Despite being billed as a moisturiser, the Tata Harper Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser is exceptionally light – and the antioxidant-rich chia seed water in the formula plays nicely under sunscreen.
Step 3: Emollient Moisturiser
Around 30% of your skin barrier is made up of ceramides – fats or lipids found in skin cells– that make it more resilient against chilly temperatures. So it makes sense to look for an emollient moisturiser that is equally rich in these lipids.
Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream parachutes soothing cica and lipids into the top layer of your skin, where they are needed most. Less of an S.O.S product and more of an indulgence, Caudalie’s Premier Cru The Rich Cream contains ceramides alongside hyaluronic acid and a seriously impressive ingredient that boosts the skin’s natural production of TET – an enzyme shown to increase elasticity, firmness and hydration.
Step 4: SPF
A freezing headwind when shooting down the slopes means we often don’t feel the burning effects of the sun. “We apply sunscreen early in the morning, but when out skiing all day it’s important to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours,” says Dr Granite.
Personally, I’m a fan of stick versions such as Shiseido’s Clear Suncare Stick SPF50+ as they’re pocket size, and the waxy formula offers additional protection against windburn.
Or, for a sunscreen that really doesn’t require moisturiser underneath, try 111Skin Repair Sunscreen SPF50+ as it’s already packed with skincare benefits including niacinamide to reduce water loss, hydrating hyaluronic acid and a cotton extract to dial down redness.
Step 5: SPF lip balm
Don’t underestimate the power of an SPF lip balm on the slopes. Both Mecca Cosmetica Lip De-Luscious SPF20 and Ultra Violette Sheen Screen Hydrating Lip Balm SPF50 not only deposit a pretty pink tint, but they will also prevent chapped skin and limit the risk of sunburn.
Night
Step 1: A balm or oil cleanser
A balm is more comforting when skin is skewing dry and sensitive. Remember, too, that like attracts like so SPF is removed more effectively with an oil-based cleanser.
Try Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm, which contains an avocado and olive fruit oil complex to leave skin feeling comfortable rather than taut. Or Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse, which smells like a spa and cleans deeply but also cleverly contains collagen-stimulating peptides.
Step 2: Serum to restore moisture and calm sensitivity
Windburn is characterised by red, tender skin as a result of prolonged exposure to cold, harsh winds. Dr Barbara Sturm’s Calming Serum, which is laced with gentle botanicals, is beloved by beauty editors for its ability to dial down redness and rebalance sensitised skin – fast.
Medik8 Calmwise Serum is powered by an anti-redness active, while I can vouch for Kate Somerville’s DeliKate Recovery Serum, with skin-identical ceramides and omega-rich fatty acids. It’s a staple in my bathroom cabinet as it’s just as effective on post-treatment skin as on a seriously compromised weather-beaten face.
Step 3: Barrier-restoring moisturiser
Faced with so many aggressors, it’s hardly surprising that your skin barrier becomes compromised – and inflammation, in the form of a rough texture, redness and stinging, becomes the equivalent of your skin sending out a flare. “As your skin replenishes during sleep, a richer cream or balm might be needed to help restore moisture levels overnight,” says Dr Granite.
