The Shelf: Ski Season Survival

Ski season is upon us. Pack your long johns and grab your boards, skis and sledges and head to the mountains to get your first taste of Winter 2017. Whether you’re having a taste of the high life in Courchevel or getting some serious off piste action in The Vallee Blanche, make sure to protect your skin.

Whilst most holidaymakers heading to popular sun destinations are aware of the need to wear protection against UV rays, the same cannot be said of those heading to the ski slopes. The British Skin Foundation has recently voiced concern on the number of skiers that are unaware of the high risk of sun burn when in the dizzying heights of the snow covered mountains.

Protect

Choose a sunscreen which offers a high sun protection factor – SPF 50 ideally. Apply to your face in the morning before hitting the slopes for all day protection, and to avoid red skin around your ski goggles – never a great look.

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Recommended: Sun Bum SPF 50 Original Sunscreen Lotion, $10 – This moisturizing sunscreen formula will protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays while enriching your skin with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals, which are the main cause of premature skin aging, and it’s also small and easy to take out onto the slopes with you.

To accompany your sunscreen, you’ll need an aftersun. After any exposure to the sunshine, even with sunscreen on, you should apply aftersun to heal and replenish lost moisture in your skin. But when skiing, it’s especially important to remember that the wind on the slopes can carry the sun’s rays, and get to places you may have missed with your sunscreen. To soothe chapped, sore skin, aftersun is key.

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Recommended: Ultrasun Aftersun, £19 for 150ml at MANKIND. This gel lotion works with your skin by activating its repair system, therefore helping it to heal faster, should you succumb to any sunburn. It’s easily absorbed which means your skin is almost instantly replenished with moisture and can begin its repair process. Ultrasun Aftersun is oil free and lightly fragranced.

Hydrate

Cold, dry air and biting winds – like the weather found at ski resorts, will sap the skin of essential moisture. Off the slopes and into the moisture sapping air of central heating will have a similar effect. The key is to hydrate twice daily or at least before bed with an intensive moisturiser – think of it as skin food.

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Recommended: Polaar Genuine Lapland Cream Face And Sensitive Areas, $21 – This helpful universal skincare product protects and repairs the skin from cold, dryness, the wind and the sun, concentrated from 3 arctic berries to make use of their natural antioxidants.

Your hands are no different – they need some looking after too. After the harsh, dry air sifting through your hands on the slopes, they’re more than likely going to be worse for wear. Make sure to lather a thick, moisturising hand cream on them to bring them back to life. Before bed is the easiest and most hassle-free time to apply hand cream, and also ensures you wake up with soothed hands, not sore ones.

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Recommended: Burt’s Bees Hand Salve, £11.49 for 85g at MANKIND. This little miracle in a tin is an intensive hand treatment for everyday use. The thick formula contains botanical oils, herbs, and of course, beeswax, making sure your hands are saved from the icy air.

Lip Balm

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Recommended: Keep your lips smooth and soft with the Anthony skincare for men Mint And White Tea Lip Balm, £8. Formulated with SPF 25 to protect the delicate skin on your lips from the sun’s harmful UV rays, the lip balm is formulated with resveratrol to nourish lips, whilst stevia will freshen your breath.

Lauren Brewell

Lauren is a skincare and lifestyle journalist with experience and training in beauty retailing, working with some of the world's biggest brands. She also runs her own specialist skincare blog.