There was that warm day last week. I debuted my new spring jacket a little early, I opened the windows for the first time since October, and I started cleaning out my closet. I also looked in the mirror, upon which I noticed something: my spirit is ready for spring, but my face is not quite as ready. I was using summer-weight moisturizers through the winter, and it was starting to show – my forehead was looking a little dry and ashy, my neck looked parched, and, gasp, there was more than one fine line around my eyes than last year. It was time to call on the old trusty products that have pulled my skin from winter "blah" into spring shape, plus discover some good new ones. Here’s psychoPEDIA's list for both men and women who might have also experienced mirror-fright:

Clarins HydraQuench Rich Cream ($48)
“Very Dry Skin or Cold Climates,” reads the tagline under this cream’s name on the jar– and they aren’t kidding. This recently-introduced cream, part of Clarins’ new line of HydraQuench products, is thick and rich, but highly absorbent at once – just one application smoothed out my skin’s look. The key here is an array of nature-based and plant extracts, like katafray bark and sorbier tree bud, which stimulate cell turnover and improves circulation to those cells. The Rich Cream is ideal for cold weather, but once it gets warmer, check out some of the other products in the line, including a Cooling Cream-Gel and Bi-Level Serum.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner & Cleanser ($15/17.50)
We all have tried Kiehl’s ubiquitous Ultra Facial Moisturizer – the one in the white bottle – for years now – and now, the Ultra Facial line has expanded to include a cleanser and toner that’s as comforting as the moisturizer. Rather than using a bar of soap, try the Ultra Facial Cleanser, great for dry skin, as ingredients like apricot kernel oil and avocado oil will not strip the skin, but leave it feeling dewy and ready for a good moisturizer. The milky Ultra Facial Toner, which gently removes surface impurities, is a great interim step especially for those suffering from winter skin issues. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial line is truly now more world-class than ever.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream ($25)
I don’t know about you but my cuticles are looking really bad right about now. This hand cream takes care of that in just a few applications – it contains 20 percent shea butter – a huge proportion – which smoothes out skin and makes cuticle look better. The stuff is amazing, and it smells incredible – honey and sweet almond extract add to its addictive factor. It’s $25 for a big five-ounce tube, but L’Occitane stores carry a small 1-ounce size which is good for your lady- or man-purse.

Astara Skincare Radiance Renewal Intense Moisturizer ($79)
Developed in freezing Telluride, CO and now based in Phoenix, this skincare line, known most for its incredible moisturizers, masks and peels, is founded on the principals of living botanical ingredients. Their Radiance Renewal Intense Moisturizer does just what it says. Just one application makes skin look more radiant. The cream is luxuriously thick but spreads onto the skin beautifully after it’s warmed up in the hands. The scent is pleasantly botanical, borne out by its incredible list of soothing ingredients like lavender and geranium oils, and wild yam and panaz ginseng root extract. It’s packed with good stuff, and it imparts a pretty incredible glow.

skyn ICELAND Pure Cloud Cream ($75)
This cream is from Iceland – ‘nuff said. They should know what it takes to combat cold-weather skin problems. This cream has “bioactive boosters”, most important being peptides which mimic healthy skin properties and impart them to the visage. It also has “ImmunoBoost,” which keeps free radicals away. Another “booster” is hydrolyzed rice protein, long heralded for its comforting properties. It all adds up to some major cold comfort.

SPONGE Skin Care Ladi Avokanto ($100)
This Greek skincare company uses its natural roots -- organically-grown, wild-crafted herbs, with a Mediterranean bent -- to stunning effect. One of their best examples of this is their "Ladi Avokanto", which utilizes the natural moisturizing benefits of avocado oil, along with vitamins D and E. The product itself is in a unique form that's sort of a hybrid between an oil and a serum. And the amazing thing is that not only does one application provide an instant glow, it also keeps the skin looking dewy all day, but not greasy-- a true feat.

~Stephen Milioti

First photo by Greg Kadel