Face feeling parched?

Welcome to ‘the long hot summer.’ In Traditional Chinese Medicine cosmology, as in other traditions, there are five seasons - Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer and Late Summer. Here in the Bay Area we really feel that fifth season of Late Summer, with our long, hot, dry days of August, September and October.

As the days get warmer and drier, maybe smokier, and definitely busier, it’s a great time to review your skin care rituals. Refreshing your routine every few months is a good idea for a few reasons. Our skin becomes habituated to the ingredients in products which makes them less effective, so mixing up what you’re using on a regular basis will help you get the most from your skin care routine. And as the weather around us changes, your skin’s needs will change too. 

In the hot and dry late Summer your skin needs refreshing and hydration, but not necessarily heavy or rich moisturizers, especially if you have sensitive or breakout prone skin. 

Mists and serums can add hydration and help restore your skin from the impacts of air conditioned indoor air, or hot and polluted outdoor air.

A simple option for using throughout the day is rosewater or rose hydrosol. We carry Organic Rose Hydrosol from Snow Lotus Aromatherapy in both 2 oz and 4 oz size. 

• Tip: You can keep your mist in the fridge for a refreshing spritz during the hottest days of summer. 
• Tip: rosewater is great for cooling off during hot flashes!
• Bonus Tip - learn from my mistake:  once I tried a cucumber hydrosol thinking it would offer a cooling summer option. I ended up smelling like pickles! Now I stick to rosewater.

Other Refreshing and Hydrating options we carry that are especially great in hot dry weather:

Inesscent’s Aromatic Botanicals Everlasting Glow Balancing Mist $29.99/4oz

This  gentle and calming botanical facial toner is perfect for soothing sensitive and reactive skin. Chamomile, calendula and lavender help to calm, while neroli and helichrysum work to balance irritated skin and give a light citrusy scent that is very refreshing on hot hazy days. I keep one at my desk!

Ying Herbals Radiance Serum with Hyaluronic Acid $65 1 oz

Formulated by master herbalist and dermatologist Dr. YueYing Li, Radiance serum feels incredibly light weight, but combines herbal extracts such as ginseng, astragalus and angelica root with hyaluronic acid for a renewing and plumping effect. Great to use under sunscreen or makeup to even out your skin surface without adding the weight of a cream moisturizer.

Jade Spa Jade & Ginseng Hydrating Mist $29 4 oz (we have $5 trial sizes too!)

This refreshing mist is enriched with Jade Powder, Ginseng and Green Tea Extract, which are known to stimulate cell regeneration and maintain skin’s natural pH, designed to protect skin from environmental stresses and damage. Use as a light weight serum under sunscreen or moisturizer or to refresh your skin through the day - great to keep in your purse, at your desk, or in your travel bag.

Your skin care routine can offer a moment of respite on a busy day, and a touch of home during travel - as well as supporting your skin through whatever the season brings. If you’d like to chat about skin care and choosing products suitable for your face and needs, reply to this email with your questions or to set up a free consultation.

PS Be sure to include sun protection such as hats, parasols and sunblock (read our recent guide or stop in to try the new Sun Shield SPF 28 by MyChelle we carry, by popular demand!). It’s much easier to prevent damage to your skin than to reverse it later.