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Ski Resort Survival Guide: Winter Skin Care Do's and Don'ts for a Radiant Complexion
Planning a winter wonderland escape? I'm here to spill the snowy secrets for keeping your skin Instagram-ready during your ski holiday in the French Alps. As a ski enthusiast and a local in a French ski resort, I've got the lowdown on winter skincare that'll have you glowing against that snowy backdrop.
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The Winter Skincare Essentials
Let's face it – winter can be tough on the skin. The cold temperatures and biting winds can leave your complexion feeling lacklustre. That's why winter skin care is an absolute must. Think of it as your secret weapon against the harsh elements. And you might think you’re doing everything right – but what about the things you absolutely shouldn’t be doing?
5 Don'ts of Winter Skincare
1.(Too) hot showers
Hot water showers? Guilty as charged, but they can strip your skin of its natural oils. Opt for lukewarm water and keep it short – your skin will appreciate it.
2.Forgetting sun cream
Please, don't forget sun cream. The winter sun, combined with the reflective snow, can still wreak havoc on your skin. There’s some great ones for winter and ski resort conditions in the links below, give them a go.
3.Over exfoliating
Over-exfoliating is a common pitfall. It might feel good, but limit it to once or twice a week, and choose a gentle exfoliant. I’m a big culprit of this and I love using a charcoal soap to cleanse my skin. But if I use it more than once a week, I can feel the damage to my skin when it’s too tight and red.
4.Dehydrated overnight.
Winter air is dry, both outside and inside. Combat the dryness with a humidifier; your skin will thank you for the added moisture. If your accommodation doesn’t have a humidifier, then a top insider tip is to put a large container of water on top of your radiator and let it evaporate overnight.
5.Forgetting about your body!
I’m often guilty of this – splashing out on facial products and forgetting about the rest of my body. If you’re heading on a ski trip, treat yourself to a moisturising body wash and a moisturiser for afterwards. I find that a large moisturiser with a pump top is the easiest way to add this to my daily routine. It’s also super easy to cover the kids in it too, keeping their skin soft and hydrated.
Remember, everyone's skin is different, so pay attention to how yours reacts to different products. If in doubt, consult with a dermatologist for personalised advice.
5 Do’s of Winter Skincare
1. Best winter facial sun cream
First up, facial sun cream – because even in winter, the sun plays hide-and-seek behind the clouds. And trust me, it’s a lot stronger here in the mountains than in other places! Protect your skin from those sneaky UV rays with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, and I've rounded up some fantastic options for you that are great in the freezing, ski resort conditions Don't let the cold fool you; the sun's rays can still do some damage.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Shaka Fluid Invisible SPF50+ 50ml – This sun cream gets recommended to me time and time again by my French mum friends. It’s really excellent for sun care but it’s also feels lovely on your ski. You know if French women are using it, it’s going to be great!
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Targeted Sun Defense Stick SPF50 – I love this one, again moisturising and provides great protection. Having the suncream as a stick also makes application so easy when you are out and about. You can apply whilst you’re on a ski chairlift, no problem.
2. Top winter lip balms for cracked lips
Next on the list is lip balm. Your pout needs some extra love in extreme cold, and I've got the top picks to keep your lips hydrated and kissable. And hey, who says you can't have both protection and a pop of colour to stand out on the ski slopes?
There’s a couple that I swear by and one that I think most French women have in their handbags!
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Lip Repair Balm for Dry & Chapped Lips. This is the one all the French swear by! I love it too and for ski holidays, if you can get the lipstick style balm it makes it so much easier to apply on chairlifts and at après ski.
- Burts Bees are classics as well as great for rehydrating, they come in some nice tinted shades.
- Typology – I’m an absolute Typology fan and then have a lip care set I love. There’s a lip care trio that I swear by. You use the peel and then follow up with the lip mask. I’ve been using the lip mask as a balm for nearly 9 months now – it lasts forever! And the tinted oils are lovely for a little pop.
- Mandelic Acid Lip Peel 2% + Pomegranate Enzyme 15ml
- Lip Mask 1% Ceramides + Hyaluronic Acid 15ml
- Tinted Lip Oil 15ml – I went for the powder pink
3. Facial Toners for winter skincare
Facial spray toner is like a burst of freshness for your face. It's the mountain air in a bottle – perfect for a quick pick-me-up on the slopes. Here are my favourite picks that actually work! You can thank me later when your skin feels as fresh as the mountain breeze.
My go-to face spray toners are Mario Badescu, and are great for winter skin and for ski holidays. They gave 5 different scents, and I’ve tried them all, but I’ve narrowed it down to the following routine:
- Mario Badescu Rose Mist – for the morning. I spritz after cleansing my skin and before applying the rest of my skincare products.
- Mario Badescu Mist – I keep this one at the side of my bed and spritz in the early morning, but mainly in the evening before sleep. The air in the mountains is dry with little moisture. So, giving your skin an extra boost before bed is a great idea. It’s refreshing, and the lavender scent helps me relax for sleep.
4. Best face serums for glowing winter skin
Serums and moisturisers are your dynamic duo. I've tested a bunch at altitude, and I love the Typology range of products. As well as working excellently, they are also vegan and Typology is BCorp registered. However, regardless of whatever brand you go with or are familiar with, you absolutely need aHyaluronic Serum.
I also opt for a tinted serum rather than a heavier foundation. I find it gives me some natural coverage plus a glow, perfect for my ski holiday snaps.
5. Winter skincare face moisturiser
Finally, for a winter ski holiday, you will need a thicker facial moisturiser than you might be used to. I often opt for something with Aloe Vera in it to calm my skin after being outdoors in extreme temperatures all day.
If you’re interested in the Typology products I use, it's this 9-ingredient moisturiser and 3% Hyaluronic Acid and Typology Tinted Serum level 2.
That’s La Plagne & the best winter skin care for ski resort temperatures
Ready to hit the slopes with your best skin? Winter skincare is your ticket to a radiant complexion against the stunning snowy backdrop. Embrace the ski resort experience with confidence, and remember, the secret to great skin is just a click away.
See you on the ski slopes!
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