Ski & Skin - how to protect your skin against bites from the cold
You undoubtedly agree that the cold temperatures and the period of winter sports are no gift to our skin even if they offer us the joys of the mountains and of skiing! So to prevent you and your skin from keeping only bad memories of this period, we have concocted lots of little tips to discover, gestures to adopt, nourishing and soothing treatments to favor to arm your skin and fight against dryness, redness and tightness!
How does our skin react to the cold?
In winter, when our body is exposed to the cold, it automatically defends itself by directing blood circulation to protect vital organs to the detriment of peripheral organs because to function properly, it must maintain its internal temperature at 37 ° C. The vessels, which provide oxygen, nutrients and heat, will then contract, to have as little surface area as possible, in contact with the cold air. And, thus avoid cooling your body. Your skin in contact with the cold is then less oxygenated and less nourished. This is how all the areas that are less protected from the cold, such as the hands and face, especially the lips, with very thin skin, suffer greatly.
So that this cold is not synonymous with an enemy for the skin, it suffices quite simply to strengthen its barrier function, its protective wall, the composition of which has been unbalanced by the cold. It's a matter of nourishing it and repairing its "fat mortar", this protective shield that prevents it from becoming drier, more permeable and sensitive.
What can you do to keep your skin in good condition in winter?
The best thing to do is to combine good practices to obtain the best result.
Start by associating with your cream and to all your care in general a few drops of oils or serum oil-based. This is an excellent first remedy, moreover women in the Nordic countries "insulate" their skin from the cold by coating the face squarely with fairly occlusive vegetable oils! No need to do the same here since our weather is better. However, be aware that there is a natural and imperceptible phenomenon that dehydrates us more or less permanently, this is called Insensitive Water Loss. This is "free" water that comes from the dermis, passes through the different layers and evaporates or combines on the surface of the skin depending on the integrity of the stratum corneum. The more oily care you apply, the better the effectiveness of your skin barrier.
Exfoliate your skin to unclog your pores and allow the skin to fully absorb and benefit from the care. Choose an exfoliant that is both gentle and soothing. This is the opportunity if you feel like trying our sweet face scrub Pépite de la Palmeraie.
Protect your hydrolipidic film as much as possible, the first protective barrier, by opting for superfatted soaps or even by favoring soft clothing in particular in contact with areas of skin subject to friction such as the neck and chin in contact with the scarves, elbows or even the feet. A little tip on this subject, indulge yourself at bedtime in your bed by massaging yourself with our nourishing balm, Secret Nomade, on the feet, elbows and hands and leave to act while you sleep peacefully, your skin you will thank you when you wake up...
Don't forget your very thin skinned lips! we tend to moisten them with the tongue when the saliva is not greasy and cannot protect them, so opt for a good balm with shea butter.
Treat yourself to Omega 3 and 6, these famous essential fatty acids which are the essential components of this fatty mortar. Season your salads with walnut or sesame oils, stock up on sardines, add flax seeds to your salads or even treat yourself to good dates stuffed with nuts for breakfast!
What to do in particular to protect it when skiing?
At altitude, the cold is even more intense and therefore more drying. We must multiply the means of protection mentioned above. Remember that, being very thin, the skin around the eye area really requires in addition to the total screen - not that total - the wearing of well-reflective glacier glasses to avoid dehydration as much as possible. Remember to humidify the bedroom, adjust the temperature of your room, 19°C is the ideal temperature, limit too hot baths which dry out the body!
Apply a very greasy total screen every two hours because at altitude the UV rays are less filtered and the reflection on the snow is multiplied. But it's not about hiding from the sun either because it is the opportunity or never to enjoy its benefits on mood and well-being and also on the body and bones thanks to vitamin D produced by the skin under the action of a sufficiently strong sun. This vitamin is stored in the body for up to three weeks, on a self-service basis for the body to use as needed. In fact, for women over 50, take a vitamin D ampoule every two months, especially if you haven't had the opportunity to go skiing during the winter!
