Are you confused about how to take care of your skin in a harsh desert climate? We understand you! A desert climate goes from very little moisture in the air to high humidity almost overnight. To top it off, sandstorms, UV rays, AC, pollution and heat can play havoc on the skin.
So how do you keep your skin glowing and radiant in such an environment?
Let’s look at some tips on how you can protect your skin in a desert environment.
Sandstorms
Sandstorms and sand particles can aggravate the skin causing dryness and irritation. So, while out in a sandstorm, cover your hair with a scarf or hat and wear a mask and glasses. Stay well hydrated and as humidity increases, so should your intake of water.
Cleanse the skin thoroughly after being exposed to a sandstorm and increase exfoliation to 3-4 times per week followed by a face mask to remove impurities and reoxygenate the skin cells. Shower every evening and wash hair thoroughly.
Airconditioning
Air conditioning reduces humidity levels so apply and reapply a good moisturizer and a lip balm to keep lips hydrated, plump and free from cracking. A good level of humidity keeps your skin plump and happy. Keep skin hydrated by spritzing an instant hydrating mist regularly. Try our rosewater hydrating face spritz and keep your hands and body well moisturized with a nourishing body cream/lotion.
Heat
Hot weather can cause dehydration so, increase your water intake and use lightweight products that will not drag on the skin causing clogged pores and blemishes. Our daily face moisturizer Fountain of youth face cream contains lightweight botanicals and emulsifiers, which are of course edible and vegan, but are also lightweight and suitable for hot and humid climates.
Our lipids have a short surface time on the skin to ensure that they are absorbed rapidly delivering nutrients at a cellular level and hyaluronic acid to fix moisture onto the skins surface promoting a healthy glowing complexion. The wrong ingredients can cause excess oil, dull uneven skin tone and breakouts.
Sun
Excessive sun exposure can damage your skin’s moisture barrier leading to dryness, loss of elasticity, and premature aging. If overexposure to sunshine is likely, wear sunscreen, protective clothing, hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from UV damage.
Avoid midday sun and increase your intake of antioxidant-rich foods for internal support against harsh environmental conditions. Use driving gloves while driving to minimize the sunspots on your hands. Our rosehip serum is an excellent serum to use post-sun exposure due to the high levels of natural vitamin A.
Phototoxicity & Pollution
Phototoxicity is a condition where your skin becomes sensitive to sunlight. It can cause blisters, sunburn and age spots along with other more severe skin problems. Phototoxicity can occur from certain ingredients in skin care products and make-up including the wrong botanical extracts and essential oils. Make sure that your products contain sun-safe ingredients.
Some ingredients like: retinol (vitamin A) St. John’s wort, citrus oils and fruit acids should only be used in the evening due to their phototoxicity. A product that contains essential oils will usually have top, middle, and base notes to balance the fragrance. It is the top notes (citrus) that can generally be phototoxic.
Pollution damages the barrier of the skin, destroying collagen and causing free radical damage and premature ageing.
At SCO, we use our own potent signature blend of antioxidants to help protect against phototoxicity and pollution. We blend this into all our products to help protect the skin against pollution and environmental damage. We believe our Vitamin C & Date Face Elixir an amazing product to combat the negative effects of pollution. Massage a few drops morning/evening to combat premature ageing.
Stay Consciously Beautiful
