What to pack for a winter trip to the mountains to keep your skin in good condition? The first things that come to mind are an oily face cream and a protective lipstick. But it is not only the face that is exposed on the slopes. An equally sensitive area, which is often forgotten, is the hands. It is the hands that take the heaviest abuse during winter sports. We asked Handy lab. expert, cosmetologist Justyna Galat, about how to take care of them while on the slopes.

If you're planning a mountain holiday, you'd better think about packing in advance. suitable hand cosmetics. Snow and frosty winds are merciless to the hands - they can hurt the epidermis almost like razor blades. On top of that, they dry out, irritate and make the skin burn and crack. If you want to avoid these unpleasant symptoms, you need to find space in your suitcase or rucksack for regenerative and protective products. Our expert will tell you which hand cosmetics you need on the ski slope and on the mountain trails.

What to pack for a trip to the mountains: hand protection cream with SPF

The times when we used to take the first best hand cream on a winter trip are a thing of the past. Today, when we are much more aware of the negative effects of sunlight, we should choose hand creams with sunscreen. "The hands, are the second area (right after the face) that is constantly exposed to the harmful effects of UV," - cosmetologist Justyna Galat points out. "It occurs all the time, regardless of the weather or the season. Among other things, this radiation predisposes to skin deterioration, exacerbation of eczema, wrinkles and even pigmented lesions", warns the expert. What's more, the sun can be stronger on a snowy slope than at the beach! "Frost, intensive physical activity and snow reflecting the sun's rays like a photographic plate are a recipe for express skin irritation," argues the expert. So not only does the risk of dry hands increase on the slopes, but the sun can also cause discolouration on the hands and accelerate the ageing process.

To protect your hands from both UV rays and the harsh winter weather, pack Handy lab hand cream for your trip to the mountains. Extreme hyaluron. It contains a high protection factor SPF 30 - One that experts recommend. "It is true that in winter in our latitude it is unnecessary to use high SPF, but I consider 20-30 to be the absolute minimum to prevent deterioration of the skin condition," confirms Justyna Gałat. The cream's formula also includes ingredients to strengthen the hydrolipid barrier and regenerate the hands: Hyaluronic acid, vegetable keratin, vegan lanolin and aloe vera juice. Once applied, the cosmetic is quickly absorbed, leaving hands velvety smooth and well protected against the cold. The handy tube even fits into the pocket of a ski jacket.

What to take on a trip to the mountains: moisturising gloves

Always have a protective cream handy on the slopes. But when you get back to your hotel, it's a good idea to treat your hands to some deep regeneration ritualin order to neutralise any possible irritation. Cosmetologist Justyna Galat advises reaching for a product containing substances that stimulate healing and skin renewal processes. "Ingredients that will aid the regeneration of the hands include. Vitamin E, allantoin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, shea butter", the specialist enumerates. "Oils that support the occlusive action for the above ingredients will also be beneficial: macadamia oil and jojoba oil".

These ingredients will penetrate the skin on the hands more effectively if delivered in the form of moisturising gloves. "For a trip to the mountains, it is worth taking gloves with you to help regenerate the epidermis. The hyaluronic mask from Handy lab. will be an excellent choice. Applied in the evening, with a warming tea, it will provide the necessary active ingredients, and the form of gloves will significantly accelerate their absorption and enhance the regenerative effect," advises the cosmetologist. In addition, hand mask Handy lab. smells lovely, so a skincare ritual with it will help you relax wonderfully after an active day.

Good grooming habits to remember on a winter getaway

Finally, cosmetologist Justyna Galat gives some practical advice, how to look after your hands during the holidays and throughout the winter:

• avoid harsh hand scrubs or salt scrubs;
• moisturise your hands regularly, preferably using creams with anti-UV protection;
• remember to oil your nails and the cuticles around them daily;
• Ensure solid hand protection in the form of gloves made of good material with thermal insulation properties;
• if you are prone to eczema and your skin is very sensitive, avoid glove materials that can mechanically irritate it. A much better choice than classic wool would be merino wool. It is much softer and better tolerated by those prone to allergies or AD;
• wash your hands thoroughly after applying stronger dermatological ointments or foot creams with a high concentration of urea or with warming ingredients (cinnamon, chilli etc.), which are often added to foot creams in autumn and winter.