Winter has a way of creeping into both our bodies and our minds. Shorter days, colder temperatures and reduced sunlight can quietly disrupt emotional wellbeing, energy levels and our sense of self. For many women, particularly those navigating life after cancer, this seasonal shift can feel heavier, more isolating and harder to manage.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that commonly emerges during the autumn and winter months, affecting mood, motivation, sleep and confidence. For cancer survivors, these effects are often intensified as many continue to manage long-term physical changes, ongoing treatment side effects and emotional fatigue. As mental wellbeing dips, the body often responds too.
The skin, our first line of defence, is usually one of the earliest areas to show signs of seasonal stress. Cold air, indoor heating and reduced humidity can lead to dryness, sensitivity, inflammation and flare-ups. For women whose skin has already been impacted by treatment or hormonal changes, winter can significantly disrupt skin health and comfort.
That is exactly why Touchy-Feely created Re:Store, a restorative skincare and wellbeing session designed to support women through the winter months by addressing both the emotional and physical impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder, while offering practical tools that help women care for themselves beyond the session itself.
Why skincare was central to Re:Store
Re:Store was intentionally designed around skincare as both a practical and emotional tool. Skincare is not just about appearance. It is about routine, touch, grounding and reconnection with the body. In colder months, when many women feel disconnected from themselves, skincare can become a daily act of care and reassurance.
By learning how to protect and nourish the skin through winter, attendees were also given tools to rebuild confidence, restore routine and practice gentle self-attention at home.
Partnering with Sable Labs
We were proud to partner with Sable Labs for Re:Store. This collaboration was deeply intentional. Sable Labs is a beauty brand rooted in African botanical ingredients, drawing on culturally relevant formulations and traditions that honour melanin-rich skin and diverse hair and skincare needs.
For the women attending, this mattered. Culturally appropriate care is not a luxury. It is essential. Using products formulated with African-sourced ingredients allowed the session to feel inclusive, affirming and aligned with the lived experiences of the women in the room. It reinforced the message that their skin, culture and identities are worthy of intentional care.
Education, facilitation and community care
Re:Store was brought to life through skilled educators and facilitators who guided attendees through the skincare experience with care and sensitivity. The session focused on understanding how winter affects the skin, how to adapt routines during colder months and how to listen to the skin’s changing needs.
Women were encouraged to ask questions, share experiences and learn in a supportive, non-clinical environment. This combination of education and facilitation ensured the session was not only informative, but emotionally safe and empowering.
Every attendee received a full Sable Labs skincare set to take home. This was a crucial part of the experience. The aim was not a one-off moment of care, but continuity. By leaving with the products used during the session, women were equipped to continue their routines beyond the event and integrate these practices into daily life.
A restorative experience
Re:Store was more than a skincare workshop. It was a space to pause, reconnect and restore. It offered women practical tools, culturally affirming care and a reminder that tending to oneself is both valid and necessary, especially during the winter months.
We are deeply grateful to Sable Labs for their partnership, generosity and shared commitment to culturally competent care. Together, we created an experience that supported women not just for one afternoon, but long after they returned home.
Here’s what our members had to say:
“I’m so glad that I came today! I really needed this but didn’t know how much until I got into the session. Please do more of these Touchy-Feely!”
“Wow, today was incredible. I already feel better, it was so nice catching up with the sisters today and learning more about my skin during the colder months. I get very depressed during the winter because of the lack of socialising and sunlight, but today was everything that I needed and I wish this happened more often.”
