The short answer
There's a little evidence it helps skin hold water. A small German study found 41 regular sauna users had a more stable skin barrier and better-hydrated outer skin than non-users. That's one study, and it can't prove the sauna caused it. Heat can also flare some skin conditions, such as rosacea.
Weak evidence
Small or short studies, surveys, or results that are mixed. How we grade
On this page
What has been studied?
In a German study published in 2008, researchers compared 41 healthy adults aged 20 to 49: some used a Finnish sauna regularly and some didn’t. After two 15-minute sessions at 80°C, the regular users had:
- a more stable skin barrier,
- better water-holding in the outer layer of skin, and
- faster recovery of skin water loss and pH after the sauna.
It’s a small study that compared different people rather than randomly assigning a sauna habit, so it can’t show the sauna caused the difference. But it suggests regular heat exposure doesn’t dry out healthy skin, as is sometimes claimed.
What about skin conditions?
Reviews of sauna research mention mixed experiences. Some people with psoriasis report relief, while heat is a well-known trigger for itching in eczema and flushing in rosacea. We found no good trials testing saunas as a treatment for any skin condition.
How do you look after your skin in a sauna?
- Shower before and after.
- Sit on a towel, and keep sessions short at first.
- Moisturise afterwards if your skin tends to be dry.
- Remove metal jewellery, which heats up.
- Skip the sauna on sunburn or broken skin.
Keep reading
- Do saunas detox you or help you lose weight?
Sauna detox and weight loss claims, checked: what is in sweat, how much weight you lose in a session and why it comes straight back.
None - Is a sauna good for your heart? What the studies show
Saunas and heart health, graded: what decades of Finnish research found on heart deaths, stroke and fitness, and what it can't prove.
Moderate - Does a sauna lower blood pressure? Short and long-term effects
What trials and Finnish cohort studies show about saunas and blood pressure, how big the fall is, and who should be careful.
Moderate
Common questions
Does a sauna clear acne?
There's no good evidence that it does. Sweating doesn't clean pores, and heat and sweat can irritate acne-prone skin. Shower and wash your face after a session.
Is a sauna good for eczema or psoriasis?
Some people with psoriasis find warmth eases their skin, while heat and sweat are a common trigger for eczema itch. There are no good trials either way. If you have a skin condition, start with short sessions, moisturise afterwards and stop if it gets worse.
Does a sauna make you look younger?
There's no evidence that it does. Any glow after a session is from blood flowing to the skin and fades within an hour or so.
References
- Kowatzki D et al. Effect of regular sauna on epidermal barrier function and stratum corneum water-holding capacity in vivo in humans: a controlled study. Dermatology, 2008.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Hannuksela ML, Ellahham S. Benefits and risks of sauna bathing. American Journal of Medicine, 2001.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Hussain J, Cohen M. Clinical effects of regular dry sauna bathing: a systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
First published 4 November 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll correct it. Read our editorial policy.