Here we are, just about mid-way through the month of February, and here in Atlanta we are still experiencing below freezing temperatures.

Apparently the groundhog got it wrong. From what I heard (thanks mom!) the groundhog didn’t see his shadow so Spring should be on the way (according to folklore). However, this past Tuesday I found myself walking outside and overtaken by swirling snow flurries. And as of right now, snow is still in the forecast for early next week.

Today I am dressed for the weather, but I wasn’t on Tuesday. It was a lot colder than I anticipated, and very windy. I ended up doing some walking downtown and then walked home from the train station. By the time I got home my windblown face showed signs of windburn – redness of the skin caused by exposure to strong and cold winds for extended periods of time.

The Problem

Cold weather robs the skin, especially your exposed facial skin, of moisture. The result is tight, dry, and rough, skin. Skin may turn red, and crack, peel, or flake.

Cold air, wind, and indoor heat are three reasons skin suffers during the colder temperatures of winter and spring months. "These conditions suck the moisture out of your skin, leaving it dull and dry, as well as itchy and irritated," says Jessica Wu, MD.

How To Save Face

Moisturize

Because my face isn’t always covered up and sheltered from the cold, the abuse of low temperatures often leave my face very dry, and my forehead peels. To Save Face and reverse the effects of windburn I use Cetaphil’s Moisturizing Cream.

Every other moisturizing product I have tried either irritates my skin, or is not thick or creamy enough and only works for a short period of time. Cetaphil’s moisturizing cream has become a beauty staple because it is both gentle and effective. It absorbs quickly, providing immediate relief. The cream itself is fragrance free and has a rich, yet non-greasy, texture. One application keeps my skin moisturized for at least 24 hours, which means no peeling the next day!

It’s important to note that moisturizers don’t work by putting water in the skin but by helping to slow the loss of water from the skin. The first three ingredients in the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream are water, glycerin, and petrolatum. The thick, colorless, liquid known as Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to your skin.

The Cream eliminates the flakiness of my forehead, and soothes my red cheeks, and the red, irritated skin around my nose. While the cream softens my skin to some degree I wouldn’t consider it, it’s strong point.

Exfoliate

Sometimes moisturizing isn’t enough. Most soaps include If you want to significantly soften your skin, give dry rough skin the royal treatment with a gentle scrub. I like to use a simple, all natural scrub – Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub. This particular scrub exfoliates dry, rough skin and moisturizes it at the same time and smells delicious.

Quick Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe

½ Cup Light Brown Sugar

¼ Cup White Sugar

½ Cup Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Abstract

Combine all the ingredients and mix well. If you find the scrub is too dry add a little more oil. Keep the scrub in a container like a mason jar.

Stay Hydrated

One of the best ways to replace the moisture we lose in cold weather is to stay hydrated. Increasing water intake helps to replenish water from the inside out. It's early afternoon, and already I'm on my third glass (16 oz. mug) of water. I could definitely do better but its not a terrible start.

Saving Face is all about loving and taking care of the skin you're in. Your face is the first thing people see, even in winter months. Keep it looking good. "Cara" is also face in Spanish, so it seems I may have a bias.

Disclosure: Cetaphil sent me their Moisturizing Cream to review. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way as per my guidelines for this blog.

Saving Face: Skin-Care Tips For Cold Temperatures