5 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health Through Skincare
A lot of skincare lovers will agree that beyond the obvious physical benefits, beginning a routine changes your life in several ways. Many people get hooked after watching their scars fade off their faces right before their eyes. The sense of accomplishment behind skincare is definitely one of its major benefits.
On the flip side, one underrated benefit of skincare is its positive effect on mental health. Too many people assume that all the benefits attached to skincare are vain. This is untrue. If you aren’t in the habit of using skincare to care for your mind, you’re in for a treat. Let’s take a look at 5 ways to improve your mental health through skincare.
5 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health Through Skincare
Gua Sha and Serum
If you’re familiar with gua shas, you probably know that they are primarily facial massage tools. While a lot of claims state that these devices offer other benefits such as improving saggy and wrinkled skin, most of these are unproven. It is, however, certified that gua shas were initially used to massage the body.
One major way that gua shas can help your mental health is by using them for their original purpose; massage. A 2007 study showed that gua shas improve circulation in the face and might even be beneficial for treatment of facial pain. Increased circulation in the face promotes healthy skin and relaxes facial muscles, while stimulating collagen production (Per Healthline.)
Why It’s Good For Your Mental Health
Research carried out on breast cancer patients supplies proof that frequent massages can actually help reduce levels of stress, which improves overall mental health.
A healthy tip is to use your gua sha every morning or night. Simply combine it with your favorite soothing serum and massage the oil into your washed and cleansed face. If you leave it in the fridge overnight, it’ll feel amazing on your face the next morning and improve your blood circulation.
Led Mask and Yoga
LED masks are one tool that every skincare lover needs. Research has shown that LED treatments are actually effective for treating acne. Previously, the only way to use a led mask was at your local beauty therapist or esthetician, but there are now led masks available for home purchase and use.
The best way to use a LED mask is after massaging your favorite acne serum into your face. Simply strap on the facial mask and close your eyes before switching it on. Be sure to have a timer set. Now, you can begin your easiest yoga pose, on your back.
Why It’s Good For Your Mental Health
Various studies carried out between 2011 and 2016 have shown that yoga helps to treat stress and depression, and has been proven to help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
Consistent Skincare Routines
One of the most prominent benefits of skincare routines is how they change appearances. A good skincare routine can help battle acne, scars, saggy skin, wrinkles, sunburns, hyperpigmentation, etc. The list is almost endless.
Dedicating time to a routine will have a direct effect on how you look which will directly affect how you feel about yourself. It will increase your confidence levels and give your feelings of self-worth a boost.
Why It’s Good For Your Mental Health
Several studies have been launched into exploring the connections between women’s appearances and their levels of confidence. However, it is safe to say that it isn’t a gender issue. It is quite simple: people feel good when they look good.
Improving how you look can be the first step in taking conscious control of your life. As a bonus, skincare requires consistency. Breaking out of feelings of despair and the urge to give up in order to follow morning and evening skincare routines is one way of digging your heels in and fighting.
Home Facials and Spas
One of the best things about skincare is how customizable it is. When giving yourself home facials or spa treatments, you get to choose how you want to pamper your skin. If you like long showers, you can mix them with aromatherapy treatments or whatever else you like. Everyone loves to smell good. Home facials and spas allow almost everyone to develop beauty-related hobbies.
Having hobbies that benefit your skin is one way to improve your mental health and skin at the same time. Talk about killing two humongous birds with one stone!
Why It’s Good For Your Mental Health
Studies have shown that involvement in leisure activities and hobbies is significantly and positively related to mental health status in both men and women.
There are a ton of beauty treatments that you can easily and safely give yourself. Finding one that has clear benefits while being easy and simple to do (such as facemasks or saunas) is a great way to improve your mental health.
Healthy Eating
One major way to improve your skin is through what you eat. A lot of people find that changing their diets directly affected their skin issues. Meal and diet planning is a really important part of skincare. Some things such as greasy and oily foods, excessive sugar, alcohol, and smoking are frowned at by skincare experts.
Healthy eating benefits not only your skin, but your entire body. Skincare also shouts the importance of sunscreen which prevents skin cancer in addition to keeping your skin elastic and wrinkle-free. (This begs the question: do you wear sunscreen?)
Skincare also stresses the importance of drinking water all day and every day. Focusing on what you eat can definitely benefit your mental health.
Why It’s Good For Your Mental Health
Research has proven that there is a direct link between what we eat and how we feel. Fruits, veggies, water, and other healthy foods which can improve mental health also help keep your skin young.
Skincare; An Unrecognized Warrior For Mental Health
Without a doubt, skincare changes lives. Too many people limit themselves because of how they think they look. While skincare will not change your feelings of self-worth, it will allow you to improve yourself to your best physical version.
Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated and hard. Simple routines with inexpensive products will do the trick so long as you are consistent. Remember that beauty standards are forever changing and that you do not need to fit the mold to be beautiful.
