I think we can all agree that school has just been a lot recently. It’s that point in the semester when the weather gets cold and gloomy, and you just want to curl up in bed and nap. Unfortunately, it’s also the point in the semester when you have to complete all your important assignments before finals, so there is added pressure to be productive on top of the lack of motivation to do anything at all. So, when I pass by a mirror around this time of year and am scared by my sleep-deprived appearance, it’s my signal that it’s time for a self-care night. Luckily, I am obsessed with all things skincare, so over time I’ve compiled a list of products and tools that really boost my confidence and relaxation for self-care nights.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning (which is essentially just shaving the peach fuzz off your face) has been a recent addition to my self-care routine, but I really see a difference in how much brighter and smoother my skin looks afterwards. After cleansing, I apply a small amount of facial oil to the skin. The facial oil creates a barrier between my skin and the blade and is crucial for the razor to glide smoothly while preventing dryness and sensitization. I would recommend The Ordinary’s Rose Hip Seed Oil because it’s only $10. Then, you can take a single-blade razor (also called an eyebrow razor; they sell these at most drugstores) and gently shave downwards in small increments to remove the hair.
Dermaplaning tips:
When dermaplaning, always make sure to apply the oil or aloe vera gel before starting! Also, try to only dermaplane once a month to avoid over-exfoliation and irritation, and do it on a night when you are not using any other exfoliating products to avoid sensitization.
Face masks
Face masks are pretty much the foundation for any relaxing self-care night. But, which to use? Sheet masks are really refreshing, especially if you put them in the fridge prior to use, but they are essentially just paper soaked in serum. While they may give you a nice plumping effect for the day, most sheet masks don’t provide lasting results, so, they’re not great to spend a lot of money on. Also, most people end up washing the serum off their face afterward, which is rinsing off all the benefits. Clay masks can make you feel really clean after washing them off but ensure that you aren’t feeling that “squeaky-clean” feeling which means that your skin is stripped! These masks can be great for oily-skinned individuals, but only certain clay masks that are targeted towards hydration are great for the dry-skinned people out there (a good indicator of this is if it doesn’t fully dry down). While peel-off masks are fun and satisfying, they can actually be damaging in the long run and cause irritation, redness and dryness, so unless you absolutely love the experience I would stay away. Finally, leave-on masks are my go-to for these kinds of nights and they’re the type of mask I would spend a little more money on. They create less waste than single-use sheet masks, and I find that their benefits last longer and are more noticeable. One mask that I’ve tried and would recommend is Dr. Roebuck’s Tama Healing Mask, which is an unfortunate shade of yellow-brown due to the turmeric in it but leaves my skin so soothed and glowy. Another great mask is the Aveeno Oat Face Masks, there are a few different types of masks for different skin concerns.
Gua sha
Unless you haven’t been on TikTok in the past few months, you know what gua sha is. It’s a part of traditional Chinese medical practices, and ever since users on TikTok shared their incredible results after a few months of use, they’ve been flying off the shelves. The stone tool has a slit that allows the sculpting of the cheekbones, jawline and other parts of the face to help with lymphatic drainage and essentially de-bloat the face. While I can’t say I’ve seen an extremely noticeable difference, it feels so relaxing, so I use it for the experience. When buying a gua sha stone, try to purchase it from an AAPI-owned business to support the origins of this practice, and while using it, make sure to apply a facial oil to help avoid any tugging of the skin!
While these skincare products and tools are not necessary by any means, especially on a student budget, skincare is something that relaxes me and something I treat as a “reset” for the stress I put my skin under daily. Some of these products or tools might not work for you, which is totally fine as well. At the end of the day, self-care is about what makes you feel good, so use whatever causes that relaxation and confidence for you!