Skiing: How To Protect Your Skin On The Slopes

Nothing quite beats the feeling of zooming through powdery white snow on a fresh, clear, sunny day, admiring the pristine scenery surrounding you. Or enjoying well-earned mountain beers with your best friends following a challenging run.

Unfortunately, one of the very few downsides of a skiing holiday is the stress it puts on your face. While the crisp mountain air may feel great, it’s pretty harsh on your skin.

But don’t worry. There are ways to look after your skin, even in the toughest conditions. Keep reading for our guide on protecting your skin on the slopes.

Protect your skin against the sun

If there’s anything you should do to protect your skin while zipping through the snow, it’s using sunscreen. If SPF is a must-use at sea level, it must be used at high altitudes on the slopes.

Fresh powdery snow can reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV, so even though it may be cold up there, your skin needs protection.

Before applying your SPF, consider layering with antioxidant formulas to defend against inflammation and protect the skin from aging free radicals.

Use SPF 30 at the very least, but we recommend something stronger, like the iS Clinical Eclipse SPF 50.

The formula is designed for daily use and outdoor activities, so it’s perfect for skiing. The SPF 50 formula combines a unique blend of scientifically advanced physical sunscreens, including transparent titanium dioxide and micronized zinc oxide, along with pure vitamin E.

Not only will the formula protect you against the sun’s dazzling rays reflecting off the snow, but the sunscreen is water-resistant, too, should you want to take your leftovers on your next beach vacation.

The cream is ultra-sheer and lightweight, so you don’t need to worry about that ghostly white film look many mineral sunscreens provide.

Whatever sunscreen you choose, make sure you apply it throughout the day, preferably every two hours. Know that the higher the altitude, the higher your SPF must be.

Look after your hands

While you may be worrying more about your face turning beetroot red from the sun, don’t forget about your hands.

The skin on your hands is thinner than the rest of your body, so it’s more likely to become chapped and dry, especially in the cold, blustery mountain air.

Always wear thick, cozy gloves when you’re outside to keep your hands warm and toasty and to protect them from extreme weather conditions.

Grab your gloves when you get ready to go skiing for the day. Just make sure you have them ready in your bag before leaving in the morning.

Try not to forget when you’re heading out to dinner or a bar, too. The temperature often drops significantly once the sun has set, so you’ll be grateful for those warm gloves.

It’s also a good idea to moisturize your hands regularly throughout your ski trip. Consider bringing your favorite hand cream out with you daily – there are plenty of pocket-size tubes that can easily slip into your ski jacket or salopettes.

Don’t forget the lip balm

Another item you should remember to bring along to the slopes with you is a moisturizing lip balm.

Often we forget about looking after our lips while skiing until it’s too late, and they’re dry, chapped, and flaky.

Plus, our lips are more susceptible to UV damage than any other body area. This is because lips don’t contain any melanin (natural pigment) to protect them from the sun’s harsh rays.

To ensure your lips are hydrated and healthy as you swoosh through the snow, carry a moisturizing chapstick or lip balm on you at all times, like the BABOR Lip Repair Balm.

Containing argan and olive oil as the primary ingredients, this balm will ensure your lips remain supple and soft.

Avoid hot baths and showers

We know, we know. Often after spending a lot of time exhausting yourself on the slopes, a hot bath or shower to warm you up sounds like just the ticket.

But avoiding super hot baths and showers is essential for protecting your skin. While you may find the idea of a steaming hot bath relaxing, your skin definitely doesn’t.

Hot water can affect the skin’s natural moisture balance, stripping away natural oils and fats that keep the skin healthy. Without these natural oils, your skin may be left dry, itchy, and inflamed. Piping hot showers and baths can even worsen skin conditions like eczema.

Turning down the temperature of your bath or shower means you’re looking after your skin and keeping it happy. Opt for a warm shower or bath that will help your body by hydrating it and healing any dry or irritated skin.

Do you want more skincare advice? Here’s how to detox your skin after the festive period .