The long string of -20C days has taken its toll on my face. With the heating system blasting away all day long to keep up with the cold, and this 100 year-old timber-frame home and its ubiquitous woodwork sucking the humidity out of the air (no vapor barrier in the walls in those days), our three big humidifiers are emptying out faster than you can fill them up. My face feels like crocodile hide, exacerbated by the act of shaving itself, not to mention the drying effect of the soap.

At times like these I reach for some serious shave rescue: The Gentlemens Refinery. Today, the unscented shave cream was mated to a fresh Treet Blue Special blade, and a healthy dose of AS Balm and Moistuizer were applied post shave. These are some of the best products on the market for gentleness, humidification, and irritant-free ingredients. A great shave and some nice soothing of the skin helped. What will really help is Spring!