Skincare and Selfcare: How Skincare Promotes Better Mental Health
Skincare routines aren’t just good for your looks. They’re good for so much more.
Here’s why:
It’s relaxing
It should seem a bit obvious, but massaging creams and serums into your face relaxes you. It’s a stress-free activity that allows you to turn off your brain and wind down for the night, preparing you to go to bed with ease.
Tip: Wash your face responsibly! Over-washing your face can result in wearing away of the natural barrier of your skin, so it’s best to wash your face once–at most twice–a day, preferably at the end of the day when your skin is the grimiest.
Skincare creates a routine and routine equals stability
It’s true that routines, even minor ones, help make people feel more stable and comfortable in their day-to-day lives. People who have far less structure and no routine are more likely to suffer from mental health afflictions. By committing yourself to a daily skincare regimen, even one that takes only a few minutes, you’ve formed a healthy habit that improves your mental state bit-by-bit and day-by-day.
Tip: If you wash your face and your skin feels tight afterwards then that means that your skin is sensitive and should only be washed once a day.
Doing something nice for yourself can quell anxiety
It’s a simple truth: focusing on yourself can reduce feelings of anxiety. For some people it’s journaling, exercising, meditating, or all of the above, but another quick way is taking care of your skin during a daily face session.
Tip: Wear at least a tablespoon of sunscreen everyday and apply it generously to your neck and chest too. Sun damage is the number one cause of wrinkles.
It can make you feel closer to those around you
Face masks are a fun group activity with your friends, but it also can go a long way towards bringing you closer to them. If you participate in skincare and self-care with people you care about, you increase your happiness levels.
Tip: Apply moisturizer within three minutes of showering or washing your face. Your pores will not have “closed” yet and the moisturizer is more effective.
Treating your skin can actually release chemicals to your brain
By taking care of your skin, you release chemicals that are beneficial to your brain, giving you a mental boost.