Cold-Weather Glow: A Wellness Editor’s Rituals for Radiant Skin

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, your skin begins to communicate its seasonal needs. Winter invites us to slow down and return to rituals that comfort, protect, and restore. Most of us already know the basics — hydrate, moisturize, and protect — yet a gentle reminder helps us reconnect to the intention behind these habits.

Skincare, like any form of wellness, is most effective when it’s mindful and consistent. As the seasons shift, it’s an opportunity to revisit what works, refine what could use more care, and explore nature-based ingredients that help the skin thrive.

To help you elevate your cold-weather routine, we turned to Alana Rose Scheuch, Wellness Director & Editor, for her go-to skincare practices that keep skin youthful, hydrated, and glowing all winter long.

Revisiting the Foundations of Winter Skincare

The foods we eat, the quality of our rest, and how we manage stress all show up on the surface. Winter’s dry, cool air calls for more nourishment, both inside and out.

According to Wellness Director & Editor, Alana Rose Scheuch, “healthy skin mirrors inner balance.” She recommends focusing on whole, hydrating foods that keep the body strong and the complexion glowing. Think roasted root vegetables, lentils, warm grains, leafy greens, and healthy oils like olive or avocado—all of which help fortify the body from within. Herbal teas also play a part: hibiscus is rich in antioxidants, while ginger or apple cinnamon blends gently warm and balance the body and spirit.

Movement matters, too. Gentle, restorative movement — yoga, stretching, or mindful walking — encourages circulation, reduces tension, and supports the body’s natural detoxification processes. When paired with pure, natural skincare, these practices create harmony and a feeling of care that radiates through the skin.

“Winter skincare isn’t about doing more,” Scheuch reminds us. “It’s about choosing with awareness.” She suggests reaching for products that cleanse gently, hydrate deeply, and protect effectively.

“One skincare line I love is Odacité,” she adds. “The brand is grounded in the integrity of nature. Its raw, cold-pressed botanicals retain vitality and bioactive benefits, reflecting a dedication to purity and performance.”

Morning: Cleanse, Hydrate, and Protect

A gentle cleanser is essential in winter. Odacité’s Montana Harvest Omega Oil Cleanser with Hemp and Sea Buckthorn removes impurities without stripping moisture, leaving skin balanced and comfortable.  Sea buckthorn oil is vitamin-rich and antioxidant-packed, supporting cell renewal and barrier strength. Hemp and safflower oils replenish essential fatty acids, keeping the skin soft and clear.

“After cleansing, I apply the Brightening Serum, a vitamin C and E blend, to awaken and even the complexion,” says Scheuch. “Vitamin C supports collagen and luminosity, while vitamin E offers antioxidant protection.”

Once the serum has absorbed, she follows with the Ultra Quenching Cream with Cucumber and Hyaluronic Acid, a refreshing, water-locking moisturizer that deeply hydrates. Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin for lasting suppleness, and cucumber extract helps soothe irritation caused by harsh winter air.

To finish, Scheuch never skips sun protection. Her go-to is Odacité’s Mineral Drops SPF 50 Sheer Sunscreen with Niacinamide and Green Tea, a lightweight, non-nano mineral formula that delivers broad-spectrum SPF 50 and PA++++ protection against premature aging. Niacinamide refines texture and strengthens the barrier, while green tea extract delivers antioxidants to calm and protect. The silicone- and fragrance-free formula feels fluid and invisible, perfect for daily wear.

Nighttime Care: Repair and Restore

Evening is when the skin renews itself, making it ideal for nutrient-rich care.

After cleansing, Scheuch reaches for Odacité’s Renewing Serum with Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid two to three nights a week to encourage cell turnover and deep hydration. Encapsulated retinol, a stabilized form of vitamin A, refines texture and supports collagen with minimal irritation, important for sensitive, winter-stressed skin. Hyaluronic acid complements it by replenishing moisture and keeping the skin supple and resilient.

Next, she layers on a nourishing night cream formulated with vitamin C, ashwagandha, and marine plant extracts. “Vitamin C enhances brightness and repairs,” she explains, “while ashwagandha — an adaptogenic herb — helps the skin recover from environmental and emotional stress.”

The marine botanicals infuse the skin with trace minerals and antioxidants, strengthening and revitalizing overnight.

“When my skin needs extra comfort, I seal in moisture with a balm of blue chamomile and shea butter,” Scheuch adds. “Blue chamomile soothes irritation, and shea butter restores softness and protects against dryness. Its silky texture makes it perfect for a Gua Sha facial massage — though I skip it on retinol nights to protect the skin barrier. On other evenings, the massage promotes circulation and helps release tension for a healthy glow by morning.”

Approached this way, evening skincare becomes more than just a routine. It becomes an act of restoration, nourishing both skin and spirit as the body unwinds and renews itself overnight.

The Wisdom of Nature’s Ingredients

If you gravitate toward natural skincare, many of these ingredients will sound familiar—but it never hurts to revisit why they work so well:

• Sea buckthorn supports cell renewal and barrier repair.
• Hemp and safflower oils deliver essential fatty acids that maintain elasticity.
• Cucumber extract cools and replenishes hydration.
• Blue chamomile calms inflammation and restores balance.
• Hyaluronic acid binds moisture, keeping skin plump and resilient.

When choosing products, whether from Odacité or another natural brand, look for these natural powerhouses to ensure your skin gets exactly what it needs in cold weather: deep nourishment, protection, and balance.

The Bottom Line

The skin flourishes under kindness, patience, and simplicity. When we choose ingredients from the earth and rituals that slow us down, the result is more than a glow — it’s lasting balance, confidence, and calm.

As you refine your own wellness rituals, consider taking the next step toward holistic wellness through our health coaching services, where mindful skincare, nutrition, and lifestyle practices come together to support your goals.

You can also explore The Wellness Principles  book series for deeper insights into nurturing the mind, body, and spirit, making it a meaningful companion on your journey toward whole-person health.