Winter Sun: The Art of Travelling Beautifully
Winter sun has a subtle way of undoing the most considered routines. Cooler temperatures soften our perception of exposure, while snow, altitude and reflective light intensify it. Whether carving through alpine slopes or escaping to warmer shores, winter travel places unique and often underestimated demands on both hair and skin.
At Paul Edmonds London, winter sun is approached with the same philosophy we bring to hair and skin year-round, preventative care, intelligent formulation and a belief that the most refined routines are the ones that work quietly in the background.
Why Winter Sun Requires a Different Kind of Care
Snow reflects UV radiation with remarkable efficiency, exposing skin from multiple angles at altitude. At the same time, cold air, wind and central heating weaken the skin barrier and increase moisture loss. Hair fibres respond in much the same way, becoming brittle, dull and less resilient.
Winter beach destinations, although warmer, pose a similar risk. Mild temperatures often mask consistent UV exposure, leading to pigmentation, dehydration and premature ageing that only becomes visible weeks later.
Alpine Skin Care, Protecting Collagen and Maintaining Comfort
Ski holidays demand consistency rather than complexity. Broad-spectrum SPF is essential, but effective winter skin care also focuses on strengthening the skin barrier and protecting collagen.
Strengthening the Skin Barrier in Cold Conditions
A moisturiser such as SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid 2:4:2 is particularly effective during winter travel. By replenishing ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids in the ratios found naturally in the skin, it helps restore elasticity, comfort and resilience, its essential when skin is exposed to cold air and wind, and better still, it’s the ideal partner to your retinol routine when you are back from holiday as it reduces inflammation and redness as your skin adjusts to retinol usage.
Anti-Ageing Protection at Altitude
The SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced serum addresses glycation, a process that weakens collagen and accelerates visible ageing. Its lightweight texture and compact packaging make it ideal for travel, while its targeted action supports firmness in challenging climates.
Why Antioxidants Matter More in Winter Sun
At altitude, oxidative stress increases. Antioxidant formulation pairings such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic/Phloretin CF or Silymarin CF with H.A. intensifier Multi-Glycan, work by neutralising free radicals, strengthening the skin’s defences and supporting hydration. Used beneath SPF, they enhance protection and preserve clarity and tone. These are formulated to support normal, combination or acne prone skin types.
Intelligent SPF, from Face to Scalp
Reapplication is often where winter routines fail. Gloves, goggles and cold temperatures make traditional creams impractical.
Effortless Sun Protection Anywhere
Eminence Organic Sun Defense Minerals SPF offers an elegant solution. Applied with a brush, it allows discreet reapplication throughout the day and is particularly valuable on exposed scalps or partings, where sunburn is a common but overlooked risk during ski holidays, easy to apply mattifying, feather-light powder enriched with green tea extract and buriti oil, SPF with antioxidant and hydrating properties.
Maintaining Radiance Without Compromising the Barrier
Gentle exfoliation helps counteract dullness caused by environmental stress. Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant, mixed with a cleanser, provides mild enzymatic exfoliation without disrupting the skin barrier. For luminosity, Eminence Kombucha Microbiome Serum supports skin balance and radiance by reinforcing the microbiome, especially beneficial when travelling between climates, and destressing the scalp from pre holiday Christmas festivities.
Hair Care on the Slopes, Strength, Elasticity and Polish
Cold air, trapped moisture beneath hats and rapid transitions from freezing to warm interiors place unusual stress on the hair fibre, leading to dehydrating and combined with heat styling it’s a potential recipe for breakage and split ends.
Strengthening Hair Against Breakage
The Oribe Hair Alchemy range reinforces fragile hair from within, improving elasticity and resistance to breakage. This makes it particularly relevant for winter sun travel, where hair is exposed to both mechanical and environmental stress.
Evening Styling Without Compromise
After a day on the slopes, Oribe Royal Blowout offers heat protection, UV defence and a polished finish. It smooths the cuticle and accelerates blow-dry time, allowing hair to move seamlessly from ski wear to evening dining, or beach to evening partying.
Subtle Brightness for Winter Sun
For those seeking understated change, Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist creates soft, natural-looking brightness when exposed to sunlight, ideal for winter or beach destinations where light is reflective but not harsh.
Winter Beach Sun, Hydration, Protection and Preservation
Winter beach travel requires the same level of care as summer, often more.
Body Care That Supports Skin Integrity
Eminence Organic Apricot Body Oil restores suppleness and elasticity after sun exposure, delivering hydration without heaviness and maintaining a refined glow, the smell is devine you literally want to eat it.
Protecting Hair in Salt, Sun and Wind
The Oway Sun range protects the hair shaft during exposure and replenishes moisture afterwards, preserving colour vibrancy and softness, it also has a great body care of after-sun hair mask or body balm.
Curly Hair and Targeted Treatments While Travelling
Curly hair is naturally more vulnerable to moisture loss, making winter sun particularly challenging. The art to great curly hair is hydration and avoid harsh brushing if you want to keep those curls vibrant.
Flexible Hydration and Definition
Leave-in hydration supports curl shape and elasticity, while refresh sprays revive movement before evenings out.
Treatment Masks Designed for Travel
The Davines Circle Chronicles masks offer targeted solutions, from deep repair with Renaissance to detoxification with Purity, in travel-friendly sachets that deliver multiple applications.
Strengthening Hair from Root to Tip
Shu Uemura Izumi Tonic, inspired by traditional rice-water rituals, reinforces the hair fibre, enhances shine and improves resilience, particularly valuable in drying winter climates.
Winter Sun, Mastered
Winter travel should leave you restored rather than repairing. With thoughtful preparation reinforcing the skin barrier, protecting against UV exposure and supporting hair strength at every stage, winter sun becomes something to enjoy with confidence and ease.
At Paul Edmonds London, we believe the most effective winter routines begin long before you travel. A considered winter sun foundation, tailored to your hair type, skin condition, destination and lifestyle, ensures protection is built in rather than added as an afterthought.
Our team of specialists are on hand to guide you through this process, whether you are preparing for a ski holiday, planning a winter beach escape or simply navigating seasonal change in the city. From expert-led product prescription to bespoke treatments, cutting and colour services, every recommendation is refined, purposeful and aligned with your long-term hair and skin goals.
To continue building your winter sun foundation, you may wish to explore our related guides:
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The skincare revolution, discover skinceuticals AGE interrupter ultra serum
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Frizzy Hair FAQ: 4 Common myths debunked and solutions for defrizzing
If you would prefer personalised guidance, you can also book a consultation at Paul Edmonds London, where our experts can advise on the most effective products and services for you whether refining your cut, enhancing colour or preparing your hair and skin for winter sun travel.