Nourishment from Nature to Nurture Your Skin Through the Cold Months
As winter wraps her cool hands around us here in the southern hemisphere, our skin begins to cry-out for deeper care. The wind is sharper, the air drier, and the warmth of the fire doesn’t always reach the surface of our skin the way we need it to. These can play havoc with our skin.
Just like we shift our diet and routines with the seasons, our skin deserves the same attention.
Winter is a time to slow down, to go inward, and to nourish deeply — and our skin care should reflect that. Below is a gentle ritual you can adopt to tend to your skin through the colder months, using the wisdom of plant allies and the quiet magic of seasonal rhythm.
Step 1: Cleanse with Kindness
Start with a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your natural oils. Oil cleansing is a beautiful practice in winter. Try jojoba or calendula-infused oil to melt away the day without disrupting your skin barrier. Massage in slow circles, breathe deeply, and let this be more than just washing — let it be a moment of stillness.
Herbal Ally: Chamomile — infused into your oil or used as a warm facial steam, it softens skin and soothes winter tightness.
Step 2: Exfoliate the Past
Dry, flaky skin is a common winter tale. A gentle exfoliation 1–2 times a week will slough off the old and invite in the new. Think oats, ground almonds, or soft herbal powders like marshmallow root or rose petals. Always follow with hydration.
Herbal Ally: Rose — tenderly astringent and emotionally uplifting, she helps your skin and your spirit bloom again.
But exfoliation isn’t just about smooth skin — it’s about movement. By gently removing dead skin cells, you’re helping to unclog pores, improve product absorption, and stimulate surface circulation. This increased blood flow helps bring nutrients to the skin while encouraging the release of built-up toxins.
One of the most powerful (and often forgotten) tools during winter is dry body brushing. Using a natural bristle brush before bathing not only supports skin exfoliation but also activates the lymphatic system — our body’s inner river of immunity. Brushing in gentle, upward strokes toward the heart helps move stagnant lymph, support detox pathways, and energise the immune response. Especially in the colder months when we tend to move less and layer more, dry brushing is a beautiful way to awaken both the skin and the systems beneath it.
Think of it as sweeping out the cobwebs — physically and energetically.
Step 3: Hydrate Like You Mean It
Swap your light lotions for nourishing creams or balms. This is the season for thickness, for staying power. Creams rich in shea butter, calendula, or rosehip oil are ideal. Layer a hydrosol like orange blossom or rose underneath for extra hydration.
Herbal Ally: Calendula — our golden winter guardian, soothing inflammation, restoring elasticity, and honouring sensitive skin.
Step 4: Weekly Masking Ritual
Once a week, gift yourself a mask. Think of it as a skin ceremony. Mix powdered clay or herbs with honey, yogurt, or aloe. Let your skin drink in the nourishment while you rest, reflect, and reset.
Witchy Tip: Do your masking on a waning moon to help draw impurities and release what no longer serves.
Step 5: Lip + Hand Love
Our lips and hands brave the elements more than most. Keep a balm close — one made with beeswax, calendula, comfrey, or chamomile. Use it throughout the day and before bed. A hand massage with warming oils like ginger, rosemary, or cinnamon can do wonders for circulation and winter ache.
🌿 Winter Warming Massage Oil
Supports dry winter skin, eases cold-weather aches, and boosts circulation
Ingredients:
- 50ml sweet almond oil (or jojoba, olive, or fractionated coconut)
- 10 drops ginger essential oil
- 6 drops rosemary essential oil
- 4 drops lavender essential oil
- Optional: 5ml vitamin E oil (preserves and nourishes)
Instructions:
- In a clean glass bottle, add your carrier oil.
- Drop in each essential oil and shake gently to combine.
- Store in a cool, dark place.
- To use: Warm a small amount between your palms and massage into hands, feet, or any sore areas. Breathe in deeply as you go.
🌙 Ritual Tips:
- Use after a warm bath or foot soak for extra absorption and comfort.
- Massage in slow, circular movements — especially around joints or areas prone to stiffness.
- Best used in the evening or after time outdoors to bring warmth and circulation back to the body.
Cautions:
Avoid during pregnancy and keep away from sensitive areas or broken skin. Always patch test essential oils before full use.
Step 6: Internal Skin Support
Skin care isn’t just what you put on — it’s what you sip, eat, and feel. Herbal teas like nettle, red clover, and rose support lymph, hydration, and hormonal balance. Don’t forget omega-rich foods (hello flax and chia), bone broth, and plenty of clean water, even when it’s cold.
Suggested Daily Winter Skin Tea Blend
🌿 Nettle
🌿 Calendula
🌿 Red clover
🌿 Rose petals
🌿 A dash of cinnamon or a slice of fresh ginger
Infuse for 10+ minutes. Sip with intention.
Final Thoughts
This winter, let your skin care be a ritual — not a routine. A moment to connect, breathe, and honour the quiet power of nature, even in the cold. The plants are here to support you. And your skin, like your spirit, thrives when tended to with love and presence.