Winter can be a hard season for your skin. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, it can be even harder. Hitting the slopes can be a great way to unwind or even invigorate yourself, but it can also wreak havoc on your skin. Cold winds can sap the moisture from exposed skin, causing cracking, chapping and irritation. And the skin you keep under wraps isn’t safe either. You’re exerting yourself, so your skin is in a near constant cycle of perspiration and evaporation.

Protection

First, let’s take a look at what’s exposed to the elements and how to protect it and keep it beautiful. Mostly we’re talking about your face here. Wear sunscreen – the higher the SPF rating, the better. Even if it’s cloudy and overcast and even if it’s actively snowing.   Being on the snow intensifies the effects of a sunburn – the UV rays bounce off the snow and back up at you, so shade isn’t really the issue. You can actually be burned from the ground up.

Also, when you can, protect your skin further by simply covering it up with a scarf or balaclava. Not only will this help protect your skin from the reflected light of the sun, but also against those cold winter winds.

Tip : Don’t forget your lips! Regular lip balm may not have an SPF rating. Check to be sure. If you’ve never had sunburned lips, you don’t want them (trust us) and if you have, then you probably already have some moisturizing lip balm with an SPF of 30.

Hydration

This one is both inside and out. Since you’re exercising as you ski, don’t forget to drink plenty of water. It’s easy to go for the hot chocolate or coffee to warm you up in the lodge, but what your body (and your skin) really needs is water. Water will help keep your cells functioning at top efficiency – your muscles and joints will be better able to handle that black diamond trail that you’ve been eyeing and your skin cells will stay plump and pliable, making that black dress you packed for a night on the town even more eye-catching.

Part two of hydrating is choosing the right moisturizer for your face. You can do double duty on this one and protect and hydrate at the same time by looking for a light moisturizer that has an SPF of at least 15 or more that is also noncomedogenic (that means it won’t clog your pores).

And don’t forget the rest of your body. After sweating all day and intermittently having a chance to dry out, your skin needs some tender loving care. Find a soothing body moisturizer that lists botanicals among its ingredients (your skin needs all the help it can get). Also be on the lookout for a product that’s fortified with vitamins, particularly E and C.

Tip : Even though it’s tempting, don’t languish in a hot shower thinking that it will replenish the moisture you lost on the slopes. It will actually have the exact opposite effect and further dry your skin. Instead, try a shorter more lukewarm shower and then curl up in a warm blanket in front of the fire (after you moisturize of course).

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