Winter 2020 - Inside Outdoor Magazine

Ingredients I f your lifestyle involves being outdoors, you may have noticed some of the effects that climate has on your skin. Although being outside has many health benefits both physical and mental, the outdoors also has damaging effects on your skin. Taking proper care of your skin and using products that help maintain your skin barrier function is important for overall skin health.  There are five main weather ele- ments that can damage skin: UV light from the sun, lack of humidity, wind, tem- perature and altitude – all elements very common to winter mountain activities. To- gether these factors can break down the skin’s collagen, dry the skin and cause skin redness and hyperpigmentation. While it is important to wear sunscreen to help prevent sunburn, sunscreen will not completely protect skin against dam- age caused by climate. Sometimes this damage does not show up immediately but will surprise you later in life. So, it is important to be proactive and take care of your skin now. Here are tips to pass onto custom- ers in order to help their skin recover from being outdoors. The goal of recov- ery is to calm redness in the skin with anti-inflammatories, repair the skin with antioxidants, moisturize and reinforce the skin as a barrier function. Cleanse. Use a cleanser to remove sweat, sunscreen and dirt from your face after your hike. I like Yarrow oil cleanser to really remove trail dirt from my face. But you can also use a milky cleanser such as Meadow Mist cleans- er. Its jojoba beads will help exfoliate dead skin. Hydrate. Follow cleansing with a pH- balanced face mister to help restore the skin’s natural pH. One example is Colora- do Aromatics’ Face and Body mists dis- tilled from herbs (including lavender) that we grow on our Certified Naturally Grown farm. These mists are high in anti-inflam- matories to help calm reddened skin. Use one of these spritzers whenever your skin feels red or dry. Use an antioxidant rich moistur- izer. Moisture must reach the skin from both the inside and outside. So, drinking water is vital to staying hydrated, but so is using a good moisturizer topically. Springtide Face Cream contains green tea, vitamin C, calendula and fennel. These ingredients will keep the skin moist and provide antioxidants to help the skin barrier function. Vitamin C is es- sential for protecting collagen in the skin. Take some time to massage this into the skin to get its full benefit. And don’t forget your neck, chest and hands; they are exposed to the elements as well and tend to show signs of aging early. More antioxidant rich products. Antioxidants are important for repairing skin damage caused by the sun and the elements. Besides eating a diet rich in antioxidants, outdoor enthusiasts also should use skin care products that are rich in antioxidants. Colorado Aromat- ics uses herbs that are rich in complex antioxidant polyphenols and bioflavo- noids to help repair skin damage. It’s also important to bring something with you on the trail to use for minor scrapes and scratches. We recommend Knuckle Balm, which is infused with the herbs calendula and plantain. Use this balm on knuckles, cuticles and finger- tips, as well as scrapes to help protect the integrity of skin. Its 2-ounce tin fits nicely into your pack. Because wind can actually burn the skin, use a thin layer of Knuckle Balm on the cheeks if you are skiing or out in winter wind. Being outdoors helps us regenerate and relax. Good skin care is important for maintaining healthy skin and some- thing to consider daily. Colorado Aromat- ics Cultivated Skin Care products are formulated by a biochemist and herbalist who understands skin. Use them to help your skin recover from the stresses of the outdoors. m Cindy Jones is the founder of Sagescript and ColoradoAromat- ics, a provider of natural skin care and cosmetics. GettingUnder SkinCare Tips to help your customers protect their skin in the outdoors By Cindy Jones, Ph.D. Inside Outdoor | WINTER 2020 18