Shoreline beauty benefits for Colorado land–lovers

Around early August, as the temperatures finally seem to dissipate and school supplies starts appearing, my mind begins to dream up getaways not to the mountains for the changing leaves, but to the beach. During my childhood, my family would try to travel somewhere coastal at the beginning of the school year so I have a predisposition to crave salty air as soon as summer begins to wane.

As these family trips ended I tried to suppress this calling with visits to large Colorado lakes (hard to find, but doable), and ocean–scented candles. Another solution? Natural, ocean–inspired beauty products with some surprising beauty benefits from softer skin to muscle relief. Below are some products that provide us land–locked Coloradans mini seaside vacations.

Although the salty waters of the ocean may irritate skin for some, sea mud has been used in spas for therapeutic treatments. Some of the most coveted natural ingredients come from the Dead Sea—8.6 times salter than any ocean and a rich resource of minerals from bromine to magnesium. As the only cosmetic company in the world with direct access to this mecca of skincare, Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories offers a multitude of products utilizing different elements from the Dead Sea.

Ahava’s Natural Dead Sea Body Mud ($16, ahavaus.com) absorbs excess oil and removes dead skin cells, leaving skin fresh and soft. It is also known to help those suffering from muscle aches and psoriasis, thanks to its ability to stimulate blood microcirculation. And as a bonus, Ahava is actively involved in multiple charitable partnerships, working to preserve the environmental balance of the Dead Sea region through education outreach and sustainable operations.

Sparking an abundant travel industry in Brittany, England, Thalassotherapy (or “sea therapy”) focuses on healing, relaxation, and beauty. Multiple spas along the Brittany coast offer destination spa packages promoting the beneficial properties of the sea air and soaks. Alongside these salty treatments, seaweed wraps and baths are also popular, claiming to help tone the body and replenishing elements such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Bringing this treatment to your own bathtub, Ocean Fresh Whole Seaweed Detox Bath ($14.89, vitaminshoppe.com) uses harvested brown seaweed from the North Atlantic that releases a moisturizing mineral gel to sooth irritated skin.

For a purely cosmetic use of sea salt, Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray ($5.99, ulta.com) helps create tousles waves in any type of hair, leaving a light, matte finish. Utilizing both Dead Sea salt and sea kelp, its the perfect vacation for your hair even if a trip to the shore is out of reach.

Bringing the sea to land–locked Colorado, these three beauty treatments can help any beach–crazy personality crush those cravings for salty waves and enjoy the mountainous beauty around us.