Skin care when skiing
How to properly protect your skin during winter sports
It’s almost that time of year again: the ski season is just around the corner and winter sports enthusiasts are ready for their ski vacation. In addition to all the anticipation of finally hitting the slopes, many forget one particularly important part: facial care. Cold winds on the ski lift, sub-zero temperatures and stronger sunlight due to the altitude put a strain on the skin. That’s why you should pack the right care products in your luggage before you set off on vacation. In this article, you will find out why the skin is more stressed in winter, why our lips become so dry in the cold air and tips on how to look after your skin properly when skiing.
Cold stresses the skin in winter
From a temperature of just 8 degrees Celsius, our skin faces a problem – the natural protective mechanism is attacked and the skin reacts: the skin dries out, becomes cracked and flaky, redness and itching develop. In addition, the skin reacts much more sensitively to cold than to heat. This is due to the 300,000 cold receptors that our skin is equipped with. The blood circulation slows down and the blood vessels contract. The skin’s sebaceous glands also reduce their production. In this way, the body tries to store the heat inside – the skin becomes a natural insulating layer and moisture is lost. We feel this protective system clearly, sometimes even painfully, especially when the wind during a ski run intensifies the sensation of cold.
Special facial care is therefore needed to relieve our skin in winter. Products with a water content are counterproductive, as water evaporates on the skin and this removes even more water from the facial skin. Oil and fat-containing face creams are more suitable, as they are particularly rich and produce a kind of greasy film on the skin. It is best to use this cream in the morning and in the evening so that the skin is always moisturized.
Dry lips when skiing - what's behind it?
Our lips are particularly stressed in winter: cold, wind and dry heating air ensure that our lip skin is deprived of moisture. This not only leads to dryness, but also to a feeling of tightness and chapped areas. When skiing, there is also the added factor of sunlight and the fact that we breathe more through our mouths, which promotes dehydration. It is therefore all the more important to take good care of your lips.
A good lip balm should therefore not be missing from any ski jacket. It should consist of natural ingredients and fats such as cocoa butter, shea butter, beeswax or coconut oil, as these provide a protective layer on the lips. Ideally, the lip balm should also have sun protection, as this provides extra protection on sunny ski days.
Don't forget sun protection
When you go on a summer vacation, the first thing you think about is sunscreen. On a winter vacation, this thought tends to go unnoticed – but sun protection should be worn at all times of the year. When doing winter sports, especially skiing, ski touring and snowshoeing, you are in the mountains and therefore higher than usual. Despite the cold temperatures, the sun’s rays are stronger than usual. UV radiation increases by 20% per 1000 meters. In addition, the snow reflects UV rays, as do fog and the cloud layer. Sunburn is therefore not that unusual and sun protection is essential for the skin barrier in winter. The minimum sun protection factor should be 30, but people with lighter skin types and children can also use SPF 50. There are also special sun creams for winter that not only protect against the sun, but also have a nourishing effect to shield the skin from the cold and wind.
5 tips for the right skin care when skiing
1. apply sun and lip protection in advance
Apply sunscreen and lip protection before you hit the slopes. This should be allowed to soak in for at least 30 minutes before you set off.
2. refresh the sunscreen regularly
Reapply a little sun cream every 2 hours. Don’t forget lip care either.
3. protect your face with a scarf or balaclava
A scarf or balaclava not only protects the face and skin surface from the icy wind, but also from the sun’s rays.
4. evening cleaning and care
In the evening, wash off the sun cream with a mild cleansing gel or washing gel. This prevents the cream from accumulating in the pores. Then apply a rich cream to the face.
5. wear ski goggles for eye protection
Not a tip for the skin, but still important: wear ski goggles. They not only protect your eyes in strong winds, but also in the sun. The reflective snow puts a lot of strain on the eyes and in particularly bad cases can lead to snow blindness.
From downhill to après-ski: skincare that works
With the right preparation and care, you can optimally protect your skin from the cold, wind and sun. Rich creams, lip care with SPF and regular sun protection ensure that your skin stays healthy and supple – whether you’re skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing. So you can enjoy your winter vacation without redness, dryness or tightness spoiling the fun.
