Skincare Routines for Desert Living - Tailoring your Regimen

You've likely heard about tailoring your skincare routine for the season.. Summer, Winter etc - but what about desert living?

It certainly comes with it's own unique set of challenges - such as year round UV rays, air conditioning induced dehydration and pesky pollution that hangs in a dusty haze. 

Accelerated moisture loss, increased sebum production, free radical damage and a higher risk of UV photo-aging are some of the impacts of living in our desert oasis.

Here we have your covered with four simple - yet scientific and proven solutions so you can enjoy all the amazingness that contemporary desert living offers. 

1. Embrace Sun-Kissed Protection

Lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas offering broad-spectrum, UVA and UVB protection will keep skin healthy, younger looking and pigment free.

SPF will also help balance oil production, as our skins natural defense to UV rays is to produce more sebum / oil. 

Look out for formula's that do the full job. With proven, tested and internationally accredited UVA symbols.

It's best to opt for SPF 50 as it offers you far more UVA protection. A minimum of 1/3 of the stated UVB factor (50/30/15) - in the instance of the first UVA symbol.  

2. Hydration - Oasis in a Desert

Air conditioning may be a lifesaver, but it's also a moisture thief. 

Dehydration / trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) - is one of the most common skin concerns overall - but certainly here!

Skins lacking in water can suffer problems from not being able to shed dead skin cells effectively leading to dull skin, to an increase in sebum and oil production which can lead to blocked pores, congestion and blemishes.  Put plainly dehydration can wreak havoc on our skin. 

Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water which is fantastic - but in reality with every organ prioritised ahead of our largest organ our skin - it does little to balance the enviornmental factors of living with constant air conditioning. 

Hydrating Facial Mists - are both a brilliant solution and a favourite skincare step. They are spritized onto the face in the toning phase, after cleanser and it starts the hydration process and awakens skin.  Look for a mist rich in ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Spraying basic water on your face really isn't the same thing.

HYDRATING MISTS AND TONERS 

3. Gentle Cleansing Rituals

Gentle cleansing becomes paramount when considering the climate we live, we want to remove the grime and pollution that lingers but also to respect the delicate balance of our skin barrier and moisture levels.  

If your cleanser leaves your skin feeling stripped or tight, it's time a change.  

Your cleanser can make or break your whole routine - so while it goes done the sink do put thought into it. It starts and determines the success of your skincare. 

4. Defend Against Pollution and Free Radicals

Pollution is an unfortunate reality, even in the desert. Responsible for skin dullness, premature aging to inflammatory pigmentation and with more clinical studies demonstrating the harsh affects - antioxidants are our skincare best friend, next to SPF.

With prevention always better than cure - antioxidant rich products are a priority in all skincare routines we curate.  Green Tea, Matcha Tea, Vitamins, B, C & E all help neutralise free radical damage caused by pollution and UV rays.

ANTIOXIDANT RICH SERUMS 

In short - skincare in the desert requires a little understanding of your environment, it's effects on the skin and perhaps a few pro-active tweaks to your existing routine. Protect yourself from UV rays, keep your skin hydrated, and defend against pollution and your skin will be so much happier for it, all year round. 

Words by: The Skincare Edit Team x