Las Vegas Is Drying Me Out Like A Prune

HOLY COW Las Vegas is hot! If you want to know what being inside an oven is like, then come to Las Vegas in summer. This is my third day on holidays in Vegas and I’m still not used to the searing 40ºC (104ºF) dry heat.

I think my skin is cranky with me for being in this oven. And it doesn’t like the constant drying air conditioning either. It’s rebelled by stopping all production of natural moisturizer. Well at least that’s what it feels like anyway. I feel as though I’m slowly drying out to a prune. The worst areas affected are my hands, shoulders, back, elbows, upper thighs and feet. Thank goodness my face isn’t too bad [yet], but my chin this morning has become unusually dry. So much for that ditching my moisturizer idea I had in humid Toronto.

Here it’s dry everywhere. The heat outside is so incredibly dry, and everywhere indoors is heavily air conditioned. No amount of moisturizer that I slather onto my body is doing the trick. Last night when I went to bed the driest bits were actually a little sore. And my shoulders and back hurt in the shower as if they’re burnt!

If you live here I guess it’s different, your body just must be used to it. I also have very dry skin anyway [my skin has always been dry] so these hot and dry conditions are just making it worse. If you have oily skin, you’ll probably love it here.

Before my skin sheds like a lizard …or a hermit crab

What I need to seek out is a moisturizer that actually works. None of what I’ve brought with me or what the hotel provides is adequate. I need something deep moisturizing, something that I can slather on once or twice a day without worrying about my skin shedding like a lizard.

Problem is, I don’t have that much time to really try different creams out before I find the right one. I’m also a little scared to venture out looking in the day. I’ve actually been hiding inside the hotel (um, or the shops) to avoid the heat. Hmm, writing that down I feel kind of weak and a little lame!

Using oils in the shower

Many of you are familiar with the OCM, and some of you I’m sure love using healing oils like aloe vera or jojoba in your skin care routine. But you can use oils on your whole body too.

At home when it’s dry, I like to keep a bottle of natural essential oils in my shower. Something that smells nice and is preferably 100% natural or organic. After I turn off the water in the shower [and before I towel dry] I pour some of the oil into the palm of my hand and rub it over my whole body, excluding my face. Because my body is still wet, it just keeps me hydrated enough to prevent drying of the skin, and without that greasy oily feeling. It’s awesome.

You can buy these sweet smelling oil mixes from anywhere that sells natural skin care products, like boutique natural skin care stores or even health food stores. What you need to look for is a massage oil or body oil.

If you can’t find one then you can use something like olive oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil etc. They just won’t smell as good.

I purchased my last one from a mail order catalogue and I loved it. It was natural and it smelt gorgeous. Here is the website for the it - Diva Cosmetics. I can’t remember which one I bought, but I think it may have been the refresh body oil. I don’t know if Diva ships outside of Australia so I might look for a North American alternative. If anyone has any ideas of where to look, please let me know. My skin will love you for it.

An oil massage

A fantastic little ritual that I used to do in Brisbane winter when the weather was at its driest (but nothing like this), was to give myself an oil massage before my shower. This helps keep the skin hydrated really well. I wrote an article about it a long time ago. If you scroll down a little I’ve written about my oiling experience. You can read the article here.

Here is a video my travel buddy took of me while I was writing this article:

Oh, but Vegas is awesome

I may moan a little about the heat and dryness of Las Vegas but it really is awesome. I have to pinch myself everyday and remind myself that I’m actually in Vegas! For so many years I’ve watched the Strip on movies and TV, but never imagined I would be lucky enough to come here. Even for someone like me who is a vegetarian that doesn’t gamble or drink alcohol, I’ve still found cool stuff to do here, and it has been an amazing experience

Oh, and I found a massive Sephora here that I spent ages in last night. More about that soon …

Fran

Fran Kerr is the founding editor of High on Health. To cure your acne, sign up to Fran's FREE acne cure mini-course or download her latest how to guide, Eat Away Your Acne.

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