5 Ways To Introduce Mindfulness Into Your Skincare Routine
Your skincare routine is a perfect opportunity to build the habit of mindfulness into your daily life. The practice of non-judgemental self-awareness; mindfulness is all about slowing down to be present and aware of thoughts, physical sensations and the world around us.
It’s a powerful way to help you cope with everyday life and benefit your mental and physical wellbeing. The good news? You don’t need to become a yogi or find a bunch of extra time in your day to get a little more mindful. Even small periods of truly being present and making conscious decisions are incredibly beneficial. Let’s take a look at how to give your regular skincare routine a mindful makeover.
Slow down your product application
When we slow down it allows us to move through an activity with greater attention and become fully present in the moment.
Instead of rushing through the process, slow down and allow your skincare routine to become an act of self-love you look forward to, rather than just another task on the list.
As you apply your creams, lotions and oils, pay attention to the textures. How do they feel on your skin? Take time to massage products properly into your skin, this will help maximise the effectiveness of each product too, especially cleanser.
Deeply inhale and appreciate the different fragrances of your skincare routine. Connecting with the five senses and incorporating scents to your skincare regime can transforms it into a beautiful, energising ritual.
Observe changes to your skin
Now that we’ve slowed down the application process, take time to really look at your skin. Taking note of any changes can help you more intimately understand your skin and what it needs.
When we rush through our routine with an eye on the clock, it’s easy to miss subtle changes to our skin’s appearance and texture. What is your skin trying to tell you?
Chronic stress can have a serious impact on the health of your skin. By incorporating the practice of mindfulness more regularly into your day, stress levels begin to lower. In turn, you may find persistent skin issues like breakouts and dryness actually begin to clear up on their own.
Choose natural products
Embracing a more mindful approach to life includes giving more thought to the products we use, like what we slather onto our faces and bodies everyday.
Skin is the body’s largest organ some of what we put on it, including chemicals, can be absorbed through the skin into our bloodstream. Opting for natural skincare instead of products with synthetic ingredients means you’re making a mindful decision. You’re choosing to truly nourish your skin with natural ingredients, instead of bombarding it with chemicals like parabens and Benzisothiazolinone.
Take the time to think about and appreciate the benefit of some of the natural ingredients in your products as you apply them. Smell the scent of sandalwood and know it’s doing a great job protecting your skin from the damage caused by free radicals that leads to wrinkles and fine lines. Or the aloe vera, helping to remove redness and soothe dry or angry skin.
Add a masking meditation session to your weekly routine
You don’t need to devote hours to meditation to reap the wellness benefits of this ancient practice. Even a couple of minutes each day or during particularly stressful periods is enough to help manage and relieve anxious thoughts and improve attention.
A face masking session is the ideal time to relax into 10 - 15 minutes of meditation as your mask works its magic. If you need a little guidance getting started, check out apps like Headspace or Calm. These hugely popular apps are great for beginners and have guided meditations covering anxiety, focus, stress, sleep, relationships and more.
If you’re not already, try fitting a regular face masking sesh into your weekly schedule. Nourishing your skin and your mind at the same time sounds like a win to us!
Set the mood essential oils
While you move through the steps of your skincare routine, add essential oils to a diffuser in the bathroom. The key to using essential oils for mindfulness is to find an oil or blend that resonates with your current mood or situation.
In the morning, add an essential oil blend to help energise you for the day or relieve any tense, stressful thoughts you have about the to-do list waiting for you at work. During your evening, use a blend to help you wind down.
At the end of your routine spend a minute breathing deeply, and quietly thinking over things for the day ahead or the one that’s just been while relaxing your body and mind.
If you’re facing any challenges, this is an opportunity to think things through calmly and practice a better way to react to any problems. Equally, it's a time to purposely express thanks for those things you’re grateful for.
We recommend:
Siesta Essential Oil Blend - This oil is specially formulated to help calm, relax and aid deep peaceful sleep for the entire family. Contains Lavender Essential Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, Marjoram Essential Oil, Jojoba Oil Oil, Roman Chamomile Essential Oil.
Focused Essential Oil Blend - This blend has been created to help sharpen the mind and improve mental clarity. Contains Grapefruit Essential Oil, Bergamot Essential Oil, Basil Essential Oil, Cold Pressed Lemon Essential Oil.
Do you regularly make time to practice mindfulness? We’d love to hear any tips you have for incorporating it into your daily routine!