Have you ever returned from a ski vacation and felt an unrelenting need to scratch? External elements like wind and extreme temperatures changes can zap moisture from the outer layer of your skin, causing a tight, itchy sensation. This is often accompanied by flaking, regardless of the amount of oil on your skin’s surface. At their extremes, sunburn, windburn, and dryness are just some of the factors that might try to steal your glow this ski season. Prepping your skin for your ski trip is a must.

We have you covered with these handy tips to combat your skincare woes and to keep you and your skin happy on your vacation.

Sunburn

Did you know? … UVA radiation (i.e. longer wavelength) goes deeper into the skin and is responsible for wrinkles and skin cancer, tanning or burning, while UVB radiation (i.e. shorter wavelength) gets through the skin’s top layers and is the main culprit for the red / brown faces.

Why? At mountain heights altitudes, the air is exceptionally dry, oxygen is low, and the sun is powerful, even on a cloudy day. The two main factors for this are (i) the atmosphere is thinner so less ultra-violet (UV) radiation is filtered out before it hits your face and (ii) the whiteness of the snow reflects sunlight back upwards as you head down the slopes, giving a double helping of UV.

As a result, spending most of the day out means some level of sun damage is inevitable without proper care – so what can you do to help yourself?

Prepping Skin

1. Look for high SPF: With the long days in the sun, choose a high SPF cream.
2. Don’t forget your UVA protection: SPF factors show how much protection a cream gives from UVB rays. However most creams also have UVA protection. In the UK, this is indicated by a circle on the packaging with “UVA” inside it or in the US “PA” with stars shown next to it. The stars show the strength and we advice going above 3 stars. A maximum of five stars gives the maximum factor, e.g. SPF 30 with five stars gives factor 30 UVA protection.
3. Apply the cream generously to cover face and neck and ideally before breakfast. Why? It gives it time to sink in for maximum effectiveness as well as time to dry to avoid staining.
4. Use a separate SPF, the SPF in your foundation or moisturiser is unlikely to be high enough to prevent burning on the slopes especially as you’re less likely to put enough on to get the full SPF effect.
5. Finally, choose water resistant and reapply regularly.

Treating Skin

1. Prevention is the best treatment, but if you still get burned, do these
2. Treat it promptly: Application of an anti-inflammatory or even steroid creams should be a first line of treatment.
3. Stay well hydrated because burns draw fluids to the skin’s surface.
4. Stick with cool showers or baths and avoid excessively drying soaps and irritants
5. Hydrate skin and opt for moisturisers rich in antioxidants and vitamins that will nourish and promote healing.

Windburn

Windburn refers to the redness, irritation, dryness and a burning sensation your skin might endure after spending time outdoors in the cold, windy air. It feels very similar to sunburn.

Why? Low temperatures combined with low oxygen and humidity parches the skin of its natural oils. One of the side effects of parched and dehydrated skin is a dull complexion. So if you have you ever wondered why your skin feels so leathery or is even lacking in it’s usual lustre on the slopes – now you know why.

Prepping Skin

1. Much like sunburn, prevention is the same. Covering up to minimise skin exposed to the elements is essential.
2. For the areas you can’t cover up, a super hydrating moisturiser in addition to your sunblock, will also act like a skin barrier. Look out for ingredients such as
   1. Essential fatty acids (EFAs or Omegas) rebuild the hydrolipidic film. This is a light protective film that covers your skin, it mainly consists of perspiration, water, sebum and lipids. EFAs hydrate and strengthen the skins barrier function by locking in moisture and preventing loss by evaporation.
   2. Humectants such as hyaluronic acid draws moisture from the air into the skin.
3. Oils really do come into their own for winter skin.
   1. They are power-packed with these EFAs, oils such as Chia Seed found in LBB’s A-Game have the perfect balance of superior Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids to seal in moisture and help build collagen – both essential for youthful, plump looking skin.
   2. Lightweight oils like Moringa and Marula form the perfect carriers, and are also anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, so soothe and help keep off skin irritating bacteria.
   3. Oils like Kahai and Rosehip, rich in Vitamin A are important and stimulate cell production and growth.
4. Finally, skin treats like Ceramides are especially beneficial as they work to help firm skin, reduce fine lines and leave skin smooth, supple and glowing.

Treating Skin : When and How?

Oils should ideally be applied to damp skin post cleansing to seal in that added moisture. With age, skin cell renewal slows down and it can take longer for fresh, newer cells to form. Overnight is the best time for your skin to recover as it is protected from external aggressors. Cloaking skin at the end of each day in an intensive hydrating overnight cream or mask is a great way to optimise and stimulate skin’s natural cell renewal, and prolong its vitality as you sleep.

The Good news: LBB’s A-Game, is a super versatile top-to-toe ultra-hydrating balm that combines all of these ingredients. And as it’s a travel friendly stick balm, its is the perfect solution for travelling and having on the slopes for those on-the-run touch ups. 100% natural free from synthetic ingredients, its great for soothing raw skin and even on areas such as around the eyes where skin in thinner and more vulnerable.

It’s no surprise, LBB’s A-Game was voted here by the Independent as it’s top pick of skincare products to revive lack-lustre, dehydrated and hungover skin.

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