What to pack for a winter mountain trip to keep your skin in good condition? The first things that come to mind are a rich face cream and a protective lip balm. But we don't only expose our face on the slopes. Another equally critical area, often forgotten, is the hands. They are the ones that "take the biggest hit" when we practice winter sports. We asked Justyna Gałat, a cosmetologist from Handy lab., how to care for them during a trip.
If you're planning a winter holiday trip to the mountains, it's better to think ahead about packing appropriate hand cosmetics. Snow and frosty wind are merciless to hands – they can damage the epidermis almost like razor blades. They can also dry out, irritate, and make the skin sting and crack. If you want to avoid these unpleasant symptoms, you need to find space in your suitcase or backpack for regenerating and protective products. Our expert will tell you what hand cosmetics will be useful on the ski slope and mountain trails.
What to pack for a mountain trip: protective hand cream with SPF
The times when we took any hand cream for a winter trip are long gone. Today, when we are much more aware of the negative effects of sun exposure, we should choose hand creams with a filter. "Hands are the second area (after the face) that is constantly exposed to harmful UV radiation," notes cosmetologist Justyna Gałat. "It occurs all the time, regardless of the weather or season. This radiation predisposes, among other things, to worsening skin condition, exacerbation of eczema, wrinkles, and even pigmentary changes," warns the expert. What's more – on a snowy slope, the sun can shine stronger than on a beach! "Frost, intense physical activity, and snow reflecting sunlight like a photographic reflector, is a recipe for instant skin irritation," the specialist explains. So not only does the risk of hand dryness increase on the slopes, but the sun can also cause discoloration and accelerate the aging process.
To protect your hands from both UV rays and harsh winter weather, pack Handy lab. Extreme Hyaluron hand cream for your mountain trip. It contains a high protective factor of SPF 30 – the one recommended by experts. "It's true that in winter, at our latitude, using high SPFs is unnecessary, but 20-30 is an absolute minimum to prevent the skin condition from deteriorating," confirms Justyna Gałat. The cream's formula also includes ingredients that strengthen the hydrolipid barrier and regenerate hands: hyaluronic acid, plant keratin, vegan lanolin, and aloe vera juice. After application, the cosmetic is quickly absorbed, leaving hands velvety smooth and well protected from the cold. The handy tube will fit even in a ski jacket pocket.
What to take on a mountain trip: moisturizing gloves
Always have a protective cream handy on the slopes. However, after returning to the hotel, it's worth treating your hands to a deep regenerating ritual to soothe any potential irritations. Cosmetologist Justyna Gałat advises using a product containing substances that stimulate healing and skin renewal processes. "Ingredients that will support hand regeneration include, for example, vitamin E, allantoin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, aloe extract, shea butter," lists the specialist. "Oils that will support the occlusive action of the above ingredients will also be beneficial: macadamia oil and jojoba oil."
These ingredients will penetrate the skin of your hands more effectively if we provide them in the form of moisturizing gloves. "For a mountain trip, it's worth taking gloves that will support epidermis regeneration. Handy lab.'s Hyaluronic mask will be an excellent choice. Used in the evening, with a warming tea, it will provide essential active ingredients, and the glove form will significantly accelerate their absorption and strengthen their regenerating effect," advises the cosmetologist. Additionally, Handy lab. hand mask smells wonderful, so the skincare ritual with its use will help you relax wonderfully after a day full of activity.
Good skincare habits to remember during a winter trip
Finally, cosmetologist Justyna Gałat provides some practical advice on how to care for your hands during the holidays, and throughout the winter:
- avoid harsh hand scrubs or salt scrubs;
- regularly moisturize your hands, preferably using creams with UV protection;
- remember to oil your nails and cuticles daily;
- ensure solid hand protection in the form of gloves made of good material with thermal insulation properties;
- if you have a tendency to eczema and high skin sensitivity, avoid gloves made of materials that may mechanically irritate it. Merino wool will be a much better choice than classic wool. It is much gentler and better tolerated by people prone to allergies or atopic dermatitis;
- wash your hands thoroughly after applying stronger dermatological ointments or foot creams with a high concentration of urea, or with warming ingredients (cinnamon, chili, etc.) which are gladly added to foot creams in autumn and winter.