Surviving the Tropics

By Olga Lorencin-Northrup

I think many would agree there is nothing in the world more beautiful than the crystal clear water of Tahiti, especially for me. I love swimming in secluded warm waters with very few people around. Recently, my husband and I visited the Island of Taha’a and we consider it by far one of the most exotic places in French Polynesia. With so many luxuries at your fingertips, there is now only one little obstacle in this paradise. How do I save my skin? After all, I am co-owner of Kinara Spa, located in Los Angeles, and I have been an esthetician for almost 20 years to some of Hollywood’s most beautiful faces. The pressure is on…not just to protect my skin from the intense tropical rays, but also how to find the best way to save the skin of all my clients and friends who are planning vacations to exotic destinations. Now I have the secret!

Day One: I am applying my usual sun blocks, all 12 I packed with me. My favorite sunblocks at home are Skinceuticals and DDF, because they protect my skin while never clogging my skin. They work beautifully at home in Los Angeles, or on trips to Mexico and even Hawaii. But I was soon to learn the tropics are a whole different dimension.

Day Two: Despite my sun blocks, I feel like I have been dipped in a pot of steaming water. So I devise a new plan. First I visit the hotels gift shop, searching for more options. I’m feeling desperate. I find Hawaiian Tropics SPF 50 Waterproof for babies and Hawaiian Tropics SPF 70 not waterproof, and Fenix SPF 30 water-resistant. When in direct sunlight I apply SPF 50 all over my face and xbody. The sun block is very greasy and usually would not work for me in the city. But in combination with the salt water, it seems to be working like a dream and does not sting my face. I apply SPF 70 while in the shade, only on my body, because it is stinging my face. Huge progress and much relief. I do not rinse the salt ocean water off my face until the evening; the mineral content is so high and beneficial for my skin.

Day Three: I am starting to get dark, and slightly burned on my back, despite all the SPFs I have been applying liberally every 3-4 hrs. Now I resign to all out protection…all hands on deck! I wear a Rash-Guard by O’Neil, which gives the equivalent of SPF 30. It is a white, snug t-shirt like cover surfers wear. It feels like a second skin, yet comfortable enough to swim in. On my head, I wear a Sahara Hat, from "Outdoor Research". It is baseball cap with a micro-fiber like scarf covering your neck and ears. This seems to work beautifully. With all my gear, I still find it unbearable to be under direct sunlight from any period of time. Even for those who desire a deep, golden tan, there is never a need to expose your skin to direct rays. Trust me, lounging in the shade will bring those same results, but without the blisters.

Day Four: Of course I continue to drink buckets of fresh water and in combination with my potent anti-aging vitamins, Pharmanex- anti aging pack…all a must! Add to that Selenium, 200 mg daily, and flax seed oil supplements, to help prevent brown, aging spots. Also, 300 mg of Vitamin C to heal your skin. I love "Emergen-C", because it contains a high Potassium content…I am working from the inside out!

In the PM, I wash my face with a mild cleanser and apply tons of anti-oxidant serums. My favorites are, Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum, for healing and calming, Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel in combination with Skinceuticals Primacy C & E. These two Serums are the only things I apply in AM under my sun block. They really help me with combating any skin damage.

Day Five: For body care I am completely sold on In Fiore Body Oil and Balms. Because of the extreme humidity the oils work much better than any lotions. My newfound obsession are these natural oils that are made locally of coconut oil infused with Tiare flower.

Day Six: Today is the first time I got bit by mosquitoes…I’m sure they didn’t get many opportunities to penetrate my skin with all products I have been applying day and night. I use "Fite Bite", which is a natural insect repellant that not only smells great you can use it over your body oils and sunblocks.

Day Seven: Now that I have got my sun regime down to a science, …it’s time to go home.

Day Eight: Back in LA I rush into Kinara to have a facial. I am immediately back on Kinara Nighttime Skin Quencher and Lactic Acid Hydrating Serum. I may be biased, but these two products used together eliminated all the blotchiness I had acquired, making my tan GLOW!

So go ahead you Skin Divas…You too can enjoy exotic tropical getaways and return home bronzed and WRINKLE FREE!

NECESSITIES
Hawaiian tropics SPF 50, Water-proof for Babies - check your local drug store
Hawaiian tropics SPF 70 - check your local drug store
Fenix SPF 30 - Kinara
Rash Gurad, O’Neil - www.camet.com
Sahara Hat - found at outdoorresearch.com
Saurus Sport, SPF 30 - lip, nose, eye balm- www.lifeguardstore.com
Fite Bite - natural Insect repellant- (800) 421-1223
Clinical Hydra-cool Serum - Kinara
Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel - Kinara
Skinceuticals C & E - Kinara
In Fiore Body Balm & Oil - Kinara
Kinara Lactic Hydrating Serum - Kinara
Kinara Nighttime Skin Quencher - Kinara
(Click here to view Kinara products or contact us at (800) 370-8268)

Emergenc-C
Pharamanex
Selenium 200 mg
Flax Seed Oil
(All Supplements found @ Pharmanex.com and Wholefoods.com)

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