Winter Skincare: A Nature-Based Approach

Cold winds and dry indoor air can leave skin feeling dry, flaky, or dull. This nature-based winter skincare routine offers simple ways to care for dry-feeling skin throughout the season.

Hydration for Winter Skin

It’s easy to forget to drink enough when you aren’t feeling the heat. The Mayo Clinic notes that many healthy adults get enough with about 2.7 to 3.7 liters of total fluid each day. This includes fluid from food and all beverages, and individual needs vary with activity, body type, and environment. Herbal tea is one of our favorite ways to stay hydrated during winter.

Topical hydration matters too. Hydrosols add a water-based step to your routine. Keep one handy and refresh your skin throughout the day. You can follow with a facial oil or one of our balms while skin is slightly damp.

Nourish with Herbal Oils

Plant oils such as jojoba, rosehip, or apricot kernel can bring a nourishing, moisture-locking layer to a winter routine. Apply them after cleansing while skin is still slightly damp. Oils infused with herbs like calendula, yarrow, or marshmallow can leave skin feeling soft and comfortable.

Gentle Winter Cleansing

Harsh cleansers can strip away natural oils, leaving your skin even drier. It’s best to wash quickly, gently, and completely. Opt for a mild natural cleanser that removes impurities without compromising your skin’s natural barrier. Soap itself is alkaline, while skin is acidic, and leaving a lather on the skin for more than 30 seconds can make your skin red and angry.

Excessively hot water can do the same. Look for cleansers enriched with real ingredients like coconut and olive oil, known for their soothing properties. Avoid detergent-based cleansers that contain harsh ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

Some people find washing their face twice a day too frequent and drying. If that’s the case for you, try using cool water alone for a morning wash and save cleanser for the evening.

Exfoliate Wisely

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and can improve the look and feel of skin texture. For some people, regular cleansing provides enough exfoliation. Sugar and salt scrubs may suit the feet and body, but can feel too abrasive for the face. The method and frequency that work best depend on your skin and the product you choose.

Herbal facial masks are our go-to exfoliation step year-round. These dry botanical blends are mixed fresh for each use. They offer a concentrated treatment and can leave skin feeling clean, soft, and refreshed.

Stay Sun Protected

Winter sun protection still matters. Snow reflects UV rays, and higher elevations can increase exposure. When you’re outdoors, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin. Seek shade when practical and wear sun-protective clothing.

Winter Lip Care

Winter can be particularly harsh on delicate lip skin. We recommend our Lip Butter for winter lip care in place of petroleum-based balms. Apply it throughout the day to keep lips feeling soft and comfortable.

A Nourishing Diet

Our skin reflects many aspects of daily life, including what we eat. A varied diet with whole foods, colorful fruits and vegetables, and quality proteins supports overall health. Many plant foods contain antioxidants that help the body respond to oxidative stress, one process involved in skin aging. Choose organic, nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods when they are available to you.

Exercise and Skin Health

Regular exercise supports overall health and can lift your mood. Movement increases circulation. During exercise, sweat carries water, salts, urea, and small amounts of certain metals and other compounds out through the skin. Sweating is one of the body’s routes for excretion and, in the literal sense, part of its natural detoxification.

One 16-week study in healthy, sedentary, middle-aged Japanese women found that aerobic and resistance training improved measured skin elasticity and upper-dermal structure; resistance training also increased dermal thickness. Read the study.

A Holistic Approach

As we move through winter, notice what your skin needs and adjust your routine accordingly. Nourishing food, stress-reducing activities, and adequate sleep are all part of overall well-being. What supports our well-being often supports how we feel in our skin, too.

Meet yourself where you are in your own self-care. If you feel you have a long way to go, take it one step at a time. Taking on more than you can handle is hard to sustain, and comparing yourself to others can pull attention away from your own needs. Aim for a routine that builds momentum, lifts you up, and feels manageable in every season.