Climate & Skin

Climate can be a significant consideration when determining what’s going on with your skin.

I moved from Seattle, Washington to Bozeman, Montana. As a gardener, this registered with me first regarding what kinds of plants I could grow, before I even thought about if I needed to change my skincare routine. It makes sense that the two would be related. Seattle’s Plant Hardiness Zone is 9a with minimum temperatures between 20F and 25F. Bozeman is a 4B, with coldest days of winter -30F or sometimes below. There is also a significant difference in the geographical differences of the humidity of cloudy, coastal Western Washington and the arid, windy, Rocky Mountain air with intense sun exposure year round.

This is where intuition comes into play. Skincare is not categorized by climate needs. Ads for skincare are not going to market to your climate and geography. Trust what you’re seeing and feeling with your skin. What is it telling you?

In Bozeman, the number one skincare concern I hear about is dehydration. Drinking enough water is baseline care, but for a lot of people including myself, it isn’t enough. Using a gentle cleanser, hydrating mist, nourishing moisturizer, and sunscreen is my recommended foundation for the majority of my clients. Because of the lack of humidity in our air, a lot of us are starting with a compromised skin barrier. Too many exfoliants and strong acids can exacerbate the issue. I recommend focusing on building up the integrity of your skin. What are you looking for? Healthy skin is smooth, bouncy, has an even-tone, glows, and is resilient.

How is your skin feeling? Does it feel strong?Does it need more of something? Does it need less?