Skincare products are amazing tools to get the desired results we are looking for. Now, more than ever, we have the knowledge about active ingredients. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides and retinoids are all examples of ingredients that are present in a skin care routine. Building a great skincare routine is a great way to create a glowing complexion, but a skincare routine is just that - a routine. Boring, expected, rushed through and simply something to check off on the daily list.
The steps of applying products - cleansing, massaging, moisturizing and smoothing the skin can be considered a regime, but what if we told you that adding one simple change can completely change your skincare routine? It is not an ingredient or any specialized tool, but rather it is using intention to heighten your daily mundane skincare routine into an invigorating skincare ritual with a purposeful experience. A good skincare ritual helps your mental health by reducing stress and increasing mindfulness, productivity, and self-esteem.
A skincare routine is an ordinary act that can be a way to unwind, relax, and let go of the day’s anxieties. It can also be a time to set goals or intentions and to tend to your needs. A skincare ritual is all of those things, plus it is an amazing way to connect with yourself and your body, and it can be a wonderful act of self-love if you choose it to be that way.
Rituals are oftentimes thought of taking a long time with very detailed steps, but that doesn't need to be true. Your skincare ritual is a place where you can create meaning and purpose according to your personal needs. The best changes you can make are to improve something that you already make time for, instead of adding a new step to an already busy schedule. Simply adding a couple of extra things will provide you to connect with yourself and nourish your skin.
Here are our tips to create an intentional skincare ritual:
Start with intention
Determine how you want to feel. Do you want to feel empowered, pampered, seen, loved, focused, radiant, determined, awake, peaceful? Setting an intention at the beginning of whatever ritual you do sets the tone for what you want to accomplish. Your skin is constantly changing, and your intention also may shift day to day. Begin by examining how you’re feeling - Do you feel any extra stress anywhere in your body? Do you feel tired? Do you feel excited about something? Do you feel anxious?
Your feelings can fluctuate depending on the time of day, and most likely will. You can use your morning skincare ritual to help set the tone for your day, and your evening ritual can be a great way to unwind and release the day, and prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep.
Connect with yourself
Oftentimes when we look at ourselves, we focus on blemishes, wrinkles, dark spots or the things we lack or want to improve when we are doing our skincare routine. Looking in the mirror can serve as a cruel reminder of how we may feel inadequate. Encourage yourself to see your skin as it is and what it can do without relating it to your self-worth.
Begin with taking a deep breath, and look at yourself. Examine the features that make you uniquely yourself. Take a moment to make eye contact with yourself in the mirror and pause to be grateful and know that your imperfections do not define you. This is an opportunity to really see yourself. Tell yourself, “My imperfections make me unique and beautiful.”
Be in the present
It is important to take your time during this process. Staying in the present moment is key to slowing down and giving yourself this moment. Clear out distractions and focus on each step. Notice how each step feels. How does it feel when you splash warm water on your face? How does it feel when you cleanse or massage serums in circular motions? How does it feel when you rub moisturizer into your skin? Different motions, movements, tools, temperatures, and even fragrances provide an experience which can be very grounding and pleasurable. Stay in the moment and just feel.
Narrate with Positive Affirmations
Say each step out loud, for example “I am cleansing my skin to release stress and dirt”, or “I am treating my skin gently and with love”. Combining the physical acts with positive affirmations is a great way to remind yourself of why each step is important and all of the amazing things you are doing to improve yourself, inside and out. Make each application and stroke of the skin intentional and send love and positive energy back into your skin.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key as this is not a treat or a once in a while act. It is a precious practice, one that you will eventually look forward to practicing. When you commit to a mindful skincare ritual you are boosting your self-esteem through completing a productive task, encouraging commitment to a daily activity, and learning how to develop healthy habits.
When we look our best we feel empowered, stronger, and more confident. Keeping an intentional skincare ritual ensures that your skin always looks its best, and you feel good too! It’s vital to listen to your skin and intuitively adapt your ritual as your skin and body needs.