‘O, to Live in a Rainforest!’

Some say that if you lived in a rainforest your skin would be in heaven, as the skin loves perfect humidity. Warm all year. Frost free with temperatures ranging from 20 C to 25 C (or over 30C), Yet, heat and humidity can be oppressive and extreme. Not to mention the snakes and the insects. Or animals that attack. But the cool waterfalls and swimming holes would call to us. Tempting. Refreshing. The pros and cons.

We live in Canada. Not the rainforest. We have the dry, the cold, the hot, the wind, the sun, the snow, the frost. The 4 seasons. And different climates. Many people notice changes in their skin when travelling across our vast expense from east to west, north to south. But keeping the rainforest in mind, the goal is to retain the moisture that the skin needs. 

Daily, we lose moisture. Imagine 1 ½ cups (about 400 ml) of water evaporating off the skin every day? While the outer skin layer wishes to have an ideal water content, it is not always possible. Our Canadian environment, our diet, our lifestyles all affect it. 

Existing in low humidity and cold, our skin dries out. In winter, as soon as our heat is turned on, our skin becomes drier. 

A humidifier can help. We must be aware that a too hot shower, as luxurious as they are, takes its toll. Wise and brave souls switch to a cold shower at the end of the wash. Think of a cool pond dip.  

Another weapon in our arsenal: good moisturizers.

The main components of good moisturizers are:  Humectants, which attracts water to the skin, like glycerin, aloe vera and honey.  Emollients, which increase moisture levels, soften and soothe the skin. Occlusives, which keeps the water on the skin like butters and waxes. Sort of like waterproofing. They are heavier than emollients but the terms are often interchangeable. We use beeswax, shea butter, emu, argan, castor oil, jojoba, coconut to name a few.

Humectants work well when partnered with emollients or occlusives and are found in creams and lotions. 

Two popular occlusives found in commercial skin care which we choose NOT to use are silicones and petrolatum (mineral oil). I have written many times on how scary they can be.

Rainforests may be found in Australia, Korea, Japan, South America, New Zealand and some parts of southeastern North America, but if such a destination is not on your travel list and Canada remains home, remember to moisturize often and naturally. As if in the rainforest. 

Ask Rebecca from Nova Scotia."I just want to say how much I love your products. I've been using them for years!! Especially I love the face creams, they take care of my skin like no other skin care item I've used before."