Earlier this winter, Laura and her family traveled to Solitude, Utah, to enjoy a family ski trip. The trip was fabulous and she enjoyed four days of skiing and with her husband and kids, as well as Aprés, hot tub sessions, etc.! But one thing was not fabulous...and that was the extremely dry skin she experienced. Altitude (Solitude is at about 8,000 ft) combined with wind and very cold temps wreaked absolute havoc on her face, lips and hands. She came home with dry, irritated skin and became determined to find products to help! She polled our instagram followers to ask what they used and poured over the results. After several visits to Sephora for samples (yes, they will make you samples!) and testing, she arrived at this combination of products to help both prevent dryness, support the skin while traveling in cold weather and remedy the skin when needed.
Summer Friday's Jet Lag Mask
Getting ahead of dryness and protecting the skin begins on the plane (or car ride)! This product is a multi-tasker, which is great for travel. It can be used as a mask on the day you leave, and also as a barrier against the elements while skiing. The mask, which goes on like a thick cream, contains glycerin, hyaluronic acid and niacinimide and will help nourish, hydrate and calm the skin while in transit. In addition, if on a ski trip, apply in the morning as a "cream" and leave on all day to help create a barrier between your skin and the elements. Also comes in a travel version.
Goop Beauty Super Nutrient Face Oil
Incorporating an oil into our face routines once we turned 40 was a total game changer and it absolutely needs to come on a ski trip with you. We love this one by Goop. I like to gently press it into the skin after cleansing, followed by the Avène cream below, or add a few drops into the cream in the palm of your hand before applying.
Avène Cicalfate Restorative Cream
This cream was the top recommended product to combat dry skin from our followers, and we can see why! This is a must-bring while traveling to altitude or colder climates. It's a rich cream that intensely hydrates while working to calm and restore the skin's damaged natural barrier. Laura uses in the morning on her face after cleansing to protect and nourish throughout the day. Add the Jet Lag mask on top if in need of a double barrier while skiing. Also comes in a travel size.
Weleda Skin Food
I discovered this ultra rich cream from Molly Sims several years ago. It is the most moisturizing cream I have EVER tried on my hands, Although it is quite the work horse. I have had a make-up artist use it as a primer under foundation to add glow and help fill in fine lines. It can also tame fly away hairs in a pinch. I have heard of some putting it on their skin overnight as a kind of moisture mask but I have experienced breakouts if doing this consistently with this particular cream. I prefer the Avène for the face...and it is almost as thick. The smell is also subtle and lovely.
Naturopathica Gotu Kula Intense Repair Balm
This repair balm is a sort of solve-all introduced to me by Gretchen, who discovered it during a facial and immediately went to purchase. I like to apply this at night for intense moisture that works to heal while you sleep. This product is also a major multi-tasker and can be used for: windburn, cracked heels and elbows, rough patches of dry skin, irritation and redness as well as to condition lips and cuticles.
Bioderma Atoderm Shower Cleansing Oil
As someone who suffers from dry skin (even since I was a child) I have sourced products that don't just deal with the face. I am a big fan of Bioderma, as all products are formulated to respect the skin's ecosystem and preserve it's health at a cellular level. This body cleansing oil (which I have in all showers in my home) is formulated for dry, sensitive and even atopic skin and helps to improve the skin's barrier and alleviate any "tightness" or "itchy" feeling associated with dry skin. The oil foams up in the shower, so you do feel like it's cleaning as well! I highly recommend this product for anyone with dry or rough skin. Comes in travel size!
Travel Humidifier
Every little bit of moisture helps! Adding moisture into your immediate environment can help skin recover and not look so parched. Place on bedside table and let the humidity work while you sleep. This one runs off a usb cable and is light and small enough for travel.
Two quick tips from Laura
Stop exfoliating: A couple days before leaving for colder temps or altitude, stop exfoliating and just let the skin be. Also refrain from exfoliation during the trip as that can lead to extra dryness.
Use a gentle face wash a.ka. nothing with too many "active" ingredients, or use a cleansing balm to help maintain as much moisture as possible when cleansing vs. stripping the skin.
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