Taming Rosacea: Does This Protective Cream Really Deliver?

I'll admit it: I had no idea protective creams existed for shielding skin from the cold. I stumbled upon this one while searching for a face cream to combat windburn and rosacea. I'd been dealing with these issues for years, and I was desperate to find a solution.

Full name: Vitex Winter Care Winter Care Protective COLD Cream for Face against Cold and Frost SPF8, Norwegian formula.

This cream is made in Belarus. I'll be honest, it's not cheap – I paid 271 rubles for a 50ml bottle. But it's economical to use, so it's not a waste.When I saw the word 'protective' in the name, I remembered my mom applying some kind of protective cream to my face before we went skiing when I was a kid. It was to prevent my skin from freezing. I think it was in the nineties when that cream disappeared from the market, and I'd almost forgotten about it. But I continued living in the north, and my skin paid the price – I got frostbite multiple times, even if it was just mild. My skin is thin and sensitive, and my circulation isn't great, so it was always noticeable.You can move south, but you can't outrun age. And now, rosacea has caught up with me here.

I've been living in the south for years now, where the winters are much milder than what I'm used to from up north. But, despite the warmer temperatures, I still have to deal with some issues that come with age. My skin's blood vessels have started to get a bit damaged over time, and even a gentle winter breeze can make my face turn red. In the past couple of years, these reactions have become more pronounced - my nose would start to redden within minutes of stepping outside if the temperature was below 10°C. February's the windiest month in Crimea, and the cold, damp air from the sea makes my face flush instantly. That's the problem I was hoping to solve.

The ingredient list is impressively long, especially with all the natural oils it contains, from apricot to wheat:

Water, ethylhexylizo-noate, hydrogenerated polydecen, glyceryl tri(caprylate/caprate), polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, glycerin, ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate, synthetic beeswax, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone crosspolymer, dicaprylyl carbonate, magnesium sulfate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Prunus Armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, Prunus Persica (peach) kernel oil, cera alba, Gossypium Herbaceum (cottonseed) seed oil, Croton Lechleri resin extract, aluminum octasulfate, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isopropyl myristate, Triticum vulgare (wheat) germ oil, tocopherol acetate, butylene glycol, hydrogenerated castor oil, fragrance, Leontopodium Alpinum (edelweiss) culture extract, xanthan gum, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, alpha-isomethyl ionone, citronellol, hexyl cinnamal, hydroxycitronellal, limonene, linalool.

I'm no expert, but to me, the ingredient list is great. The manufacturer specifically highlights the fact that the cream contains a complex of oils, mountain edelweiss, and arctic cotton. The smell is very familiar.I have to admit, I'm not sure where I got the scent from, but it's like a nostalgic smell, reminiscent of some childhood cream. It's really pleasant, fleeting, and non-fatiguing. It lifts my mood before a walk.

The manufacturer's promises

On the front of the packaging, it's written that this wonder cream:

creates a protective barrier against wind, cold, and frosthelps to quickly adapt to temperature fluctuationsExactly what I need. It's got protection from the wind and sun too:

The cold cream is a lifesaver for your skin during the cold months, thanks to its rich cocktail of biocomponents. Sweet almond oil, apricot oil, and arctic cottonseed oil intensely nourish your skin with restoring agents, prevent dehydration, flakiness, dryness, and irritation. Active edelweiss cells enhance your skin's protective barrier, shielding it from the negative effects of moisture, frost, and wind. Temperature adaptants help your skin adjust to temperature fluctuations quickly when you step outside. UV filters protect against the negative impact of bright sunlight.

How the cream works in use

The cream is surprisingly dense. It's more like a hand cream in texture than a face cream. At first, I thought: great, it'll take ages to spread, ages to absorb, and it'll leave a greasy sheen and film on your skin.

I was blown away by how easily this stuff applies. My skin soaked it right up without leaving any residue or greasiness behind. It left my skin looking matte and velvety. Within a few minutes, I noticed my skin tone had evened out, like I'd added a touch of foundation or tinted moisturizer. To be honest, I was thrilled with how my skin looked, and I'm not even a big fan of wearing makeup. The fact that I can skip applying a separate primer is a total game-changer for me.

Does it solve the problem?

When I stepped outside, I was impressed by how well this stuff held up to the February weather. It was chilly and windy, but the sun was shining bright, and I was protected from both (thanks to the SPF 8). I checked my reflection in the mirror every 5, 15, and 30 minutes, and I was pleased to see that my skin stayed smooth and even. There was a bit of rosy glow, but it was more from being outside in the cold than any actual redness. My skin on my forehead stayed pale, while my nose got a bit pink – but no redness whatsoever. I was really impressed!

As for the feel, it's like wearing a lightweight veil that keeps my skin warm. Or like having a thin layer of air between my skin and the cold wind. It's a really nice effect – my skin doesn't get chilled, and the wind doesn't dry it out.I've started applying it 30 minutes before heading outside, just like the manufacturer recommends. I love how my skin looks even without any foundation or tinted moisturizer.

I'd give it 5 stars if I could! Only wish I'd gotten it sooner, at the start of winter.