Grief has a way of making even the simplest things feel hard.
Getting dressed. Making dinner. Answering a text. And sometimes, washing your face … and your body, for that matter.
When you're grieving, your skincare routine does not need to be another thing you have to accomplish. In fact, this might be a season to let your routine get a little simpler.
Skincare has always been about something deeper for me. It's about self-care, but also about the pause. That small moment when you check in with yourself and remember that you have a body that needs tending to, too.
Why My Shower Became an Oasis
When my brother died unexpectedly, I started to realize that my shower had become an oasis.
It was a place where I could cry without feeling like I was making a mess of myself. A place where no one needed anything from me. Where the warmth of the water, the familiar aromas, and the textures of the products gave my nervous system something soothing to focus on.
Eventually, I stopped thinking, "I should probably shower because that's what humans do."
I started looking forward to it.
And that distinction mattered.
Grief changes your relationship with so many ordinary things. The things that once felt mundane can become sacred. A shower. A cup of coffee. Clean sheets. Moisturizer on your face. Getting into bed early.
Grief has a way of stripping away everything unnecessary and revealing what actually matters. It reveals our priorities in the most raw and honest way.
The Products on My Skincare for Grief List
So I want to share some of the products that helped me through a time when I was simply trying to feel human again.
Not because skincare can fix grief, but because our bodies and our nervous systems are not disconnected from our minds. Sometimes caring for your body is one of the gentlest ways to care for the person who is hurting inside of it.
Whether you're applying your daily skincare routine or just trying to find the motivation to take a shower, I hope these products give you something to look forward to when life throws an unexpected plot twist your way.
Pine Tar Tallow Soap
I've fallen in love with this locally made soap by Wildcrafted in Wicksburg. I originally loved it because it helped reduce my shoulder and face breakouts, but the texture and pine tar smell are why it's on my skincare-for-grief list. The natural smell is truly transforming. If I had to choose only one product on this list, it's this one, because you can use it on your face and body.
Cyklar Sensorial Body Wash
Sensorial is in the name. I find the bergamot fragrance especially calming, but there are many options, including fragrance-free. The product is oil-infused, so it has a silky texture that's nourishing and hydrating.
Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Scrub
A body scrub is always in my shower because I have keratosis pilaris (KP) on the back of my arms, and it prevents ingrown hairs like a champ, so I use it before and/or after shaving my legs. I really like this one because the smell is gentle yet soothing. When we're trying to reconnect with our bodies, texture can be a simple but powerful way to reconnect with our senses.
Epionce Enriched Body Cream
This is my go-to for silky, nourished skin year-round. It melts in without feeling greasy, yet delivers deep hydration that lasts all day. It makes the list because of the natural, botanical fragrance that graces all of Epionce's renewal moisturizers. I've enjoyed this product for years, and it will always have a permanent spot on my shelf.
Avène XeraCalm A.D Replenishing Cleansing Oil
Oil cleansers are a must for a healthy skin barrier. I like this product because you can use it on your face and body, which is perfect for when you're feeling lazy or sad. Plus, the price is amazing, it's made for eczema-prone skin, and it can be used on infants and children.
Shop my full Skincare for Grief shelf
Sometimes, taking care of your skin is simply a quiet way of saying, I'm still here. And I'm worth taking care of, too.
