A Botanical Winter Ritual of Care

In winter, I always feel the need to return to the essentials. To simple gestures. To products that are not meant to impress, but to soothe. Cocooning textures, botanical and aromatic scents, sometimes slightly medicinal, that nourish the skin while calming the mind.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve rediscovered Susanne Kaufmann with great pleasure, a brand I first encountered over a decade ago during a shopping trip at Nose, in Paris’ 2nd arrondissement. (As with all the articles on this blog, this selection is not sponsored.) Some of these products have slipped very naturally into my daily routine, particularly the Eye Rescue Serum, with its wonderfully cool metal roll-on that instantly refreshes the eye contour, and the Nutrient Serum, which has certainly contributed to how good my skin looks lately. I’ve even been asked what I use, and I believe the answer lies less in a single “miracle” product than in a more holistic approach (sleep, movement, nourishment) combined with a more sensory, ingredient-conscious way of caring for the skin.

It made me realise how increasingly drawn I am to nature-inspired skincare, with clear, aromatic, almost herbaceous scents that evoke winter, cold air, plants, and sometimes even the French Alps, where I grew up. Scents that recall the mountains, wood, resin, lavender, rosemary. Fragrances that feel deeply comforting, almost therapeutic. The Serene Body Wash Lavender & Marjoram by Korean brand Aromatica is a perfect example, a true moment of calm, where the fresh, highly aromatic lavender scent feels like an exhale at the end of the day.

In this selection, I’ve gathered natural oils, protective balms, rich shea-butter creams, and skincare for the face, body, and hair, all designed to protect the skin from winter’s harshness and to recreate, at home, a sense of an intimate, personal spa, even during the coldest days. These are products I use, love, or am genuinely curious to discover, all chosen with the same focus on sensoriality, quality, and overall well-being. Because, ultimately, if we don’t take care of ourselves, who will?

Some links in this article are shared with compensation from Violet Grey. It’s not sponsored, all writing and choices are my own. If you choose to buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission, always at no extra cost to you. Merci beaucoup.