Winter is here and it is time to go out and enjoy the snow. If you are hitting the slopes or hanging out by the fire, winter weather can really take a toll on your skin. If you are planning a weekend ski trip or live the mountain lifestyle everyday, here are some ski season skin care tips to keep your complexion looking and feeling great.
SPF!
Snow and ice reflect up to 80 percent of UV rays, doubling your risk of sunburn on a winter day. Consider snow one of those old school foil sheets sunbathers used to amplify their tan. Higher altitudes also increase your risk of UV exposure. For every 1,000 feet above sea level, UV exposure rises by 4% -10%.
Here at SUGARED, in South Lake Tahoe Ca, we are 6,225′ above sea level. Skiers and snowboarders can experience 10,067’ in elevation at the top of Heavenly Ski Resort, or 11,053′ at Mammoth Mountain, in Mammoth Lakes, ca. So, up the SPF when you up the altitude.
Lake Tahoe is known for an average of 300 sunny days per year. However, if you experience the rare overcast day, it does not mean that you can skip the SPF! The effects of the sun’s radiation still occur even if you can’t see it. SPF 30 or higher, like Eminence Tropical Vanilla Day Cream, should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied throughout the day.
Use a Buff!
Using a buff is a 2 in 1 ski season skin care must! Not only will it provide you with additional sun protection and keep you from a goggle tan, but it also shields you from WINDBURN. Zooming down the mountain at high speeds or just a blustery day plus low temperatures and low humidity will parch the skin of it’s natural oils. This will leave you with a windburn. Windburned skin is red, irritated, and dry, it can have a burning sensation, or even skin peeling.
Don’t Forget Your Lips!
Always use a lip balm with SPF. Ultraviolet rays can cause lip cancer. On top of that you do not want dry cracked lips when puckering up to that Hottie or sipping a Hot Toddy on cold winter nights. Remember to stash a Classic Liplux Organic Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30 in your jacket pocket to apply throughout the day.
Wear sunglasses or goggles!
High altitude, gleaming snow, and wind makes us squint. Squinting causes wrinkles! Protect your eyes from squinting with goggles and sunglasses. If you are hitting the slopes we recommend using goggles over shades. Goggles provide sun protection on the sides of your eyes and shield them from tear-causing wind. Soothe sensitive eye areas with Snow Mushroom Moisture Cloud Eye Cream. This ultra-hydrating super-humectant will improves skin barrier function. Apply day and night to keep those wrinkles at bay.
Moisturize!!
When temperatures fall and heaters are cranked, the air gets drier both inside and outside the lodge. This leaves our skin dry, irritated, and lifeless. Here are some ways to combat dull, dehydrated, skin: Use thicker moisturizers and balms to protect the skin’s barrier. We recommend layering Lira Clinical Recovery Balm over a moisturizer to lock in hydrating effects. Try a gentler cleanser that hydrates, like Stone Crop Cleansing Oil with sunflower oil protects and soothes dry skin, rather than a cleanser that exfoliates or foams.
Finally, in an effort to hyper-hydrate and soothe the skin, use a hydrating masque like Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Masque with botanical hyaluronic acid to calm and plump parched skin. You can make masking an après ski tradition or sleep in it overnight and wake up looking like a Snow Queen!