When was the last time you did something really special for yourself? When did you most recently practice self-care?
The concept of self-care has become extremely popular of late, and it essentially refers to the actions we take to ensure our mental, emotional and physical health.
It’s a broad term that can take many forms. This includes eating healthy, reading a book, expressing gratitude, practicing mindfulness, singing in the shower, or taking a nap. Self-care will be different for everyone.
Maybe for you, it’s spending time in the tub with a bath bomb or bath salts from your favorite brand or relaxing on the couch with an herbal tea, your weighted blanket, and a documentary. It could mean putting on a mud mask and an essential oil diffuser, wearing a sleeping mask at night and resting your head on a luxurious silk pillowcase, or listening to relaxing music in your softest cotton robe and enjoying an adult coloring book.
Whether you incorporate self-care into your nighttime routine or you treat yourself to something special on the weekend, it’s easy—and important—to do.
You can, of course, focus on beauty as part of your self-care routine. Money doesn’t matter, so whether you splurge on a face cream from La Mer or you buy a cleansing mask from CVS, as long as you’re doing something to take care of yourself, you’re on the right track.
To help you jump on the self-care bandwagon, we’ve created a list of 10 must-have beauty products to help you feel great about yourself. Keep reading to learn more about our favorites.
1. Skin Republic Gold Hydrogel Face Mask
This is a very unique single-use sheet mask with certain plant extracts and minerals that will give you younger-looking skin.
Key ingredients include 24 karat gold, adenosine, seawater, ceratonia siliqua gum, carrageenan, and grapefruit extract. Overall, this mask offers benefits such as younger-looking skin, reduced signs of aging, and minimal appearance of wrinkles.
The 24 karat gold not only slows down collagen loss and reduces signs of aging, but it also supports blood circulation and stimulates skin cells. Beyond that, gold has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Another key ingredient, adenosine, is a molecule that increases the production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Seawater is chock-a-block with minerals, amino acids, and vitamins including sulfur, potassium, and magnesium. Seawater is also known for helping to control bacteria that cause acne, balancing sebum production, and supporting clean pores.
Ceratonia siliqua gum is an antioxidant and a source of vitamin E and improves the appearance and health of your skin and hair. It also acts as a skin moisturizer and can expedite the tissue regeneration process.
As for grapefruit extract, this ingredient is known for protecting and nourishing the skin and contains antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E.
-- This mask is also included in Cocotique’s January 2021 Box.
2. Kneipp Relaxing Lavender Body Wash
Nothing relaxes quite like this lavender foaming body wash. It will leave your skin soft and revitalized, thanks to its gentle pH-balanced and soap-free formula. Just pour a small amount into the palm of your hand, massage it onto your wet skin, lather up for a minute or two, and rinse it off.
The natural lavender oil will turn your shower into a blissful, relaxing aromatherapy experience and the formula will leave your skin feeling extra soft. In fact, a study into skin moisture after using this body wash suggested that this lavender shower gel effectively keeps the skin from drying out.
-- Also available in our October 2020 Beauty Box.
3. Lauren Napier Flaunt Pro-Aging Facial Cleansing Wipes
These cleansing wipes go above and beyond and do more than just clean your face. The formula contains Noni, which is high in vitamin C and helps with dry skin, dark spots, and adult acne.
Another ingredient is lycopene, which protects your skin from UV rays and environmental pollution. The guava and vitamin K help stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of spider veins and dark circles.
The wipe formula also includes selenium, which is excellent for protecting your skin's elasticity. These wipes are ideal for people that need to brighten their skin and receive a nourishing boost. Even better, they're cruelty-free and made in the US using renewable energies and sustainable technologies.
Using them is super easy: simply wipe your face, neck, and decolletage with the cloth to eliminate your makeup and feel their amazing cleansing effects.
-- These are also available as part of the Women of Color Limited Edition box.
4. Specific Beauty Advanced Dark Spot Corrector Pads
Improve the feel and appearance of your skin with these fantastic dark spot corrector pads.
They contain a handful of ingredients with special properties, including botanical extracts, which give you a healthier-looking complexion; antioxidants, to protect your skin from damage from the environment; and bearberry extract, arbutin, and kojic acid, to give you a more even skin tone.
To use them, all you have to do is wipe your face after you cleanse and then follow up with a moisturizer.
These pads are the real deal if you’re looking to revitalize, refresh and exfoliate your skin!
-- This is also available as part of the Women of Color Limited Edition box
5. Acarre Multi-Use Beauty Edit Oil
The singular dry oil is packed with goodness including fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, which work together to give you nourished, glowing skin, rebalance your skin’s microbiome, seal in moisture and rejuvenate you from head to toe. It relies on plant biodiversity to prevent aging and uses a natural formula with squalane and sugarcane, which help restore your skin and make it flexible and supple.
It’s easy to use: all you have to do is massage it onto your damp or dry skin or scalp. You will see an improvement in both.
What’s especially great about this product is that you can use it for a wide range of purposes. Add a few drops to your bath to allow it to better penetrate the skin, massage it on your hands to lock in moisture, splash it on shaved skin for a soothing effect, or spread it on your neck to improve your skin elasticity.
-- This too is also available as part of the Women of Color Limited Edition box
6. Afterspa Mini Jade Roller
This travel-friendly roller is just as effective as a full-size one and is an excellent tool for enhancing circulation and reducing puffiness. It’s solid enough to get the job done but gentle enough to be used on the delicate skin around the eyes.
Jade rollers are known for effectively toning, contouring, and reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Moreover, it has a cooling effect, which helps to tighten pores. The choice of jade is no coincidence: this stone is believed to have healing properties and is a symbol of both tranquility and purification.
The best time to use this roller is after you’ve finished your cleansing routine. Simply apply your favorite moisturizer or serum and then use the roller for a few minutes.
-- This is also available as part of the June 2020 Beauty Box
7. Sakury Face Mineral Microexfoliator
This microexfoliator consists of an ergonomic glass lens with a mineral silica abrasive surface for hydro-microdermabrasion. It’s made using patented technology and has several benefits, including gently exfoliating and purifying your skin, improving elasticity and hydration, boosting the absorption of skin products, and giving you radiant skin after the first use. It’s suitable for people with normal, sensitive, and combination skin.
To use it, remove all of your makeup and clean your face, and soak the abrasive side of the tool in water. Rub it on your face and neck gently in a circular motion for about a minute. Afterward, your skin should feel soft and more elastic and your skincare products should be absorbed better. Using it regularly will result in clear improvements in your skin.
8. Fleur & Bee Rose and Shine Refreshing Rose Water Toner
This is one of my favorite self-care products: this fantastic natural rose water toner, made with just rose flower oil and distilled water, will leave your skin feeling refreshed, hydrated, and soothed. Rose is known for its extensive skincare benefits.
Simply spritz a few pumps on your face in the morning, afternoon, or evening and enjoy the many effects. It helps you control excess oil, hydrates, and smoothes your skin, and it minimizes the look of pores.
Rosewater is also known for giving the effect of a more refreshed, plumper face; alleviating temporary redness; cleaning dirt and other impurities, and strengthening the skin, thanks to its vitamins C and E and antioxidants.
Fleur & Bee’s products are natural, safe, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free and are made without artificial fragrances, sulfates, and parabens.
9. MD Solar Sciences Daily Eye Repair Emulsion
This is a super lightweight, anti-aging, multi-tasking moisturizer with humectants and moisturizers which will keep your skin nice and hydrated, as well as broad-spectrum protection, to shield you from the sun’s rays.
It uses a patented stabilization system called SolSci-X, free from controversial chemicals but full of caffeine, niacinamide, and antioxidants to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, reduce signs of damage from UV rays, and leave skin looking radiant again. You’ll also see less puffiness and dark circles and skin that is more defined.
This cream also contains repair agents such as seaweed extract and chamomile, which brighten the skin and give it a more even tone, and antioxidants like rosemary, green tea extracts, rose hips, and vitamin C.
-- This is also available as part of the January 2021 Beauty Box
10. Rael Organic Feminine Products - Rael Natural Foaming Feminine Wash, Organic Cotton Feminine Wipes, Organic Cotton Cover Panty Liners & Organic Cotton Cover Pads
Rael goes above and beyond when it comes to feminine products. Their gentle gynecologist-tested feminine wash helps reduce irritation and odor while maintaining healthy pH levels. It contains eucalyptus oil and lavender and can be used on a daily basis.
Their cotton wipes are made from an eco-friendly pulp and are suitable for all skin types. They’re infused with botanical extracts and are extremely soothing, gentle, and effective.
The panty liners and cover pads are both super absorbent, not to mention non-toxic and fragrance- and chlorine-free. They’re vegan and cruelty-free as well as flexible, soft, and comfortable.
Beauty self-care items and beyond
Buying an extra special beauty product that makes you feel good about yourself is an excellent way to practice self-care.
Other beauty-related ideas include treating yourself to a cooling eye mask to help with puffy eyes, a white noise machine to get a better night’s sleep, a rose quartz face roller to improve skin tone, or you can even DIY by making a body scrub with aloe vera to enjoy at home.
Self-care is different for everyone. So if that means buying a new water bottle, yoga mat, and foam roller for your morning workouts; using your foot spa once a week; or investing in those blue light blocking glasses you’ve had your eye on for so long, do it.
At the end of the day, what’s most important is showing yourself the love and kindness you deserve.