Protect your face from the sun without having to apply ‘goopy’ creams

How many times have you had ‘too much’ sun on the slopes while having fun? Remembering sunscreen in the winter is not easy; most of us associate sunscreen with the beach and summer. But that’s not to say that leaving our faces exposed is a good thing.

Between the sun and the reflection of the sun off of the snow we subject our faces to an extreme amount of UV rays everyday we are out on the hill. And it is not just the sunny days, the cloudy days have UV rays flowing through too; between 70% and 80% of the harmful UV-A & UV-B rays pass through the clouds.

To complicate it even more the UV ray intensity actually increases as you increase in elevation, and some of the best skiing is at higher elevations. For every 1000ft (333m) you climb you increase the UV ray intensity by 4%.

What can you do to protect your skin?

Recently I started using Bethesda Sunscreen Soap.  Loaded with vitamins and minerals that your skin needs it also protects your skin with a layer of SPF 10. Using a unique vitamin formula, called ALL ONE Vitamins, the soap has many vitamins including the essentials, Vitamin A, C, and E, as well as minerals such as selenium and zinc. The four basic ingredients are Aloe Vera as an immunity booster, chlorophyll as a natural cleanser and deodorizer, Balm of Gilead to soothe and disinfect and glycerin as a hydroscopic moisturizer.

I have very sensitive skin and was careful in beginning to use the soap. I started with my hands and then tested a patch near my ears. No reactions and my skin looks and feels so much better. Unlike some other soaps that I have used on my face it doesn’t strip it of moisture and it doesn’t leave an oily feeling either.

I’ll try to remember to throw a bottle of sunscreen in my day ski this year. But at least by using the soap daily I have provided my skin healthy nutrients and a layer of defense.