17 Of Our Favourite Winter Skincare Products

There’s nothing more exciting than packing for a long-awaited ski holiday but have you remembered your winter skincare essentials? Cold mountain air, sunlight bouncing off the snow and altitude can all play havoc with our skin, not to mention the extra alcohol we might be consuming during apres-ski, leaving our skin craving extra care and protection. 

We asked the team here at VIP SKI for their winter skincare must-haves for a week on the ski slopes at Easter. From sunscreens that stay put on the sunniest runs to after-sun lotions that mend the wind's wear, here are our favourite budget-friendly winter skincare products to help keep you glowing from the first lift to the last run. 

Woken up with puffy eyes? Changes in sleep patterns, dehydration and possibly consuming more alcohol than usual on holiday can make eyes more prone to puffiness during your ski holiday.

Reduce the telltale signs of partying at the Folie Douce or a late night catching up with friends over a glass of wine in your chalet with a de-puffing eye cream like The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream (£9.99)

Why we love it: Instantly cooling around the eye area, this lightweight cream leaves a smooth base for makeup.

or Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream (£12.00)

Why we love it: Extra gentle if you have sensitive skin or are prone to eczema around the sensitive eye area.

High SPF and broad-spectrum sunscreens are crucial for ski holidays. They protect your skin from the sun’s rays which are significantly stronger at high altitudes and prevent both sunburn and long-term skin damage.

Skier and former chalet host, Jess is a big fan of Soltan suncreams and aftersun (£10.00)

Why we love it: Compact, travel-sized and great value.

Although it’s on the pricier side, snowboarder Millie loves the gentle Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ (£33.50)

Why we love it: Great for sensitive skin, this is the only SPF that doesn’t give Millie a rash!

Alpine Advisor Lou loves the Nip and Fab SPF 30 (£18.45)

Why we love it: Protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays whilst providing a radiant glow.

Top tip: It's important to remember to top up your sunscreen regularly throughout the day. Need to reapply SPF over your makeup? Don't forget to pack an SPF face mist like La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sun Protection Face Mist (£14.50) or Ultrasun Face Sun Protection 50spf UV Face & Scalp Mist (£14.40)

Why we love it: With an invisible matt finish, this can be worn over or under makeup.

Nobody wants blistered or sunburnt lips on a ski trip, so prevent your lips from getting chapped or cracked with an SPF lip protector.

Skier Cam swears by Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula with SPF15 (with Vitamin E) (£2.50)

Why we love it: Oblong-shaped tube takes up minimal space in your pocket.

Once you’ve finished your day on the slopes, keep your lips moisturised with a nourishing lip balm.

Head of Marketing, Nici loves the award-winning cult classic Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (from £17.00)

Why we love it: Perfect in case of windburn or irritation, a little bit goes a long way.

Bhavisha loves the classic Carmex lip balm (£2.50) to moisturise dry lips after a day on the slopes.

Why we love it: This no-nonsense lip balm soothes, relieves and moisturises dry and chapped lips.

Any decent kitbag needs good old Vaseline (£2.25)

Why we love it: At only £2.25 for a compact tin, it’s a bargain!

Although most skiers and snowboarders wear helmets these days, protect your hair from harmful sun exposure with the Charles Worthing Sunshine Protect UV Protection Leave-In Spray (£3.50) when you stop for a well-earned coffee, vin chaud or rosé lunch on the mountain.

Why we love it: Smells great and can be used on the beach or by the pool in the summer too!

Cold dry air and frequent exposure to snow and wind can strip moisture from your hands, leading to dryness, cracking and discomfort.

Alpine Advisor Lou never leaves the house without Sea Kelp Marine Spa Hand & Nail Cream (£6.00)

Why we love it: This light but nourishing cream contains 10% shea butter and will leave your hands soft, smooth and lightly scented. Perfect for combatting the elements in the mountains...

Don’t forget that at the end of the ski day, it’s important to cleanse your skin thoroughly to remove all traces of SPF and makeup with an effective cleanser.

Content creator Kate is a big fan of the reasonably priced Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm by e.l.f. (£11.00) or The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser (£8.30) for squeaky clean skin.

Why we love it: Makeup melts away with both cleansers (including mascara) and skin is left feeling soft and smooth.

If you have forgotten to top up your sunscreen during the day and you have more than a gentle apres-ski glow, then pop to the local pharmacy and buy a tube of Biafine cream (£14.99)

Why we love it: This specialist French burns cream is fantastic for soothing sunburn, first and second degree burns and radiation dermatitis.

Whether your skin type is dry, oily or combination, all skin types can benefit from a boost with a thirst-quenching serum during the winter. Try Byoma Hydrating Serum (£13.00) for an instant moisture hit.

Why we love it: Featuring squalane and glycerin to replenish skin’s moisture levels, this serum delivers a surge of instant hydration with long-lasting results.

Finally, beat the dry alpine air and drench your skin in a nourishing night cream before bed. Kate loves the budget-friendly Lacura Caviar Illumination Anti-Age Night Cream (£7.49) from Aldi.

Why we love it: Containing caviar extract, snow algae extract and hyaluronic acid, this bargain skincare La Prairie dupe leaves skin feeling smooth and moisturised.

Top tip: Don't take up valuable packing space in your suitcase for shampoo, conditioner, shower gel or body lotion as this is provided in all our chalets.  

If all this talk of skiing and skincare has got you in the mood for a ski or snowboarding holiday, then why not explore our luxury catered ski chalets and hotels in 5 of the best resorts in the French Alps?