Winter Skincare 101: How to Protect Your Skin in the Cold

Why Winter Is Hard on Your Skin

We aren’t winter people for a reason.

Cold outdoor air, low humidity, indoor heating, and wind exposure all weaken the skin’s protective barrier. This leads to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which causes dryness, flaking, irritation, and sensitivity.

No thanks….

The good news is when you work with your skin’s biology instead of stripping it, winter skin doesn’t have to mean discomfort.

Here are some simple things you can do this winter to help your skin:

Protect Your Skin Barrier with Organic Oils & Tallow

The skin barrier is composed primarily of lipids (fats) that seal in moisture and protect against environmental stressors.

Grass-fed tallow is uniquely effective for winter skincare because its fatty acid profile closely resembles that of human sebum.

These lipids help:

Reduce moisture loss
Support barrier repair
Improve skin resilience in cold, dry conditions

Unlike water-based lotions that evaporate quickly, lipid-rich moisturizers provide longer-lasting protection… which is exactly what winter skin needs.

SHOP WINTER MOISTURIZERS

Use an Oil Cleanser for Your Face

Harsh foaming cleansers are one of the biggest contributors to winter dryness.

They can:

Strip natural oils
Disrupt the skin’s pH
Damage the skin microbiome

Oil cleansing works on the principle of “like dissolves like.” A well-formulated oil cleanser removes dirt, sunscreen, and makeup while preserving the skin’s protective oils.

This helps prevent post-cleanse tightness and supports barrier integrity — especially important in winter.

SHOP MILKY FACIAL CLEANSING OIL

Wash with a Gentle, Well-Formulated Soap

Many conventional soaps contain harsh surfactants and synthetic ingredients that worsen dryness.

A gentle, thoughtfully formulated soap should:

Clean without stripping
Maintain the skin’s natural pH
Leave skin feeling comfortable, not tight

This is especially important for hands and body skin, which experience repeated washing and cold exposure during winter.

Our soap is made simple with organic cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, organic essential oils, & 100% Grass-fed tallow.

SHOP TALLOW SOAP

Stay Hydrated (Inside and Out)

Hydration is both topical and internal.

In winter, people often drink less water while still losing moisture through heated air and respiration.

Proper hydration supports:

Skin elasticity (aka wrinkle prevention)
Barrier function
Overall skin health

Pair adequate fluid intake with lipid-rich moisturizers that help seal moisture into the skin.

Wear SPF Year-Round

Sun protection doesn’t stop in winter & no tallow doesn’t count as your SPF (despite what some influencers will tell you)!

UVA rays (which contribute to premature aging) are present year-round
Snow reflects UV radiation, increasing exposure
Barrier-compromised winter skin is more vulnerable to sun damage

Daily SPF is essential — even on cold, cloudy days.

Eat Mineral-Rich Foods

Healthy skin starts internally.

Minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and selenium play critical roles in skin repair and inflammation regulation. Here are some nutrient dense foods we recommend this season: