Your face and hands are not the same skin

You need separate products in extreme cold. One moisturizer won’t cut it for both.

Facial skin is thinner, more sensitive, and prone to clogged pores. In freezing weather, you want something that hydrates without being greasy — a lightweight lotion or gel-cream with ceramides or hyaluronic acid. Your hands? They get beat up. Washing, gloves, wind, dry air. They need a thick barrier cream with petrolatum or shea butter. Slap that same heavy stuff on your face and you’re asking for breakouts or milia.

I’ve tried the “just use whatever” approach during a Minnesota winter. My face got greasy and my hands stayed cracked. Not worth it. Keep a tube of something like O’Keeffe’s Working Hands for your hands, and a separate face moisturizer for your face. Two products, one winter, zero regrets.

Your hands will thank you. Your face will too.