A Beauty Lover’s Guide to Mexico City | Essence

This year, Mexico City (CDMX) has been known throughout TikTok as an affordable destination for lovers of beauty and health. With more than 5.5 million messages under the hashtag CDMX, the creators invite you to spend the day with them as they explore the buildings, restaurants, old markets, and of course, all the spas and pharmacies that the city has to offer.

For as long as I can remember, beauty and health has been one of the most fascinating ways to immerse yourself in any area. It’s a part of culture that can be easily overlooked, but like art, food and fashion, it’s shaped by the history of a city and community. As I’ve visited Mexico City over the years, I’ve found myself endlessly fascinated by the beauty and vitality of the city. And, by exploring beauty, you can bring a piece of culture home with you into your daily routine.

What You Should Know Before You Go

Located in the Valley of Mexico, CDMX’s beautiful views of the Cordillera Neovolcánica may leave you breathless due to the altitude and the protective effects of geography. Not only does altitude pose problems, but so do environmental stresses such as pollution and UV exposure. To better understand the city’s beauty culture and how the weather affects your body, I spoke with local dermatologist Dr. Rosalía Vélez Muňiz on how to properly prepare for your trip.

“Mexico City, with its high population density and dense population, faces very difficult levels of pollution,” Vélez Muňiz tells ESSENCE. Pollution also destroys the skin’s barrier, making it vulnerable to dehydration, swelling and pain.”

Especially having dry, sensitive skin, I found that my skin coped well with the lack of air in the city. To combat this, Vélez Muňiz recommends including plenty of water and “ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, resveratrol, and phyto-esterols to reduce free radicals and strengthen the skin’s strength” to prepare your skin well before you go.

Additionally, high levels can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and in more severe cases, altitude sickness. I underestimated my body’s reaction to high altitude on my first trip and had a mild illness that left me nauseous and weak for the first few days. I recommend budgeting some extra time at the beginning of your trip to adjust to the altitude before you hit the ground running with all the city has to offer (otherwise you’ll be too out of breath to really enjoy it).

A Place of Beauty

One of the most attractive features of the city is the lush green space that lives throughout the buildings and landscape. It is a beautiful illustration of the profound importance of natural history in Mexican culture and well-being.

Before it became CDMX, it was the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan and much of the city’s prehispanic architecture remains. To this day, indigenous practices are still reflected in the traditions of beauty and health based on respect for the authority of nature. While natural and clean beauty is the “luxury” in some markets, cultural norms are embedded in the current beauty of the country. Their plant-based health and beauty treatments have a long-term respect and commitment that transcends tradition.

Inside my Spa Day

Still mindful of my sense of altitude, I began my latest trip by relaxing at the Ritz Carlton Spa. CDMX’s beautiful architecture is captivating no matter where it is located, but this property overlooks the sprawling Chapultepec and downtown area, offering unparalleled views. A visit to their park feels like being transported to a peaceful place in heaven. Resting, eating, and relaxing is my favorite way to start a trip before immersing myself in the city’s energy.

Upon arrival, I was greeted with their signature Head In The Clouds time capsule experience. A 25-minute head massage in the Zero Gravity chair relieved stress and balanced my body from head to toe. After a long day’s travel, it calmed my growing headache and made me feel comfortable for the next few days.

The next day was dedicated to a full experience at their spa which started with a nap by the pool and a view of the sky before I started my services. The spa is located next to Chapultepec Park, so you feel surrounded by greenery while relaxing. As I talked to other visitors and locals, I learned that it’s my favorite thing about the city—and for good reason.

After the sauna session and shower, I tried their Awakening Ceremony which was a 90-minute ritual foot scrub and full body massage inspired by the Aztec symbolism of the Lesser Sun, the new moon. Designed to stimulate new energy with long massage movements and green jade crystals to awaken, balance and heal energy centers. Soon after, I had a regular facial to solve my skin problems like dryness and congestion along with aromatherapy.

Throughout my stay I ate at the Samos property restaurant overlooking the town and park. The restaurant has gastronomic offerings that cover different cuisines across the country, making it a heavenly addition to a spa day. CDMX is one of my favorite cities for food (even as a vegan) and Samos had some of the most delicious and interesting dishes I’ve seen in all my travels.

Best Beauty Salons and Spas

The city is best known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural history, and world-class cuisine, but for me, the beauty shopping is a must-see. During your stay many spas and beauty boutiques offer natural remedies of local products that you can’t find anywhere else.

If you’re looking for a nice place where you can walk for hours without running out of shops to visit, Amsterdam Ave in Condesa is my favorite. The elliptical street has a central street lined with greenery. Other stores I shop at are La Tienda Del Savoy, XAMANA, and Mahlak Botiqueria for body care, skin care, makeup, and perfume. I also recommend Aloe Vida in the historic area of ​​Coyoacan, which was the home of Frida Kahlo.

For cheap and affordable spa options, KOTI Wellness and Youth For Us are popular. Both have many places in town where you can easily pop in for a sauna session, facial, or biohacking treatment that suits your needs. Wellness as a social practice is very common and KOTI Wellness offers group sessions where you can interact with other people instead of going it alone.

Accredited Dermatologist in Mexican Pharmacies

Every time I come to CDMX, I visit Dr. Muniz in Coyoacan for a general checkup and treatment. And, especially when trying new products, it’s best to consult with an expert to ensure that nothing is lost in translation. In addition to spa and in-office treatments, she recommends the pharmacy as a must-have for any beauty lover.

After visiting a Mexican pharmacy, it will be difficult to return to the American ones. Following the recommendation of Dr. Muniz, my favorite is San Pablo which is a chain that can be found throughout the city. They have a wide selection of Mexican, American and other international products, offering skin, hair, body care, supplements and more. And, if you feel intimidated by the number of offerings, their staff is very helpful. My Spanish isn’t the best, but each time I’ve visited we’ve managed to get by with some help from Google Translate.

Some of the things I have to buy are sunscreen (we know the US is decades behind when it comes to filters), my routine supplements like Lion’s Maine and B12, as well as tretinoin and other goodies.