Cyclists - how do you protect your skin in winter? Shallow thread alert.

[PorridgeIsYummy]

Hi,

I'm new to cycling but I love it. Have been commuting to work on my bike since mid Octobers in all weathers, except icy/very windy conditions. I feel more toned and definitively have more energy, but I wonder if the cold weather could potentially damage my complexion. What do you do to protect it?

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I've not noticed that it does anything to my skin particularly, but then I;ve always had a very basic 'routine' i.e. just wash my face then slap a bit of moisturiser on...

My hands get very dry in the winter (not bike related) and I have many pots of handcream around the house, and in drawer at work, to remind me to put some on.

[CMOTDibbler]

Just moisturiser and lip balm here. If your skin gets a bit dry/irritated then some heavier moisturiser would work, or you can get skin protector cream if you were out for really long rides in windy conditions

[annabanana19]

I dont cycle but when running in the cold wind it affects my skin. Just heavy moisturising like Nivea and lots of it!

[Suzannewithaplan]

I wear a balaclava if it is cold which protects some of the face, other than that thickly applied sunblock on all exposed areas plus wraparound sunglasses to protect eye area.
Generally moisturize very frequently but then I do have dry skin.

[Suzannewithaplan]

?I don't think it's shallow to care about your complexion OP
who wants broken capillaries and a sun damaged weathered looking face.
It's not as if you're enquiring about the feasibility of cycling in high heels and full make up now is it?! :o

[Thistledew]

I swear by a combination mud and oil pack regularly through the winter months. I find that cycling close behind another bike means that this is applied for you with no effort at all!

Other than that, I use a moisturiser with a SPF all year round, and sometimes use a more intensive moisturiser when I get home if I am feeling a bit weather beaten. There is no magic product or regime that I know of.

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

I've found a heavier cream (I also use Nivea) slapped on just before I go out plus Vaseline on my lips seems to do the trick.

[CMOTDibbler]

Thistledew. Ds doesn't have a mudguard, and one of his speed aims is kicking up as much mud as possible at mummy. Since moving to road tyres he has at least stopped targeting horse poo.

[NakedFamilyFightClub]

Thirding Nivea. I used to use SuperDrug Vitamin E moisturiser because it had an SPF of 15 but they've changed it and it isn't as good.