Skincare as Selfcare

Having a skincare regimen may seem like just another thing you have to do, like locking the door on your way out or turning off the lights when you go to sleep. But more and more people are finding a strange sense of solace in this otherwise mundane routine, and for good reason.

If you’ve always thought of skincare as a chore, here are some things to ponder out that might just change your perspective about this simple activity.

A sense of control

There are a lot of things in our lives that are uncertain and tenuous. At times, the feeling of powerlessness gets overwhelming. And that’s where routines come in. Having a set of tasks to do everyday gives you a sense of control. Consistency gives you a sense of stability even when so many other things in our lives are subject to change.

Your skincare routine is a daily reminder that you have power over your body. Whether it’s a 10-minute cleanse-moisturize-sunscreen regimen, or an hour-long 10-step routine, it helps to know that you have power over a small part of your day.

A practice in mindfulness

When we think about mindfulness, we might think of breathing exercises or a meditation session. Rarely do we associate it with skincare, but this simple activity has all the trappings of a mindfulness exercise.

As you stand in front of the mirror going through the motions of applying this and patting on that, you are fully in the moment. You forget the worries of the day and focus on the present and on the task at hand. It has all the makings of a mindfulness exercise, and many of us don’t even realise it. 

Honouring the body

A vast majority of us spend most of the day neglecting our bodies, so making time everyday to honour it helps put things in perspective. Allocating time for your skincare regimen is a choice you made to prioritise your physical wellbeing. Given that the skin is the largest organ of the body and our first line of defense against the outside world, it’s very important to keep it healthy.

Showing kindness to the self

In a world where we are constantly bombarded with the pressure to be like this and look like that, it’s all too easy for us to get frustrated with ourselves. Rarely do we treat ourselves as kindly as we treat the ones that we love, which, when you think about it, doesn’t make sense.

Establishing a skincare routine is YOU going out of YOUR way to care for YOURSELF. By expending time, effort, and money on yourself, you are affirming that you are worth it. When you’re drowning in negative feelings and thoughts about yourself, this can be very powerful.

Proactive healthcare

Early detection of disease makes a world of difference in the prognosis. Focusing on your skin for a few minutes everyday allows you to observe changes, no matter how subtle. By knowing how your skin normally behaves, you can easily tell when something is not right. A mole that keeps growing bigger, a hard lump under the skin, or an inflammatory reaction can alert you to potential problems. You are able to seek the advice of a doctor quickly and solve the issue before it gets any worse.

Conclusion

Mental health is not just about the big-ticket solutions like taking a vacation, or starting a new hobby. We often overlook the importance of doing little things everyday to act out our self-love. Skincare may be a simple, mundane activity, but that’s exactly the point. The little, in-between moments of selfcare can build up over time and change the way you see yourself for the better.

The information presented on this website and in this article is for general information and example purposes only, does not contain health advice specific for users and must not be relied on for that purpose.  Please see your GP, dermatologist or other health care professional for specific advice.