It's Ski and Snowboard Season! Protect Your Skin While You Shred
by Amanda Beisel
There is nothing as invigorating as gliding down the slopes, feeling the brisk wind and the freedom of being one with nature. The sore muscles and tired body after a day of skiing or snowboarding is all worth it as you snuggle up to the fire and sip your cacao or warming glass of red wine.
Even as your spirits are lifted by the hours spent outdoors, your skin can be negatively affected if you don’t have a proper winter-sports skin care plan in place. A day on the mountain exposes your skin to many elements: cold, wind and sunlight cycle on repeat with bouts of hot, dry chalet air.
This can be very harsh on your precious skin, resulting in chaffing, sun damage, irritation, and flaking. Read on for protection strategies that will leave you smiling until spring.
Top Three Skin-Preservation Methods for the Ski Season
- Triple Hydration
Hydrating your skin on all layers will prevent dehydration and irritation from exposure to the elements. Start with a water-based serum, followed by a nourishing oil, and finish with a moisturizer. The Three Layers of Hydration system by Forget Beauty is the perfect healthy skin winter-sports companion.
- Physical Sunblock
Find a physical-based sunblock that contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Physical sunblocks are the safest form of sun protection. They form a shield on your skin, providing superior protection. Chemical sunblocks don't have the ability to protect your skin in the same way; they cause a chemical reaction that helps prevent sun damage but they just aren’t as effective as keeping out the burning rays as a physical sunblock—plus the tend to contain nasty ingredients. We highly recommend Elta MD Physical 41 and Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush-on Sunblock. Your sunblock should be last thing you apply before you hit the slopes, Remember! Take some with you and re-apply every two hours.
- Post-slopes Skin Care
Cleanse your skin with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a hydrating mask—our favourite post-ski mask is the Intensive Hyaluronic Mask by Magic Stripes. Leave on up to 40 minutes, finish with the Three Layers of Hydration, and then start resting up for another epic day outside!
