Colorado Skincare Survival Guide + 4 Boulder Spots To Get Great Skincare
Colorado can be tough on our skin! Dry air, higher altitude, and harsher sun can cause our skin to be itchy, dehydrated, dry, weathered, and show signs of aging more quickly. Here is my esthetician skincare survival guide for this type of weather.
scrub me secret: I moved here from the Midwest, where our air is more humid and we have way less sun. Here in Colorado, I wear more UPF clothing, I apply sunscreen more often, and I apply my body butter and hydrating facial serum more days a week than I did back in Chicago.
Protection & Hydration is Key for Colorado Skin
Hydrating Toners, Essences, and Serum
Thinner, drier air, plus more intense sun exposure, equals loss of hydration in the skin. There is something that happens in the skin called transpidermal water loss, or TEWL, which is when water evaporates from the skin cells and the skin’s surface. TEWL is something that naturally happens, but factors like dry air and environmental conditions speed up this water evaporation process. That means, due to our dry and semi-harsh weather here in Colorado, we need to replenish our skin with hydrating molecules.
scrub me secret: Hot showers and baths are something else that steals hydration from our skin. If you Live in a drier climate like Colorado its best to try to take warm, lukewarm, or cool showers to avoid itchy, dry skin.
How to add more hydration to your skin’s surface to prevent TEWL and dehydration💦
Use a hydrating toner or face mist - A hydrating toner is a product made with hydrosol water or aloe plus other hydrating ingredients. This type of toner does not contain any astringent ingredients or exfoliating acids. A hydrating mist or toner adds extra hydration molecules to your skin. You would use a product like this before applying serums and/or moisturizer.
Use a product with hyaluronic acid or a hydration binding ingredient. Hyaluronic acid is a popular skincare ingredient that helps your skin cells to retain moisture. It naturally is produced in places in our body that need moisture and hydration, like our eyes, skin, and joints. But when our skin is losing water molecules and hydration, it’s a great idea to use a skincare item that replenishes that hydration and helps lock it in. Hyaluronic acid is a great choice that’s readily available in many skincare items. Hyaluronic acid is a great option, but it’s not the only one! I’ll be writing my next blog article profiling a list of ingredients that are amazing for locking in hydration to our skin cells. This list will include ecotin, beta glucan, and certain mushroom extracts.
Look for products that have aloe vera in them
Aloe vera is a humectant ingredient, meaning that it helps draw moisture and hydration to the skin. It’s also an ingredient that soothes itchiness and calms irritated or sunburnt skin. Such a great ingredient for Colorado weather.
scrub me secret: A favorite product of mine checks off all the boxes above! ✅ It’s a hydrating toner that contains HYALURONIC acid as well as aloe. The ology essentials toner also contains cbd, an anti-inflammatory ingredient that works great for reducing redness on the skin. This hydrating toner is a crowd pleaser for sure.
Why Everyone Should Use Vitamin C Serum
My Favorite Vitamin C Serum
Josh Rosebrook vitamin C serum is gentle, super lightweight and non-pore clogging, and most importantly it contains potent and effective vitamin C. I use this daily
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C help defend against free radicals (unstable molecules that damage our skin cells and contribute to premature aging) and other damaging elements of UV rays. By neutralizing these harmful elements, vitamin C promotes a more youthful and radiant complexion. This ingredient is also a vital antioxidant that plays a big role in collagen synthesis. Collagen is a protein responsible for maintaining the structure and elasticity of our skin, giving it that plump and youthful appearance. Healthy skin can more easily retain moisture and have a smooth texture. Those are 2 things I think all of us living in CO are trying to combat: skin dehydration and rough/bumpy, or “alligator skin” skin texture.
SPF Skincare + UPF Clothing
Living in a place that is in a higher elevation means we are more susceptible to sun damage due to the atmosphere being thinner than other places. Every type of skin needs protection from harmful sun rays; to defend against burns, cancers caused by the sun, unwanted pigment, and other damage. There are more than a few ways to make sure we are protecting our skin from the strong UV rays here in Colorado.
3 Ways You Can Protect Your Skin From Harsh Sun Rays
scrub me secret: UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor
Wear a hat or visor with UPF properties
Apply a skin and body safe SPF to your face, neck, check, shoulders, ears, and any other exposed areas (see my 2025 SPF guide)
Wear a sweat-wicking UPF long sleeve top and/or UPF leggings
Body Brushing, Scrubs, + Massage Combat Inflammation from Higher Altitudes
Higher elevation means less oxygen in the air, and that contributes to poor circulation. Less blood flow and oxygen flow in the body can lead to fluid retention and health issues like fatigue and dizziness, and in some cases stress on the heart. Wellness activities like body brushing, massage, and body exfoliation increase circulation in the body, reduce fluid retention, and boost your overall wellness. I suggest doing something like this at least 2x a week.
scrub me secret: The ultimate body care routine for someone who lives in higher elevation? Book yourself a massage or body scrub treatment once a month and in addition, use your favorite body scrub item or circulation boosting tool a couple of times each week.
3 Tools You Can Use to Increase Circulation & Reduce Fluid Retention
scrub me - dry brush gloves. These scrubbing gloves are best used on your skin away from bath or shower, while you’re dry. You’ll follow the chart, scrubbing in circulator motions over joints and long up and down motions over limbs and other areas. The act of dry scrubbing your entire body with these gloves breathes new circulation and life into your skin and body.
Wilding Aura stone for body: This body gua sha made from Bian Stone helps to stimulate energy flow, release tension, and smooth dimpled skin. You can easily boost circulation and oxygen flow in the body as well as drain fluid using a body oil or body butter and this Aura stone. You can find body gua sha tutorials on the Wilding website or YouTube. It’s pretty easy once you get the moves down!
CJB Lymphatic Brush: This brush is specially designed to provide an easy, ergonomic, and effective way to perform lymphatic drainage at home. It is not the same as any other body brush or dry brush; it has a different texture, bristles, and grooves that stimulate movement of stagnant fluid and lymph fluid while you massage. (Many estheticians and body therapists use this in the treatment room, too.). This is a perfect tool for those struggling with fluid retention, swelling, stiffness, slugginess, or anyone wanting to improve their overall immune system.
scrub me secret: Are you looking for a dry brush that gently exfoliates the skin and creates an awakening circulation boost? The CBJ lymphatic brush is not for that. But you will love the Aura Sweeper, Wildling’s handcrafted dry brush body brush.
Other Ways We Can Support Our Body
Magnesium for overall body wellness
Magnesium is an element that naturally occurs in the body and plays a big role in many functions. It supports everything from hormone regulation and immune function to bone strength and muscle health. Despite how important it is, many people, especially in the U.S., don’t get enough magnesium through their diets and wellness rituals, which can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, and hormonal imbalances. You can restore your magnesium levels via supplements or by applying a topical magnesium product like a spray or balm. Read my blog about magnesium for more information and product recommendations.
Electrolytes for internal hydration
Electrolytes are minerals that help your body regulate hydration and send it to the areas you need it most, keeping you more hydrated than just drinking water alone. Minerals found in sea salt are the main source of electrolytes in the electrolyte powders I like to drink. These minerals are naturally derived and, when ingested properly and in the right amounts, have great benefits for your bodies. And we all need the extra hydration here in Colorado!
scrub me secret: Did you know that bone broth contains naturally occurring electrolytes and potassium as well as collagen and proteins? Even more reasons to have a cup every day! The best type of bone broth to drink is one derived from organic vegetables and well-sourced, organically fed chicken, turkey, and/or beef. I also always try and choose one that has lower sodium. I like the company Brodo
4 Places You Must Visit in Boulder to Shop For Skincare
Rebecca’s Apothecary -
I absolutely love an apothecary. Stores like this carry skincare and wellness items made from different herbs, minerals, oils, and other natural items. You can also purchase these herbs, essential oils, oils, and other ingredients derived from the earth purely on their own. So you can experiment with crafting your own skincare items or use specific ingredients for a wellness ritual like an Epsom and lavender bath or a eucalyptus shower. Rebecca’s Apothecary is a fun place to explore, and all the women who work there are wonderful and knowledgeable.
Cedar & Hyde Mercantile -
I happened upon this shop while exploring Boulder’s downtown area with a friend. This eclectic store carries a large range of high-quality items from clothing, to homewares, to skincare and bath items. I liked their selection of soaps, skincare, and body care. I even noticed they carried one of my favorite lines, Osea. With so few skincare shops here in Colorado to choose from, Cedar & Hyde is a must-visit!
Scrub Me Skin Care Studio -
My skincare studio is new to Boulder from Chicago, and I’m happy to bring some new products to town! I have noticed a lack of places to shop for high-quality skincare items and SPFs free from harmful chemicals here in Boulder, so I brought the items we all need. At my skincare studio, I carry Josh Rosebrook skincare, Ology Essentials CBD facial care, plant-based soaps, facial oils, body butters and oils, and more. An appointment is required to shop; call to schedule something or book a free consultation.
ARITAUM (located near Boulder) -
Okay, so yes, Aurora is a bit of a hike from Boulder, but hear me out. ARITAUM is the only K-Beauty store I have found here so far. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know in the comments! This small skincare shop is tucked away in a strip center, housing all good SPF 😉. They carry the brand Innes Free as well as a few others. But it’s my favorite place to stock up on Innes Free mineral SPF; it’s the best lightweight mineral SPF that doesn’t leave a white cast. And the lovely woman who works there is known to give out some great free samples!
scrub me secret: honorable mention to Natural Grocers Grocery Store for carrying some great soaps, body care, and they also carry Heritage rose water, which is my favorite hydrosol mist.
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