Wow 2019 flew by didn’t it? Honestly this past year was SO busy I can hardly remember any of it. I think in 2020 I really need to make more of an effort with slow living. Taking things one day at a time. And despite being a beauty blogger, I don’t have that much time for self-care so I’m hoping to change that into the New Year. Self-care is not selfish – it’s okay to look after yourself and your mental and physical health. Self-care means a lot of different things to different people I realise. To me, self-care means taking care of my physical health in the form of massages, exercising or a spa getaway. It could even mean reading a book. Hence, I’ve put together a post on my favourite self-care products for 2020. I would love to hear what kind of things you do for self-care too!
For the Body
I am an avid supplement taker and I take both collagen and hyaluronic acid supplements which most people don’t realise that we need to take if you are into inside/out skincare. The Ingenious Vegan Supplements are a vegan formula that enhances both collagen and hyaluronic acid production within the skin. Both collagen and hyaluronic acid are produced naturally in the skin but decline with age, hence as you age it’s good to add it into your supplement regime. Collagen is needed in both our joints and skin and hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration but also has other benefits that I had no idea about which include anti-inflammatory benefits and maintains fluid in the eye tissues. Taking both internally can help combat fine lines, loss of hydration and pigmentation concerns. Hyaluronic Acid is an amazing antioxidant and each molecule can bind with up to 1,000 times its own weight in water.
Irene Forte Orange Blossom Body Oil
Now I have to start out by saying that this product is not cheap. In fact, it’s outright indulgent and as far as luxury bodycare goes this one is right at the top. But a little goes a long way and once you get a whiff of how lovely this smells then you might reconsider the price tag. This is a super luxurious body oil that I only really want to use on days where I need some extra special TLC. The Irene Forte Orange Blossom Body Oil smells incredible – it’s uplifting and the aromatherapy benefits will make you say ahhh. It’s one of those body oils that you will look forward to using after a long day with a blend of skin-nurturing oils such as pistachio, olive, jojoba and grapeseed.
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream and Brazilian Nude Cream
When I travel I love to bring my favourite beauty products. And when it’s dreary winter weather I like to use bodycare that reminds me of warmer climates. Like Brazil. I’m obsessed with the Bum Bum Cream from Sol de Janeiro – it honestly smells incredible. And when I use it, it sends my mind straight to tropical temperatures, beautiful oceans and white sand beaches. The body cream itself contains guaraná, a native Amazonian plant that is one of the most potent forms of caffeine on the planet. So if you want to stimulate circulation in the winter months when you may need it the most then this cream is one of the best self-care products.
They have also just launched a Brazilian Nude Cream which is a fragrance-free body moisturiser that can also be used for sensitive skin. Honestly once you try the Sol de Janeiro formulas it’s hard to go back – they are so incredibly rich and moisturising – truly a real body butter formula! The Brazilian Nude Cream contains Brazilian Passionflower which is full of vitamins and omega-6 fatty acids as well as colloidal oatmeal which is so soothing – I used to use that very ingredient for my eczema back in the day!
For the Mind
Ark Spa Aromatics Travel Candle
I love candlelight. Something about it is so soothing. And better yet if the candle smells incredible. I’ve recently been loving the Ark Spa Aromatics Travel Candle. It’s small enough to take it with you on your travels so you can take your favourite scent with you wherever you go but big enough to have lots of burn time. This candle was particularly good for the holidays due to the notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove with added hints of vanilla and spicy orange just to top it off.
For the Skin
Jalue the brand embodies all that there is when I think about self-care products for the skin. They are natural, skin-nourishing and beautiful products that are thoughtfully created to make you feel good. I love the Jalue Velvytt Skin Treat – it honestly smells so amazing. The founder, Jale, used an ancient recipe from Northern Azerbaijan and modernized it for everyday use. The key ingredient of Jalue products is propolis which contain over 300 active compounds. This is a balm formula so I use it at night as it’s quite rich. You can also use this on dry skin such as a rough patch of skin on the elbows, knees or lips. I even use it as a mask sometimes when I feel like my skin needs a bit of self-care. And if you leave it on overnight? You will wake up with baby-soft skin!
Herbal Essentials Illuminating Mask
Nothing says self-care to me like a mask. I love taking time to put on a mask when I feel like I’ve been rushing my skincare. I also like a mask that multi-tasks and does a LOT of things all at once. I’ve just started using the Herbal Essentials Illuminating Mask which is lovely and genuinely feels like self-care. The mask contains natural enzymes that helps to slough off dead skin cells so not only does it leave your skin brighter and smoother but it also helps to hydrate skin that needs a boost of moisture. And the best thing? You only need to leave it on for 5-10 minutes for it to do its magic.
Chantecaille Jasmine & Lily Healing Mask
Living a hectic life in London it’s easy to feel stressed and over-stretched with tight schedules. If you want to indulge in a mask for a bit of self-care then the Chantecaille Jasmine & Lily Healing Mask is SO lovely. It’s got a blend of botanical ingredients that soothe tired and dull complexions. I know when I’m running around and don’t have time then a mask and a Netflix night will cure me. The Chantecaille Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask contains floral extracts, vitamins and botanical ingredients that stimulate skin’s own natural healing process so aids in repair. It’s particularly good for jetlag so after travelling for the holidays this was a godsend!
Drunk Elephant Shelf Respect Day Kit
I’m personally loving the Drunk Elephant Shelf Respect Day Kit. First of all it has just a little bit of everything you need to treat your skin. There’s a full-size C-Firma Day Serum that is perfect for the day as it contains Vitamin C so is a great daytime serum that will also help brighten the skin as well. So it’s definitely one to add to your list of best self-care products.
If you like to layer skincare like I do you can also layer on the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum or just use this on its own. It’s got Vitamin B5 and pineapple ceramides that help re-plump the skin and hold moisture within your skin cells for longer throughout the day.
Another product I love in this kit is the D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops. If you live in an urban environment this is a great product to keep around! It gives a lovely glow to the skin so you can add into your moisturiser or use it on its own. It contains a mix of protective antioxidants that helps to shield your skin from daily pollutants. Who could say no to that?!
Another thing I like to harp on about is SPF. The Drunk Elephant Shelf Respect Kit also comes with the Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defence SPF 30. I love the fact that it’s tinted and I don’t wear a lot of foundation so this is actually the perfect coverage for me to go about my day-to-day life. There’s one thing you must always wear and that is SPF!
And last but not least there’s the Protini Polypeptide Cream which you can use at night. This cream is all about delivering hydration and peptides into your skin, along with a whole host of other star ingredients for plump skin by the next morning!
Cowshed Hot Cloth Cleanser Set
When thinking of self-care products, you have to start with your cleanser. Cleansing your skin properly is the ultimate form of self-care. Think about it – you take the whole day off with your cleanse and all that’s left is your own skin. And you have to be comfortable with the skin you’re in. I’ve learned to be more gentle with my cleansing routine and I love to treat my skin to a gentle cleanse from the Cowshed Hot Cloth Cleanser Set. The muslin cloth included gives a gentle exfoliation and the Gentle Face Wash with soothing lavender and essential oils smells incredible so you get a nice boost of aromatherapy while you are cleansing. Clean skin and soothes senses? A double win.
Self-care to me also means looking after your skin and that of course means using a nice moisturiser, one of my favourite kinds of self-care products. One that is a joy to use and also makes my skin glow. For the colder winter months I’m loving taking the soothing approach and that is to nourish my skin with a moisturiser that is full of natural oils and pure goodness. The Jalue Velvytt Skin Souffle is a gorgeous moisturiser that contains both evening primrose oil and propolis (the magic ingredient) and who’s formula is a modern day version of an ancient recipe from Northern Azerbaijan, passed down from generation to generation. Propolis contains over 300 active compounds and if you have reactive skin this moisturiser is really soothing. My skin has gone a bit sensitive in the colder weather so it really loves this moisturiser for its soothing properties.
What are some of your favourite self-care products that you use to feel good? Self-care for me also includes facials so if you need some more reading don’t forget to read about my 24K Gold Facial in Venice, Italy!
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @beautyrocksblog to follow more of my adventures!
*Post contains PR samples for testing purposes. All opinions my own, as always.
