Mountain Girl Beauty

Living in Vail is amazing, but it's not great for the skin!  I've lived in dry, high-altitude climates before (Santa Fe, NM) and know what it's like to put on body lotion while still in the shower.  Last year when we came up to Vail for the weekends, I would wash my face with olive oil - I love products with multiple uses! Here are some key products I love that keep my skin hydrated and (hopefully) keep away the wrinkles.  I'm embarrassed to show you the gazillions of other products I have/use, but trust that I've tried a ton of products that are on the market. I used most of these hydrating products when I lived in San Francisco too, just not as often:

Weleda Skin Food - This thick cream is for dehydrated, chapped skin.  I always put it on before skiing and my skin feels completely protected.  During the winter, skin can become really dehydrated and I like to slather on the heavy moisturizer.  I would rather walk around looking like a shiny penny than deal with dry, flaky skin.  Weleda is a German company that makes holistic skin care.  I love their baby products too (for all my friends in baby-mode!).  

Egyptian Magic  - This all-purpose skin cream has "magic" in the title so you know it's good!  (I am every marketers dream customer).  This ancient Egyptian recipe blends Olive Oil, Beeswax, Honey, Pollen, Royal Jelly and Propolis Extract to create this wonderful hard paste that turns to oil when you warm it in your hands.  I don't have any skin issues besides dryness, but apparently this cream is good for multiple skin conditions.  I like to use this a few times a week as my night cream. Take a small amount, warm it by rubbing your hands together and massage the oil onto your skin.  A little goes a LONG way so use it sparingly - you can also use it as a hand and foot cream, put it on your elbows or any other dry parts.  A big thank you to the Ancient Egyptian peeps!  

Aveda Energizing Composition - I just picked this up the other day because....I guess I needed more oil?  This oil balances the skin and is actually good for oily skin.  The smell is intoxicating (ylang-ylang), invigorating and the oil has many uses - scalp treatment, body oil, pre-face wash (yes, now we have come to the time when there is a PRE-face wash, not just a face wash.  Who knew I was missing a step for 29 years!  How did I survive?).   Aveda creates a great range of products and I love that they focus on preserving the environment and using good ingredients.   They also make products for people with sensitivity to scent etc.    

 

Here's a quick list of some of the body moisturizers I love (and have people hooked on):

All the Shea Butter products from L'Occitane.  I use their Pure Shea Butter on my lips and cuticles.  I have pots of it everywhere.  I've been using products from this company since high school and their products make the best gifts!  I almost forgot - I'm completely addicted to their Shea Butter Hand Cream.  It's the best out there and the tube lasts me at east a year.  It also comes in smaller sizes so you can keep one in your purse, car, and at work.  This is a 'must-have' product.

Dr. Hauschka oils.  I love the Moor Lavender Body Oil (warming and calming) and the Rosemary Body Oil (warming and invigorating) .  I usually mix a few drops in with my normal body cream and use more during the winter.  I try to use it religiously because it's an organic product and expires after about a year.  Another great company - check out all their products!  

ALBA Botanica makes my favorite body cream.  My entire family has been using it for years.  They have a few different kinds of lotion, but I like the "Maximum Dry Skin Formula" with Alpha Hydroxy acids that revitalize dry skin.  This is a natural product, but this particular cream smells a little fruity (smells a bit like fresh tuberose) so most men I know use the unscented lotion.   

As you all know, one of the key factors in keeping your skin moisturized and youthful is all about what you put in your body, not just on your skin.  Drink a ton of water (I have to constantly remind myself to do this because I seem to prefer espresso and wine - these don't count as water!), eat tons of fruits and veggies and eat good fats like olive oil, avocado (yum yum!), fatty fish, and nuts. I also take a great Omega-3 supplement - I am so bad at taking pills so I prefer liquids and this is a key supplement because it's an internal moisturizer, among other health benefits. I take "The Essential Woman" from Barlean's.  In addition to all those great Omegas, it contains a ton of powerful ingredients like Evening Primrose, Flaxseed Oil, Lignans, Isoflavones and Rosemary.  

Many of the items I mentioned above are available at Whole Foods or multiple websites.  Whew, that was a long post...I could write forever because I love this subject and will continue to add more posts about this!  Now I'm ready for a nice glass of wine... think antioxidants people!!