Is the wind-blast of cycling putting you off getting on your bike? Worried about chapped, weather-beaten hands and face?
Nothing beats pedal power, but no one wants your skin to suffer. Take action to protect hands and cheeks:
Hands
To help keep your hands soft and chap-free, choose leather cycling gloves. They are both more waterproof than knitted ones and keep your skin's natural oils and moisture trapped inside.
A good hand cream is a must, and make sure it offers sun protection. Dr Nick Lowe Double Duty SPF15 Hand Cream, £12.99, is packed with anti-ageing retinol and peptides to help fade pigmentation spots, and is moisturising but light - so won't make your hands greasy.
Face
If you cycle to work, but hate the way your bare skin shines when you get active, avoid a shiny T-zone by carrying powder-coated face papers to soak up excess oil. Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Papers, £16, come in a little plastic pouch so you can blot away while you're locking up your bike. They work with foundation, too, to keep make-up fresh for longer.
If you can't face going bare-skinned, try a mineral foundation as it won't melt or cake. L'Oréal Paris True Match Minerals, £13.99, won't block pores and is long lasting. Minerals also have the advantage of providing sun protection as they contain the same zinc and titanium oxide ingredients used in 'natural' suncreams.
Blusher is great for giving a pallid complexion a lift, but when you're working up a healthy glow, adding even more rosiness is the last thing you need. Go for a skin-warming golden coral or peach hue instead, and apply it as a highlighter to your cheek and brow bones only, avoiding the apples of your cheeks.
Cream textures are best as they melt into your skin as it warms, giving a more natural effect. MAC Cream Colour Base in Improper Copper, £13, is light and subtle, plus you can dab it on lips, too.
