When winter arrives, your skin feels it long before the calendar does. The cold wind, dry air, and indoor heating combine into the perfect recipe for tight, itchy, dull, and dehydrated skin. At Encompass Farming, we believe winter skincare doesn’t have to be complicated—you just need the right ingredients and a simple routine rooted in nature.

This guide is your complete, easy-to-follow cold-weather skincare routine featuring the products your skin craves most this time of year:

Encompass Goat Milk Bar Soap, Encompass Oil, Grass-Fed Tallow Balm, and Encompass Lip Balm.

From our farm to your skin, here’s how to stay nourished all winter long.

Why Cold Weather Is So Tough on Skin?

Winter creates the perfect storm for dryness because:

• Cold air cannot hold moisture, which means the air around you is constantly pulling water from your skin.
  

• Indoor heating makes the air inside even drier.
  

• Hot showers, though comforting, strip your skin of protective oils.
  

• Harsh cleansers weaken your skin barrier when it’s already vulnerable.
  

The result?

Flaky cheeks. Tightness after washing. Redness around the nose. Irritated hands. Chapped lips. Rough elbows. A general feeling that your skin is “never moisturized enough.”

A strong cold-weather routine rebuilds your barrier, restores essential hydration, and protects your skin each time you step outside.

Winter Skincare Principles to Live By

Before we break down the step-by-step routine, it helps to understand the principles behind it. Your winter skincare routine should be:

1. Gentle

Your skin doesn’t want heavy exfoliation or strong foaming cleansers right now. It needs calm.

2. Hydrating

Humectants, oils, and nutrient-rich ingredients help replace what the cold air steals.

3. Barrier-Protecting

Rich balms, tallow, and occlusive creams help seal in moisture so it stays where your skin needs it.

4. Consistent

Winter rewards steady routines—not occasional fixes.

Every Encompass Farming product included in this routine supports one of these principles.

Step 1: Cleanse with Encompass Goat Milk Bar Soap

Winter is the season to stop using harsh cleansers and switch to something nourishing and supportive. That’s where our Encompass Goat Milk Bar Soap shines.

Why Goat Milk Works So Well in Cold Weather?

Naturally rich in vitamins A, D, E, and B-complex

Gentle lactic acid to smooth without stripping

Creamy, moisturizing lather

Supports the skin barrier rather than breaking it down

Ideal for dry, sensitive, flaky, or easily irritated skin

Goat milk has a way of cleansing without leaving your skin feeling tight. Instead, you’ll step out of the shower feeling soft, balanced, and calm.

How to Use It in Your Winter Routine?

Use lukewarm water—not hot.

Cleanse your face and body once or twice daily.

Gently pat the skin dry after cleansing, leaving a little moisture behind.

Follow immediately with oils or balm to seal in hydration.

Step 2: Hydrate with Encompass Oil

Once your skin is clean, it’s the perfect time to feed it nourishing oils.

Our Encompass Oil absorbs beautifully into damp skin and delivers deep nourishment without feeling heavy.

Why Oils Are Winter Essentials?

In cold air, your skin loses water faster than it can replenish it. Oils do two important things:

Replenish nutrients and fatty acids that support your moisture barrier.

Reduce water loss, helping your skin stay soft and hydrated longer.

They also give your winter routine a healthy, natural glow without relying on synthetic moisturizers.

How to Use Encompass Oil?

Apply 3–5 drops to your face and neck while skin is still slightly damp.

For the body, apply a generous amount to arms, shins, shoulders, and anywhere that feels tight or itchy.

In the morning: use a light layer.

At night: apply a richer amount to support overnight repair.

For very dry skin: mix Encompass Oil with a pea-size of tallow balm for extra nourishment.

Step 3: Seal In Moisture with Grass-Fed Tallow Balm

Hydration is crucial—but sealing that hydration in is where winter magic really happens.

Our Grass-Fed Tallow Balm creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture while delivering deep, skin-compatible nourishment.

Why Tallow Is a Winter Skincare Hero?

Grass-fed tallow naturally contains many of the same fatty acids found in healthy human skin. That’s why it feels instantly comforting—even to extremely dry or irritated skin.

Benefits include:

Deep barrier protection

Long-lasting moisture retention

Relief from rough patches

Excellent for sensitive, delicate, or compromised winter skin

Perfect as a nighttime repair balm

If your skin ever feels like no moisturizer is “enough,” tallow balm is the missing puzzle piece.

How to Use Grass-Fed Tallow Balm?

Warm a pea-size amount between your fingers.

Press (don’t rub) into the skin after applying Encompass Oil.

Target cheeks, around the nose, forehead, hands, elbows, heels, and any rough spots.

At night: apply extra balm to hands and feet and slip on cotton socks or gloves for deep overnight repair.

Step 4: Protect Your Lips with Encompass Lip Balm

Lips often take the hardest hit during cold months because they don’t produce their own oils.

Our Encompass Lip Balm gives you a clean, nourishing shield against harsh weather—without waxy buildup or drying ingredients.

Why Winter Lip Care Is Non-Negotiable?

Lips dry out 10x faster than normal skin.

Wind and cold strip them instantly.

Most people don’t protect their lips until they’re already cracked.

A winter routine isn’t complete without a reliable balm.

How to Use Encompass Lip Balm?

Apply every morning before going outdoors.

Reapply throughout the day after eating or drinking.

Coat lips before bed for overnight repair.

For severe chapping: apply a thin layer of tallow balm around the lip line.

Morning and Night: How the Routine Fits Into Your Day

Winter skincare becomes much easier when you follow a rhythm that works with the natural cycles of your skin.

In the morning, begin with a gentle cleanse using the Goat Milk Bar Soap. Follow with Encompass Oil on slightly damp skin and add a touch of tallow balm wherever the cold tends to hit you hardest—your cheeks, hands, or the sides of your nose. 

Finish with Encompass Lip Balm before stepping outside. This simple routine sets up your skin with comfort and protection for the day ahead.

In the evening, cleanse again with goat milk soap to remove the day’s buildup. Apply a generous layer of Encompass Oil while your skin is still damp. 

Seal that moisture with Grass-Fed Tallow Balm, especially on dry patches or areas that tend to become irritated. Treat your lips and the skin around them with lip balm, and allow this nighttime ritual to restore your skin while you rest.

Over time, this rhythm helps your skin feel calmer, more balanced and more resilient, no matter how low the temperatures drop.

Extending the Routine to Your Body and Hands

Winter doesn’t just affect the face. Your body and hands often show the earliest signs of dryness. Using the Goat Milk Bar Soap in the shower provides gentler cleansing for the entire body. 

After bathing, while your skin is still slightly damp, apply Encompass Oil and follow with tallow balm on rough or high-friction areas such as elbows, knees, and heels.

Your hands deserve special care in the colder months. If they become cracked from washing or exposure to the cold, warm a small amount of tallow balm between your palms and press it in thoroughly. Reapply throughout the day as needed. 

Overnight treatments make a world of difference: apply oil and balm generously, then slip on cotton gloves to allow your skin to deeply absorb the nutrients.

Supporting Your Routine with Winter-Friendly Habits

Even the simplest skincare routine becomes more effective when supported by habits that help your skin adapt to winter. Keeping indoor air from becoming too dry makes a noticeable difference. 

Using a humidifier in your bedroom or living areas adds moisture back into the environment, helping your skin stay balanced throughout the day.

Drinking enough water, eating healthy fats, and avoiding overly hot showers all contribute to soft, supple winter skin. Protecting your face and hands when outdoors with scarves and gloves keeps moisture from escaping as quickly. 

Even small changes add up—choosing gentle fabrics, avoiding frequent exfoliation and staying consistent with your skincare help your skin remain nourished all season long.

Winter Skincare FAQs

How should I change my skincare routine in winter?

Use gentle cleansers, add nourishing oils, seal with balms, and protect lips and hands daily.

Is goat milk soap good for dry winter skin?

Yes. Goat milk’s natural vitamins, lactic acid, and moisturizing fats help hydrate and soothe dry, flaky skin.

Can I use Encompass Goat Milk Bar Soap on my face?

Absolutely. It’s gentle, moisturizing, and suitable for both face and body.

Should I apply Encompass Oil before or after my tallow balm?

Apply oil first to hydrate, then tallow balm second to lock in moisture.

Is tallow balm safe for sensitive skin?

Most people with dry or sensitive skin love it. Always patch test if you’re unsure.

How often should I reapply lip balm in winter?

Morning, throughout the day, and before bed.

Can I exfoliate during winter months?

Yes, gently—and only when needed. Over-exfoliation can worsen dryness.

What if my skin is extremely dry and flaky?

Use the full routine consistently: goat milk soap → Encompass Oil → Grass-Fed Tallow Balm, with extra balm overnight.

Can goat milk and tallow help repair my skin barrier?

Yes. Both support deep nourishment, moisture retention, and barrier comfort.

When will I see improvements?

Many people feel relief in days, with full barrier improvement in about 2–4 weeks.

Final Thoughts

Winter can be harsh, but your skincare routine doesn’t have to be. With gentle cleansing, nourishing oils, rich tallow balms, and consistent lip care, your skin can stay soft, hydrated, and radiant throughout the coldest months.

At Encompass Farming, we handcraft every product with intention—from our goats to your daily routine. Let this winter be the season your skin finally feels cared for.