Red Cheeks (top, not bottom)

[latelatebloomer]

There must be an old thread on this, but I couldn't find it. Now that I'm gonna be riding in cold & wind (I've gone mad, I tell you!), how do I best protect my face? I ALWAYS wear sunscreen, but from the way I looked after my last ride, I think I need more protection than that. I'm in my mid-40s, fair-skinned, and I already have a few tiny capillaries showing up (don't know if that's from the farmwork years or the party years, but then again they kinda coincided.) What do you brave souls do?

[pkq]

I use a Pearl Izumi balaclava when temps are in the 40's and below. For 50's, I use a sweat band that drops over the ears from PI. They really help with skin protection and keeping you warm.

[Squirrel 2]

Balaclavas are too hot for me for most winter riding, it's got to get to freezing or below before I pull one on. I'm good with a headband into the 40's, & a cap (beanie, skull cap) in the 30's. And I'm fair-skinned as well, so any exposed skin gets raw quickly. You need a thicker cream to apply to the exposed areas. I like Eucerin for this, I just slather it on whatever is exposed before heading out the door--face, nose, even my legs if I'm wearing knickers or knee warmers & there is a bitter wind blowing. It is very thick so I don't rub it in, just kind of pat it on. It comes in a big tub, lasts a long time & works great.

Otherwise, there are some sunscreens that protect from wind burn as well, skiers use them. A good ski place should probably be able to recommend something.

[doctorfrau]

It might not be a bad idea to check with your doc. "Tiny capillaries" could mean that what you really have is Rosacea. If you are fair skinned, flush easily, your face gets really red with exertion, etc it could be that instead, of just chapping or windburn.

It might be worth looking into.

[bluerider]

I do wear sunscreen and then a light coat of vaseline on top during cold windy days. Although my skin is protected, I still get the red tomato thing going on.

[SimpleCycle]

I have sunscreen in stick form that I carry in my jersey pocket to reapply. It's pretty greasy, so I think it might protect from the cold and wind better than a lotion might. Mine is Coppertone Sport, but I've seen similar products by No-Ad and Water Babies.

Also, this might be a crazy idea, but zinc oxide is an active ingredient in some sunscreens and also in some diaper rash ointments with a petroleum base. I just checked and my SPF 30 zinc oxide sunscreen is 7% zinc oxide. Rite Aid makes a petroleum based ointment that's 20% zinc oxide. I have no idea if it is clear or opaque, or if the ointment would offer comparable sun protection to a sunscreen, but it might be worth trying. I used to use plain Vaseline or Bag Balm to protect from windburn, but that left me without sunscreen. Maybe sunscreen with one of those on top would work too.

[latelatebloomer]

Thanks for all the suggestions, friends. I'll check out the ski protection ointment first, I think. Actually, Docfrau, my doc did say I have a touch of rosacae, and prescribed a very expensive cream (Azelex?) that seemed to do nothing at all. As I've become more fit, my cheeks are a lot less pink than they used to be. I assumed the capillaries were from weather - I see them on women farmers.