Skin· 4 min read

Exfoliation for the Winter Months

Cold wind and dry indoor heat leave skin feeling dull and rough. How to exfoliate gently in winter, for face and body.

Words: Iris Laxdal

Why Skin Feels Different in Winter

During the colder months, skin tends to dry out faster, and dead skin cells build up on the surface more visibly than they do the rest of the year. The most effective way to buff that away is a good scrub. Beyond just clearing away dull, tired looking skin, a regular exfoliation habit can help even out the look of skin tone and let the moisture you apply afterward actually sink in.

In This Article, You'll Learn

Why skin needs a little extra exfoliation through the colder months
How often to exfoliate the face versus the body
How mineral exfoliation compares to coarser mechanical scrubs
The Icelandic Moss Salt Scrub and Black Lava mask rituals for winter

The Benefits of Regular Exfoliation

Exfoliation works by helping skin let go of the dead cells sitting on its surface, making room for what is underneath. A few reasons it is worth making a regular habit through the winter:

Helps skin absorb and hold onto moisture, so it feels softer, smoother, and less prone to that tight, dry winter feeling
Keeps pores clearer by lifting away buildup, for a fresher looking complexion
May help reduce the appearance of ingrown hairs by clearing the way for hair to reach the surface naturally
Leaves skin feeling renewed, with a visibly brighter, more even look

You're a few steps away from softer, more radiant skin.

How to Exfoliate the Right Way

Two things matter most, the approach and the frequency. Over exfoliating can leave skin feeling irritated rather than refreshed, so it helps to match the method to how your skin actually responds. As a general rule, we recommend a body exfoliator two times a week and a face exfoliator once a week, since facial skin is thinner and needs a gentler hand.

Physical scrubs remain one of the most straightforward ways to exfoliate. We build ours around Icelandic sea salt, a mineral rich byproduct of geothermal energy production, blended to feel hydrating rather than harsh against the skin.

How Mineral Exfoliation Compares

Method	Texture	How It Feels on Skin
Fine mineral salt	Granules soften and begin to dissolve as they mix with water and oil	Buffs away dullness with a texture that eases as you massage it in
Coarser mechanical scrubs	Larger particles, like plastic beads or crushed shells and pits, keep their hard edges throughout use	Can feel more abrasive, especially on skin already dried out by winter air

The Icelandic Moss Salt Scrub Ritual

Our bestselling Icelandic Moss Salt Scrub is built around Arctic sea salt sourced from Saltverk, handpicked Icelandic moss, and shea butter. Massaged over damp skin in the shower, it buffs away dead skin cells and dryness while the shea butter helps leave skin feeling soft, smooth, and quietly energized rather than stripped. It has earned its place as one of our most repurchased body products for exactly that reason.

How to Use It

Scoop a small amount into damp palms and massage it over the body in slow, circular motions, paying extra attention to elbows, knees, and heels where skin tends to dry out fastest. Rinse well and follow with a body oil or lotion while skin is still slightly damp, so the moisture has something to hold onto.

Resurfacing the Face

Facial skin asks for a gentler touch, which is where our Black Lava mask comes in. This foaming clay formula combines natural clays, wildcrafted Icelandic botanicals, vitamin C, and volcanic ash to lightly resurface dull, tired looking skin, leaving it feeling smoother and looking brighter without the friction of a physical scrub. Used once a week, it is enough to keep pace with what winter asks of the skin without overdoing it.

A Small Habit, Worth Keeping All Winter

Exfoliation is one of those rituals that is easy to skip when the days get shorter and colder, yet it is exactly the season when skin benefits from it most. A couple of minutes, twice a week for the body and once a week for the face, is a small enough commitment to keep even when everything else feels rushed. You're a few clicks away from glowing skin.

Xx, Iris