Skincare 101: Ingredients that Work for Every Climate

Feeling Hot? Humid? Dry? Cold? Wet? We have you covered. An overview of some of our key ingredients to tackle even the harshest elements from the desert of Palm Springs to the rain of the pacific northwest, the humidity of Georgia and the inconsistency of New England. 

Best Ingredients for Dry Climate Skincare Routine: Living in a dry climate can cause the skin to become dry, flaky, and irritated so it is important to use ingredients that hydrate and nourish the skin because the ongoing challenges of living in an arid and hot climate are nothing to take lightly. Our Arid+Hot routine offers powerful humectants that trap moisture in the skin and fast absorbing light oils that help to prevent daily moisture loss.

Some of our favorite skincare ingredients for a dry climate include:

Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It’s a fluid that is found in many parts of your body -- including your eyes, joints and skin. It’s a big part of why your skin looks plump and youthful and it disappears as we age. While many of us may get it in the form of an injection to "replump" it also can be found in a molecule size that can penetrate the skin.

Glycerin: Glycerin is another humectant that helps to hydrate and soften the skin. It is especially effective when used in combination with other hydrating ingredients.

Ceramides: Ceramides are lipids that help to maintain the skin's barrier function. They help to prevent moisture loss and keep the skin hydrated.

Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is a soothing ingredient that helps to calm irritated and inflamed skin. Its a staple in most of our medicine cabinets for a reason (more than post sunburn!). It is said to improve the skin's own ability to hydrate itself, aid in the removal of dead skin cells and protect/rebuild our skin.

Shea Butter: Shea butter is a rich and nourishing ingredient that helps to soften and smooth the skin. It’s known for being rich, soothing and moisturizing. It's secrets had been closely guarded for generations, with those who were tapped into the ingredient found benefits for rough, cracked, dry skin, skin ulcers as well as dermatitis, eczema and sunburn.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radical damage. It is often used to help other oils from spoiling. Vitamin E has great skin conditioning and softening properties.

Overall, incorporating these ingredients into your skincare routine can help to combat the effects of a dry climate on your skin, keeping it hydrated, nourished, and healthy.

Best Ingredients for Humid Climate Skincare Routine: Living in a humid climate can make the skin more prone to breakouts and excess oil production. The biggest challenge for skin that lives in a hot+humid climate is finding products that feel light on your skin but actually do something. To combat this, it's important to use skincare products that contain ingredients that help to balance the skin and control oil production.  Our hot+humid routine offers everything your skin needs to survive and thrive in the dense air without weighing you down (or feeling like you need to wash your face).

A few ingredients known to be helpful with humidity include:

Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps to exfoliate the skin and unclog pores. It is especially effective for those with oily and acne-prone skin.

Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps to regulate oil production and improve skin texture. It is known as a free radical neutralizer. Which essentially means that it helps to neutralize those unstable molecules that can be causing damage to our skin. It has been shown as defending skin from the effects of free radicals (dark spots and wrinkles).

Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that helps to kill bacteria on the skin and prevent breakouts. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to soothe irritated skin.

Witch Hazel: Witch hazel is a natural astringent that helps to tighten pores and control oil production. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to soothe irritated skin.

Zinc Oxide: Zinc oxide is a mineral that helps to protect the skin from sun damage and regulate oil production. This cool little number adds a protective layer on your skin surface to absorb and reflect the harmful UV and UVB rays from the skin.

Green Tea: Green Tea has long been known as a strong source of antioxidants. The extract stimulates microcirculation, which has a positive effect on the tone of skin and decreases the appears of wrinkles. It also is know to potentially slow down the skin's aging process overall. This is partially due to its inhibitory action on collagenase (an enzyme that breaks down our much needed collagen). This helps to maintain firm and elastic skin.

Clay: Clay is a natural absorbent that helps to draw out impurities from the skin and control oil production. It also has a cooling and soothing effect on the skin.

Overall, incorporating these ingredients into your skincare routine can help to balance the skin and control oil production in a humid climate, resulting in clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Best Ingredients for Wet Climate Skincare Routine: Living in a wet climate can cause the skin to become more sensitive and prone to irritation due to the higher humidity levels and increased exposure to environmental pollutants. And you can't assume that radiant skin is achieved simply by living in a soggy climate. While the wet weather can help enable dewy results, you need daily care that focuses on elasticity, protection and collagen production. To help protect and soothe the skin, it's important to use skincare products that contain ingredients that help to strengthen the skin's barrier and provide antioxidant protection. 

Some of the best known skincare ingredients for a wet climate include:

Vitamin C:.Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant properties, with an ability to increase collagen production, reduce melanin production, brighten skin and repair the effects of UV exposure and other environmental damage.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radical damage. It is often used to help other oils from spoiling. Vitamin E has great skin conditioning and softening properties.

Ceramides: Ceramides are lipids that help to maintain the skin's barrier function. They help to prevent moisture loss and keep the skin hydrated.

Probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to balance the skin's microbiome and improve skin barrier function. They also help to soothe and calm irritated skin.

Centella Asiatica: Centella Asiatica is a soothing ingredient that helps to calm and repair damaged skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to improve skin elasticity.

Allantoin: Allantoin is a soothing ingredient that helps to calm and protect the skin. It also has moisturizing properties and helps to improve skin hydration.

Overall, incorporating these ingredients into your skincare routine can help to protect and soothe the skin in a wet climate, resulting in healthier-looking, more resilient skin.

Best Ingredients for Cold Climate Skincare: Living in a cold climate can cause the skin to become dry, tight, and sensitive due to the low humidity levels and exposure to harsh winds.The ongoing demands of life in a dry and cold environment present skincare challenges that can seem overwhelming.  To help protect and nourish the skin, it's important to use skincare products that contain ingredients that help to hydrate and soothe the skin, as well as strengthen the skin's barrier. Our dry+cold routine helps to protect and defend against chapping, biting wind and harsh elements

Some of the frequently used skincare ingredients for a cold climate include:

Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an excellent ingredient for hydration.

Ceramides: Ceramides are lipids that help to maintain the skin's barrier function. They help to prevent moisture loss and keep the skin hydrated.

Shea Butter: Shea butter is a rich and nourishing ingredient that helps to soften and smooth the skin. It is especially effective for those with very dry skin.

Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a soothing ingredient that helps to calm and protect the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to relieve itching and irritation.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radical damage. It also has moisturizing properties and helps to improve skin hydration.

Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is a lightweight oil that helps to hydrate and nourish the skin. It is easily absorbed and helps to improve skin elasticity.

Overall, incorporating these ingredients into your skincare routine can help to protect and nourish the skin in a cold climate, resulting in softer, smoother, and more hydrated skin.