How to Prepare Your Skin for Ski Season

There is nothing fun about a great day on the slopes followed by an unbearable sun-burnt face, yet we've all been there. Avoid the pain and embarrassment by getting your skin into shape for this ski season.

Colorado has some of the best skiing in the country. Avid skiers spend several months before ski season going to classes geared towards getting their downhill and mogul muscles ready to take on the slopes. Once there, they know to hydrate to help with potential altitude sickness, wear high SPF sunscreens and pay attention to safety. After all of their precautions, how often have you seen a fellow worker or friend after their weekend on the slopes and said “you realize you kind of look like a raccoon?” or, “Wow, that’s some sunburn. Didn’t you use sunscreen?”

Getting your skin into shape for outdoor activities, is actually pretty important and easy. Let’s start with sun and elevation. Did you know for every 1000 feet of elevation we lose 5% of ozone protection against UV rays. So in Denver, the mile high city, we are already at a 20% deficit. At 10,000 feet you are looking at 50%! And, don’t be fooled by cloudy days.

Using sun screen is very important, but often wears off during the activities of the day.

One study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reports that caffeine applied to human skin demonstrated a photo-protective effect by reducing the number of sunburn cells and reducing the DNA damage formed after UV radiation. Topical Vitamin C has been shown to protect skin against sunburn, suntan and skin cancer and also reverse the mottled pigmentation and wrinkles of photo-aging. Additionally, we cannot make collagen without Vitamin C. For effective topical protection, vitamin C serums must contain more than 10% and no more than 20% concentration of Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid.

R3 Skin Nutrients fits the bill for nourishing and protecting your skin for the ski season and every season. Use NOURISH-Vitamin C or NOURISH-Vitamin C+ prior to getting out on the slopes to naturally build up your skins’ protection to UV damage. This highly concentrated serum (20% Vitamin C) contains caffeine for additional protection from UV damage. Daily application will enhance your skin’s ability to prevent and repair UV damage. Just like getting your muscles in shape over a period of time, your skin requires the same attention.

• Six weeks of daily application will have you ready for fun in the sun.

• Similar to getting your muscles toned, when you stop application for a period of time, the effect goes away.

NOTE: This product is not an immediate sun block. Apply daily for 4-6 weeks to get sunblock benefits. Use with sunscreen for prolonged and enhanced protection from UV damage.