While a great mid-winter day on the slopes may nourish the soul, it can do the opposite for aging skin. It’s common knowledge that our skin changes with age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, loses sweat and oil glands, and generally takes longer to heal than it did in younger days. Fortunately, with a little extra effort, skin can be kept healthy skiing into your golden years. Here are five keys to maintaining healthy, aging skin:
1. First and foremost, prevent skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, skiing at high altitude on sun-reflective snow can expose the skin to harmful ultraviolet rays. Skin cancers like basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas can take residence on areas of the face exposed to sun. That’s why choosing the proper sunscreen is key. Since both UVB and UVA rays are linked to skin cancer, it’s important to use a “broad spectrum” sunblock of at least SPF 30. Click here for natural products-based sun screen.
2. Be mindful of your meds. Antibiotics like tetracycline and sulfonamides make the skin more photosensitive, as do thiazide diuretics used for hypertension. If you take these meds, think of reapplying your sunblock more frequently or aim for an even higher SPF.
3. Don’t forget your lips! Not only is the skin on the lips thinner than on the rest of the body, your kissers contain very little melanin, a pigment that helps protect against the sun. People use lip balm to combat dryness, but if it doesn’t contain SPF , its glossiness can attract the sun’s rays even more! Choose a lip balm with a high SPF. Here’s a natural product-based balm to check out. It’s called Kiss Your Face Lip Balm.
4. Stay well hydrated. Seniors tend to have dry skin in general and spending most of the day outdoors in the cold, dry air can make this problem worse. One way to combat dryness is to stay well hydrated. Aim for drinking half your body weight in ounces of water, and replenish an additional 8 ounces for every “vice” drink (caffeine or alcohol) consumed. Not sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day? Check your pee! Unless you’re on certain medications or supplements that would change the hue of your urine, aim for a light yellow to beige color. Anything darker than that is a cue to reach for the water bottle.
5. Cool it during apres ski. After a day on the hill, nothing feels better than a hot shower, jacuzzi or bath. While great for sore muscles and relaxation, it may not be so good for dry skin. Hot water strips the skin of moisture. Keep your time in the bath to a minimum or lower the water temperature. And be mindful of soaps and body washes; chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate can strip the skin of its natural protective oils and trigger irritation. Aim for sulfate-free cream cleansers that contain skin-nourishing ingredients, like oatmeal or shea butter. After your bath or shower, moisturize with an alcohol-free lotion. Like sulfates, alcohol can strip away the protective barrier on the skin and cause flakiness and irritation. Two ideas for moisturizers: Yes To Carrots Body Butter and Vanilla Mint Body Wash. Sounds yummy.
Skincare is probably the last thing on your mind when exploring the hill. By incorporating these healthy habits into ski days, common skin issues are less likely to arise, and your focus can stay where it belongs: Down the mountain!
