Weleda Skin Food is often described as a miracle cream in a green tube, but marketing can only tell you so much. After lots of real-world use (over 13 years!), through harsh Scottish winters, here is my honest and unsponsored review.
Skin-wise, I used to dread the onset of winter. Between cold air, biting Scottish winds, rain, and central heating, it all would leave my face red and sore, despite liberal use of a moisturiser.
Over 13 years ago, during a particularly brutal winter, I found myself moaning about my dry, wind-burnt cheeks to a friend at my local baby and toddler group. Her skin was flawless, so when she said her winter go-to was Weleda Skin Food as an effective yet budget-friendly natural moisturiser, then I knew it was a solid recommendation.
When I got home, I immediately ordered a tube from Ethical Superstore for less than £20. And now, all those years later, I still keep a tube in my bathroom cabinet. Here’s why it’s been a long-standing favourite.
What Is Weleda Skin Food?
Weleda Skin Food is a thick, intensely nourishing cream that was originally designed for dry skin “hot spots” like hands, elbows and feet, but those in the know use it on their face too.
Over time, Skin Food has gained cult status as an all-over rescue balm, especially during winter. So much so that it’s become a firm celebrity favourite. Claudia Winkleman says her skin “inhales it”, while Adele says her skin feels “back to life” when she uses it.
With all this celebrity hype, something that I found surprising is that the ingredients aren’t fancy. They’re actually pretty simple.
Skin Food is made with plant oils and botanical extracts, including organic sunflower oil, calendula, chamomile, wild pansy and rosemary. Calendula is traditionally used to soothe irritated skin, chamomile is calming, and sunflower oil is naturally rich in vitamin E.
What I also love is that Skin Food isn’t tested on animals, and is free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, silicone oils, and petrochemicals. This is reassuring if you prefer your skincare rooted in plants rather than petroleum.
The classic version comes in a plastic-free, aluminium tube. A few years ago, Weleda trialled recycled plastic packaging, but following customer feedback, it returned to aluminium in February 2025. The updated tubes are now made from 95% post-consumer recycled aluminium, which feels like a sensible move.
My Experience
So far, so good, but what’s it like to actually use?
I find that Skin Food has such a lovely, rich, and thick consistency that I don’t need much. I start with a tiny amount, and then build up to what I need. When I apply it, it sinks right into my skin, so I definitely am in agreement with Claudia when she says that her skin inhales the stuff!
Over the years, it has become my everything cream. I reach for it on dry hands and feet, rough elbows and knees, weather-beaten children’s cheeks, and the odd irritated patch that appears out of nowhere. It even doubles as my night cream when my skin feels particularly depleted.
One tube replaces several separate products, which I love from a simplicity and low-waste perspective. And the best part is that one tube lasts for months and months on end, making it an economic staple.
I’ve tried out heaps of other creams over the years, but I always keep a tube of this stuff to hand. It’s not because I’m loyal to brands for the sake of it, but because it just works and is relatively affordable.
A Note On Using Weleda Skin Food On Your Face
When it comes to using it on your face, I’ve found it can leave your skin looking a little shiny and oily-looking immediately after application. Because of this, I tend to apply it sparingly at night time.
Personally, I wouldn’t use it during the day unless I was trying to tackle a really irritated patch of skin, or if I wasn’t planning on leaving the house that day.
That being said, there is a good way to incorporate it into your daily skincare routine. I’ve found that if dewy skin is your goal, then you can rub a tiny (tiny!) amount into the high points of your face to give a natural glow without needing a separate highlighter product.
If I do have any windburn, or red or rough patches, I find regular application of Skin Food sorts it out in just a few days. It leaves my skin feeling soft and supple and looking well moisturised, and it really sorts out winter skin.
Potential Drawbacks
As much as I love Skin Food, I think it’s really important in any review to point out the instances where it may not be a good fit for you.
If your skin is already oily or acne-prone, though, this may feel too occlusive. Skin Food is designed to protect and seal in moisture, which is what you want if your skin is dry or feeling rough. However, it’s not necessarily ideal if you have particularly oily skin. Instead, you could try Skin Food Light, which isn’t as heavy as the original Skin Food.
If you don’t like strongly scented skincare products, then this is not the product for you. Skin Food is quite strongly scented. Think a heady herbal mix of orange/citrus and lavender – which really lingers. I personally quite like the smell; it smells really fresh. However, I know others might find it a bit overpowering.
And if you’re vegan, it’s important to note that Skin Food contains beeswax and lanolin. These are animal products sourced from bees and sheep, respectively, and sadly means it’s not vegan-friendly.
If you’re vegan and looking for an alternative, Weleda makes Skin Food Day Cream and Skin Food Night Cream (£15.95 each, both from Ethical Superstore), which are both cruelty-free and free from any animal ingredients.
Where To Buy Weleda Skin Food
If your skin tends to suffer once the temperature drops, I genuinely think it’s worth trying Skin Food. I first bought it out of pure winter desperation, but I’ve kept buying it because it’s never let me down.
If you’re looking to try it out, then as well as being available at Ethical Superstore, you can also find the original Weleda Skin Food and the full range of Skin Food products at various retailers online. Some of my favourites include:
Found this review useful? You can also check out my sustainable health and beauty category for more green beauty inspiration!
Sign Up For The Moral Fibres Substack
Get all the latest articles from Moral Fibres straight to your inbox, once a month, free of charge through Substack. You can also upgrade to be a paid Substack subscriber, where you’ll receive an additional two exclusive articles a month. Sign up now:
