While we all know self-care is important, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that it needs to be elaborate or expensive. Enter the humble face mask: Possibly the most accessible, no-fuss form of self-care out there.
I’m absolutely guilty of standing at the checkout area of my local beauty store and my eye catching on the sheet mask packets – their pretty colors, neon fruit illustrations, promises of “moisturising” and “refining” and “brightening”. Yes, please, I’ll take all three.
There’s just something about opening up that sachet, smoothing on a cool layer of green tea-scented clay, or peeling open that slightly alarming (but deeply satisfying) black charcoal sheet mask. Instantly, you’ve created a tiny ritual. It’s not about transforming your skin overnight or impressing anyone with your 10-step routine, it’s about pressing pause for a few minutes and doing something that feels good, just for you.
Face masks are the great equalizer of self-care. You don’t need a fancy spa, a hefty bank account, or even a ton of free time. You can do it at home, in your PJs, while binge-watching reality TV or texting your best friend about your latest dating app mishap. You can mask alone, with a mate, or even on a FaceTime catch-up (no filters needed). There’s no “right” way, and that’s the beauty of it.
Face masks range in price from super-cheap to expensive because they contain actual gold flakes. But generally, there are accessible and affordable options. They’re also portable – you can easily pop one into your overnight bag if you’re going away, or even use one on a long-haul flight (after the lights are turned off for sleeping, of course; don’t freak out your flight attendants by wearing one during meal service).
Science says certain ingredients (hello, clay and vitamin C) can help your skin, but honestly? Half the benefit is in that tiny ritual I mentioned before. The feeling of doing something – anything – that’s just for you. The “ahhh” moment when you wash it off and feel a little fresher, a little softer, a little more like yourself. It’s probably not going to work miracles on your skin, and that’s okay – it’s more about just taking that me-time.
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s the secret ingredient to showing up for yourself and others, whether you’re heading out for a date or just showing up for a random Tuesday. And if your idea of self-care is a cheap, cheerful mask while you eat ice cream and wear the world’s ugliest socks? Even better.
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