The urgency of modern times, the uncertainty of the future, and a pandemic that left us all a bit more anxious, were all factors that shot the anxiety levels of people, to the point where the Portuguese Order of Psychologists estimates that 1 out of every 6 portuguese currently suffers from anxiety, and anxiety-related episodes.

But, did you know that your skincare routine can help fight anxious states, nurture and take care of your body’s largest organ, and balance your mental and physical well-being?

Healthy Skin, Clean Mind

The connection between an healthcare routine and a clean mind is deep and brings immediate effects to people’s daily lives, after all, when we think about a skincare routine our mind goes to private, intimate moments, of personal care, with a personal focus, interior and exterior, in contact with our inner I, whether through meditation, mindfulness exercises, or other, searching for a mental and physical balance.

By giving yourself, and your skin, a bit of time and space every day, in a you moment, you’ll be creating the right environment to promote your well-being and mental health.

The importance of these moments is reinforced by Santa Barbara university, California, in a study that shows that people with few or no skincare routines or selfcare moments, were more likely to develop depressive and manic episodes, as well as other humor disorders like loneliness and unhapiness.

These conclusions are reinforced by a study that asked over 1000 people about their skincare routine in the scientific magazine Frontiers in Psychology, that concludes that besides the effects of depression, rumination, anxiety and worry being relieved by moments of tranquility and self-focus, people with skincare routines can reduce up to 83% of cortisol levels in the body, the main culprit for stress.

At the same time, a good skincare routine is important to increase confidence levels, serotonin and dopamine levels in the body, and to make us feel better in our own skin, an organ that is largely attached to our personal image, and sense of self-worth, resulting in societal pressure over what is a ‘beautiful’ skin.

It’s for these reasons that something as simple as a skincare routine gains even more importance in your health: It’s an act of self-love and personal care, of acceptance, healing, not only for your skin, but for your mind as well.

According to a study published by InStyle, titled State of Skin, the act of touching and massaging the skin, specially the face, has immediate and long-lasting effects, sending signals to the brain telling it to relax, demonstrating that there are many ways that empowering skincare routine can be a factor in bringing balance to your day.

On that note, keep reading, and find some of the tips and tricks that you can apply to your skincare routine, making the difference for your skin, and your mental health.

Effective tips for your skincare routine

A skincare routine is something personal and unique for each person. Not all of us have the same needs, or type of skin, and as such it’s important to adapt our routine to our objectives and daily lives. Don’t try and do everything at once, because you might end up creating counterproductive effects, including promoting stress.

Remember: The most important thing is to have you time with your skin, filled with introspection, reflection and meditation.

Below, we share some ideas to empower your skincare routine in order to bring benefits to your mental health:

Start a skincare routine

The first step is the most simple: If you don’t have one, start a skincare routine. Whether it’s a moment by yourself with some music and a face mask, an hour before dinner with a touch of Liquid-Land, or a long process with creams and products, the first step is to start.

According to the university of Santa Barbara, starting a skincare routine can bring the same benefits as starting to exercise, a healthy diet, or journaling, being a personal care that brings benefits to the body and mental health.

Have a moment of Mindfulness

Whether through meditation, positive affirmations, a bit of music and reflexion, or even by enjoying the silence while you take care of your skin is one of the keys to promote mental health through skincare.

Even in cases where you do your skincare routine with others, it’s important to establish a relaxation mood that is capable of creating expectations daily, a type of positive anxiety, for this moment to arrive at the end of the day, which promotes happiness and relaxation levels.

Use this opportunity for bonding

In that sense, a skincare routine can be benefitial for both parties. Whether as a couple, with a friend or a family member, sharing a skincare routine helps strengthen the bond between people, reinforce care, and create moments for two, therefore promoting happiness and mental health.

Plan spa days, take a few hours from the weekend for self-care for two, spend more time with those you love, and turn skincare into a fun family moment. These are some of the steps and ideas that can help improve relationships, strengthen bonds and create happy memories, all components for daily happiness.

Promote Self-love

One of the best ways of promoting mental health, is through your skincare routine, by promoting self-love. By taking care of your skin daily, before and/or after leaving the house, you’re telling the world ‘I deserve it’, that you value yourself.

By giving at least 5 minutes of your time to your skin you can create a positive impact that can be felt throughout the day, on a mental and physical level, keeping your skin cared for and protected, and reinforcing your confidence and well-being.

Reduce bad moments and prevent negative spiraling.

For people suffering from depression and anxiety, the hours before bed are highly tense moments that exacerbate negative feelings and influence self-loathing thoughts and spirals, according to Matt Traube from the University of Santa Barbara.

By creating a skincare routine before sleep, we are saving a moment of personal care that counterbalances these thoughts, and substitutes these moments of negativity with moments of relaxation and happiness, creating exciting and happy moments before bed, which fires up our brain’s neurotransmitters, making us happier and calmer.

Structure your life

By creating a skincare routine and establishing specific moments for it, you are not only creating moments of happiness, but also giving structure and discipline for your days, allowing you to feel on top and in control of your life, while allowing you to manage your time, boost confidence, sense of security, and idea of self-love.

By saving specific moments for relaxation and self-care, you are taking control of your life, and renewing your energy through personal care.

Enjoy the chemical release

By taking care of yourself through a skincare routine, and through other means, you are boosting the production of important chemicals for your well-being, emotional stability, relaxation and joy.

The very act of massaging your face and muscles, applying moisturizer, or using a facial mask, helps fight the effects of stress, helps the body enter into a relaxed state, and allows for chemicals essential to your daily well-being.

By creating these moments of happiness and personal care, you are sending signals to your brain that it’s time to relax, turning off your ‘fight or flight’ instinct and allowing the body to enter chemical production and release mode.

Write about it

By writing about it, whether in the form of a journal or small thank you notes, in an appreciative and thankful tone, while reflecting on the good things in life, as well as your daily progress, you are helping your brain organize ideas, prevent anxiety, and promote physical and mental health.

By developing this process of self-discovery, you’ll learn more about yourself, about which products work best for your skin, acquire a new sense of value for your skin, and of course, creating you time, alone with your skin. Read more about this subject HERE.

Sources:

Everyday Health; Nova Benefits; Dr. Nikoleta, Ordem dos Psicólogos, inStyle, WebMD, The Dead Sea Co.