Though the blue skies, sunshine and low humidity in Breckenridge are heavenly, they can be a little rough on your skin.
Your Breckenridge vacation rental is located at approximately 40 degrees north and 9,600 feet above sea level. And with more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the sun gets very intense.
Many people use SPF 15 sunscreen to protect their skin at the beach or whenever they’re outside for long periods of time. But in high elevations of 9,000 feet or so, SPF 15 doesn’t quite cut it.
Your Breckenridge vacation rental and all the fun mountain activities that surround it are 2 miles closer to the sun than most other places in the nation. While that doesn’t sound like a big deal, given how far the sun is from the earth, it really means that the sun is four times stronger in high elevations than at sea level.
As a result, most aestheticians and experts recommend using a sunscreen with a SPF minimum rating of 30.
It’s important to apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to sun exposure, because the skin needs time to absorb the lotion. Applying sunscreen 5 minutes before you go outside means your skin is unprotected for 25 minutes — and that’s plenty of time to turn your skin red at high elevation. The sun will cause damage to your skin over time.
Another thing a lot of people don’t know is that water-based lotions don’t work well in Breckenridge, because water quickly evaporates at high elevations. Pioneers knew this; they smeared animal fat on their faces to protect their skin from drying out. Luckily, these days, we don’t have to slather on greasy animal fat; plenty of products, like Dermatone, are oil-based.
The wind can also strip your face of protective oils. The longer you expose your skin to wind, the deeper it will strip your lipid barrier, and that leads to severe dryness. So, try to protect your face from the wind as much as possible.
After a day in the sunshine, wash your face with a mild cleanser that doesn’t contain sodium laurel/laureth sulfate because it is harsh on skin. Coconut fatty acid is safe; it doesn’t strip oils.
Sometimes people forget about protecting their hair and lips from the intense sun and dryness in Colorado (though you might experience chapped lips soon into your Breckenridge vacation, so it’s really hair that most people overlook).
For lips, use a waxy SPF 20 or higher lip balm, and whatever you do, avoid excessive licking of your lips or using water-based lipsticks or glosses, because those can lead to chapping.
Whether your hair is chemically colored or au natural, take measures, such as wearing a hat, to protect it; ultraviolet rays can fade hair color. Conditioners that contain UV protection also help preserve hair color. The sun can also burn your scalp, not to mention dry out your hair.
Finally, don’t forget about protecting your eyes. Squinting can cause fine lines, and sun exposure can affect the health of the retina. Choose sunglasses that offer good UV protection.
By protecting yourself from the intense Colorado sun, you’ll find yourself much more comfortable in your Breckenridge vacation rental.
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