January Skincare Tips For Ski Season
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This January, many Brits will escape the winter blues with ski holidays. As Europe’s coldest month, January can offer crisp, snowy days on the slopes.
However, skiers often underestimate the sun’s strength, risking skin damage without proper sunscreen and protection.
With this in mind, skincare expert Lesley Reynolds at the Harley Street Skin Clinic lists her top five reasons you should wear SPF on the slopes, in addition to providing the ultimate ski-friendly skincare essentials to stop you developing those dreaded goggle lines this ski season.
The top five reasons to wear SPF while skiing:
Double UV Exposure: “Think of the snow like a mirror, it reflects the sun’s rays upon your skin. This means that not only are you being exposed to direct UV radiation from the sun as you usually would, but additional rays bounce off the snow and penetrate your skin, doubling the exposure. This means you can develop sun damage in places you wouldn’t usually, such as your nose or underneath your chin.
Higher Altitudes Means Stronger UV: “The higher up the mountains you go, the thinner the Earth’s atmosphere becomes, which means it’s less effective at filtering damaging UV rays. It’s said that with every 1,000 metres of altitude, UV radiation increases by around 10-12%. This means that if you’re out skiing or snowboarding, you’re more bound to be affected by this increased exposure.
Cold Weather Doesn’t Block UV: “It’s a common misconception that lower temperatures can prevent sun damage but this isn’t true. Even on those colder days when the sun is shining, you can still experience sunburn and sun damage, which is why I recommend applying SPF while out on the slopes to prevent unwanted damage to your skin.
Long Hours Outdoors: “When skiing or snowboarding, you’re spending long hours outdoors, which may be increased further if you’re sitting outside enjoying an apres ski. Contributing to an increased risk of sun damage and sunburn.
It Prevents Long-Term Damage: “UV exposure doesn’t just cause sunburn, it has a knock-on effect that can affect your skin for years to come. Some examples of this are deeper wrinkles, dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and of course, an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
Lesley also names her top skincare essentials that are a must on any ski trip this winter.
SPF: “For starters, a moisturising SPF 50 that provides a high level of protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays which should be re-applied every two hours is most important.
Lip Balm: “I mentioned previously how double exposure can lead to sunburn in places you wouldn’t usually expect, your lips are another one of those areas. Therefore, it’s essential you bring with you an SPF-infused lip balm that can prevent sun damage to this part of your face.
Hydrating Moisturiser: “Cold weather is notorious for stripping the moisture out of your skin, causing it to become dry and cracked which can lead to irritation. To combat this, I recommend applying a rich, hydrating moisturiser which can help replenish your skin before heading out to the slopes.
Aftersun: “If you notice your skin is feeling particularly dry after a day on the slopes, I’d recommend applying an aftersun cream or gel with ingredients such as Aloe Vera that will ease any redness and help repair any damage.
Skin Barrier Cream: “Lastly, a skin barrier cream is the ideal product for a day spent in the harsh elements, especially if you’ve experienced windburn or sunburn.”
