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Skin Care Tips Before You Hit The Slopes

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Being a winter sports enthusiast is great! But, what’s even better is the ability of a man to take care of his skin while having the time of his life. It’s really not that tough, trust us! Since nothing comes without a price, don’t let your skin be the one to pay. The reason to have such a conversation is because often higher altitudes lead to dehydration. One of the main reasons which cause the skin to dry, crack and later on face other serious issues. The harsh sun rays further add to the troubles by causing sunburns. Instead of looking for a solution to such problems after your adventure is over, how about taking care of it with just a few easy to follow steps? Sounds good enough, doesn’t it? Let’s roll together then.

Avoid Hot Showers

Sometimes, the real world is just too cruel. It’s the tastiest foods that are bad for health, the finest things bad for the wallet, and long hot showers, unfortunately, are bad for the skin. The truth is heat from the shower makes the skin’s oil soften. Just the way butter softens and melts when heated. If it sounds like a woman talk, well, truth be told, men are no different to this process. When a soap is added to this mix, the oil barrier that protects the skin gets stripped away in no time.

Though it traps dirt and sweat, but often leads to body odor. In men isn’t this situation highly prominent? Though, without it the moisture in the skin may easily escape, leading to an itchy and dry skin. Therefore, the longer and hotter the shower, the faster this process takes place, causing more moisture to lose. Despite the fact, men are not into long hot showers, unlike women. Though,  it may feel tempting after a long chilly day, avoid it all together.

Say Yes To Strong Sunscreen

The higher you get to the summit of a mountain, the more you’re exposed to UV rays. Were you aware of this very fact? In fact, the intensity of UV rays per every thousand feet increases by 6 to 8 percent. So, it’s become of rather much more importance to use an SPF that’s at least 50 to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Well, overexposure to these rays is very much capable of causing a permanent damage to the tough skin of men. If women can make it a point to put it on every single day, you can at least do for a few days. Won’t you?

Additionally, do make sure that your sunscreen also has moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and lanolin in it. The harsh wind is equally capable of stripping away moisture from the skin. So, do apply a sunscreen 30 minutes before hitting the slopes. Apply generously and reapply after every 2 hours on the exposed skin, especially on ears, chin, neck, and hands. Even better, if possible cover up.

Drink Ample Water

Yes, we do get the fact that in such cold conditions you might not feel like touching cold water, leave alone drinking it. But, if you wish to keep your skin glowing even after you hit the slopes make sure to stay hydrated. On a daily basis, men are recommended to consume at least 6 to 8-ounce glasses of water. But, once you’re up in the higher altitudes, it suppresses the desire to drink water. Thus, often skiers and riders get dehydrated on the slopes. And, this, in turn, results in affecting their performance.

In case you’re happy about grabbing a sip of water from a water fountain every now and then, well don’t be. It doesn’t count as drinking. However, the best way to check your level of hydration is to take a look at your urine color. No kidding! The clearer it is, the more hydrated you are. Else, drink up to keep hydration for a better skin in check! However, if you’re among those men who love to drink alcohol. Limit it for the moment as it is highly dehydrating in nature at higher altitudes.

Apply Vaseline When In Doubt

Vaseline may sound too old school, but there’s nothing like it that works for patches of dry skin. Vaseline is also known as petroleum jelly and is a by-product of the oil refining process. For just a few pennies, it is capable of locking natural moisture in, heal wounds, soothe irritations and even prevent wrinkles the way top notch anti-aging products like Lifecell skin cream do for women.

If you ever had room for just one winter beauty product to take along being a man, let this be the one. So, while going for your favorite winter sports on the slopes do make sure to apply this miracle skin balm. It can act as an insulator to keep the body heat trapped behind the balm than seeping out of the skin. Thus, protecting your skin even when others on the internet may insist, it clogs pores. Not, true at all!

Ask For A Humidifier

With a combination of dry, cold air on the slopes and a turned up thermostat along with the closed windows at the hotel this can wreak havoc not only on your skin but also the respiratory system. The best way to combat these conditions is to ask for a humidifier at the hotel. This, very simple appliance works to basically put back moisture in the air to replenish the quality of indoor air.

It’s done by emitting water vapors into a space to increase the level of humidity. Thus, when used correctly, it can help to alleviate dry skin, chapped lips, nose bleeds and every other pesky cold weather conditions. So, make sure to keep your skin well moisturized by just following this little setup. Get one for home as well, in case you don’t own one, your family will be thankful. And, maybe carry portable humidifier along if you must to help your surrounding, as well as your skin, liven up.

Include A Heavy Moisturizer

In order to protect the skin, do remember to moisturize before and after your skiing adventure. Even though when the above-given steps will be sufficient enough to take care of your skin, do incorporate it into your skin care routine. Your skin will be exposed to the harsh conditions, including the extreme temperatures and winds. Do not commit the same mistake as other men of not moisturizing at all.

Without it, the harsh factors can weaken the skin’s lipid barrier and allow moisture to escape from the skin. This dries out and damages the skin no matter how tough it is. Therefore, to fight it, use a good oil based moisturizer to create a protective barrier which can help to lock in the moisturizer. Right after getting out of the shower or bath, apply rich men’s moisturizer in the morning. At night, use an oil based men’s serum to replenish your facial skin as you go off to sleep.

So, take care of your skin while having the time of your life. It deserves all the attention in the world. Just follow the above-given steps and you’ll be good to go. In case you have something to add to this list, share with us. Share your experience with us. Don’t let the men instincts in you stop from taking care of yourself.

Author Bio:
Melissa Melie is a skincare expert by profession. She loves to share her knowledge and experience with people. She regularly contributes her write ups to health or skin care related websites and blogs. In her free time she loves to travel, fashion shows and music.

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3 thoughts on “Skin Care Tips Before You Hit The Slopes”

  1. Hey Melissa, some great skin advice! Not sure about the humidifiers though. How many hotels have you seen having one? Just asking… 🙂 -Stella

  2. OP mentions urine color as an indicator of hydration, and she is right. The Marine Corps teaches that if you pee yellow then you need to drink more water, but if you pee clear then you are good to go. This guideline is especially true in the desert.

    1. This is true. Unfortunately, by the time your urine has changed color you’re already dehydrated. The key is to drink enough that you never get yellow urine.

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