This spring, Mexico City (CDMX) has been trending all over TikTok as an affordable destination for beauty and wellness lovers. With over 5.5 million posts under the hashtag CDMX, creators are inviting you to spend the day with them as they explore architecture, restaurants, vintage markets, and of course, all the spas and pharmacies the city has to offer.

For as long as I can remember, beauty and wellness has been one the most intriguing ways to immerse myself in any destination. It’s an aspect of culture that can easily get overlooked, but like art, food, and fashion, it’s shaped by the city’s history and community. In traveling to Mexico City over the years, I have found myself endlessly fascinated by the vibrant beauty and wellness landscape of the city. And, through exploring the beauty, you can bring a bit of the culture home with you in your daily rituals. 

Located in the Valley of Mexico, CDMX’s gorgeous, rolling mountain views of the Cordillera Neovolcánica may leave you a bit winded due to the altitude and insulating effects of the geography. Not only does the elevation present challenges, but so do environmental stressors like pollution and UV amplification. To better understand the beauty culture of the city and how the climate affects your body, I spoke with local dermatologist Dr. Rosalía Vélez Muňiz about how to best prepare for your trip.  

“Mexico City, with its high altitude and dense population, faces particularly challenging pollution levels,” Vélez Muňiz tells ESSENCE. “Pollution also compromises the skin barrier, making it more vulnerable to dehydration, inflammation, and sensitivity.” 

Especially having dry, sensitive skin, I’ve found my skin is quite reactive to the city’s lack of air moisture. To combat this, Vélez Muňiz recommends incorporating more hydration and “ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, resveratrol, and phyto-esterols to neutralize free radicals and boost skin resilience” to best prep your skin prior to travel.

Additionally, the high elevation can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and in more severe cases altitude sickness. I underestimated my body’s response to the elevation on my first trip and had mild altitude sickness that left me nauseous and lethargic my first few days. I recommend budgeting additional time at the start of your trip to acclimate to the altitude before you hit the ground running with all the city has to offer (or else you might be too out of breath to truly enjoy it). 

One of the most striking aspects of the city is the lush green space living throughout the architecture and landscape. It’s a beautiful representation of the deep historical importance of nature in Mexican culture and wellness. 

Before it was CDMX, it was the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan and much of the city’s prehispanic infrastructure still remains. To this day, indigenous practices are evident in beauty and wellness rituals rooted in respect for nature’s authority. Whereas natural and clean beauty is a ‘luxury’ niche within other markets, indigenous traditions are deeply embedded within the current beauty landscape here. Their organic, plant-based health and beauty remedies carry a longstanding respect and commitment that supersedes trends. 

Keeping in mind my sensitivity to altitude, I kicked off my most recent trip with a relaxing stay at the Ritz Carlton Spa. CDMX’s gorgeous architecture is captivating no matter where you are, but this property overlooks the expansive Chapultepec park and city skyline, offering unparalleled views. Visiting their spa feels like you’ve been whisked away to a tranquil oasis in the sky. Lounging, dining, and relaxing is now my favorite way to begin a trip before fully immersing myself into the city’s vibrant energy.

Upon arrival, I was welcomed with their signature Head In The Clouds time capsule experience. The 25-minute scalp massage in a Zero Gravity chair alleviated stress and balanced my body from head to toe. After a long day of travel, it relieved my developing headache and set the tone for the next few days of relaxation. 

The following day was dedicated to a full experience at their spa that began with lounging by the pool and skyline view before beginning my services. The spa sits almost eye level with Chapultepec Park, so you feel completely enveloped by the greenery as you relax. In speaking with other visitors and residents, I learned it’s a favorite in the city—and for good reason. 

After a sauna session and shower, I tried their Awakening Ceremony which was a 90-minute foot cleansing ritual and full-body massage inspired by the Aztec symbolism of the Lesser Sun, the new moon. It’s designed to inspire new energy with long linear massage movements and green jade crystals to awaken, balance, and heal the energy centers. Immediately after, I had a custom facial to address my specific skin concerns like dryness and congestion coupled with the aromatherapy.

Throughout my stay I dined at the property’s restaurant Samos that also overlooks the city and park. The restaurant features gastronomic offerings spanning the diverse culinary disciplines across the country, making it a heavenly complement 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 intriguing dishes I’ve experienced in all my visits.

The city is most known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural history, and world-class food, but for me, the beauty shops are a must-see. Staying traditional, most spas and beauty boutiques center natural remedies from local brands you can’t find anywhere else.

If you’re looking for a scenic neighborhood where you can venture by foot for hours without running out of stores to visit, Amsterdam Ave in Condesa is my personal favorite. The elliptical street features a central walkway in the center of the street that’s covered by a lush canopy of greenery. Some of my go-to stores are La Tienda Del Savoy, XAMANA, and Mahlak Botiqueria for bodycare, skincare, makeup, and perfumes. I also recommend Aloe Vida in the historic neighborhood of Coyoacan, which was home to Frida Kahlo.

For more affordable and lowkey spa options, KOTI Wellness and Youth For Us are popular. They both have multiple locations in the city where you can easily pop-in for a sauna session, facial, or biohacking therapy that suits your needs. Wellness as a social practice is quite common and KOTI Wellness offers group sessions where you can commune with other people as opposed to solo journeys. 

Each time I come to CDMX, I visit Dr. Muniz in Coyoacan for both general research and treatments. And, especially when trying new products, it’s great to consult a professional to ensure nothing gets lost in translation. In addition to spa and in-office treatments, she recommends the pharmacy as a must for any beauty lover. 

After visiting a Mexican pharmacy, it will be hard to return to the ones in the States. Per recommendation from Dr. Muniz, my personal favorite is San Pablo which is a chain that can be found throughout the city. They have an extensive selection of Mexican, American, and other international brands, offering skin, hair, body care, supplements, and more. And, if you feel intimidated by the sheer amount of offerings, their staff is incredibly helpful. My Spanish is not the best, but each time I visit we have been able to get by with a bit of assistance from Google Translate. 

Some of my must-buys are sunscreen (we know the US is decades behind when it comes to filters), my routine supplements like Lion’s Maine and B12, along with tretinoin and any other goodies that catch my eye. 

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