How Does Having A Skincare Routine Improve Your Mental Health?

In the COVID-19 era, you require a pandemic skin-care self-care plan. Simply put, it is committing to and sticking to a routine that benefits the health of your body's largest organ, your skin, as well as providing structure and pampering that benefits your psychological well-being.

Dr Niketa Sonavane, Celebrity Dermatologist in Mumbai and founder of Ambrosia Aesthetics, says, "Taking care of my skin is one of the first steps in my self-care routine."

Yes, she's a dermatologist, so she's naturally skin-conscious, but there's a reason for the pampering. “In reality, our skin acts as a 'check engine light' for our internal health in a variety of ways. “When our skin looks good, we feel confident and generally better about ourselves,” she says.

Here are five compelling reasons for doing so.

1. Having a skin-care routine adds structure to your day, which is beneficial to your mental health.

The transition from being out and about to being at home all the time is one of the most significant changes we're going through right now. As a result of the change, your day's structure and routine are disrupted. Among these routines are healthy eating habits, exercise, journaling, and skin care. These habits are essential for your overall health, both physically and mentally. People who have less consistent routines throughout the active parts of their day are more likely to suffer from depression, mood problems, loneliness, and unhappiness.

These routines feel good and serve as a calming force in your life, anchoring your day and providing a point of stability in your week. You might even feel as if you've accomplished something small. It is critical to maintain some routines during the week, especially in light of COVID-19; otherwise, one day begins to blend into the next. This is an excellent time to reap the benefits of these habits.

2. Concentrating on Doing Something Nice for Oneself Helps to Break the Worry Spiral

You may discover that certain times of the day trigger intrusive thoughts, but self-care can help you break the cycle. Anxiety and depression patients frequently report that their symptoms worsen 30 minutes to an hour before bed. Many people are concerned because this is when they have more free time. When you're engaged in an activity, such as washing, toning, and moisturizing your face, you can get out of your head and focus on what you're doing. This applies to any activity that keeps you occupied, such as working on a new project, cooking dinner, or walking your dog around the neighborhood.

Caring for your skin allows you to practice mindfulness as well. Mindfulness is defined as focusing on sensations in the present moment without passing judgement, such as the soothing sensation of warm water. This practice has been shown to buffer depression and anxiety by stopping worry and rumination. By engaging in this activity for a few minutes, you can help your brain get off those unhealthy, spiraling thought patterns.

3. Taking Care of Your Skin on a Regular Basis Triggers a Chain Reaction of Chemicals in Your Brain, Which Improves Your Mood

Create a routine that feels good to you and includes products that you like to use. Don't underestimate the cleansing power of gently massaging skin with a warm washcloth, or the importance of taking the time to smooth a silky moisturizer on your face or apply a mask. This can even be an evening event. Taking care of your skin during quarantine will give you something to look forward to. Set the mood for your at-home facials by lighting candles, drinking a glass of wine, and listening to relaxing music while you let your anti-aging mask sit.

With so many people experimenting with at-home facial treatments such as masks and chemical peels, we recommend sticking with a mask for a more concentrated skin treatment. "At this time, masks are much more secure. A chemical peel has a higher risk of causing a skin reaction, and you can't rely on a dermatologist to get you out of a jam right now,” says Dr Sonavane. Masks, on the other hand, are gentler and can temporarily plump the skin, giving you a younger, refreshed appearance.

The experience of an at-home facial or treatment is certainly relaxing, but simply planning for it provides a lot of satisfaction. Anticipation of happy events causes the brain to release feel-good neurotransmitters. Expecting positive events has been shown to activate a specific area of the prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with a sense of well-being. It's a natural high from your brain neuro-transmitters.

One of the reasons why baths are so relaxing is because of this. First, expect to feel relaxed as you lower into one, and second, warm water naturally relaxes muscles. Physical relaxation tells your brain that it's time to relax and unwind, which reduces the fight-or-flight stress response.

Dr. Sonavane suggests adding oatmeal to your bath water to turn it into a self-care ritual while also improving the health of your skin. Look for colloidal oatmeal packets, which relieve irritated skin caused by eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin in general. She suggests soaking for 10 minutes.

4. Skin care allows you to connect with loved ones, which is good for your mental health.

Spending this concentrated time with loved ones pursuing hobbies and enjoyable activities is associated with higher levels of happiness. You can spend quality time together that will boost your sense of personal fulfilment and family bonding at a time when you may feel too close for comfort with the other members of your household.

Sharing this routine with adolescent children is an important step in this process. With less direct social interaction at this time, I find that spending my self-care time with my daughter is far more effective in achieving the ultimate goal of self-care — a balance of physical and mental well-being.

You can also make it a fun experience for everyone. It is not necessary to purchase a new product case. Instead, focus on the people you already have in your life who you adore. Alternatively, you can make this a fun family activity by searching your pantry for skin-friendly ingredients for a DIY mask, such as coconut oil or almond paste.

5. Caring for your skin is a selfless act that sends a strong message.

The world is quiet stressful right now. So, while it may appear appealing to stay up late watching TV and then roll into bed without even splashing your face with water, you're simply too tired. But what if you focused instead on taking care of yourself in this small way? Spending an extra five minutes to treat your skin sends the message, "I'm worth it." This is comparable to the benefit you might get from applying mascara in the morning, coloring your cheeks to make them pop, or smoothing on that tinted moisturizer that makes your skin glow.

Finding a moisturizer that you enjoy using could be one of the more significant steps. Consider the following: Is it pleasant to apply to your skin? Is it a pleasant fragrance? “Does it make your skin feel better afterward?” Moisturizing the skin improves its overall appearance and appearance while also restoring and maintaining the skin's function as an environmental barrier. It also improves circulation to the skin, which can help you feel better overall.

Why is self-care, including skin care, so important now?

There are numerous ways to practice self-care, but concentrating your efforts on improving skin health benefits your mental and emotional health as well — which is especially important during COVID-19. “There will be a direct correlation between your skin-care routine and your mood,” says Dr. Sonavane. “Taking care of your skin benefits both your mind and body. It boosts your self-esteem and gives you a sense of control over your day.”