Winter is rough on skin. Cold air, indoor heating and low humidity pull moisture out of the surface layers and weaken the barrier. That’s when smart natural ingredients really come into their own. We build a lot of these into our formulas because they help the skin stay balanced, calm and resilient through the colder months. Here’s a look at how these natural wonders work and why they’re so useful for winter skincare.

1. Rich plant butters and oils that lock in moisture

When the barrier is struggling, lipids matter. Organic shea butter, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil and sea buckthorn are some of the most dependable helpers.

• Shea butter brings softening sterols and antioxidants. You’ll find it across our moisturisers and balms.

• Olive oil gives smooth, lightweight emollience. It’s in our Repair Lotion.

• Avocado oil adds essential fatty acids and vitamin E, giving deep nourishment and helping soften rough winter-dry patches. 

• Coconut oil adds a calm, lipid-dense layer in richer products like Ultra Rich Balm and Ultra Rich V.

• Sea buckthorn is packed with omega-7 and vitamins A, C and E. It’s one of the key nourishing oils in Ultra Rich and Superfruit Concentrate.

These plant lipids mimic the skin’s own, so they reinforce rather than just sit on top. In winter, that makes a noticeable difference.

2. Soothing herbal extracts to steady stressed skin

Dryness isn’t the only problem in cold weather. Sensitivity often spikes. We use herbs that have a long track record of calming reactive skin.

• Chamomile helps reduce irritation and appears in our Repair Lotion.

• Calendula supports the skin’s natural repair processes; it’s the heart of our Calendula Balm. 

These aren’t just “nice extras”. They temper the inflammation that usually flares up as temperatures drop.

3. Humectants that hydrate properly

Winter air is dry, so you need ingredients that pull water into the skin rather than let it escape. We love to use these:

• Glycerine (plant-derived) is an efficient humectant and helps keep the skin soft.

• Aloe vera juice adds hydration and delivers nutrients gently.

• Rose water delivers light hydration while helping steady surface irritation, making it a good winter-friendly base layer.

4. Antioxidants and repair-supportive botanicals

Cold, wind and heating create oxidative stress. We rely on antioxidant-rich plant extracts to help counter that. They come from many different brilliant plants including:

• Rosemary extract offers broad antioxidant protection.

• Concentrated Rosehip and Pomegranate extracts, found in our Superfruit Serum, help support repair and resilience.

These ingredients don’t only defend. They help the skin recover from winter stress.

5. Barrier support through microbiome balance

Instead of waxes or heavy occlusion, another way to reinforce the barrier is by supporting a balanced microbiome. We use a prebiotic chicory extract in our Prebiotic Rich Hydration Cream to encourage the growth of beneficial skin microbes. A more balanced microbiome can improve barrier function and reduce the cycle of dryness and sensitivity that winter often triggers. It’s a lighter, biology-aligned way of strengthening the skin without relying on occlusives alone.

A simple winter skincare routine

A few small switches make winter skincare easier.

1. Cleanser: Go for something non-stripping. Our Creamy Coconut Cleanser (or another gentle cream cleanser) helps keep the barrier intact. Or our Silk Touch Cleanser is fantastic for winter skincare as it hydrates and cleanses at the same time. 

  

2. Toner: A hydrating toner or facial mist adds water before you apply oils or moisturiser. 

 

3. Moisturiser: Choose based on your dryness level.

Normal to dry: Prebiotic Rich Hydration Cream supports moisture and microbiome balance.

Dry to very dry or itchy, for the body particularly: Layer Repair Lotion under a Ultra Rich Balm or Ultra Rich V.

  

4. Serum: Use our facial oil - Superfruit Concentrate - for antioxidant, repair support and radiance over your facial moisturiser, daily or for a weekly boost.

5. Extra protection: Add balm around the nose, lips and any areas that get chapped.

Take-home tips

• Layer hydration first (glycerine, aloe, rose water) and seal with lipids if needed.

• Keep inflammation low with calming herbs.

• Support the microbiome; it’s part of the barrier.

• Consistency matters more than intensity. Daily application keeps the barrier stable through winter.