Heber City is around 5,600 feet above sea level. That height is pretty, but it creates a daily environment that is bad for your skin. If you notice dry skin, breakouts, or unsightly sun damage that happened too quickly, Heber City’s high altitude is the culprit. Professionals at spas in Heber City regularly see the same skin issues due to the altitude.

What High Altitude Does to Your Skin?

At high altitude, multiple environmental factors work against your skin.

• UV rays get worse. At higher altitudes, UV rays are more pronounced. Research indicates that at sea level, UV exposure is about 4-5% for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. At 5,600 feet, you’re exposed to about a 25% increase, which occurs year-round, including gloomy, overcast winter days.
• Humidity is low. High-altitude valleys have about 10-20% humidity. The air is so dry that the moisture leaves your skin. Even though drinking water often helps with this, applying it to the skin is essential; otherwise, it will dry up before it is absorbed.
• Wind removes natural oils. Skin has a barrier that is vital to protecting against daily harm and retaining moisture. Wind constantly attacks natural oils, weakening the skin barrier.
• Thinner air slows cell repair. Limited oxygen availability at higher altitudes slows skin cell repair. This leads to skin appearing dull and taking longer to recover from sun damage.

What Your Skin Actually Needs at This Elevation

Making a few specific changes will help your skin:

• Moisturizers that reinforce the skin barrier. Lightweight water-based moisturizers will evaporate quickly at high altitudes. Formulas that have botanical oils and butters lock in moisture.
• Protection from free radicals. At higher altitudes, Vitamin C and Rosehip Oil become necessary defenses against increased free radicals and UV damage.
• Cleansers that do not strip. Foaming cleansers are the worst way to start a cleansing routine. An oil-based cleanser will pull all the dirt and oil from your skin without the moisture.
• Reliable, broad-spectrum sunscreen. At this altitude, year-round UV exposure, combined with the thin air and snow that reflects sunlight, makes applying SPF daily and year-round a requirement.

Your Skin Can Thrive Here

While the damage done to your skin from the high altitude will be gradual, it will be easy to repair it with the right products and practices. The spas in Heber City offer great barrier-repair facials, altitude-adjusted peels, and therapies for pigmentation that you cannot get anywhere else. Make sure you start with these practices, then get a professional skin check to develop a plan that is specific to your area.