Winter Skin Wisdom from the Prairie: Care for the Cold Months

When winter stretches across the prairie, the land slows down, and so should we. Frosted fields, dry winds, and steady indoor heat take a toll on our skin, leaving it tight, thirsty, and worn. Winter is not a season to push through or fight against. It is a season meant for tending.

Caring for your skin in the colder months is about more than what you apply. It is about the rhythms that hold you steady. Slower mornings, nourishing meals, gentler products, and small daily rituals all help your skin stay balanced while keeping your spirit grounded.

At Meadowlark Made, we look to the old ways. Slow rendered tallow, prairie grown herbs, and the belief that caring for your skin is deeply connected to caring for your whole self.

1. Start with Gentle Cleansing

Harsh cleansers can strip away the skin’s natural barrier, especially in winter. This is the time to set aside foaming or detergent based soaps and choose something rich and nourishing instead. Tallow bar soaps cleanse without drying, thanks to their natural balance of fatty acids and vitamins that closely resemble our skin’s own oils.

Use warm water rather than hot, along with a soft cloth. Let cleansing become a small reset at the end of the day, a way to wash away what is no longer needed while preserving the skin’s natural protection.

Holistic tip: Slow your breath as you wash. Feel the warmth on your skin and allow the moment to remind you that gentle care is enough.

2. Replenish and Seal in Moisture

Cold air holds very little humidity, which means moisture escapes from the skin more quickly during winter. This is where rich, nourishing moisturizers make all the difference. Tallow based body butters and facial balms are especially supportive in colder months because they closely resemble our skin’s natural oils. They absorb deeply while helping form a breathable barrier that keeps skin protected and comfortable.

After bathing, apply a small amount of whipped tallow body butter to damp skin. That touch of moisture helps it sink in and stay where it belongs. For the face, warm a small amount of facial balm between your fingertips and gently press it into the face and neck, focusing on areas that need extra repair or nourishment. Facial balms are especially helpful at night or before heading outdoors, offering lasting nourishment without heaviness.

Holistic tip: Let this be a pause in your day. Notice the warmth of the balm as it melts into your skin. These quiet moments of care were once understood as necessary, not indulgent.

3. Protect the Skin Barrier

One of the simplest winter practices is preventing moisture from escaping. Wind, dry air, and frequent handwashing can leave skin cracked and uncomfortable if it is not protected.

Balms and salves offer concentrated nourishment and support the skin’s natural defense. Homestead Salve and Bare Balm were created with winter in mind. They are herbal, protective, and well suited for hands, heels, lips, and wind worn faces. Keep a small tin close so care is always within reach.

Holistic tip: Apply before heading outdoors or before bed. Think of it as a quiet thank you for all your skin does to protect you each day.

4. Nourish from Within

What you eat and drink plays an important role in how your skin feels and functions. During winter, our bodies naturally crave warmth and healthy fats, and for good reason. Soups, broths, and mineral rich teas help support the skin from the inside out.

Herbal teas such as nettle, rosehip, and oatstraw provide gentle nourishment and minerals. Adding healthy fats like tallow, butter, olive oil, or avocado to meals helps strengthen the skin barrier and maintain elasticity.

Holistic tip: Consider food as part of your skincare routine. The nourishment that supports your body also supports resilient, well balanced skin.

5. Embrace Rest and Routine

The prairie rests through winter, and we are meant to follow that rhythm as well. Stress, long days, and late nights often show themselves on the skin.

Create a simple evening routine that signals it is time to slow down. Cleanse gently, apply body butter, light a candle, or sip a warm herbal tea. These small, steady rituals give the body space to restore.

“In quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15

6. Honor the Season You’re In

Winter asks us to care for ourselves differently. It invites us to stay soft even when the world outside feels harsh. This is a season of protection, restoration, and preparation for what will come next.

Your skin, like the land, does not need perfection. It needs nourishment, patience, and consistency.

When we care for our skin with intention, using clean ingredients, honoring the slower pace of the season, and allowing ourselves true rest, we are tending to something deeper than appearance. We are caring for the vessel that carries us through every season of life.

Old Ways. New Skin. Faith Led.

This winter, let your skincare be simple and faithful. Use what has been provided by the land, pasture raised tallow, beeswax, herbs, and patience, to support your skin through the cold months and into the returning light of spring.

Explore Meadowlark Made’s collection of handcrafted tallow soaps, butters, and balms, made to support your skin naturally through the changing seasons.