The more we transition into Fall and Winter, the more I want to spend my evenings with some kind of pampering skincare routine. Give me all the potions and masks, and just let me relax with a book and a hot beverage, please?
The thing is, my skin would flip if I’d just regularly pile on aaaaall the treatments and masks. She’s a tempestuous diva, and a multi-masking routine would make her turn into a red mess. Fragrance and alcohol are not our friends. (At least not applied in my face. Give me a nice perfume and a glass of wine, though… a totally different matter!)
Because of that, I thought of a few ways you can fulfil your soul with all the pampering routines you might wish for, and STILL not aggravate your sensitive skin.
Also, don’t aggravate the environment by using sheet and single use ‘pod’ masks!
Face Massages
Ever since having the most wonderful of face massages in Korea, I’m a big fan. The best thing: you can totally do it on your own! Whether with your hands or with a fancy quartz or jade roller, apply a face oil of your choice and massage away. Lisa Eldridge has a wonderfully detailed video just on that, and for a first step guide on rollers, Gothamista has your back. As with all things skincare, start slowly and see if your skin likes the whole thing. It’s scientifically proven that a human touch will calm you down and even soothe pain, and that amazingly also works when it’s your own hands.
Steam Baths
When it’s cold and grey outside, what could be better than relaxing in hot steam and feel warmed through to your core? You don’t need to visit a sauna for that and deal with that whole where-to-place-your-towel/shoes/meet-your-neighbour-half-naked scenario. Just have a steam bath! A heads-up first, though: never use boiling water, and don’t use essential oils. MUCH too strong!
I love using dried chamomile flowers, or even dried rose petals. Fill a big bowl with a few flowers, add hot, but not boiling water. Place a towel both over your head and the bowl and relax while breathing in the hot steam. Five to ten minutes are good, and after that, you’ll find yourself with the softest skin imaginable. Use loads of hydrating toners and serums afterwards, because the steam will dry out your skin somewhat.
If you don’t want to diy it, Lush offers Toner Tabs that are surprisingly good.
Masks, duh.
If you gently want to marinate in a steaming bath with a novel in hand (I know I do), adding a face mask is the way to go. I’m a fan of a DIY mask when my skin suffers from outbreaks (made from yoghurt and Fuller’s Earth, recipe here), or of a good hydrating mask like Paula’s Choice Radiance Renewal Mask. If you want to pamper your skin for an even longer time period, why not grab a nice overnight mask? (I’m a fan of cosrx’s Honey mask in summer and Rice mask in winter.) I bet you won’t even miss a drippy, cold sheet mask!
Btw, do you own any moisturiser samples that made you, think ‘I can never use them, they’re too rich and will break me out’? Those are great for a good masking session. Just remove them gently with a tissue, some water or an ultra-gentle cleanser.
Self-care vs. pampering
Here you have them, my ultimate pampering skincare routine that don’t involve a lot of products and are suitable for sensitive skin (aka mine). I find all of them super soothing and relaxing, and just the thing when I’m in the mood of some self-care.
Just don’t forget that self-care is much, much more than a facemask and involves taking responsibility for your happiness and well-being. Helpful questions to ask might be:
- ‘are you eating properly’
- ‘are you taking your medication and seeing your doctor whenever you need it’
- ‘do you take enough breaks’
- ‘are you getting enough sleep’
- ‘can you talk with a friend or relative when you need to’, ‘do you exercise or moving your body’
- ‘do you nourish your brain as well as your body’ etc. (Some pointers here.)
True self-care rarely is concerned with facemasks, but a quick pampering session when it’s grey and cold outside? Yup, I’ll take that face-mask, thankyouverymuch.
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