Goggle lines, raccoon eyes, and skier’s tan, used to be seen as a status symbol—now it’s met with serious looks of concern.
Want to look 80 by the time you're 40, then jumping on the ski lift without having an applied SPF immediately undoes any other anti-aging skincare steps you have been taking.
CAN I REVERSE SUN DAMAGE?
If you don’t wear sunscreen in the snow, you might as well dump all your serums and creams in the trash, because nothing can reverse the permanent damage you are causing your skin.
Nope we’re not exaggerating. The snow acts like a mirror, freshly falling snow—-great for skiing but the worst for your skin as it reflects up to 90% of UV radiation.
Think of it like this, sand reflects up to 25%, while water only bounces back between 5-10%. Everyday spent on a white mountain means you’re getting a double dose of intense sun that’s more powerful than a mid-August day at the beach.
WHY IS MY SKIN SO BAD IN THE WINTER?
Add in the higher altitude, thinner air, plus freezing cold temperatures and it’s not only sunburn you need to worry about but also destroying your skin barrier and risking photokeratitis—that’s sunburn of the eyes and yes it’s as painful as it sounds.
Sun damage is also one of the main causes of the loss of collagen and elasticity in the skin. Because the snow reflects back UV rays from below, hitting the underside of the chin especially, you’ll be looking at premature sagging all along the jaw and neck sooner than expected.
Your earlobes are also likely to droop if you forget to apply SPF there, and as for your nose—you’ll get red blotchy broken capillaries to remind you of all your days you spent on the piste unprotected.
WHY SPF IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
Don’t worry, you don’t have to hang up your skis just yet. But you do need to get serious about applying sunscreen every single day. Yes, that does mean 365 days a year.
Make it a habit and part of your morning routine. Prioritize and invest in the long-term health and appearance of your skin. You will not regret it. SPF daily is the only way.