skincare musings of cloud 9⛅️
Clouds are the ultimate shapeshifters that largely go unnoticed until something in the way they move, moves us.
From beaches and summer grass, we daydream amidst their heavenly fluff. Their ethereal shapes mesmerize us—the way they capture a transitory moment of presence in time.
Clouds are what Vincent van Gogh saw outside the east-facing window of his asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence when he painted “The Starry Night.”
These philosophers of the sky invite contemplation about the ever-changing nature of life and our interconnectedness with the earth and sky.
We have a strong metaphysical connection to them. Yet clouds are mostly unappreciated, despite their role in determining our experience in the world.
The same can be said about skin… and the similarities don’t end there.
Contemplating clouds and the tactile, repetitive motion of applying cream or oil to our skin are activities that deliver a "sensory reset" that reduce stress hormones and soothe our nervous system.
Clouds shield earth against solar radiation much like skin protects our internal organs from UV damage.
Despite their fluffy appearance, clouds are massive. They weigh the equivalent to a fully loaded jumbo jet. Our largest organ is weighty too, measuring between 6 to 10 pounds for the average adult.
Both are canvases for our imagination and color is a factor in perception.
Clouds reflect sunlight and trap heat. Skin does the same for the body. Clouds move water across the globe. Skin holds moisture in place.
Both are systems of moisture and balance—quietly maintaining life as we move through it. And still, they are often overlooked.
But when we pause to look up or take a moment to moisturize our skin, something shifts. Science confirms that these small acts restore a sense of connection and return us to presence.
And that’s a beautiful musing for us all.
