We live in a society where we are constantly on the go.

That is our norm: GO! – DO! – MORE! – NOW! Our pesky to-do lists are getting longer and longer, inviting stress and fatigue into our lives. Our days are stretched to the max, leaving little time to regroup, relax and enjoy ourselves.

Well, I say: “no more!” 

We might not be able to add more hours to the day, but we can certainly shorten our lists. I propose we remove 1 pesky yet important task… Let’s permanently remove our “skincare regimen” off our to-do list and put it at the top of our “I can’t wait” to-do list!

You’re probably thinking: “my skincare regimen definitely belongs on the pesky to-do list.”  And you’re right. But, if you replace your skincare “regimen” with a skincare “ritual,” you can TRANSFORM your life. A life where you can gain peace of mind, have energy and feel good.

Let’s start off with the difference between a skincare regimen and a skincare ritual. A regimen is a routine, often designed to improve or maintain one’s health. A skincare regimen can often feel like a monotonous chore… Cleanse. Exfoliate. Moisturize. Repeat. It’s one of those things that is important to do, but an absolute drag to complete. A ritual has the same sense of “task” but is done with meaning and intention, focusing completely on the luxuriousness of the experience.

This, my friend, is called: mindfulness, a major player in the ritual world. It’s good to be in-tune with the body; it somehow always has a way of letting us know what it needs. If ignored for too long, it tends to lash out (you don’t want to anger THAT beast)… You know what I’m talking about: stress, anxiety, exhaustion... The list goes on. These issues don’t just affect our mental well-being, but our physical well-being, too. Your skin included! By practicing mindfulness, we tell our bodies, “I hear you.  You have my attention and I’m going to take care of you.” Doing so will help reduce stress, anxiety and exhaustion, which can contribute to dry skin, wrinkles, and acne. No, thank you!

So, how do we achieve this? First things first. We need to unplug from the world so we can focus on the moment. That means no Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, email… NOTH-ING! I know it’s a big ask, but I have faith in you.

Here are a few mindfulness tips that can bode well when incorporated into your skincare ritual. Each of these practices can help you to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Focus on Your Breath

Inhale gently through the nose and exhale deeply through the mouth.  Focus your attention on the inhale and exhale. Repeat.

Engage in Aromatherapy

Add a favorite essential oil to your diffuser , if you have one. If you don’t have a diffuser, add a few drops of essential oil to a carrier oil like olive, jojoba, or avocado oil and rub on your wrists or behind your ears.  Try one of the following essential oils:

Lavender – Lavender essential oil notoriously relieves stress and anxiety.

Chamomile – Chamomile improves mood and relaxation.

Bergamot – Bergamot is great for skin conditions like eczema.

Ylang-Ylang – Ylang Ylang treats skin conditions and relieves headaches.

Tea Tree – Tea tree can fight infections and boost immunity.

Let Music Set the Vibe

Shut out all that external noise, pop in those ear buds or hook up a relaxing playlist to your bluetooth speaker and let the music get you in the mood.

Sea Salt Your Bath

Add sea salt or Epsom salt to a hot bath (according to the box instructions). Relax as the sea salt soothes sore and achy muscles. Plus, sea salt and Epsom salt calm irritated skin, which is a major bonus!

Drink Your Way to Healthy Skin

Why not jump-start your AM skincare ritual with a healthy and refreshing beverage?

Drinking a smoothie with antioxidant-rich ingredients is a sure-fire way to give your skin the nutrients it craves from the inside, out.

Consider adding some of these skin-loving ingredients to your smoothie. Not only will your skin benefit but your tastebuds will, too.

• Avocado - plumps and hydrates
• Blueberries - combat premature aging and improve circulation
• Raspberries - clarifying and firming
• Kiwi - collagen booster and under eye dark circle diminisher
• Coconut water - hydrates and defends against fine lines and wrinkles
• Mango - improves skin elasticity and protects skin against environmental damage
• Pineapple - clear and radiant skin
• Kale - elasticity and firmness
• Spinach - rejuvenation, anti-aging
• Flaxseed - reduces inflammation, redness and acne

Facial Massage

Let’s talk facial massage. Stimulation of the facial muscles boosts circulation, giving a healthy and natural glow to the complexion. It can also help relieve tension that causes fine lines and wrinkles over time.

Now, there’s no need to book an appointment at the spa (although who doesn’t love to be pampered by someone else?) What I’m talking about is performing a simple massage technique while cleansing and moisturizing. All you need to do is gently massage the face with your fingertips, in large circular strokes using upward and outward motions. Pretty easy, right? 

If you need more convincing, facial massages:

• Release toxins
• Reduce puffiness
• Lift and plump the skin
• Improve product penetration and absorption

You Got This

The way we live our lives can have a hefty impact on our skin. Finding ways to sprinkle a bit of joy into our daily activities can go a long way for your skin and your overall happiness. So, choose one, choose all, or create your OWN custom skincare ritual.

Whether your days are jam-packed or you find yourself with extra time on your hands, take 3 minutes or take an hour… This does not have to be a major production! Do what works best for you.

And always remember to listen to your body. Your skin will thank you.