Here’s Why You Need Serious Skin Protection for Skiing

It’s time to get excited about ski season! There’s nothing like that time of year to go on a winter holiday with friends and family. A snowy break from life brings crisp air, fresh powder, and, of course, the après ski festivities. What you don’t want it to bring, however, is finding that you’ve accidentally burnt your exposed skin to a frigid crisp. The sun can shine brightly in the winter, so you still need to be mindful of having adequate skin protection for your next outdoor vacation. That’s why we’re talking about the best sunscreens and why you should always prepare your skin to hit the slopes. Or the hot chocolate.

The Importance of Year-Round Skin Protection

The sun may not be out as often, and the cold air counterbalances the warmth of the rays, but it’s important to keep your guard up while protecting your skin in the wintertime. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV) has short-term and long-term effects, like:

• Sunburns – This may be the most obvious effect. UVB rays, the ones associated with burning, hit the skin’s outer layers and cause damage. And while UVB rays fluctuate with intensity, the high altitudes and highly reflective snow at the ski resort mean you’re getting a stronger dose of rays. The worse the exposure, the worse the burn, and nobody wants to get blisters on vacation.
• Premature Aging – UVA rays are associated with aging because they penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays, causing wrinkling and a leathery appearance. They’re also the same strength year-round, so the change in seasons doesn’t offer more skin protection.
• Cancer – UVA rays are also a significant contributor to skin cancer. And they’re difficult to hide from since they can affect the skin through windows and on a cloudy day.

Which Sunscreens Are Best for Skin Protection?

The American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) recommendations for sunscreen is fairly simple but crucial. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure of the following:

• They have the “broad-spectrum” distinction, meaning you get skin protection from UVA and UVB rays.
• It has a minimum SPF of 30.
• They’re water-resistant, which is handy if you tend to sweat, or faceplant, on the slopes.

But let’s not stop there. Remember that with wind and high-altitude air, you’ll be exposed to an avalanche of dryness and oxidative stress, pun intended. Look for sunscreen formulas that are rich in hydration, will lock in moisture, and won’t clog your pores. If that sounds like a tall order, keep reading to learn about the best sunscreens that check all the boxes on this year’s traveling list.

An All-Purpose Go-To – No one needs to wait for a ski trip to get great daily sunscreen. PCA Skin’s Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ uses a combination of UVA and UVB-blocking ingredients to filter, absorb, and reflect harmful rays. Fans of this product love that it’s moisturizing but not greasy. And it has beneficial ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, a humectant that attracts essential moisture to the skin, and vitamin E, a protective antioxidant. This has all the basics you’ll need both at home and on the ski runs.

For Makeup Wearers – Feel comfortable layering makeup over sunscreen when choosing a product that combines primer and SPF 40 into one, as with the TIZO 2 Facial Mineral Primer/Sunscreen. It uses the gold standards of skin protection, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide to take care of business. Plus, its primer-like sheerness gives your skin the right amount of supple tackiness to apply foundation on top. This mineral formula won’t weigh down your face no matter the skin type and leaves a matte finish to control your glow.

High SPF for the Family – Speaking of TiZO sunscreens, the TIZO Solar Protection Formula Sunscreen SPF 58 is great for the sunniest of days with its whoppingly high sun protection factor. And sensitive skin types can ski freely knowing TiZO makes their products without potential allergens and skin-clogging oils. Slather this gentle mineral sunscreen on all the kids and adults 15-30 minutes before heading outdoors, and remember to reapply.

A Skin Caring Splurge – High-quality skincare can also be found in high SPF sunscreens, so get pampered with REVISION Skincare’s Intellishade Clear SPF 50. This oil-free, moisturizing sunscreen has powerful antioxidant action from vitamins C, E and green tea to prevent cellular damage. Hyaluronic acid helps combat dryness, and a combination of collagen-boosting peptides keeps your skin looking youthful and radiant. And on top of the broad-spectrum skin protection, it blurs imperfections too. This is a must-have for skiers and skincare buffs alike.

Great For Reapplying – If you want a handy sunscreen guaranteed not to spill into your carry-on bag, get EltaMD’s UV Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50+..This award-winning sunscreen is loaded with nourishing fatty acids from cocoa butter and shea butter and is perfectly formulated to effortlessly melt into your skin. Get max protection from zinc oxide and antioxidants, and rest easy knowing it’s TSA-compliant and free of allergenic and pore-clogging ingredients.

A High-Quality Bargain – For the snow bunny with more skin to cover, get more bang for your buck with EltaMD’s UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 Water-Resistant Sunscreen. This no-frills sunscreen gets all the accolades from athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who like to sweat. So if you prefer to roll up your sleeves, this fragrance-free, oil-free sunscreen works for the face and body. Reapply with the aforementioned EltaMD stick sunscreen, and you’re covered from sunrise to sunset.  

Other Skin Protection Considerations

Fortunately, there’s not a lot of exposed skin when the temperatures are so low, so a little sunscreen goes a long way. A few extras to consider are protecting your eyes with UV-blocking eyewear or goggles and preventing getting chapped lips by keeping a sunscreen lip balm handy. You’re gonna need it.

If you’re unable to reapply sunscreen in a timely manner, wear a protective face covering until you’re situated, and seek shaded or indoor spaces when the sun is strongest, usually between 10 AM and 4 PM. Finally, the learning doesn’t have to stop at skin protection. Head to our Beauty Resource Center, where you can search through all your favorite beauty topics and get recommendations and tips for all your concerns. It’s good reading while on your flight to winter fun!