How to Protect Your Face This Winter

It’s likely that your designer sunglasses aren’t keeping the sun out of your eyes as well as they could. The winter light can be just as intense as it is in the summer months, so try opting for something polarized this season. The reflection of light off of snow can be intense, and polarized glasses filter that type of light, cutting glare and haze so you can see a whole lot better.

Not a scarf person, you say? Well, that’s just crazy. The scarf is quite possibly the single-most important piece of winter accessory, covering up your neck, face, and nose from the cold. And let’s be serious—there are scarves and then there are scarves. Don’t be afraid to get something big and chunky that’ll really keep you protected. The small ones that act as flare for your fancy coat won’t matter one little bit when the wind is blowing in the middle of December.

When it comes to lip balm, apply often and apply liberally. Always have it in your pocket or in your bag. It’s a must for the winter months. We could tell you about some magical brand that uses a “unique” berry oil from the Amazonian rainforest that can only be harvested for three days out of the year, but all lips are different, so experiment and find what's right for you. Your significant other will thank you.

Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach. If you’re going out skiing or snowshoeing, or are just walking around the city, don’t forget to apply something to your face. Some of your worst red noses can be byproducts of being outside for a few hours in the middle of January (insert Rudolph joke here). The sun is bright and the snow is bouncing that light back up.

Wearing a hat might be pretty obvious winter fodder, but as you’ve probably noticed while walking down the sidewalks of those hip American towns, men have started wearing hats (or beanies, as you might call them) that are barely on their heads. They’re cotton, they’re flimsy, and if it snows, they’ll be soaking within minutes. Instead, wear a hat as a hat, fellas, and not as a way to cover up your walk-of-shame bed head. Opt for something big, tough, and synthetic if possible. If it keeps your ears warm and it dries quickly, you’ll be a happy camper.

Winter will make your skin crack and your nose peel. You don’t want to be the guy that’s in a fluorescent-lit office with a face that flaking off—it’s not desirable to look at and it’s certainly not a good time to feel. So keep a tube of moisturizer at your desk and lay it on thick this winter. Doing so will keep your face feeling tip-top, and it will make shaving that much easier and more enjoyable. Get something fancy that smells good and is long-lasting. You’ll be especially thankful for spending the extra couple of bucks when you’re out there in the chilly winds.

It’s not uncommon for an old apartment or house to have a bad heating system. Space heaters certainly keep you toasty at night when placed right next to your bed, but those machines will dry you and your face up, so make sure you get a humidifier as well. Keep your face hydrated so you can use less moisturizer throughout the day.

This might not be a word that you like to use in everyday conversation, but it’s rather necessary to exfoliate in the winter. You need to remove all the dead skin that the dry chill brings. Exfoliating also makes your skin smoother, which, as you know, makes shaving in the morning much easier. If you need to, wear a hat, put on a fake mustache so no one recognizes you, and go buy yourself a fancy bottle of beaded lotion. Your face will be STOKED.