Your hair suddenly resembles a plucked kingfisher’s nest after a day’s skiing? Meanwhile, your elbows and hands are as dry as the Sahara and could soon be inhabited by a small family of gerbils? Here are the best tips to help your body survive even the harshest of winter adventures.
You may be having the time of your life on the slopes, but your skin and hair are not: The constant fluctuations in temperature, from freezing to bone-chilling, and the constant friction of gloves, hats and scarves are a real strain on the outer layer of your body. To keep its protective functions intact, we have put together some recommendations for a rich winter body care regime.
Moisture or oil?
If your skin and hair are too dry, it’s easy to turn to moisturisers. However, if you have a cold day on the slopes ahead of you, you should opt for oil rather than moisture. Moisturisers with a high water content are less recommended and can even damage the skin in sub-zero temperatures. So use an oil-based face cream and protect the ends of your hair with an oil-based serum.
Tip: Natural coconut oil is great for your skin, hair, and lips, and smells great too.
Aloha Aloe!
When you come home from your winter’s day feeling tired and exhausted, it’s time to give your skin and hair an extra dose of moisture before bed. A face mask of yogurt, aloe vera, and honey will leave your cheeks feeling soft, and long, damaged hair will love a rich hair treatment. For extra hairy results, leave the hair mask on for half an hour under a warm towel.
Dry feet also deserve extra care: apply a urea foot cream before bed, put on a pair of old socks, and enjoy the feeling of baby-soft skin in the morning.
Here comes the sun
“Have you put on some sunscreen?” used to be Dad’s obligatory question, to which you would nod obediently, only to sneak a thick smear of sunscreen onto your nose the next moment. High up on the mountain, you’re a lot closer to our glowing celestial body, and you should protect yourself accordingly, even in winter. Don’t forget to use lip balm with SPF to prevent painfully chapped lips.
Protected from top to bottom
In winter, you could easily be mistaken for a Struwwelpeter look-alike, because the bonnet and headband can take their toll on your hair? Why not tackle the problem head-on with a silk satin-lined bonnet: the smooth textile layer protects damaged hair from further friction, and frizz and protruding strands are a thing of the past. If you have long hair, you can try all sorts of braids – not only does it give you variety when you look in the mirror, but it also prevents knots and a mousy look.
Sauna is better than freezing
After an active day in the snow, a visit to the sauna is a particularly good idea. The high temperatures stimulate circulation and leave your skin glowing in no time. And while you’re in the sauna, it’s often not far to the various spa treatments: why not let yourself be kneaded by a massage or pampered with professional body wraps? If your body is a temple, why not pay homage to it with a steam bath or two?
Despite all the grooming, it’s still worth a visit to the hairdresser and pedicurist after a day on the slopes – so make an appointment before your snow adventure. Have fun and a well-groomed winter holiday!
