Low temperatures in winter can cause dryness and dehydration on the skin. For those who love to spend time in the mountains at winter, it is common knowledge that at high altitudes the power of the sunlight gets stronger, and in addition the reflecting action of the snow increases the harmfulness to the skin. Here’s some advice to protect your skin on the slopes this winter.

#1 Exfoliate the skin and moisturise daily

Exfoliating the skin is a fundamental step as this makes the moisturising process more effective. A soft scrub once per week helps to cleanse the skin: it removes the dead cells and promotes the oxygenation of the skin tissue. A moisturising cream applied on to well-exfoliated skin is absorbed more easily and for a perfect smoothing action, it’s recommended to choose an oil based product to use every day after the shower.

#2 Include food rich of Omega-3 in your diet

Consuming food rich in healthy fats such as Omega-3 delivers a list of benefits to your body, even for our skin. Beyond fighting the cellular ageing of epidermis and acne, Omega-3 strengthens the protection from damage caused by sunlight and helps to prevent dryness and irritation. Foods that contain higher levels of Omega-3 include fish, like salmon, pilchards, mackerel; and avocado, walnuts and linseeds.

#3 Short sessions at the steam room and in the hot tub

Among many benefits that these two pleasant activities bring to the body, both directly influence the health of the skin. The steam released during a steam room session helps to eliminate the toxins and impurities in the skin, encouraging a deeper and delicate cleaning. In addition, the hot water pressure and the air bubbles, essential elements of the hot tub formula, improve the blood flow and lymph circulation, besides having a massage effect that helps to drain the toxins. Just one session per week will help to improve the skin tone, elasticity and smoothness.

#4 Apply sun cream and chap stick

Due to the higher altitudes, winter sun can be much more dangerous than expected. To prevent the damages caused by high altitude sunlight, the advice is to use sun protection with a protective factor of at least 15. One must not forget the lips: epidermis of this zone of the body is very sensitive and thus is the first to dehydrate and dry out. A good chap stick helps preventing these issues, easing dryness.

#5 Wear a scarf, hat, gloves and sunglasses

To protect your skin from the damages that exposition to winter sun and cold can cause, it’s recommended to cover it up as much as possible, when in the mountains. A scarf, hat, gloves and polarized glasses will make an adequate barrier to all the most delicate and sun exposed parts of the body.