Natural Skin Care - Back Health Chiropractic

As winter settles in Phoenix, Arizona, the dry and cool climate can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving it parched and lacking moisture. While the desert landscape may be beautiful, it poses unique challenges to maintaining healthy, hydrated skin during the winter months. There are practical tips and a skincare routine to help you avoid dry skin and keep your complexion glowing all winter long.

1. Hydration from Within

In the desert, staying hydrated is crucial not only for your overall health but also for maintaining skin moisture. Ensure you drink an ample amount of water throughout the day to combat the dehydrating effects of the arid climate. Incorporate hydrating foods rich in water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, and citrus fruits, into your diet to support your skin from the inside out.

2. Gentle Cleansing

Opt for a mild, hydrating cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils. Harsh cleansers can exacerbate dryness, so choose products that are sulfate-free and designed to maintain your skin’s moisture barrier. Consider cleansing your face with lukewarm water instead of hot water to prevent further dehydration.

3. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Invest in a rich, emollient moisturizer to combat the dry Arizona air. Apply your moisturizer immediately after cleansing, while your skin is still slightly damp, to lock in moisture. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, which help attract and retain moisture. Don’t forget to extend your moisturizing routine to your body as well, especially areas prone to dryness like elbows, knees, and heels. Remember your winter moisturizer should be more rich, and hydration-locking than your summer moisturizer.

4. Sunscreen is Still Essential

Even during the winter months, Arizona’s sun can be intense. Sunscreen is a year-round essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which can contribute to dryness and premature aging. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and apply it generously to all exposed skin, including your face, neck, and hands.

5. Humidify Your Environment

Combat the dry indoor air by using a humidifier in your home, particularly in your bedroom. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, preventing your skin from becoming overly dry while you sleep. This simple addition to your environment can make a significant difference in maintaining optimal skin hydration.

6. Exfoliate with Caution

While exfoliation is beneficial for removing dead skin cells, be cautious not to overdo it, especially in a dry climate. Limit exfoliation to once or twice a week using a gentle exfoliant to avoid stripping your skin of essential moisture. Consider incorporating a hydrating mask into your routine to replenish and soothe your skin.

Achieving and maintaining healthy, hydrated skin in an Arizona winter requires a thoughtful and consistent skincare routine. By staying hydrated, choosing the right products, and being mindful of environmental factors, you can enjoy radiant and moisturized skin throughout the season. Embrace these tips, and let your skin glow even in the midst of the desert chill.

by Shaly Vassigh, Licensed Esthetician

We are finally getting some relief from the heat, but cooler temperatures can create some challenges for our skin, including dry skin. If you are like me and have both dry and sensitive skin, staying hydrated and avoiding irritants is essential.

For the Body:

1) Apply Fractionated Coconut Oil to the skin prior to entering taking a shower or bath.

This moisturizer will provide a layer of protection from the drying heat that occurs due to the warm water we like to enjoy in the winter. Be careful not to slip–you’ll want to be sure to have a good grip on the bottom of your shower if you do this.

2) Use one of our Supracor Bath Mitts to dry brush your skin.

Start with your legs, then arms, torso, and back using short sweeping motions towards your heart. The bath mitts are antibacterial and are designed to dry easily between uses. They are a great alternative to a washcloth. This technique helps to increase circulation and lymphatic drainage in your body, and can help improve those cold hands!

3) Shower or bathe, then immediately apply a lotion without parabens, fragrance, mineral oil, BHA or BHR, or polyethylene glycol (PEG).

These are chemicals that can be toxic and irritate the skin. One of our favorites is Eminence Organic’s Stone Crop Body Lotion.

4) Use a detergent that is dye free.

Some dye-free detergents include All Free and Clear. Be sure to skip the dryer sheets (you can opt for chemical-free wool dryer balls for static electricity).

5) Stick to natural fibers such as cotton or silk for dry or sensitive skin.

Avoid polyester, which can be irritating even for skin that is not sensitive.

For the Face:

As the seasons change, it is a good idea to re-evaluate the needs of your skin and adjust your skin care regimen accordingly.

1. Add a night cream to your evening ritual.

At night, our skin loses moisture, so it is a good idea to add a night cream to your regimen. Eminence Organic’s new Marine Flower Peptide Night Cream has been extremely popular for all skin types, as it has a lightweight consistency while still hydrating and plumping the skin. For very dry skin, I recommend their Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream, which will provide intense moisture and plumping. For combination skin or acne prone skin, I recommend their Lotus Detox Overnight Cream. This cream contains jojoba beads to help replenish moisture loss and microgreens, which assist with the skin’s other overnight process of detoxification.

2. Use a nutrient-dense skin oil

Adding a few drops of a nutrient-dense oil is another way to increase moisture. Rosehip C+E Firming Oil and Facial Recovery Oil will do this while also keeping your skin looking young. Rosehip C+E Firming Oil will help to lighten, tighten, and brighten, while their biodynamic Facial Recovery Oil is like liquid gold to help calm sensitivity and balance oil production while smoothing out lines and wrinkles.

3. Add more hydrating steps to your skincare ritual.

Another client favorite for increasing the skin’s moisture is Eminence Organic’s Birch Water Purifying Essence. This product, which is used as a step between your toner and your serum, is inspired by Korean skincare and contains snow mushroom to help your skin absorb moisture like a sponge. Our clients report having more plump and hydrated skin and say this is one product they can’t live without.

For the Hands:

Our poor hands have been through so much with all the washing and sanitizing we have been doing during the pandemic. Many of us have had increased sensitivity and dryness on our hands due to the products we are using on our skin.

1) Switch to natural soaps with non-irritating and non-drying ingredients.

I like to use Jason’s Rosewater Hand Soap and Dr. Bronner’s Castille soap.

2) Ditch the alcohol-based sanitizers.

During the pandemic, it has been a struggle to find sanitizers without drying alcohol, which is not meant to be used on the skin on a regular basis. Fortunately, we found Clean Republic’s non-toxic and hydrating Medical Strength Hand Cleaner. It is formulated with hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is naturally produced in your body to help with a variety of functions.

3) Moisturize👏🏻 Frequently👏🏻

Replenish moisture loss to your hands by applying a hand cream several times a day. Our pick is Eminence Organic’s Mangosteen Replenishing Hand Cream. It has mangosteen, a powerful antioxidant and lactic acid, which gently resurfaces the skin to make hands appear brighter and more youthful. This product has been a client favorite at our center, as clients are able to see an immediate improvement in their hands as soon as they try it.

I hope these tips help you and your skin get through the winter! As always, we can offer you a Free Natural Skin Care Consultation if you have any additional questions, or just ask one of our estheticians on your next monthly organic facial!

*We are authorized retailers for Clean Republic, Supracor, and Eminence Organic Skin Care products. These products are available for purchase at our wellness center.

6 Ways to Prevent Dry Skin in a Phoenix, Arizona Winter