The urgency of modern times, the uncertainty of the future and the pandemic that has made us all a little more anxious are the main factors that have caused Portuguese anxiety levels to skyrocket. The Order of Psychologists estimates that 1 in 6 Portuguese currently suffer from episodes of anxiety.

But did you know that your skincare routine can help combat anxious states by nourishing and caring for your body’s largest organ? In the meantime, you’re helping to balance your mental and physical health.

Healthy skin, clean mind

The link between a skincare routine and a clean, healthy mind is profound and has immediate effects on our daily lives. After all, when we think of a skincare routine, we imagine a moment alone, intimate, of personal care. The focus is both internal and external and involves getting in touch with our inner selves. 

By setting aside a little space for yourself and your skin every day, you are creating the right environment to promote your well-being and mental health. 

The importance of these moments is reinforced by various studies. Take the example of a study carried out by the University of Santa Barbara in California, published on The Lancet: people with few or no skincare routines and/or personal care moments have a higher correlation with depressive episodes. Other mood disorders, such as loneliness and sadness, were also included in these conclusions.

Another study of more than 1,000 adults, carried out by the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology, claims that the effects of depression, rumination, anxiety and worry can be alleviated by moments of quiet alone time. This study points out that those who have skincare routines might reduce the level of cortisol in the body by up to 83%, which is largely responsible for stress.

At the same time, a good skincare routine is important for boosting confidence levels, as well as promoting the production of serotonin and dopamine in our bodies.

It’s for all these reasons that an action as simple as a skincare routine takes on added importance in your health: it’s an act of self-love, personal care and affection, self-acceptance and healing, not only for the skin, but also for the mind. 

According to a study published by InStyle, called State of Skin, the very act of touching and massaging the skin, especially the face, might have immediate and lasting effects and sends signals to the brain to relax. There are many ways to boost your skincare routine as a factor that brings balance to your day.

Stay with us and read on for some tips you can apply to your skincare routine to make a difference for your skin and your mind.

Effective tips for your skincare routine

Not everyone has the same needs or skin type, so it’s important to adapt your skincare routine to your goals and day-to-day life. Read our article on the steps to take here.

Remember: the most important thing is your time with your skin; enjoy it. 

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

Start a skincare routine

Don’t put pressure on yourself and start by setting small goals. Whether you decide that your routine will be a face mask before bed or all the products you’re entitled to, the important thing is to get started. 

In this article, we’ve compiled the wonders that Mediterranean pine seed oil brings to your skin: take a look and discover the potential of this product. 

According to the University of Santa Barbara, starting a skincare routine can bring the same benefits as starting to exercise, eat a healthy diet or write in a diary: it’s personal care that brings benefits to the body and mental health.

Enjoy mindfulness

Whether it’s through meditation, positive affirmations, music or even enjoying the silence while you take care of your skin, you’ll enter a moment of mindfulness. Being in the moment is one of the keys to promoting mental well-being.

This routine will be important for creating a daily expectation of a happy moment. You’ll want this moment to arrive at the end of a long day, while promoting happiness and levels of relaxation.

Take the opportunity to strengthen ties

If you share your skincare routine, both parties will benefit. Whether as a couple, with a friend or family member, sharing these routines helps promote the bond between people, reinforcing affection and admiration, creating moments for two. As a direct consequence, happiness and mental health are promoted.

Plan spa days, take a few hours at the weekend for self-care moments as a couple, spend time with your loved ones and turn skincare into a fun family moment. These are just a few ideas that can help improve relationships, strengthen bonds and create happy memories, all integral components to everyday happiness.

Promote Self-love

One of the best ways to promote mental health through your skincare routine is to focus on self-love. By taking care of your skin on a daily basis, you are internalizing your self-worth. 

By giving at least 5 minutes of your time to your skin, you can create a positive impact that you feel throughout the day, mentally and physically, keeping your skin protected and cared for, while boosting your confidence and well-being.

Reduce negative spiraling

For people suffering from depression and anxiety, the hours before going to bed tend to be high-stress moments that exacerbate negative feelings and influence spirals of self-pitying thoughts, according to Matt Traube, from the University of Santa Barbara. 

By creating a skincare routine before going to bed, we are reserving a moment of personal care and affection that counterbalances these thoughts and replaces these periods of negativity with relaxation and happiness. This creates an exciting and happy moment before going to sleep, which has been proven to be effective in anticipating happy moments by triggering the neurotransmitters in our brain that bring us feelings of happiness and calm.

Give structure to your days

By creating a skincare routine and setting specific times for it, you’re not just creating moments of happiness, you’re also creating structure and discipline to your days, allowing you to feel on top and in control of your life. You’ll be able to manage your time better and reinforce your confidence, security and idea of self-worth.

By setting aside specific moments in your day for relaxation and self-care, you are taking control of your life, focusing on yourself, and renewing your energy through self-care.

Enjoy the chemical effects

By taking care of yourself through a skincare routine, you are allowing the production of integral chemicals to promote well-being, emotional balance, relaxation and happiness.

The very act of massaging your face and muscles, applying moisturizer or using a face mask helps to combat the effects of stress. The body goes into relaxation mode, facilitating the promotion of essential chemicals for daily well-being.

Record your progress

Create a record, in the form of a diary or small notes, giving thanks and reflecting on the good things in life. In this way, you’ll help your brain organize ideas, avoid anxiety and promote your physical and mental well-being.

By developing this process of self-discovery, you will learn more about yourself, discover the ideal products for your skin and acquire a new appreciation for yourself and your skin. 

We share with you tips and teachings on healthy skin. Read more about it here, in our article.

Sources:

Everyday Health; Nova Benefits; Dr. Nikoleta, Ordem dos Psicólogos, WebMD, The Dead Sea Co; The Lancet – Study; Frontiers in Psychology – Study, inStyle – Study State of Skin.