We were not designed to live the same way every day of the year regardless of the season. I grew up with a strong sense of this, spending summers at the beach and lake, winters building things inside, always aware of what time of year it was and what that meant for how I lived. Skin responds to seasons the same way the rest of your body does, and a skincare routine that ignores this is going to underperform at least half the year.

Winter

Winter is the most demanding season for most people's skin, especially in cold climates with low humidity. Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, which means the atmosphere is literally drier, and that dryness accelerates water loss through your skin continuously. Forced-air heating makes this worse by removing humidity from indoor air. The result is the classic winter complaint: tight, dry, sometimes flaky skin, often worse around the eyes, nose, and lips.

Winter priorities: switch to a richer, more generous application of moisturizer. Our Tallow Body Balm applied to damp skin right after showering makes a significant difference. Reduce your exfoliation frequency. Winter is not the time to be aggressive with acids or physical scrubs. The barrier is already under stress. A humidifier in your bedroom is one of the highest-impact, lowest-effort changes you can make. It addresses the root cause of winter dryness rather than just treating symptoms on the surface of your skin.

Spring

As humidity returns and temperatures rise, skin tends to recalibrate naturally. Many people find they need less moisturizer in spring, or that the same product feels heavier than it did in January. This is normal. Pay attention to what your skin is telling you and adjust the amount you use rather than switching products. Spring is also when UV intensity starts increasing meaningfully, so if sun protection has been an afterthought over winter, this is when to bring it back into the routine.

Summer

Higher humidity, more sweating, more sun exposure, more time outdoors. Skin is often more naturally moisturized in summer, and a lighter hand with your balm is appropriate. Our Sun Balm becomes more central in summer. It contains non-nano zinc oxide for effective mineral sun protection, grass-fed tallow for deep hydration, organic cacao for antioxidant support / a natural tint, organic beeswax for a protective layer, organic carrot seed oil, and organic raspberry seed oil for additional UV support and anti-inflammatory benefits. It is sun protection that is also genuinely good for your skin rather than just layering synthetic chemicals over it.

Fall

Fall is the ideal time to proactively prepare your skin for winter before the harsh conditions arrive. Gradually increase moisturization. Rebuild any barrier damage accumulated from summer sun and swimming. Think of it as giving your skin a head start. A little extra attention in October means you are not playing catch-up in January.

The Constant

Through all four seasons, the fundamentals do not change. Gentle cleansing, biocompatible moisture, sun protection when you need it. The adjustments are about how much and how often, not about adding complexity. One well-chosen moisturizer like our Tallow Body Balm or Face Balm, applied more or less generously depending on the season, can serve your skin beautifully year-round. Simple, seasonal, consistent.