A sweet dusting of snow has arrived so winter cannot be far away. This calls for simple gentle winter comforts to bring sunbeams of self-compassion to our journeys through cold days ahead. Lordy, I could use a few travelin’ mercies as autoimmune symptoms get triggered by sudden temperature or pressure shifts. Goodies to soothe mature skin along with comfy things to wear follow with random reflections from a chronically ill winter snow bunny navigating another chilly season.

Simple Gentle Winter Comforts

What I have learned about navigating winter is how extra important it is to be intentional about movement.

Cozy periods of rest and stillness are good, but stiff joints and bloatedness are not.

Moving through the season physically and figuratively helps.

To move through the changes and challenges winter brings, it helps to get out in the nature of it.

That takes preparation (hydration, layers, and road travel info).

With chronic illness, there are extra challenges.

Changes in barometric pressure are brutal and I am recovering as I type these words from an epic ocular migraine. The vestibular symptoms can be brutal and cost me sleep and emotional well-being.

Thank goodness my bestie understands since she gets them at the same time (thanks to surgical menopause synchronicity).

Pampering my skin is no longer a vain attempt to preserve youth!

Rather, it is health care and compassionate self-care of my organs.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Be Mindfully Kind to Skin

My aging, rosacea-prone, sensitive skin cries for help in every season. But winter keeps it screaming.

I’m sure it seems I am often trying new potions and remedies.

But if you are familiar with rosacea then you may know it’s tricky. Some of the most successful women leaders of skincare and beauty brands struggle with it. You can be a billionaire with sky high access to everything and still not be able to tame it.

Hydration is key!

For me, having a range of tried and true healthy options to prevent and treat issues with hydration, hyperpigmentation, damage and texture is a smart response to dermatological changes. These goodies may not be good for skin, but caffeine/coffee? Seems to help mine a bit.

In fact, I have learned from my autoimmune journey, that variety helps. Too much of one thing…anything in diet and lifestyle…seems to trigger my system to go on the defensive.

Hence, I am often recovering and calming my skin from episodes. Here’s what is tried and true in my medicine cabinet, along with a few new goodies my skin is loving.

Skin Care Routine

Jenni Kayne’s Oak Essentials line contains ingredients that agree with my sensitive mature skin.

If you are reactive to coconut oil, it may not be for you. It’s important to notice whether particular ingredients agree. But I love me some healing coconut oil for skin and what’s under my skin. (I also bake with coconut oil often since it is a fat more easily digestible with my pancreatic insufficiency.)

When I can’t stand the texture of my skin, I know I need a powerful active. If retinol is on your radar, you may have noticed there are tons of choices. For a decade, I have stuck with this one: Skinceuticals 1.0 Retinol (a STRONG formula with 1.0…so go easy, child!) because it is powerful and does every dang thing it says it will. A benefit of winter is worrying a bit less about skin’s photosensitivity while using retinol.

Thoughts on Aging Skin

We can all benefit from checking our emotional response to the word ‘aging.’

After all, from the moment we are born, all of our organs (including our skin) begin aging. Infants age, and even though memories of being 16 may be rosy, our skin was aging back then too.

Aging isn’t a sudden sorrowful decline when you turn 35. It truly is a natural progression through seasons of life. Look at the fading rose, autumn maple leaves, or fruit ripening on the vine. Even thoughts about death may evolve. Death may lose its sting with the passing of close friends. Not just because of an imagined reunion, but because death’s shape may begin to shift for you. I have begun to sense its loving arms like that of a mother. Why is it we commonly associate mystery with darkness and sharp edges?

Caring for My Aging Skin

I don’t have the energy for celebrity youTube tutorials where 75 products and steps are part of the nightly routine.

I prefer taking it day by day since my health concerns, the weather, and amount of rest all affect the needs of my sensitive skin.

Can’t say enough lovely things about BOOMSilk for ultimate relief that is still priced fairly! What else can boast that in the 2020s?

Another shout out to a newer standout brand–Iris & Romeo. Everything they launch is lovely! For example, their Weekend Skin (on board above) is more than sunscreen since it’s also a Vitamin C source and primer for makeup. Weekend Skin comes in two options, and I’m crazy bout the Warm Glow variety!

Fashion Finds

J. Crew’s tissue turtlenecks are perfect for those of us closer to 60 than 45. “Tissue” means they feel like the softest t-shirt and can be layered easily. I have a stack of ’em, striped ones are my favs, and I’m wearing one this very moment.

Care to score a youthful look? Layer this over a fun tissue turtleneck, wear a headband or ponytail and this bronzer, and get yourself an #oldmoney #KatherineHepburn effortless casual look.

But wait, Michele. We like where you’re going with classic casual yet classic Katherine Hepburn style, but what about flattering eyeglasses?

Favorite Black Bottoms

When you are after organic cotton and fair trade certified clothing:

Should you be serious about smoothing and extra support…

In case you’re curious about superior stretch Lycra power and a high waist…

Socks I Swear By in Winter

Welly boot socks are my best friends in winter, and I wear them over bare feet around the house. If I have to step outside (it’s pouring out there as I type this), I step into Ilse Jacobsen lace up rain boots (I prefer the shorter styles to the tall).

I finally replaced my crossbody bag. I’m still attached to Coach and have yet to grow bored with their flight bags.

Day and Night Pajamawear

If you have been hangin’ out on this blog for any length of time then you know I’m a pajamanista. This style is still my reigning favorite:

Shower as Spa Retreat

I discovered Tocca’s Cleopatra body wash years ago at the Elysian Spa in Chicago. It was not only in the luxurious showers but was also used as hand soap at every sink. The grapefruit and cucumber combination is completely irresistible, and who knew handwashing could feel this luxurious?

Daily Hair Favs

AVEDA’s Cherry Almond Line

If you have used AVEDA since the ’80s like me, then you may remember the yum of their cherry almond line which they brought back. Also a fan of the fragrance of their Shampure line which was reformulated to be more hydrating.

Cherry Almond products are so delicious that I’m craving something yummy and sweet!

Over 50 hair and chemically processed hair can be fragile and require extra TLC. Here is a leave-in treatment for dry ends prone to split. Organic bergamot, mandarin, ylang ylang and more plant essences impart their pure loveliness.

Gamechanging Favorite Blush

I can’t stop re-purchasing this cheek and lip color (in shade Werk) from MILK. It’s very sheer and looks equally good on my eyelids which surprises me. I think certain pinks are tricky to wear on the eyes, but this one imparts a feeling of health.

Managing Winter’s Pitfalls

Since I have Raynaud’s, it’s tricky to not be triggered by cold temperatures.

There are always a few painful episodes when there are dramatic shifts in weather, not necessarily when it’s below zero.

I also become extra intentional about my diet in winter. If I simply listen to cravings, it’s carb loading and brain fog every single day!

I find that healthy soups, adding fresh spinach to just about everything, homemade green juice smoothies, and lots of acai bowls with various nuts and fruit helps.

Holiday gatherings are not what they used to be for me since I am such a foodie and food was always at the center of them.

Now I am mindful about eating something healthy first before confronting the spread of options that lead to days of recovery!

And of course make mine a double mocktail since I want to give my pancreas all the help it deserves.

Wish I could claim to be doing well enjoying little tastes of things rather than gobbling the whole enchilada…compulsively overeating still happens far too often.

My appetite has always been huge, and I am rarely not hungry.

Wait. There ARE folks whose eating is not disordered, right? Because I find once people honestly dish about food issues, it is unclear whether any of us consider ourselves orderly.

I wrote this about permission to relax in case the holiday season is getting your tinsel tangled. Thanks so much for tenderly engaging with these reflections and supporting me so beautifully.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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