communicates with the entire body. It’s a barrier, a sensor, and a mirror. When something is out of balance inside — stress, hormones, microbiome, liver, sleep — the skin shows it before anything else.

 

Today there’s a whole world of skincare products and it seems like the more we use, the better. I love them and I use them, but for me, skin health starts from within. Taking care of it isn’t just a cosmetic gesture — it’s a way of connecting with our overall health.”

A great tool to improve skin health — and overall health — is incorporating sauna sessions into your weekly routine.

Why Is Sauna Beneficial for Skin Health?

Boost in Circulation

Sauna heat increases blood flow to the skin, delivering more oxygen and essential nutrients for cell renewal and repair.

This strengthens the skin barrier, reduces moisture loss, and makes it more resilient to environmental stressors.

Pores, Sweating, and Detoxification

Sweating is one of the body’s natural ways of eliminating toxins. While the kidneys and liver are the main detox organs, the skin also plays a supportive role.

With sauna heat, body temperature rises and the body responds by sweating. The sweat produced is not just water — it also contains toxins, heavy metals, BPA, and more that are being removed from the body.

Additionally, when we sweat, our pores open. This allows for a deep cleanse of the skin, removing impurities, dead skin cells, and excess sebum that clog pores. This helps prevent acne and improves the absorption of skincare products after a sauna session.

Stress Reduction

For many people, stress is the main trigger for skin problems. Sauna helps lower cortisol, the stress hormone, which often leads to acne flare-ups and inflammation.

Just 15 minutes of sauna can work wonders: the increase in blood flow and the release of endorphins promote deep relaxation, reduce cortisol levels, and elevate the sense of wellbeing.

Hydration

Saunas — especially steam saunas — can increase skin hydration. The warm environment helps the skin absorb moisture more effectively, which can reduce dryness and itchiness.

Collagen

Collagen is responsible for keeping our skin firm, smooth, and youthful. With age, collagen production naturally decreases, which leads to wrinkles, sagging, and fine lines.

Sauna can help counteract this process by stimulating collagen production through various mechanisms: increased circulation, heat shock protein release, detoxification, and reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Scientific Evidence: A Study on Sauna and Skin

A study by Kowatzki et al. (2008) evaluated the effects of regular sauna use on skin physiology. They analyzed 41 healthy adults (ages 20–49) who were divided into regular users (at least once a week) and non-regular users.

The results showed that those who used the sauna at least once a week (vs. non-users) had:

• Higher skin hydration and moisture retention

• Faster recovery of skin pH and barrier function after heat exposure

• Lower baseline levels of skin oil (sebum) on the forehead

• Increased blood flow to the skin, supporting repair and resilience

How to Do a Sauna Session to Improve Skin Health

The recommended step-by-step:

1. Hydrate before entering (water or electrolytes).

2. 15–20 minute session max to avoid dehydration or discomfort.

3. Rehydrate after exiting.

4. Fresh shower to normalize body temperature and wash away toxins and impurities from the skin’s surface. Here you can include exfoliation.

5. Perform your usual skincare routine, focusing on cleansing (to remove any remaining impurities) and hydration.

6. Apply a moisturizing body cream to seal in moisture.

Other Tips to Improve Skin Health

Agus Yarde Buller shared other tips to strengthen skin health. His number one rule? Return to basics.

• Conscious nutrition. Less ultra-processed foods, refined flours, alcohol, and sugar.

• 7–8 hours of good sleep.

• Daily movement to keep everything flowing.

• Support with plant-based and medicinal mushroom supplements that complement your lifestyle and skincare.

• And something that never fails: simple rituals to slow down. Breathe, walk in the sun, sing, stretch, reconnect with the body.

“Honestly, everything I do daily is geared toward feeling spectacular; you can see that in the skin. I don’t force myself — I’m guided by the compass of desire, pleasure, and wellbeing,” Agus shared with us.

Have you heard of the Sauna On The Go?

It’s our portable steam sauna, perfect for using at home and creating your own wellbeing oasis.

Get to know it in detail in our Homepage.

*Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional before using a sauna (especially if you have any medical condition) or making any changes to your health or wellness routine.