How to take care of your Arizona Skin

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As all of you mom’s know, living in the valley can wreck havoc on our skin. The dust, the dry air, the heat, (the hormones!) did I mention the HEAT? Skin is the largest organ of the body, and it endures the most abuse.

Here is a list of my summer (and Fall, winter, and spring) skincare tips to help you get on your way to a healthy face and body:

1. WEAR SUNSCREEN! EVERYDAY, EVERYTIME. If you can, wear sunblock. Your sunscreen should be broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) with SPF 30. Make sure you reapply every 1.5 hours to keep you protected.

2. Don’t scratch, pick, or squeeze at your skin. I know, easier said than done, right? But everytime you do this, there is a good chance you will be left with a scar. Either a discoloration, or even worse a indention or craterous mark in your skin. And getting rid of a simple blemish is way easier (and cheaper) than getting rid of scars.

3. Wash your face only once or twice a day. The most important time to clean your face is at night before bed. Use an effective, non-toxic, cleanser followed by a non-alcohol based toner or lotion.  As a rule, never go to bed without cleansing and toning. If you do sports carry witchhazel pads with you to wipe off skin after the game or workout.

4. Wear a hat with a wide brim as well if you are going to be in the sun for periods of longer than 10 minutes. Hyper/Hypo pigmentation, (dark or light spots on the skin)and fine lines or wrinkles are among my clients’ biggest complaints. Going out in the sun without extra protection for your face is the fastest and best ways to suffer from these.  So go out and treat yourself to a cute floppy sunhat for your health!

5. Check on the products you are using for safety. There is a great website: Skindeep.org that can tell you on a scale from 1 to 10 how safe your products are.  There are some pretty scary things out there, even in baby and kids products, so be educated in your purchases.

6. When it comes to makeup, our mom’s where right: Less is MORE. I personally love 100% mineral makeup.  It offers great coverage, as well a extra sunscreen protection, you don’t even feel like your wearing makeup, and it allows your pores to breathe, so they don’t become clogged. I finish all my facials with Mineral Hygenics Mineral makeup so my clients go out beautiful every time.

7. Put into your body what you want to come out in your skin.  Fats, excess oils, and sugar are a major cause for acne, blemishes and off PH balances in our skin. Smoking, Alcohol and Caffine Caffeine dehydrate your skin, and make fine lines and wrinkles more visible. Drinking water flushes out toxins and helps us maintain moisture. Limit fast food to once or twice a month, instead of regularly.

8.Take care of your mind. Do something that makes you happy often. Mom’s often forget to do this, and stress effects your skin’s condition. So go get a massage (or even better a Facial!), read, journal, whatever it takes to bring yourself a sense of peace.


If you try to make changes in how your treat your skin, and yourself, you will see a transformation, and your glow will surely show!!

Lanaya Nilsson is a master aesthetician who runs Bleu Pond studio in old town scottsdale with her partner Seth, a massage therapist. She also runs a room at the Phoenix Country Club where she does skincare for the members. She is mother to 3 children, Haigan 6, Beckett 4 and Sviah 21months. For info on booking an appointment with her, please call 866-570-6426 ext. 1 or email: [email protected]