Ride Reactive
Layering up may seem impractical when working or exercising outdoors during the summer months, but Arizona’s constant sunshine increases your risk of melanoma, according to the National Cancer Institute. This led avid mountain bikers Nathan Fields and Nicoli Menninger to develop Ride Reactive, a sun shirt that not only protects skin with 50+ UPF but also keeps wearers cool and comfortable during outdoor activities.
“Some of the people we care about most have been afflicted with skin cancer, and we wanted to bring awareness and provide solutions that help reduce the risks associated with exposure to the sun,” Fields says.
The brand has developed a following not only in the mountain biking community, but in the landscaping and construction industries. Plus, a portion of sales benefits the Phoenix Children’s Foundation. ridereactive.com
Mount Sunny
Local spa devotees are probably familiar with Downtown Phoenix’s Mount Sunny. The wellness studio founded by Dr. Shelby Ramirez offers treatments such as acupuncture, cupping and holistic microneedling.
If you’re finding it difficult to fit a wellness session into your schedule or want to enjoy self-care at home, you can pick up one of Mount Sunny’s facial cupping sets. The four different sizes of glass suction cups help increase blood flow to your face, which naturally stimulates collagen and elastin production to promote firmer, rejuvenated skin and a balanced, refreshed complexion.
mount-sunny.com
Doctor Hopiola
When it comes to skin-care products, the descriptors “gentle” and “effective” are rarely used in the same sentence. Dr. Hope Ijaola, a Gilbert-based internist trained in organic cosmetic formulation, knew she had the experience to change that.
“So many formulas achieve results through aggressive ingredients that compromise the skin barrier,” Ijaola says. “I wanted to design something that helps restore balance instead of stripping it away.”
The Doctor Hopiola line is free of synthetic additives and sulfates. Products including facial oils and serums use research-supported natural botanicals designed to nourish the skin, help restore its protective barrier and provide a calming, enjoyable self-care ritual that supports skin health over time. drhopiola.com
Bender Extender
If your Friday night revelry lasts well into Saturday morning, the Scottsdale-based company Bender Extender has a hangover helper for you.
This all-natural supplement blends ginger, vitamins B1 and B6, and milk thistle extract to support liver function and lessen the severity of hangovers. Of course, founder Cameo Hanlon is quick to point out that while her formula helps with early-morning headaches, drinking in moderation and staying hydrated enhances its effectiveness.
True to its Scottsdale roots, the company also offers wedding-branded packaging for bachelorette parties and hard-partying nuptials. benderextender.com
Suniful
Most of us remember to slather on sunscreen before we go out in the sun, but we don’t always think to protect our scalp. Former hairstylist Amy Silkman saw the ramifications of this oversight firsthand when she witnessed her closest friend undergo two Mohs procedures to treat skin cancer on her scalp.
This led her to develop Suniful, a dry-shampoo-style mineral scalp powder with a 30 SPF rating. The unisex, cruelty-free product protects the scalp from Phoenix’s omnipresent rays and absorbs excess oil, so you can keep your skin protected and still have a great hair day.
“I’m just trying to raise awareness, whether you buy my product or not,” Silkman says. “Just remember: Your scalp is skin, too.” suniful.com
Proton Sports
Scottsdale entrepreneur Charles Darling originally founded Proton Sports to create the world’s best softball bat, but when the former aerospace industry executive’s children introduced him to pickleball, he pivoted his company to a new sport.
“Each of the components that we’re using is of the highest quality that you could source,” Darling says. “The carbon fiber that we’re using on our paddles is the same that we use on our softball bats.”
The chic, high-end paddles are a sensation among amateurs and professionals in the world’s fastest-growing sport. They carry a lifetime guarantee and are now available at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Scheel’s, with a mid-tier line planned for later this year. protonsports.com
Mother Mountain Herbals
Much of our state is dry and desolate, which can be tough on delicate skin. But the arid landscape also yields ingredients that can help protect it.
Former makeup artist and Sonoran Desert dweller Stina Swesey forages and blends golden jojoba oil, creosote leaf, yuzu and other ingredients for her Mother Mountain Herbals line. Her homemade offerings, like the popular Prickly Pear Serum, are formulated to restore and hydrate skin, while their scents evoke the freshness of desert air after a monsoon. mothermountainherbals.com
