Hot & Dry
Where is it: Desert climates like the Southwestern United States, North Africa, the Middle East and interior Australia.
What it does to your skin: The thing about deserts is there's just not that much moisture or shade to go around. Low levels of humidity mean high rates of evaporation, which is to say the air is stealing the moisture right out of your skin. That transepidermal water loss can lead to decreased oil production, flakey patches and very, very dry skin. And don't even get us started on the toll sun damage takes — less collagen, more dark spots and a fast-track to premature aging.
What you can do about it: Choose gentle cleansers that help keep your skin's pH on the level. Add super-hydrators into your skincare rotation that not only take the moisture back, but lock it in with barrier-fortifying lipids to create a protective layer between your skin's water reserves and that dry desert air. Exfoliate weekly with gentle formulas to help your skin stay on top of shedding dead skin cells without stripping away moisture. Mist and mask often. And — we can't emphasize this enough — invest in a daily moisturizer with broadspectrum SPF.
INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR
Omega 6
An essential fatty acid that plays a critical role in skin's barrier function, leaving it feeling smoother, calmer and better hydrated.
Shea Butter
Extracted from the nut of the West African shea tree, this skin-conditioning butter is high in vitamins and fatty acids that absorb quickly to help restore its moisture barrier.
Grapeseed Oil
High in vitamin E, omega-6 and linoleic acid, grapeseed has earned the reputation as the "bounce-back" oil for its ability to improve moisture, increase elasticity and restore softness.
Soybean
Soybean oil is a rich source of omega fatty acids and antioxidant compounds that are serious about skin brightening and evening.
Wheat
Hydrolyzed wheat provides amino acids, ceramides and vitamins essential for maintaining elasticity and a healthy moisture barrier.
Argireline
Argireline is a wrinkle-undoing peptide composed of amino acids that form proteins like collagen and elastin essential to your skin feeling and functioning like you remember it in your twenties.
Apple
Thanks to its mildly acidic skin-smoothing nature and antioxidant properties, apple extract helps support skin's structural resilience.
Olive Fruit
Olive fruit oil is more than just a culinary staple. It's high concentration of high fatty acids like oleic and linoleic make it a dry skin dream come true.
Licorice Root
The go-to skin brightener for centuries of healers, this natural alternative to hydroquinone is effective at normalizing melanin for a more even skin tone.
Dry summer skincare tips
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Desert temps can fluctuate a lot from day to night. Keep plenty of soothing options on hand to navigate the extremes of hot and cold.
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Look for barrier-strengthening moisturizers to help prevent water loss and defend against the drying elements.
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All the hydration in the world won’t protect your glow from the sun. If you don’t have SPF in your routine already, what are you waiting for?
INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT
Olive Fruit Oil
What if the best moisture restorer has been staring you in the face every time you cook? Turns out, olive fruit oil is more than just a culinary staple. It's not just that it has a high fatty acid content but that is has the right essential fatty acids for dry skin: oleic and linoleic.