How to Protect Your Face From Cold Weather

As soon as the temperature drops, going outside becomes a whole different challenge for me. My trigeminal neuralgia absolutely hates the cold, so I can’t step out the door without doing something to protect my face. The rest of me can be wrapped up in layers, but my face is always the part that suffers first.

Lots of people with chronic pain struggle more in winter — everything just seems to hurt more when it’s freezing. Coats, gloves, hats, thick socks… those are easy. But our faces? They’re stuck out there in the wind, getting numb and painful in seconds. Cold is probably the number one trigger for trigeminal neuralgia. But, honestly, even if you don’t have facial pain, nobody enjoys that “my face has turned into an ice cube” feeling.

So how do we stop that from happening? How do you actually protect your face from cold weather?

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I Need to Protect My Face From the Cold Because of My Trigeminal Neuralgia

I hardly go outside during the colder months because the cold just makes everything worse. Honestly, the idea of hiding under my duvet until spring sounds far more appealing. But life doesn’t stop just because it’s winter, so when I do have to go out, I need to be properly prepared — especially if I want to avoid a pain flare.

My back hates the cold. My Raynaud’s detests it. But my trigeminal neuralgia? It absolutely loathes it. Any cold air on my face can set off a level of pain that’s hard to explain, so protecting my face in cold weather isn’t optional — it’s survival.

How to Protect Your Face From Cold Weather

I keep a box in the bottom of my wardrobe filled with my winter survival gear — hats, snoods, balaclavas, scarves…and yes, more scarves: wool, fleece, silk…I’m sure they breed. But, honestly, you can never have too many when you live with facial pain that reacts to the cold.

Scarves are great for protecting your face from freezing air, but there are lots of other options too. Here are a few ways to keep your face warm outdoors when the temperature drops:

Balaclava

I love a soft fleece balaclava. Yes, it can look a bit like I’m about to rob a bank, but at this point I’ve stopped caring what people think — warmth matters more than fashion when pain is involved. I do try to choose colours other than black though, just to dial down the “wanted poster” look!

Here’s a selection from Amazon, but this is my favourite – it looks so soft.

Snood

Snoods are a brilliant option, especially paired with a hat. Just make sure the snood is long enough to pull up over your face — some are designed to sit only around the neck, which won’t help much when the wind hits your cheeks.

I’ve found some long snoods here which would hopefully do the job well.

Trapper Hat with Face Mask

These are the heavy-duty option for really cold weather. Trapper (or bomber) hats with a detachable face mask are usually lined with fleece or faux fur, so they keep both your head and face properly insulated. They’re not the most stylish thing in the world, but they’re incredibly warm — ideal for anyone who needs full protection.

Here’s a selection of trapper hats, but I especially love these as they have a detachable face covering.

Ski or Bikers Mask

These lightweight masks are designed to fit under a helmet, so they’re thin but surprisingly effective. You can wear one on its own in milder winter weather, or layer it under a balaclava or trapper hat when it’s bitterly cold. They’re also useful if you find the lining of fur hats itchy or irritating against sensitive skin.

You can find ski masks here.

What Can Protect the Face Without Touching it?

Some people with trigeminal neuralgia find that even the lightest touch on their skin can trigger pain. If you can’t bear to wear a balaclava or snood, what can you do to protect your face from the cold?

A loosely draped infinity scarf might help a little, but it won’t stop the wind completely. One surprisingly effective solution is a dome-shaped umbrella. I remember having one when I was about ten years old — and like so many things from that era, they’ve come back into fashion. I love them! They cover your head and shoulders while still letting you see where you’re going, keeping you a little warmer without anything touching your face.

Hooded jackets or coats can also help. Some hoods stick out slightly and can create a little shield around your face.

These solutions aren’t as good as a balaclava, but they can make a real difference for anyone sensitive to touch, letting you stay outside, hopefully, without triggering pain.

Protect Your Face From the Cold Using Hand Warmers

I don’t leave home in the winter without hand warmers. With Raynaud’s, my hands get painfully cold, so they’re a lifesaver — but I’ve also found clever ways to use them to protect my face from the cold.

There are so many types to choose from, so here’s a quick guide:

Hothands Hand Warmers

Hothands are fantastic. I’ve been using them for years, and the heat really does last — the pack says up to ten hours, but I’ve had them keep warm for about twelve. They’re not reusable, but they’re perfect for a long day out.

They’re air-activated, so the moment you take them out of the packaging, they start warming up. Give them a little shake to speed things along. At first, they may feel only mildly warm, but give them time — they really get there.

Hothands also make foot warmers and body warmers, which can be handy if you’re especially sensitive to the cold.

The company also makes foot warmers and body warmers.

Gel-filled Hand Warmers

Gel-filled hand warmers are reusable and have a little button inside that you click to activate. Once clicked, the gel solidifies and stays hot for roughly ninety minutes.

To reuse, just put them in a pan of simmering water until the gel turns back to liquid. They’ll be ready to use again whenever you need them.

Rechargeable Electric Hand Warmers

These are usually battery-operated or USB-rechargeable and often have adjustable temperature settings. They’re great if you want consistent heat and don’t want to throw anything away.

Safety and Comfort Tips for Hand Warmers on Your Face

Hand warmers are great for gentle heat, but taking a few precautions will keep it safe and comfortable:

• Wrap the warmer in a soft cloth or pouch before placing it near your face. Direct contact can get too hot for sensitive skin.
• Check the temperature first — let it warm up slowly and test with your hand before bringing it close to your face.
• Limit time in direct contact — even wrapped, it’s best to remove the warmer after a few minutes if your skin starts feeling uncomfortably hot.
• Keep an extra layer of fabric between your warmer and your face if you have trigeminal neuralgia or other facial sensitivities.

With these tips, you can enjoy the soothing heat of a hand warmer while protecting your face from cold weather safely and effectively.

Hot Tip – Make a Hand Warmer Pouch to Attach to Your Balaclava or Snood

I made a small pouch for my hand warmers. Sometimes they get too hot to hold directly on my face — I don’t like the cold, but I also don’t want to burn myself!

By creating a little pouch, you can attach the warmer to your snood or balaclava using Velcro (also called hook-and-loop). I sewed my Velcro onto both the pouch and the balaclava, but self-adhesive Velcro works just as well if you want a quicker option.

For the pouch, I used the end of a sleeve from an old top I was going to throw out. That way, I only needed to sew the bottom seam (or you could use fabric glue). I added two pieces of Velcro to the pouch and two to the balaclava. Once attached, you can slip a hand warmer inside and enjoy gentle, soothing heat against your face — and nobody else will even know it’s there.

You can use the same pouch idea on other hats, balaclavas, or snoods, giving you a flexible way to keep your face warm without anything touching your skin directly.

This pic shows the pouch I made.

Tip: Stop Your Glasses From Steaming Up When You Are Trying to Protect Your Face From Cold Weather

If you wear glasses, you’ve probably noticed how easily they fog up when you’re all wrapped up for winter. One simple trick is to rub a tiny bit of washing-up liquid on your lenses, then buff it off with a soft cloth. This leaves a thin, invisible layer that helps prevent steam forming.

Just make sure you polish it off completely — I learned the hard way! Caught in a winter shower once, I suddenly had foam all over my glasses. I actually thought a bird had left a little “calling card” on me…until the foam kept spreading. 😂 I’m sure people were staring at me as I was walking down the street giggling with foam dripping off my glasses. So now I always make sure to polish every last bit of washing-up liquid off.

A few extra tips if you’d rather avoid using washing-up liquid:

• Adjust your mask or snood so air doesn’t escape upwards toward your glasses. Even a small gap can make a big difference.
• Anti-fog wipes or sprays can provide extra protection, especially if you’re walking, cycling, or spending time outdoors in bitterly cold weather. I found wipes and sprays here (and I might be treating myself!)
• Position your glasses slightly further down your nose if you can. This can help direct your breath away from the lenses.

These little tweaks make a surprising difference, and let you keep your face warm without constantly wiping your glasses.

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I hope these tips give you some ideas for protecting your face from cold weather this winter. From balaclavas, snoods, and trapper hats, to clever hacks like hand warmer pouches or dome-shaped umbrellas, hopefully you’ll find a way to stay warm while keeping your face safe from icy winds.

Does wintry weather affect you too? Have you discovered other ways to stay cosy and protect your face outdoors? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences — please share them in the comments below!

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Take care,
Liz.

Don’t forget to winter-proof your face