Las Vegas sits in the Mojave Desert, and visitors often notice their skin before they notice the heat. Lips crack within a day, hands feel papery and make-up settles into fine lines. The city's climate, combined with its indoor life, is unusually hard on skin.
Why Vegas is so drying
- Low humidity. The desert air is dry for much of the year, and summer afternoons are both very hot and very dry.
- Strong sun. Clear skies and long summer days mean high UV levels, often in the very high to extreme range in summer.
- Air conditioning. Casinos, hotel rooms and shopping malls run cool, dry air for hours.
- Pools and late nights. Chlorine, sun, alcohol and short sleep add up over a long weekend.
A desert routine
Morning. Cleanse gently, apply a hydrating serum with glycerin or hyaluronic acid, follow with a moisturiser and finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. If you are heading to the pool, choose a water-resistant formula.
During the day. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours outdoors, and after swimming or towelling off. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Drink water steadily; thirst is a late signal in dry heat.
Evening. Rinse off chlorine and sunscreen, then use a richer moisturiser than you would at home. A facial oil on top helps seal it in. Use a lip balm before you go out to the casino and again before bed.
Hotel room tips
- Turn the air conditioning down rather than to its coldest setting at night.
- Some hotels can supply a humidifier on request; it is worth asking.
- Keep showers short and lukewarm, however tempting a long hot one feels after a late night.
Signs to take seriously
Sunburn with blistering, dizziness, headache or confusion in the heat needs attention: get out of the sun, cool down, drink water and seek medical help if symptoms are severe. Heat illness is a real risk in a Las Vegas summer, especially for anyone moving between the pool, the Strip and the casino floor without pausing to drink.
Plan for the climate and the trip becomes far more comfortable: a strong sunscreen, a richer cream and a balm in your pocket do more than any souvenir from the gift shop.
