Living in the arid Arizona desert or hitting the snowy ski slopes for winter fun presents unique challenges for your skin, according to Victor Thompson, co-owner of Green Toes Nail Salon and Dasy Spa. From extreme dryness to harsh weather exposure, it's essential to adjust your skincare and lifestyle habits to keep your complexion healthy and glowing all season long.
Thompson stressed the importance of organic treatments to limit the harsh chemicals in other skincare materials.
Desert Dwellers
The hot, dry climate of the Arizona desert can wreak havoc on your skin, leading to uncomfortable tightness, flakiness, and even cracking. This is due to the low humidity levels, which cause excessive transepidermal water loss (TEWL) from the skin. To combat this, focus on deeply hydrating and nourishing your skin between visits to the spa:
- Swap out your regular cleanser for a creamy, hydrating organic formula that won't strip your skin's natural oils. Look for ingredients like ceramides, which help strengthen the skin barrier, glycerin, a powerful humectant, or colloidal oatmeal, which has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Apply a thick, occlusive moisturizer after cleansing to seal much-needed hydration into your skin to prevent TEWL.
- Exfoliate one to two times weekly to slough off dull, flaky skin. Use a gentle exfoliant and avoid over-exfoliating, which can further disrupt the skin barrier.
- Consider adding a hyaluronic acid serum to draw moisture into the skin. Hyaluronic acid can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water, making it an excellent humectant for desert climates.
- Don't forget about your lips! Apply a heavy, nourishing lip balm frequently to prevent painful cracking. Look for ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and vitamin E to seal in moisture.
- Use a humidifier at home and office to add moisture to the dry air. Increasing humidity levels can significantly reduce TEWL and improve skin hydration.
Slope Seekers
For those venturing to the snowy slopes, the combination of cold temperatures, wind, and high altitudes can wreak havoc on your skin. The harsh conditions can lead to redness, irritation, and even sunburn. Here's how to prepare:
- Cleanse with a creamy, hydrating formula to avoid stripping your skin's natural oils, which are crucial for maintaining the skin barrier.
- Apply a thick, occlusive moisturizer to create a protective barrier against the elements. To lock in hydration, look for ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, and dimethicone.
- Don't forget about sun protection! Use a mineral-based sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, as the sun's rays can be more intense at higher altitudes. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide-based sunscreens provide broad-spectrum protection.
- Cover up exposed skin with protective gear like goggles, face masks, and gloves to shield your skin from the harsh wind and cold.
- Exfoliate one to two times weekly to slough off dry, flaky skin, but avoid over-exfoliating, which can compromise the skin barrier.
- To prevent painful cracking, keep your lips hydrated with a heavy, nourishing balm containing ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and vitamin E.
Whether battling desert dryness or the harsh mountain weather, the key is to hydrate and nourish your skin deeply. Adjust your diet, stay active, and be extra diligent about aftercare when your skin has been significantly exposed.
With the proper winter skincare routine and lifestyle habits, you can keep your complexion healthy and radiant all season long - whether in the Arizona desert or snowy slopes.