Slow Beauty: Skincare & Self-Care for Women 40+

A gentle, faith-filled reminder that your confidence doesn’t come from looking younger — it comes from who God says you are. If you’ve ever caught yourself comparing your skin, your face, your body, or your life to someone else’s… you’re so not alone. As women over 40, comparison can sneak up on us in the quiet moments — in the mirror, online, or even in our memories of who we “used to be.” But confidence — the real, lasting kind — grows when we stop staring at what’s fading and start seeing what God is growing in us. Subscribe to Oil & Light

In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy, Carrie Scharf, host of Slow Beauty: Skincare & Self-Care for Women Over 40, discusses the importance of small, consistent two-minute beauty rituals that focus more on presence than perfection. While battling the pressures of daily life, she encourages women to find pockets of calm that bring them into alignment with their bodies and spirits. She introduces the Warm Cloth + Gentle Oil Ritual that uses a warm washcloth and a few drops of oil to nourish the skin and spirit. She emphasizes that this simple self-care ritual not only helps to enhance your complexion, but it also feeds the soul, making us feel more in tune with our true selves. Sign up for her Oil & Light newsletter or explore the memberships she offers, for an in-depth guide on gentle skincare and soul care paths. Subscribe to Oil & LightOil & Light | Carrie Scharf | Substack

In this week’s episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, we’re returning to simplicity — and rediscovering the glow that comes from gentle care, not more products. If your skincare routine feels overwhelming or your skin has lost its radiance, this 3-step routine is for you. I’ll walk you through a simple, faith-inspired skincare ritual designed especially for mature skin — using ingredients that nourish both your skin and your spirit. Personalized Journaling & Self-Care Reflection Plan Join my membershipCreate your own self-care routine - join my newsletter

What if beauty wasn’t something you had to chase — but something God already placed within you? 🌸 Welcome to Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, a podcast for women over 40 who want to nurture their natural beauty, grow in faith, and rediscover confidence that lasts. In this week’s episode, “Aging Gracefully Starts Here: Seeing Yourself the Way God Does,” we’re beginning The Confidence in Your Skin series — a gentle journey that helps you release comparison, deepen your peace, and reconnect with the beauty God designed in you. You’ll learn how to: 💛 Shift your mindset from self-criticism to God-centered confidence 💧 Create a calming skincare + soul care ritual you can do daily 📖 Use Scripture to reframe your beliefs about beauty and worth 🌿 Build self-compassion and gratitude for your reflection Scripture focus: Psalm 139:14 – “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Each episode blends natural skincare, self-care, and faith — helping you slow down, simplify, and see your radiance the way God does. Herbal Infused Skincare & Self-Care MembershipFollow me and I'll send you my weekly email to create your own self-care routine

In the latest episode of the podcast, Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy, the host discusses the beauty of imperfections through a personal journey of creating a zine, 'Moments of Light.' My MembershipMoments of Light MagazineJournal Coaching

In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I share how embracing simplicity in skincare, self-care, and faith can bring calm and radiance. 🌿 Inspired by Ecclesiastes 4:6, we’ll explore how small rituals—like deep breathing, gratitude, and gentle skincare—help us find peace in the present. I’ll also invite you to simplify one area of your life and join me in Oil & Light for mindful, faith-filled routines. My Membership

We spend so much time trying to look “perfect” — chasing flawless skin, smooth routines, and an impossible idea of beauty. But what if real radiance comes from embracing imperfection instead? 🌿 In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I explore the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi — the art of finding beauty in imperfection and impermanence. You’ll learn how to see your skin, your age, and your rituals as reflections of grace, not things to fix. 💧 This episode will help you: Let go of perfectionism in your skincare and self-care Discover peace in your natural, aging beauty Find joy in simple, faith-filled rituals that nourish your soul Understand why vulnerability makes you glow ✨ Scripture: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 🎧 Listen now and be reminded: You don’t have to be perfect to be radiant. You just have to be real. 🌿 Want more gentle beauty and faith-centered self-care? Join my newsletter and membership, The Guided Radiant Renewal Program, for weekly reflections, herbal skincare recipes, and spiritual self-care practices that nurture your skin and your spirit. 🕊️ Slow down. Glow naturally. Rest in God’s rhythm. The Guided Radiant Renewal Program - by Carrie ScharfMy membership

Faith, Scripture & the Gift of Time | Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy We live in a world that tells us to resist time—but Scripture invites us to see it as sacred. ✨ In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I explore what the Bible says about aging, wisdom, and beauty—the kind that deepens with every season. Through verses, stories, and quiet reflections, we’ll rediscover how time reveals God’s design for our lives, and how prayer and presence can make us radiant from the inside out. 💫 Whether you’re navigating midlife or learning to embrace change with grace, this episode reminds you: time is not your enemy—it’s God’s invitation to grow in wisdom and light. My membership and newsletter

In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I’m sharing an introspective look at the art of coziness—how warmth and connection go far beyond soft blankets and glowing candles. True coziness, I’ve learned, lives in the quiet moments of peace, presence, and gratitude where we feel God most near. Memberships and newsletter

In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I share how Ayurveda helps us understand the natural process of aging with more grace and ease. We’ll talk about the doshas—especially Vata—and how their shifts affect our skin, sleep, and energy as we grow older. I’ll guide you through simple daily rituals for balance, from grounding practices and nourishing meals to evening routines and skincare rituals that soothe and restore. My hope is to encourage you to see aging not as a battle, but as a journey toward balance—one where self-nurture and steady rhythms can help you feel radiant inside and out. Oil & Light - My newsletter and membership (free and paid)

In this podcast episode, host Carrie Scharf discusses the often-ignored power of plants and herbs in maintaining both our physical and mental health. The podcast revolves around the soothing effects of chamomile and its beneficial use in daily life, from drinking chamomile tea to using it in skincare rituals. She further explores the benefits of herbal skincare and the nuances of creating your own herbal infusions at home using herbs like calendula, lavender, and chamomile. Steering the conversation towards minimalist skincare, Carrie highlights the beauty of paring your routine down to fewer, more effective, natural products. Drawing parallels between tending to plants and oneself, she emphasizes the importance of self-care and spiritual growth. She ends by inviting listeners to try herbal oil infusions and reflect on which herb they feel represented by. Memberships and newsletter

n this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, I explore the world of cozy scents—those fragrances that bring warmth, comfort, and ease into my home (and can do the same for yours!). I share how certain scents can spark cherished memories and help create a soothing sanctuary in any space. I walk you through a variety of ways I like to incorporate cozy scents into my home: essential oil reed diffusers, scented candles, simmering potpourri, scented sachets, DIY linen sprays, aromatic plants and flowers, and even the comforting aromas of baking and cooking. I also dive into my favorite cozy essential oils, what moods they inspire, and some of my personal blends that fill a home with warmth and calm. These simple little rituals of comfort are a wonderful way to shift the energy of your space and connect with moments that make you feel safe, cared for, and at home. Memberships and Newsletter

In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy, I share why I see wrinkles not as flaws, but as markers of experience and the journey of a life well lived. Together, we’ll explore wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection and honors the natural flow of time. I’ll also bring in a faith-based perspective, reflecting on how scripture reminds us that wrinkles are signs of wisdom and grace. I’ll guide you through a gentle herbal skincare ritual—one that isn’t about erasing or correcting, but about caring for your skin as it is. And finally, I’ll invite you to reflect on your own lines and marks as personal stories—narratives that reveal your unique beauty and identity. sign up to receive your weekly moment of calm or join my memberships

In the episode of the podcast "Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy" hosted by Carrie Scharf, the concept of anti-aging is critically examined and reframed as pro-aging. Exploring societal attitudes to aging, Carrie illustrates how these messages encouraging us to prevent or erase signs of aging are pervasive in our culture. She advocates for a pro-aging philosophy, likening the aging process to the growth of a tree, with wisdom, radiance, and authenticity accruing through our life experiences. The podcast episode also discusses the beauty of natural aging and the liberation in embracing it, with tie-ins to scripture. Concluding with a self-reflective exercise for listeners, this episode ultimately encourages a celebration of aging as an experienced, enriching journey. Create Your Own Friday Ritual with my newsletter

Tired of dull, tired-looking skin? 🍁 Discover how pumpkin enzymes + vitamins help restore a radiant glow naturally. Easy, affordable, and effective! 🌿 The Herbal Skincare Quick Start Guide by Carrie Scharf - PensightMy WebsiteCreate your own Friday ritual with my newsletter or join the membership

Hey there, friends! In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, I’m so excited to share how journaling can add a little extra sparkle to your skincare and self-care routines. I’ll show you how jotting down a quick thought or word can boost mindfulness, melt away stress, help you figure out which natural skincare goodies (like that chamomile mask!) work best, and celebrate your self-care moments. I’m dishing out three super-easy journaling methods perfect for non-writers: the One-Sentence Skincare Snapshot to capture how your skin feels, the Word Garden to collect cozy words-union words like “glow” or “calm” after your self-care, and the Gratitude List for Your Glow to reflect on what makes you thankful. Plus, I’ll share a simple trick to make journaling a natural part of your routine, like pairing it with your rosehip oil moment. I’m also thrilled to introduce my new guide, The Ultimate Guide to Words That Bloom: Journaling with Ease for Non-Writers, and I’d love for you to join my newsletter which has weekly garden prompts and self-care tips. Let’s make your self-care bloom together! The Ultimate Guide to Words that Bloom: Journaling with Ease for Non-WritersCreate Your Own Friday Ritual - Join my newsletter

In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, I’m sharing how you can turn your skincare into a deeper self-care ritual. For me, it’s not just about taking care of my skin—it’s about slowing down, being present, and nourishing both body and spirit. We’ll talk about the power of baths for releasing stress and how herbs and essential oils can bring a layer of calm and comfort. I’ll also share why I love using body oils after a bath or shower, and how gentle, intentional touch can help you reconnect with yourself. This episode is all about creating moments of peace and presence in your everyday routine. My hope is that you’ll come away inspired to listen to your skin, make small ritual-like changes, and let your self-care feel more like a sanctuary. Create Your Own Friday RitualGive yourself a facial massage

In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, I’m diving into the importance of exfoliation as we shift from summer to fall. Seasonal transitions are the perfect time to give our skin a little extra love, and exfoliation helps us release what no longer serves us—both physically and symbolically. I’ll be sharing my favorite gentle exfoliants: honey for its antibacterial and hydrating properties, clays like Kaolin and French green for their purifying and soft buffing qualities, and ground herbs such as chamomile, oats, and rose petals for their calming, soothing, and toning benefits. These natural ingredients not only support your skin, but they also add a touch of ritual and intention to your routine. To me, exfoliation isn’t just skincare—it’s a self-care practice, a way to honor the changing season and welcome fresh energy into our lives. And if you’d love more guidance, recipes, and resources for creating your own natural skincare rituals, I’d love to invite you to explore The Course Library—a beautiful collection designed to support you in crafting skincare and self-care routines that feel nourishing and empowering. Create your own Friday self-care ritualJoin the membership

In this week’s episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics—reducing skin inflammation naturally, using three gentle powerhouses: calendula, comfrey, and oats. We’ll talk about what really causes inflammation—everything from too much summer sun to stress—and how our skin uses it as a built-in protection mechanism. But sometimes, that protective response needs a little extra love to get back into balance. I’ll share why calendula is my go-to “Sunshine Healer,” with its soothing, antimicrobial magic, how comfrey earns its nickname “The Restorer” for repairing and renewing skin, and why oats are like wrapping your face in the softest, calming blanket. You’ll learn easy, beautiful ways to work these herbs into your skincare rituals—plus, I’ve got a simple DIY face mask recipe you can make at home to calm redness, hydrate, and comfort your skin. It’s a gentle reminder that caring for your skin doesn’t have to be complicated—sometimes the simplest, most natural remedies are the ones that work best. My NewsletterMoments of Light Zine Join the membership

In this episode of the podcast, Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, the topic of rejuvenating and nourishing skin after the harsh summer sun is discussed in detail. The host provides valuable tips for skin recovery, emphasizing the importance of hydration, gentle exfoliation, and natural skin repair remedies to counter the negative effects of UV rays, heat, and pollution on the skin. The episode explores the benefits of gentle exfoliants, such as sugar, oats, clay, and ground herbs, and the use of herbal-infused oils like calendula, chamomile, lavender, and plantain for their soothing and repairing properties on sun-exposed skin. A weekly summer skin repair ritual is offered, promoting mindfulness and self-care, along with a plea for a slower and more sensory skincare regime deeply connected to nature. Besides this, the audience is encouraged to subscribe to the newsletter for more exclusive content. The Course Library Membership | Carrie ScharfSubscribe to my newsletter and Create Your Own Friday Ritual