Now that summer is winding down, with the days growing shorter and many of our schedules getting crazier, it’s easy to forget to give the same attention to ourselves as we do when we are out in the sun. Summer is not the only time your body needs attention and protection from the elements though. Winter brings with it a whole different array of issues that we ladies should address. Here are some tips to remember before heading out on your next trip to the snow.

Moisturize

This is one I cannot reiterate enough. Moisturizing helps heal your skin after a long day in the snow; as well as protects it from the very get go. If at all possible, wear as little makeup as you can while on the slopes. You may be rolling your eyes, but some girls really do pile it on. Perhaps a tinted moisturizer with SPF protection could be the answer, if not wearing anything at all is too daunting. Remember though, by not caking your face with foundation or powder, it will help your moisturizer do its thing.

Sunscreen

Why not kill two birds with one stone and get a moisturizer with SPF protection. With the media coverage and campaigns on skin cancer, I shouldn’t even have to mention this, but here goes none the less. Buy something that has an SPF 30+ with a high UVA protector, and pile it on before you go out, whether it’s sunny or not. Reapply it when you head down for a lunch break. You can never put too much on. It will protect your face and skin from not only damaging sun rays but from those dredged goggle tans too. UVA rays are the ones that age you and you WILL be sorry when your 30 going on 65.

Exfoliate

Exfoliate at least twice a week. This will remove dead cells and allow the skin to absorb extra moisture (for all that moisturizer you’re going to be piling on). The natural oil your body produces in warmer summery months (the one you tend to complain about) is no longer produced by your body in winter, due to the cooler winter temperatures and central heating that dries your skin out. The skin therefore loses the water which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin. This can lead to premature aging of the skin and fine lines, and can lead to your skin appearing puffy and grey.

Hydrate

Water- drink it, and a lot of it! Staying hydrated is not only essential for healthy skin, but also for overall wellness and healing after a hard day on the slopes. The more water you drink the better you will feel, and the better you will perform. Having a hot cup of green tea, Chinese herbal teas, or detox teas are also a great way to hydrate and detox your entire system. This means that your body will be able to clean the blood faster to get rid of toxins responsible for bad skin. But don’t just reply on a few cups of Green Tea a day; make sure you drink at least a liter of water during the day to keep your body one hundred percent hydrated and functioning well. When you are riding at high altitude, plenty of water helps with altitude sickness too!

Rest

No cream or skin care product can give you the results that a good nights rest can. Your oxygen levels will drop if you don’t get enough sleep, meaning that your cells will not be renewed as quickly. This is when degenerative skin aging sets in. Try to get seven, if not eight or nine hours of rest a night to achieve absolutely painless benefits. Not only will your skin thank you, those aching muscles will be pretty stoked on you as well.

Tags: Health, Skincare