Sunny Day Skin Care
☀️ Desert Skin: My Suncare Ritual as an Arizona Woman
I live in a place where the sun doesn’t knock. It just walks in.
By 9 AM, it’s already flirting with 100 degrees. And by noon? It’s a full seduction—hot, relentless, golden. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. I love what it does to my mood, my energy, my bare legs. But if you live in Arizona, or anywhere sun-soaked and unbothered, you learn real fast: you don’t wait to take care of your skin.
Here’s how I do it—my daily suncare ritual, born from years under desert skies and lessons learned the crispy way.
1. Sunscreen Comes Before Coffee
Before mascara. Before checking my phone. Before stepping into the sun for even a second.
I use a lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF 50 that feels like silk—no white cast, no stickiness. It’s the first thing that touches my face each morning, followed by a spritz of rose water and a few deep breaths at the window.
💡 My tip? Don’t treat SPF like a chore. Treat it like perfume. Something sacred and indulgent.
2. My Lips Are Protected, Too
People forget about lips—until they’re dry, flaky, or peeling from a brunch al fresco.
I keep a sheer lip balm with SPF 30 in every purse I own. It’s part of the look. A swipe of protection, a hint of color, and suddenly I’m kissed by the sun but not wrecked by it.
💡 Bonus: SPF balms make your lips look smoother and fuller. Yes, please.
3. I Wear the Good Hat
Wide-brimmed. Floppy. Woven or structured. I don’t care. If I’m outdoors for more than five minutes, I’m putting on a hat—not just for the vibe (though it’s a vibe), but because I’m keeping my forehead and hairline from baking.
I pair it with oversized sunglasses and walk like someone who’s part mystery, part shade goddess.
💡 Hot tip from AZ life: sun damage doesn’t just show up in lines—it shows up in uneven skin tone, rough texture, and that “tired” look. A hat + SPF = glow preserved.
4. Body SPF Is Daily, Not Optional
Arms, shoulders, neck, chest—every day, even if I’m just driving. Especially if I’m just driving.
Arizona car windows might as well be magnifying glasses. I use a spray or light lotion on exposed skin, and always apply to the tops of my hands. It’s the one place that betrays age faster than anywhere else.
💡 Want to feel extra? Get a sunscreen with shimmer or a scent you love. Your skin should feel kissed, not coated.
5. After-Sun Is a Ritual, Too
At night, it’s aloe, hydration, and repair. I use a hyaluronic acid serum, a moisturizer with ceramides, and a rich night cream that feels like a sigh.
If I’ve been in the sun too long, I add chilled aloe gel or a calendula balm. Then I wrap myself in a robe, pour something cold, and thank my skin for being such a good sport.
I don’t hide from the sun. I dance with it.
But I do it on my terms—with layers of protection, doses of intention, and plenty of glam. Suncare isn’t about fear. It’s about staying soft while living in the heat.
And if I glow a little more because of it? All the better.
Lust Darling
Desert-born. Skin-smart. Always sun-kissed—never sun-damaged.