Skiing Skincare
As a part-time ski instructor and living within the vicinity of 4 mountains, I can safely say that I’ve had my fair share of ski days. I share the mountain with the die-hard skiers with their weather-worn skin, and the ever-youthful shredders with their greasy toque hair. But if you look closely, we’re all supporting chapped lips, dried out cuticles and, in an unfortunate case, a nose that’s begun to peel.
In order to save you from becoming a dried-out pizza crust, I thought I’d put together a list and of all the steps I take to stay hydrated, moisturised and looking as fresh as I feel when I step off the slopes. I’ve put them in order of before, after and during for your convenience. Have fun, be safe and stay moisturised out there!
THE PRE-PRE
First thing’s first, clean your ski goggle foam. Yes, that bit that touches your face. When was the last time you cleaned it, if ever. You’re probably looking at 3-year old dead skin cells and greasy, salty residue in the nooks and crannies of that sponge. If you don’t want to get a goggle-shaped row of spots along your cheeks and forehead then grab your face wash or body wash and give it a good lather and wash. And while you let that dry overnight make sure you drink lots of water! The key to hydration comes from the inside, so it’s a good idea to get ahead and chug that glass. The thermostat of your hotel/cabin/home could also be the making or breaking of a chapped lip. While it may be snowing and cold outside, the dry air caused by your heating can suck all the moisture from your skin while you sleep and start you off on a slippery slope before you’ve even gotten on the mountain. Keep it at a reasonable temperature and try to get yourself a humidifier.
THE PRE
The morning of consists of a standard cleanse-and-moisturise routine, but with a few tweaks. Incorporating a hydrating serum, especially one with hyaluronic acid, would be the huge glass of water for your skin -like the one you just drank the night before. Follow this with a thick moisturiser to protect your skin barrier. Hydration and a strong skin barrier will protect you from the bitter winter elements and prevent it from drying out. Whatever you do, do not leave the house without putting on your SPF. It’s no secret that we should be wearing sun protection every day, no matter the weather, however this is even more crucial when you’re on the mountain. Snow is highly reflective and on a sunny day it can reflect up to 90% of UV radiation. Be sure to apply a good dollop of suncream of SPF 30 or higher, and preferably water-resistant. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to take it with you and reapply every few hours while you’re out there.
THE MAKEUP
Some ladies will scoff at the thought of wearing a full face of makeup when skiing, and yes, its not practical and will probably be wiped off by the elements and your balaclava - but to each their own. If I’m looking a little haggard then I’ll apply some concealer to help make me look “nice”. I prefer a self-setting concealer so that I don’t have to powder for it to stay. A tinted moisturiser could also help even out your skin tone. But my desert-island makeup product for skiing is a brow gel - something clear and with staying power so my strands don’t go awry.
THE SKIING
Now you’re ready to go and you’re putting on your jacket, sticking in your headphones and maybe taking a bag with you. Keep a lip balm with SPF handy in your pocket - you’re going to want to be applying that often, especially if it’s a sunny day. Because I have a tendency to be extra crusty, I have some kind of thick cream on me like Weleda Skin Food or Paw Paw. Finally, tissues.
THE AFTER
You carved and shredded the day away, and you’ve already been to aprés. Now that you’re back home you can wash your face, and if you’re skiing for a few days then it’s good to exfoliate once while you’re there. This will remove the dead skin cells -the dry skin- from your face that have aggressively been attacked by the wind and cold. Be sure to follow it with the hydrating serum and moisturiser, and top it off with a face oil. By putting the oil on last in your skincare routine, it locks in whatever other hydrating products you put on underneath. I often also pack a sheet mask to take with me, just in case. You never know when you could have a wine and face mask night while falling asleep to a film at 6pm. Apart from your face, be sure to lather that body butter all over, and take care of your hands with some cuticle oil.
Hopefully this will keep you hydrated, moisturised and flake-free!