As the Earth turns and the seasons shift, so too does our skin’s rhythm. Just as we might change our wardrobe from wool to cotton, our skin also calls for a shift in how we nourish and tend to it. The transition from winter to spring is especially poignant—it’s a moment when the body begins to thaw from the stillness of winter and awaken with new vitality.

Let’s explore how to support your skin through this transition with gentle, herbal-infused care.

Winter: Deep Nourishment & Protection

Winter’s air is cold, dry, and often unforgiving. Indoors, we’re often exposed to artificial heat, which strips even more moisture from the skin. During these months, our skin tends to become drier, more sensitive, and may appear dull or flaky.

What your skin needs in winter:

• Rich, protective moisture. Emollient-based balms and thick creams made with ingredients like shea butter, calendula, or rosehip seed oil help to seal in hydration and protect against harsh elements.
• Gentle exfoliation. A soft herbal exfoliant—think powdered oats with a pinch of lavender—helps slough off dullness without irritating sensitive winter skin.
• Internal hydration. Support from within is just as vital. Sip warming, moistening herbal teas like marshmallow root, licorice, or linden to nourish from the inside out.

Spring: Awakening & Rebalancing

As buds swell and daylight lengthens, the skin begins to reawaken. For many, spring brings an increase in oil production and a desire to detox or clarify the skin. This is a time of movement—lymph, blood, and qi all begin to flow more freely—and our skin mirrors this quickening.

What your skin needs in spring:

• Lighter, balancing hydration. Swap heavier winter moisturizers for facial oils or light serums that offer nourishment without weighing down the skin. Oils like jojoba or grapeseed are excellent springtime allies.
• Cleansing rituals. Facial steams with spring herbs like violet leaf, calendula, and chamomile gently open the pores and encourage lymphatic movement.
• Supportive botanicals. Herbs like burdock, nettle, and dandelion—bitter greens that also benefit the liver—help promote clear, vibrant skin as your body naturally moves into a phase of detoxification.

Attuning Your Skincare to the Seasons

The more we root ourselves in the rhythm of the Earth, the more intuitive our self-care becomes. Seasonal skin care isn’t about complicated regimens—it’s about listening. What is your skin asking for right now? What textures, scents, and rituals make you feel most nourished and supported?

As herbalists, we see skincare as an invitation to return to ritual. Let your morning moisturizer be a moment of stillness, your nightly cleansing an act of release. As the season changes, so can the plants and practices that support you.

Your skin is not separate from the world—it is in conversation with the wind, the sun, the soil, and the scent of blossoms in the air. Let your care reflect that connection.