Navigating the Slopes with a Winter Glow: A Skin Care Handbook

FROM SUNBURN TO ITCHY, DRY SKIN – SKI TRIPS CAN CAUSE HAVOC FOR YOUR SKIN. HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST SKIN CARE ON THE SLOPES. WHEN YOU’RE PREPARING FOR A SKI TRIP, YOU’RE PROBABLY MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY FROM A FALL, BUT ON THE SLOPES YOUR SKIN IS ALSO VULNERABLE TO THE ELEMENTS. WINDBURN, FROSTBITE AND, EVEN THE DEHYDRATING EFFECTS OF CENTRAL HEATING IN YOUR CHALET CAN ALL IRRITATE SKIN, SO IT’S WORTH TAKING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IF YOU DON’T WANT SKIN COMPLAINTS TO SPOIL YOUR HOLIDAY.

BEFORE YOU EVEN TAKE OFF

The sun injures your skin through oxidation: a strong antioxidant such Vitamin E taken in tablet form before and during your holiday can help minimize risks. Start taking 400 Jus of Vitamin E everyday two weeks before your holiday. During the holiday, increase this dosage to 800 Jus and look for sunscreens that contain antioxidants. 

PROTECTION FROM THE SUN

Although it can feel counter-intuitive to apply sunscreen in the cold, the sun at high altitude is more harmful than at sea level thanks to the thinner atmospheres, and snow also acts as a mirror, reflecting the sun’s rays for a double-helping of skin damage. As skiers and snowboarders tend to stay out in the sun all day with little opportunity for shade, sun lotion is essential for protection.    Not all sunscreens are made equal. Face-planting in the snow, pulling your jumper over your head and sweating into your goggles will blow blog-standard creams out of the water. For maximum resilience, look for high SPF/UVA, water-resistant, photostable creams and apply liberally, in front of a mirror for full coverage of all exposed areas. Allow for drying time before dressing: some sunscreens can stain clothing and accidentally rubbing off cream before it sinks in will make it less effective. Take a miniature out with you and reapply every one to two hours. 

LAYER YOUR SKINCARE

Cruising black diamonds at high speeds can be thrilling, but low temperatures combined with low humidity parches the skin of our natural oils, the result? Windburn, which leads to redness, irritation, dryness, a burning sensation, and skin peeling.    What to do? Cover exposed skin on the slopes with gloves, a scarf, a face-mask, and a hat and for the areas you can’t cover up, the recipe for success is  layering your products, first, cleanse with a gentle cleanser then use a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that pulls moisture from the air, and can hold 1,000 times its weight in water. Then, apply a rich, protection, hydrating moisturizer to seal in the serum and protect your skin from the elements and acts like a skin barrier. Finish with an SPF50. And don't forget to take it with you on the slopes so you can keep applying it throughout the day.

EXTRA PROTECTION WHERE IT’S NEEDED

Lips contain no natural pigmentation to protect from UV, making them the body part that is most vulnerable to sun-damage. Slick with high SPF/UVA lip balm regularly, especially after eating and drinking. Sun block will help to protect your other most exposed areas: the nose, ears and brows. 


MINIMISE ALCOHOL INTAKE

Similarly après-ski is not your skin’s friend. As a diuretic, alcohol dehydrates the body and the skin, this shows up as dryness. It also starves skin of essential minerals such as iron, making it look pale. So limit your alcohol intake and if you have a tipple or two, make sure you continue to drink water throughout. 

AVOID HOT SHOWERS AND BATHS

While it’s tempting to slip into a steaming bath after a cold day on the slopes, hot water can strip natural oils from your skin, leaving it dehydrated. Go for warm water instead. 

THAT’S IT! NOW, YOU’RE READY FOR YOUR SKI TRIP. IF YOU KNOW YOU HAVE EXTREMELY OILY OR DRAMATICALLY DRY SKIN, CHOOSE YOUR MUST-HAVES WITH CARE, AS NOT EVERY PRODUCT SUITS EVERYONE'S UNIQUE SKIN TYPES. FOR THE MOST PART, THOUGH, THE ABOVE CRASH-COURSE IN WINTER SKINCARE SHOULD HAVE YOU LIVING YOUR BEST, MOST HYDRATED, RADIANT LIFE.

spf50

DAILY FACE PROTECT SPF50

ULTRA SHEER BROAD SPECTRUM FACIAL SUN PROTECTION FOR ALL SKIN TYPES. UVA, UVB PROTECTIONS.


HOW IS IT DIFFERENT

Safe and efficient next generation UV filter dispersion. The Sun Filters In our Daily Face Protect SPF 50  have been treated with a specialized encapsulation processing technique to stabilize the chemical sunscreens and to ensure high performance of prolonged and consistent SPF value while using less filters. This creates an ease of use, non-irritant (even to chemical sunscreen sensitive people)and not absorbed into the skin, safer on the skin, ultra light formula that allows the skin to breathe freely and will form a thin layer of water resistant protective shield upon sking.


WHAT DOES IT DO

Ultra-light formulation that allows rapid skin absorption and leaves no shininess or residue. Provides a delicate sensation of freshness and a silky finish. Multi functional peptides boost your skin’s natural defense against daylight and radiations including Blue Light. Prevents signs of photo-aging and protects against discoloration caused by sun exposure.


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