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Winter may technically be marked by moisture—snow, sleet, etc.—but it’s a dry time for the skin, especially for those who spend the season on the slopes. Days spent skiing or snowboarding find complexions at the mercy of winter’s harshest elements. “Our skin’s exposure to snowy climates and winter sports subjects us to increased dryness, windburn, and sunburn—all of which take their toll,” says board-certified dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose. High altitude plays its part too, reducing humidity levels and leaving skin more vulnerable to irritation, redness, and dullness. Add to that the chilly atmosphere, direct skin exposure to snow and ice, and the chapping winds borne out of a ride down the mountain, and you’ve got a recipe for a raw and irritated complexion.
The solution? A skin care routine designed to bolster skin both before and after a snow session. “It’s best to baby your skin as much as possible when exposing it to extreme weather like snow and wind,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. This means opting for adequate hydration and safeguards against free radicals and reflected rays ahead of your adventures and making sure that serious cleansing and moisturizing are integrated into your après skin care routine.
Here, a guide to protecting and nourishing your snow-day skin.
Pre-Snow and -Wind Protection
In addition to donning gloves and face coverings (think scarf or balaclava) before liftoff, prepping your skin for the inevitable exposure starts with a layering of critical products.
Your snow day protection has levels to it, starting with a preferred vitamin C serum. “A well-formulated vitamin C serum will amplify the protective effects of your sunscreen,” says board-certified dermatologist and skin-cycling creator Whitney Bowe, who recommends starting with her own Asta C Vitamin C Age Defense Serum, while Dr. Murphy-Rose reaches for the popular SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. An antioxidant layer works with your SPF to guard skin against UV damage and other free radicals.
“After your antioxidant, apply a heavier moisturizer [than usual] to serve as a physical barrier between your skin and the environment,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose, who recommends rich moisturizers that include ceramides and squalane. “A good moisturizer is the foundation of your skin care routine, especially during the winter months when the air is so dry,” says Dr. Bowe, who adds hyaluronic acid to the list of must-feature ingredients. Try Le Domaine’s The Cream or SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore.
Your SPF is the last step. “At high altitudes, the ultraviolet rays are especially strong, and while most people realize they need to reapply sunscreen at the beach, many people don’t think about applying sunscreen on the slopes,” says Dr. Bowe. Opt for a mineral-based sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher—like EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 or Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen—even on cloudy days.
Protection need not apply to your complexion alone. “If you tend to get a runny nose from cold weather, apply a thin coat of Aquaphor under the nose to protect from chapping,” suggests Dr. Murphy-Rose. The same goes for your lips. “The mucosal surfaces of the lips are particularly prone to drying. Use a nonirritating lip balm or ChapStick, and use it very frequently.”
Après-Ski Skin Care
Home and cozy? Before you get too comfortable, consider your skin—just a few steps help to nourish and rejuvenate a snow-sapped complexion.
“Remove all the skin care products at the end of the day,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Sleeping with sunscreen and a heavier cream on your skin can clog pores and enlarge their appearance plus lead to breakouts.” She reaches for gentle cleansers like Skincare Junkie Gentle Jelly Cucumber Facial Cleanser, the better to remove products without stripping or disturbing the skin. “Wash with lukewarm water to avoid further skin irritation after the snow,” she says.
Your clean, post-snow skin needs more moisture. “Apply a skin-soothing moisturizer to help replenish and rejuvenate skin overnight,” recommends Dr. Murphy-Rose. Try La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer or Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream in addition to the aforementioned options.
Without proper attention, too much snow time may result in a compromised moisture barrier. “Signs of a compromised skin barrier include redness, rough texture, stinging, burning, accentuated fine lines and wrinkles, textural issues, flares of acne or rosacea,” says Dr. Bowe. “If this happens, the first step is to get your skin back to baseline by focusing on nourishing, hydrating ingredients and taking a break from potent actives, which can be irritating.” This means temporarily eschewing vitamin C serum, retinoids, and exfoliants. “Once your skin barrier is back to baseline (this should only take a few days to a week max), slowly reintegrate your powerful actives back into your routine,” says Dr. Bowe. After a few weeks, you should be ready to dial back up to your typical routine, but don’t forget to listen to your skin and meet your skin where it is.”
If the snow life is pretty much your regular life, you may want to increase the moisture levels in your own home. “Consider sleeping with a humidifier to optimize your environment once in a more controlled indoor setting,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “A humidifier raises the moisture level in the air to better protect your skin and help to replenish moisture levels while snoozing.”
