When winter rolls in, everything gets a little more dramatic: the cold is colder, the wind is wind-ier, and your skin? Well… your skin decides to audition for a role as a dry, flaky woodland creature. (We’ve all been there.)
But there’s a real reason behind this sudden shift. Winter isn’t just “a bit drying”—it changes the very way your skin behaves. So let’s break down what’s actually happening under the surface, and how a richer, plant-powered ritual can keep your skin soft, soothed, and very much not feral this season.
The Science of Why Winter Skin Feels So Bad
1. Humidity Plummets (and Takes Your Moisture With It)
Cold outdoor air holds significantly less moisture than warm air. When humidity drops, the air around you actually starts pulling water out of your skin.¹
Indoors isn’t much better—heaters reduce ambient humidity even further, creating the perfect storm for transepidermal water loss (TEWL), a science-y term meaning your skin’s hydration is quietly escaping.
2. Your Skin Barrier Gets Compromised
Your moisture barrier (that delicate blend of lipids, cholesterol, and ceramides keeping everything juicy and balanced) doesn’t love sudden temperature swings. Studies show that cold air decreases barrier function and slows down your skin’s ability to repair itself.²
Translation: things that wouldn’t irritate you in August suddenly feel like personal attacks in January.
3. Blood Flow Slows Down in the Cold
Your body redirects blood away from your skin toward your core to keep vital organs warm.³ Sweet, but it means:
- Less nutrient delivery
- Slower healing
- That dull, "grayish winter face" many people notice
4. Extra Layers = Extra Friction
Scarves, jackets, wool sweaters… cozy, yes. Gentle on the skin? Absolutely not.
All that rubbing can irritate already-fragile winter skin and contribute to redness, flaking, and sensitivity.
What Your Skin Actually Needs in Winter
Winter skincare isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing smarter—supporting your barrier with ingredients that replenish lipids, seal in moisture, and calm the irritation that cold weather loves to stir up.
That means:
- Occlusives to trap moisture
- Plant oils rich in fatty acids to replenish depleted lipids
- Soothing essential oils to calm redness
- Antioxidants to help repair stressed skin
- Nourishing butters to rebuild softness and resilience
Why Skin Saver Winter Balm Is the Perfect Cold-Season Ritual
We created the Skin Saver Winter Balm as the “richer, thicker, deeper” counterpart to your daily oil rituals—a genuinely protective layer inspired by the way your skin behaves in harsh weather.
Shea Butter
Loaded with vitamins A and E, plus essential fatty acids, shea butter helps restore suppleness while strengthening your moisture barrier—exactly what winter tries to break down.
Castor Oil
A humectant and an occlusive in one: it draws moisture in and locks it down. High in ricinoleic acid, it soothes irritation from wind and drying indoor heat.
Argan Oil
Rich in omega-6 and 9 fatty acids, it replenishes lipids lost to cold air and keeps skin soft instead of sandpapery.
Clary Sage, Patchouli & Eucalyptus
These essential oils don’t just smell like a winter forest retreat—they’re also anti-inflammatory, calming redness and irritation while supporting the skin’s natural healing.
Sunflower Lecithin
Helps ingredients penetrate more effectively and strengthens the skin barrier from within.
The Winter Ritual We Recommend
Use it whenever your skin feels:
- tight
- itchy
- windburned
- flaky
- ashy
- or just emotionally exhausted (we get it)
Warm a small amount between your fingers and press it into slightly damp skin after cleansing. You can use it:
- on your face
- around your nose
- on chapped hands
- elbows
- décolletage
- or anywhere winter tries to pick a fight with you
It layers beautifully over face oils, creating a comforting seal that feels like a cashmere blanket for your skin.
If Your Skin Could Talk This Season…
…it would probably say: “For the love of all things dewy, protect me.”
Winter will always be winter. But your skin doesn’t have to suffer through it. With the right combination of lipids, antioxidants, and occlusive comfort, you can keep your skin balanced, nourished, and glowing—even when the air feels like it’s plotting against you.
References
1. Uter, W., et al. “Effects of low humidity on skin barrier function.” Dermato-Endocrinology (2011).
2. Goad, N., et al. “Seasonal variation in skin barrier function.” British Journal of Dermatology (2016).
3. Johnson, J.M. “Regulation of skin blood flow during cold exposure.” European Journal of Applied Physiology (2006).
