As qualified therapists for both body & mind, we know that a good skincare ritual is as beneficial for your mental health as it is your skin health. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of using Husk & Seed Skincare, you will know that we are more than just a practical range of products that improve the look and feel of your skin. We are also about mood-boosting moments of me-time!
When skin looks and feels good, we tend to feel better about ourselves.
Having troublesome skin can really knock our confidence and devalue our self-worth. Caring for your skin in a gentle way using 100% natural products can help to reduce common skin problems such as acne, eczema, dryness, redness, pigmentation and oiliness.
Apply some mindfulness to your skincare routine
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and not overly reactive. It’s a wonderful tool for people who suffer with anxiety who can often feel stuck in a mindset of worry and stress. A skincare ritual to look forward to can give you some space to focus on the moment and break out of the worry spiral. This is particularly useful at night-time when anxiety can increase.
Being mindful during a skincare ritual might look something like this: Take a deep breath and start by looking at yourself carefully in the mirror. Examine your skin and all its features: dryness, oiliness, puffiness, acne, blackheads, sore areas. By paying attention to the look and feel of your skin you can recognise what your skin needs that day. Some days it will be a simple cleanse, sometimes a face mask, at other times extra hydration.
Also, be mindful of what you are putting on your skin. Check your ingredients labels for any ingredients that may not be great for your health.
Pampering the skin releases mood-boosting chemicals.
Physical relaxation sends your brain the message that it’s time to calm down, reducing our fight-or-flight stress response. By taking time to massage your products into your skin either with your fingers or a massage tool, you are reducing stress, boosting circulation, refining the jawline, reducing puffiness and improving your sense of well-being. Here is a simple facial massage that you might like to follow: Making sure you have clean hands, apply a little bit of Overnight Replenishing Oil or Botanical Day Oil to your face and on your fingertips. This will create a little slip and prevent you dragging your skin as you move around your face. Tracing the heart-shape of your face start in the centre of your forehead, push down quite firmly or use circular motions to ease tension. Do what feels right, linger longer on one spot if it feels good, move on if it’s too sore. If you suffer from sinusitis, you might find it helpful to press either side of your nose where there is a lymph drainage spot as this can release the pressure. Just 3 or 4 minutes of this treatment has so many benefits to your skin and mind.
Avoid being overly practical
Take time to find skincare that you love using. This brings little moments of joy in the day and something to look forward to. Some things to consider when choosing skincare are: does it feel good going onto your skin? Does it smell pleasant? Does your skin feel good after?
Sometimes it’s the smallest pleasures that bring the most joy!