As if wearing tights under your trousers wasn't cruel enough, now we have sandpaper lips and burning cheeks to worry about too.

The cold weather does unpleasant things to your style and your skin. Short of total hibernation - or, worse, a balaclava - you'll find it hard to avoid the chafing bite. Mix arctic weather outside with over-heated air when you get indoors, and the result is a charming mix of redness and peeling. Sorry, but you're going to have to say goodbye to peachy complexions until at least the beginning of May. That is the bad news. Happily, though, there are some very effective products on the market that will soothe your skin and restore vital moisture.

Skiers might be suffering financially on the continent, but at least they know how to protect the skin on their faces when their fingers are close to frostbite. Bobbi Brown is a regular on the slopes and designed her Extra range, which includes the extremely effective Extra SPF 25 Moisturising Balm (£56.77, 0870 0342566), to alleviate harsh mountain conditions. The balm will nourish, calm and protect skin from the sun and wind.

If you like your beauty products to have a good old-fashioned story - not to mention over 80 years of history - slick Elizabeth Arden's 8-Hour Cream on to your dry bits (£20, 020-7574 2714). This liquidy apricot balm got its name when an early and loyal client used it on her daughter's skinned knee. Apparently, eight hours after application, the knee was healed. Such is its potent versatility that Miss Arden used it on the irritated legs of her famous thoroughbred horses. But don't let that put you off. It easily soothes skin abrasions, roughness, chapping, windburn, scrapes and ragged cuticles. Of course, prevention is better than treatment, so before you apply your moisturiser in the morning, pat a thin layer of Ila's Face Oil (pictured; £55, www.ila-spa.com) on to dry skin. This absorbent oil, which won't leave your skin looking greasy, is highly nourishing and offers an extra protective layer against the elements.

Then again, if this all sounds like a lot of work, crawl back under the duvet. Nothing is so good for your skin as sleep.

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