The Changing of the Seasons: Fall Skincare, Slow Living, and Life on the Farm
There’s a moment each year when you can feel the world hold its breath. The fields are golden, the air tastes faintly of woodsmoke, and the sun dips earlier each evening. You still catch a whisper of summer heat at midday—but by dusk, there’s no denying the cool breath of winter creeping in.
Here on the farm, that shift is everywhere. The animals grow thick with winter coats. The last of the herbs are bundled to dry in the kitchen. We spend afternoons stacking hay, sealing fences, and watching the sky change color behind the barn. The pace softens; the rush of summer markets gives way to the quiet work of preparing for rest.
And as the land slows down, our bodies ask for the same.
“Autumn teaches us that rest is part of the harvest.”
Listening to the Body’s Seasons
Our skin, much like the soil, changes with the weather. The humidity of summer gives way to dry air, and suddenly what felt light and dewy no longer satisfies. Now is the time to reach for deep nourishment: balms, butters, and oils that protect and restore.
Our Harvest Hands Salve was born from this exact season. Long days in the field, cold mornings, and cracked, dry hands demanded something rich enough to heal but gentle enough to use daily. Our body butters—like Cinnamon Grove and Forest Sage—add that same comfort you get from pulling on a warm sweater. They’re made with pasture-raised tallow and organic ingredients that feed the skin, nourishing it for the season ahead.
If you’re someone who loves making your own remedies, try steeping dried calendula or goldenrod in jojoba or olive oil for 2–3 weeks, then strain and use it as a soothing seasonal facial or body oil.
DIY Herbal Oil
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Fill a glass jar ¾ full with dried calendula and goldenrod
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Cover with jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil
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Cover jar; infuse 4-6 weeks in a dark, cool place. Strain, and use to soothe dry skin
The Slowing of the Farm
Out in the pasture, the shift feels like an exhale. The Kunekunes stretch out in the last patches of sun, and the grass underfoot crunches with frost in the morning. It’s quieter now, with time to notice the details; like the way the light hits the barn siding or how the scent of hay mixes with cold air.
We start preparing for winter, mending what’s worn and preserving what we can. This season is about gratitude and gentle work—stewing the last of the apples, gathering fall herbs, labeling jars of infused oil, and giving thanks for all that was grown.
We slow render tallow, infuse herbs through the last of the warm days, and craft the self care that will carry you and your family through the cold months ahead.
It’s the most grounding time of year—one hand in the soil, the other stirring something that will bring comfort later.
Fall sunrise at Meadowlark Farm: Veteran-owned, small farm in Iowa
Holistic Rituals for Seasonal Balance
As the seasons change, balance becomes a practice. Try weaving small, mindful rituals into your days to help your body and skin adjust:
Morning Massage: Warm a small amount of facial balm or herbal body oil between your palms and press into damp skin. This simple ritual locks in hydration, deeply moisturizes, and signals the nervous system to slow down.
Herbal Steams: Add a handful of dried mint, chamomile, or yarrow to a bowl of hot water, tent a towel over your head, and let the steam open your pores and sinuses. It’s a wonderful way to bridge the gap between skincare and spirit care.
Seasonal Teas: Brew a simple fall blend with rosehips, oat straw, and cinnamon bark. They replenish minerals and add a touch of warmth from the inside out.
Rest Without Guilt: The fields rest. The soil restores. So can you.
Tending to What’s Beneath the Surface
This in-between season always reminds us that beauty isn’t just in bloom, it’s also in restoration.
Maybe that’s the lesson autumn gives us every year: that slowing down doesn’t mean stopping, it means growing deeper.
As the prairie fades into gold and the first frost glitters on the grass, we’re reminded that what rests now will rise again come spring. Until then, we’ll be here; rendering, infusing, and tending to the slow work that keeps both skin and spirit nourished.
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