Stampede Skin Prep Guide: Dermatologist-Approved Tips to Look and Feel Your Best

Doctor Adams
5 days ago
3 min read

Stampede is officially here and whether you're planning to hit the grounds, catch a rodeo show, or dance your heart out at Nashville North, one thing’s for sure: your skin needs to be prepared.

At Market Mall Dermatology, we know that when you feel good in your skin, it shows. And while there may not be time to squeeze in a facial or cosmetic treatment before the festivities begin, there are still plenty of quick, dermatologist-approved ways to protect, hydrate, and care for your skin all Stampede long.

Here’s your last-minute skin prep guide, just in time for the wildest week of the year.

1. Sunscreen Is Non-Negotiable

Stampede days often mean long hours outside in direct sunlight. Even if it’s cloudy, your skin is still exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays, which contribute to premature aging, pigmentation, and increased skin cancer risk.

Quick tips:

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before heading out.
Don’t forget commonly missed spots like your ears, neck, chest, hands, and scalp (especially if you’re rocking a hatless look).
Reapply every 2 hours—and more often if you’re sweating or wiping your face.

We recommend keeping a travel-sized mineral sunscreen spray or stick in your bag for easy reapplication on the go. Read more about why sunscreen is SO important!

Elta MD Skincare at Market Mall Dermatology

2. Hydration = Happy Skin

Between the sun, the dry Calgary air, and (let’s be honest) those Stampede Caesars, it’s easy to get dehydrated—fast. Dehydration doesn’t just affect your energy levels; it also shows up on your skin in the form of dullness, tightness, fine lines, and irritation.

What to do:

Aim for 2-3L of water a day—more if you’re spending time in the sun or drinking alcohol.
Eat hydrating foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and leafy greens.
Use a lightweight, hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer to lock in hydration without feeling greasy.

Pro tip: Pop a hydrating facial mist in your bag for a mid-day refresh.

3. Go Light on Makeup

Your skin will thank you for keeping things light and breathable. Heavy foundation + sweat + dust = clogged pores and potential breakouts.

Try a tinted SPF or mineral powder with sunscreen instead of full coverage foundation. Add a swipe of mascara and a tinted lip balm and you’re rodeo-ready.

4. Don’t Forget to Cleanse

After a full day of sweat, sunscreen, and festival grime, proper cleansing is crucial to prevent irritation and breakouts.

Skin-saving steps before bed:

Remove sunscreen and makeup with a gentle oil-based cleanser or micellar water.
Follow with a gel or cream-based cleanser suited to your skin type.
Finish with a nourishing night moisturizer or calming serum.

Your skin does its best healing overnight—don’t skip this step, no matter how tired you are!

5. Listen to Your Skin

Stampede is loud, crowded, dusty, and full of environmental stressors that your skin might not love. Pay attention to signs of sensitivity, redness, or irritation—and scale back on any active ingredients like retinol or exfoliating acids if your skin feels reactive.

Focus instead on soothing, barrier-supporting ingredients like: