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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
by Skincare-news.com team
It’s all too easy to forget about skincare when you’re covered from head to toe in winter gear. Plus, chilly winter temperatures can give the false impression of being protected from the sun. But a day on the slopes can lead to some intense sunburns, as well as dry, cracked skin. Learn how to keep your skin safe during winter activities, and how to unwind after a long day.
- Protect skin from sun damage. The combination of the glaring white snow and a higher altitude make skiers and snowboarders highly susceptible to sunburn. According to KidsHealth, “snow can reflect up to 85 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays.”
Although it might sound strange to worry about a sunburn in mid-December, burns acquired while skiing or snowboarding can be far more intense and painful than the typical summer sunburn.
So kick up your sun protection for winter activities, especially if you’ll be out all day. Look for a formula with a high SPF that’s designed for athletic activity so it won’t rub or sweat off while you’re on the slopes. And use generously on the face, neck and ears — and any other exposed areas. Reapply every two hours or sooner if you’re sweating.
Product picks:
- Protect lips, too. In addition to becoming chapped, cracked and sore after spending the day in cold, windy conditions, your lips are also prone to painful sunburns just like your face. But avoid slopping on your facial sunscreen. Instead, find a lip balm or chapstick with broad-spectrum sun protection.
“Sun blocks that are made for lips are less irritating than those made for the skin," Ellen Marmur, M.D., chief of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, tells WebMD. She suggests a zinc oxide-based formula with SPF 30, and recommends reapplying about every two hours. Some advanced lip formulas also contain antioxidants for enhanced protection from environmental damage. Avoid shiny lipsticks or glosses, because they attract UV light, Dr. Marmur adds.
Product picks:
- Shield the hands. When temps drop and the wind kicks into high gear, be prepared with a non-greasy hand cream to prevent your hands from becoming chapped, cracked and painfully dry. Look for an ultra-hydrating shield lotion for both on and off the slopes.
Shielding formulas act as a barrier between your skin and the environment, blocking out irritants while keeping in the skin’s moisturizing oils. “Shielding lotions enhance the skin's own natural protective abilities by turning the outer layer of skin into what could be described as a hydrating invisible shield,” board-certified dermatologist Brian Zogg, M.D., tells Skincare Net.
Product picks:
- Protect your eyes. Believe it or not, your eyes can actually become sunburned — which can have dangerous consequences, including scarring. “The surface of the exposed cornea becomes sunburned. This is snow blindness, the lay term for photokeratitis,” writes Bill Lloyd, M.D., in his blog on WebMD. Snow blindness symptoms — such as blurry vision and pain — will become noticeable hours later, according to Dr. Lloyd. And it can take more than 48 hours for the eyes to heal.
Avoid snow blindness by ensuring that your goggles or sunglasses offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection, and keep them on all day.
- Soothe sore muscles. After you return home feeling weak and weary, the best way to rejuvenate worn muscles and warm up your entire body is a soothing bath. Many bath formulas contain ingredients specifically designed to relieve muscle tension and fatigue, while stimulating the senses.
After stepping out of the tub, smooth on a therapeutic body oil or lotion to further relax the muscles and moisturize the skin before crawling into bed.
Product picks:
Be sure that skincare on the slopes isn’t an afterthought. Just a handful of products will help protect your entire body from the sun, as well as winter’s cold, dry winds.
See also:
Potentially Risky Hobbies for Skin
A Brief Look at Bruises: Causes and Care
Soothing Stressed-Out Skin
Top 3 Skin Concerns for Athletes
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SpaRitual Open Your Eyes 21 Mineral Bath Salts
"Organic Australian Eucalyptus essential oil balances the sacral chakra. This bath salt helps to refresh the mind, reduce fatigue and soothe sore muscles. Use to bathe body, hands and feet. Naturally colored with turmeric."
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MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 25 Lip Balm
"The MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 25 Lip Balm offers superior protection to the delicate lip area, which can be susceptible to harmful environmental elements. This multi-functional product protects, moisturizes, prevents aging and promotes collagen. Many cancers begin in the lip area, making adequate protection not only a luxury, but also a mandatory step in any skincare regimen."
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Coola Sport SPF 45 Unscented
"Endorsed by the American Lifeguard Association, Coola Sport SPF 45 is a unique formulation of active ingredients and organic extracts that contains vitamin rich antioxidants, anti-aging nutrients and restorative anti-inflammatory properties, while ensuring maximum sun protection during the most extreme conditions."
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A: You absolutely need to protect your scalp from the sun. Most people can get away with using regular sunscreen on the scalp, but if this bothers you, there are sprays designed specifically for the scalp, such as Oscar Blandi Capri Sun Shield Spray. |
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