Mindfulness isn’t only for meditation classes and Zen Buddhists. Katy Sunnassee looks at how to weave a little skincare self-care into your daily routine for a more refreshed and relaxed visage
Words: Katy Sunnassee | Images: Shutterstock & various brands
Mindful beauty is all the rage (or perhaps rage is the wrong word here when we’re talking about calmness and serenity!). But for a good few years now the skincare self-care movement has been growing, with countless videos popping up on social media around calming cleansing routines, aromatherapy-filled formulas to de-stress you, and gua sha/crystal roller tutorials to gently massage away stress all while boosting circulation.
And in this ever-busy world, it makes sense to tag mindfulness onto your skincare self-care routine, especially if you’re time-poor and can’t afford a whole hour or more for conventional relaxation, such as meditation, yoga or even having a long bath – as nice as that would be each evening! Weaving mini moments of calm into your day, notably at the start and end of your day, is a lovely way to tune in to yourself, and your skin.
‘The mind-skin connection is powerful, and how you feel can play a part in your skin’s appearance,’ says holistic therapist and head of education at SBC Skincare, Adele O’Donoghue.
Your skin says a lot more than you think about your mental wellbeing. If you’re feeling stressed or going through a turbulent time, this may show up on your skin through breakouts, hives, eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea flare ups, as well as general redness and dullness. For example, when you’re stressed, your skin can get sweatier, blush or break out in rashes or hives, while fear and anxiety can cause skin to feel colder and look drier. Anger and worry can cause you to frown more, which leads to the faster formation of fine lines and deeper wrinkles especially between the eyebrows.
And skin conditions, in turn, can have a negative impact on your mental health, including adding to feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem.
Treat skin from within
‘Elevated cortisol, from stress, will trigger your skin barrier, leading to breakouts, whereas dopamine, the feel-good hormone, can help improve your circulation and thereby helps support your skin’s barrier,’ says Adele, adding that by taking a holistic approach to skin health, not only in terms of a mindful skincare routine but ‘being less reactive and more mindful in your day-to-day life’, you’ll be supporting your skin inside and out.
As well as being less stressed in your daily life, carefully considering and curating your environment – especially in the bathroom or bedroom where you apply your skincare – can amplify the benefits. ‘A calm environment can help the way you feel and how your skin reacts. Relaxing music can lower your heart rate, reduce cortisol levels, and release endorphins, which all help skin health,’ adds Adele.
So, what is a mindful skincare self-care routine, exactly? It can be different for everyone, but here are some ideas…
Your mindful morning routine
Try this AM skincare self-care routine from Adele O’Donoghue to help calm and de-stress, so you and your skin are ready for the day…
Listen in
Playing calming/uplifting music or listening to a favourite podcast can be a nice thing to do while you cleanse your face. The more you pay attention to your surroundings and factor them into your skincare routine, the more encouragement you’ll give your skin to heal and replenish as you’re not adding further emotional stress.
Drain it
Lymphatic drainage can help drain away toxins, while also waking you and your skin up for the day. It involves massaging your skin to stimulate the flow of lymph, a fluid that carries toxins and waste away from your tissues. It helps boost circulation while reducing puffiness, inflammation and congestion. It can be done at home by using your fingers, a jade roller or a gua sha, following the natural contours of your face, neck and chest. Always roll towards the lymph nodes: think outwards from the centre of your face towards your ears, then down your neck towards your collarbones. Always go gently so as not to bruise.
Freshen up
It can be nice to add a facial spritz in the morning – but if want to go a step further and de-stress your body, try the SBC Skincare Arnica & Wintergreen Targeted Rescue Spritz to help soothe achy or tight joints.
Arnica & Wintergreen Targeted Rescue Spritz
Top Sante verdict
Designed to instantly relieve overworked, tense muscles and tender joints. The easy-to-use spray also allows for application on those hard-to-reach places!- Provides effective relief for areas of tension and fatigue on the body
- Ideal to treat hard to reach places for example back, feet, or shoulders
- Does not increase colour or temperature on the skin
- Especially beneficial for ongoing areas of tension
- Fast absorption times, allowing you to get on with your day
Slow down
The number of steps in your skincare routine might differ from others but whether you apply 2-3 products or 8-9 (as they often do in Korea), take your time between each product application, not only to let the products fully absorb but to slow down and enjoy your routine. When you have to rush to get ready, it can add to your stress or make you forgetful, so be sure to get up a little earlier if it means being able to dedicate more time to your morning cleanse, moisturiser and SPF routine.
I tried an Abhyanga massage to relieve stress – here’s what happened
Your mindful evening routine…
These tips from Adele will help you make the most of your PM routine…
Take it easy
Taking a bath or shower after a day of work can do wonders for your stress levels. A bath can help to lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and increase your body’s temperature so it then cools, which is perfect for inducing sleep. Start your skincare routine while the bath is running, cleansing with a lightweight, hydrating formula.
Scent-sational
Scents are a powerful way to bio-hack your brain. Fragrances that make you feel happy or remind you of special occasions can promote wellbeing. Add SBC Skincare Night Rituals Sleep Soak to your bath to help you relax, perfect for your evening wind down.
Night Rituals Sleep Soak
Top Sante verdict
Prepare your mind and body for restorative sleep with this deeply relaxing soak – infused with calming botanicals and a fragrance scientifically proven to enhance sleep quality- Enjoy this soak a couple of hours before you go to bed
- Infused with magnesium to help relax tired muscles
- Infused with a fragrance scientifically proven to improve sleep quality
- Unique botanical blend to calm the mind of anxiety
- Can also be used as a calming body wash in the shower
Massage away
Skincare tools such as the ESPA Aventurine Jade Crystal Roller can be a great addition to your evening routine, helping your skin stay cool and calm while ironing out any tension. You might even look into at-home devices such as an LED light tool to wear while you relax for 15 minutes to help to stimulate collagen while repairing skin for a more glowing complexion.
ESPA Aventurine Jade Crystal Roller
Top Sante verdict
This beautiful tool is made from Aventurine Jade Crystal, a semi-precious stone that effortlessly glides over your skin to cool, calm and allow you to embrace a moment during your day- Reduces the appearance of puffiness
- Eases facial tension
- Stimulates the skin
- Revitalises radiance
Stay hydrated
Lastly, drinking water throughout the day is a great way to keep your skin looking good. When skin is dehydrated, it can feel tight and dry. But while you want to increase your water intake in the daytime, don’t drink too much before bed or you risk waking up needing a wee! Do keep a large glass of it by your bedside though so that upon waking you can immediately hydrate yourself.
