Jungle Vibes: Skin Care the Polynesian way

Three hours partnered with 1000+ foot elevation, and about 27 mosquito bites later I made it to the top of an inactive volcano.  Well, not quite to the highest peak but the top of the first leg. 
The massively dense piece of land was lush and green. Needless to say, we stumbled on some cool shit throughout our three hour trek. Almost at every turn wild roosters, chickens, & their furry little Chiclets would run and scramble to hide.  Wild Boar would peak their snarly nostrils out from underneath the foliage, letting out a "gasley" snort that would make the birds scatter. Vines hung from tree to tree, thick like rope. Trees with the thickest roots you've ever seen and as tall as sky scrapers. Yep, we were balls deep in nature. 

As we moved closer into the thick of it, our guide points out jungle "ginger flowers." Seconds later he pulls one of the buds from its vine and starts squeezing a delicious smelling soapy substance that reminded me of the beCalm Gel Cleanser. "What is this sorcery?" I asked. By this point my jaw had already hit the forest floor because I am in love with anything spa related of course. This beautiful cherry red blossom can be used to cleanse your hair and skin. The scent is natures natural insect repellent. An actual organic emulsification system that lathers naturally. WOWZA!

Not even 10 minutes went by of me picking my jaw up off the ground when we stumbled on the "Cordioyne". The "good vibe" plant, used during ancient times by natives to ward off evil spirits and has roots that when grounded up turns in to sugar.

You're probably thinking about baking and I'm over here like, EXFOLIATION.  Yes please!! I'm imagining how gloriously soft your skin could be after squeezing out some organic ginger body wash to cleanse, following that up with some grounded root sugar, to scrub away the dead skin. Glorious day that would be indeed. 

Modern World Skin Care

Just in case you want to skip the jungle excursion, there's easier ways to cleanse and exfoliate. 

Top Picks:

• beCalm Cleansing Gel with: Blue Lotus & Chamomile

• Hair & Scalp Nourishing Treatment Shampoo and Conditioner with: Argan oil, Green Tea, & Aloe &

• Chicken Skin Facial & Body Exfoliate infused with flower extracts & jojoba encapsulated micro-spheres that roll over the skin without abrasiveness.

Equator sun -v- Regular sun

I've had the opportunity to embark on many adventures, with my most recent one being 1-five hour flight to LAX from Detroit + 1-eight hour flight from LAX to Tahiti + 40 min ferry ride from the city, to the island of Moorea, followed by a 30 min cab ride to the other side of the island. To say I traveled to the other side of the world would be an accurate statement. It's beautiful here. Even during low season with a chance of rain almost daily, you find beautiful lush green landscape, water so blue and turquoise you would think you were starring at a real life screen saver. My time here so far has been spent, chatting up the spa managers on why they should carry dbts Skin Bar brand products, napping, Dolphins, paddling boarding, hiking those lush green mountains, followed by a small amount of sun bathing. I say a small amount, because although "sun is life" there are two "different types" of sun. You are probably thinking, how is there a different type of sun? Here's how...

"I call this: Equator Sun -v- Regular Sun."

When I say every time I step into the sun I feel like someone has opened an oven set at 475 degrees F. Is that bread I smell baking? Nope, it's my skin, because it's hot as hell. I'm talking immediate sweat pouring from every pore of my brown body. It's cray!  

Why does it feel so hot? Well, the sun is directly over head rather than at an angle. The sun's path is also traveling a shorter distance resulting is less absorption and scattering. 

Is the Southern Hemisphere (where Tahiti, New Zealand, Fiji is located), there is less ozone to block UV rays that cause sunburn. The earths orbit takes it closer to the sun, & finally there is less pollution in the Southern Hemisphere to block UV rays.  Who knew!!??

Arm yourself by using both

 a chemical and physical sun screen. Chemical sun screens absorb into the skin, be sure to apply 30-45 min before you go out. Physical sun screens work to block out UV rays immediately upon application. 

✔️Reapply every hour.

✔️Limit your direct sun exposure to only a few hours throughout the day.

Top Picks:

dbts Skin Bar's Solar Shield 30, physical sun screen, great for sensitive skin areas such as face, ears, neck, and chest. Great for children because it works immediately. 

Dermalogica's Sun Protection 50 Sport, chemical base & water resistant.

Happy Travels!