If you’re off skiing this Christmas, then you’ll have fresh air and healthy exertion to look forward too. But you’ll want to stay super glam and gorgeous too. Charlotte Howells shows you how

Cold weather, sunburn, late nights and central heating… is it any surprise that ski holidays aren't so wonderful for your skin? But go prepared and you can spend your days sparkling amongst the snow looking radiant rather than ragged. Here's what to pack.

Sunscreen
Even if it's cloudy, the reflection off the snow deems sunscreen essential whenever you're in the mountains. Avoid a dodgy goggle tan and ward off the wrinkles with a tough sunscreen like Himaya SPF 60, which is water resistant, sweat proof and comes in a cold protection formula to help save skin from frostbite and freezing. Shiseido also make excellent sports sunscreen. If you're visiting a resort in a country like Canada where temperatures can drop as low as -30, take a facemask or you'll freeze, literally. Keep Clarins Sun Protection Stick in SPF 30 (£12.50) in your pocket for easy top ups without having to remove your gloves.

After Slope Care
Just because you're not on a beach holiday doesn't mean you can skip the after-sun regime. If anything, your skin suffers more as it is subject to cold, wind and fluctuations in temperature, as well as the sun. Ren's Frankincense and Boswellia Serrata Revitalising Repair Cream (£25) will restore weather beaten skin to its former self overnight.

A day in the mountains is certainly invigorating, but it can leave you with dry, flaky hands. Remedy the situation by popping Bliss All You Need is Glove (£48) – a glove and hydrating gel combo - in your suitcase and sliding on before you fall asleep to saturate and soften your hands before they face the cold again in the morning.

Makeup that'll survive the slopes
Why not give your makeup bag a holiday when you head slopeside – as long as your skin is protected and you're having fun, who cares what you look like? A ski or snowboard holiday is a great chance to forget about wearing a full face of war paint and enjoy the beauty and fresh reviving air of the mountains. Keep it low maintenance and travel with just a few choice essentials. Avene Couvrance Correcteur De Teint Compact Foundation Cream (£13.50) is not only Factor 30 and water resistant, it also comes in a use-anywhere compact complete with mirror – so you can check your appearance and retouch on the ski lift. Shun mascara in favour of eyelash dye like Colorsport 30 Day Mascara (£7.25). Or if you can't relinquish your mascara wand, Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof (£4.99) should withstand a snow storm.

Lip service
Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream is your multi-purpose weapon against cracked lips, dry skin and sunburn. It's currently available in a gorgeous limited edition jar (£15), and is also perfectly sized to take in your hand luggage as a fix-everything product on skin-drying flights. When you're ripping up the mountain, protect your lips and keep your energy levels up with Ecolips Energy Lipbalm (£2.99). As well as lip moisturising ingredients, it also contains caffeine, green tea and vitamin B12 to give you a boost without having to stop off at the pricey mountain café for a coffee.

Hydration
High altitudes can lead to dehydration, so remember to drink water little and often, and save the alcohol for the aprés-ski. High altitude alcoholic tipples will have a stronger effect leaving you with a high intensity hangover and an increased risk of going head over ski on the way back down.

Muscle rescue
If you are unfortunate enough to land the wrong way up, or your muscles simply take a dislike to being used again, rub on some of the incredibly soothing Spiezia Rosemary Ointment for Stiff and Aching Joints and Muscles (£15.75) and you'll be good to go again by the morning. I've been speedily healed by it after many a tumble. Alternatively soothe your muscles by creating your own DIY mountain spa. Run a steaming hot bath and fill with Nature Girl's Muscle Oil (£20), a totally natural, organic concoction that contains Ravintsara, Peppermint and Eucalyptus to relax and calm muscles after exercise.

Charlotte Howells is a beauty journalist and edits websites
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