The ultimate guide to pampering your skin and body
February is all about love – and at The Skin Nerd we like to extend that love to our skin! After a long, gloomy January, we’re in the mood for some top-to-toe pampering but where do we start? From mood-altering massage to nourishing at-home-facials, we present our top ways to pamper your skin and uplift your spirits in time for Spring!
Set the scene
First thing’s first, we need to create the right ambiance for some serious self-soothing! With the rise of at home tools and a selection of spa-worthy room scents at hand, there’s nothing to deter you from creating a blissfully indulgent spa-throom. A cosy candle is a great way to start. When selecting a scent, you want to find one that helps you to recreate that inviting, calming feeling you get as soon as you step into a spa – which has been expertly primed to envelope your senses as soon as you walk through the door. To mirror this, select candles or room sprays with notes of lavender, eucalyptus or chamomile for an instantly pacifying, ‘ready to relax’ effect.
Carry out a contouring facial
Lift and sculpt your face by enhancing a home facial treatment with contouring tools and techniques. Whilst a face mask is a standard addition to a pamper evening, the use of a facial tool allows you to not only relax and nourish but depuff and boost circulation too! Select a Gua Sha to lift and sculpt the face, and cooling jade for the eye area.
Try some under eye patches
Pop on some under-eye patches to revitalise tired peepers whilst you relax. For the best results, keep your patches in the fridge until you are ready to use them. The lowered temperature will help to reduce puffiness and leaves you feeling refreshed.
Elevate your shower time
The bath often has the edge over the shower when it comes to pampering but if you are not a ‘bath person’ or simply lack the time to sit and soak, there are ways to put the luxe into your shower session. Shower steamers are are great for this. Shower steamers are tablets, which (much like bath bombs) fizz and release scent as water or steam touches them. Besides the fragrance they provide, shower steamers are also soothing and can give a soothing sauna-esque experience.
Use a lip scrub
Lips are often neglected but a simple sugar scrub works wonders for removing dead skin and getting a smooth pout! Use a sugar scrub to exfoliate before applying a nourishing lip balm or oil to hydrate.
Extend your post-bathing regime
Your body may be covered up with layers at this time of the year, but extending your post shower / bathing routine by focusing on deeply hydrating the body is a simple way to relax and keep dry patches at bay! Create a tranquil, sensorial experience by selecting a body butter with a thick, luxurious texture. Choose one that is enriched with a natural oil such as shea butter to deeply nourish the driest of skins and bring a sense of comfort and calm.
Try a tension-melting massage
Research has shown that a 50-minute massage is equivalent to eight hours of sleep for the body! Undoubtedly one of the most popular spa treatments, massage has many benefits from relaxing tired muscles to improving circulation and reliving tension and stress. Whilst a dreamy spa treatment is the ultimate way to pamper your skin, it’s not always financially feasible – but – that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate some of the same techniques at home! A hand and arm massage is often an ‘add-on’ to in-spa facial treatments and this quick technique can relax and re-energise the body and can be carried out in limited time. We suggest doing this whilst waiting for a hair mask to work its magic.
Don’t forget the scalp
Leave your head in the clouds with an anxiety alleviating scalp massage! Scalp massage is not only good for relaxing the scalp and muscles in the neck area but can help to promote mood thanks to the release of serotonin, balance blood circulation in the head and neck area, strengthen the roots of the hair and nourish the hair shafts, promoting growth and reduce product build up and remove dead skin cells.
Scalp massage tips
Use heat: Heat up your towel and wrap your head in it for a few minutes prior to your massage.
Use the pads of your fingers: Apply a light to medium pressure to your scalp in a circular motion. Use your thumb pad for the back of your head and work your way down to your neck.
Incorporate a scalp oil: Grab your chosen oil and use the tips of your fingers in circular movements along the scalp and neck.
Make time for a hair mask
We often miss out on hair masks due to lack of time, but this dedicated self-care session provides the perfect excuse to pamper your locks too! Adding a mask into your weekly ritual can enhance the condition of your hair throughout the week, with masks available for all concerns including brightening, thickening and nourishing.
Try an LED device
Although one session is unlikely to make a huge difference to the skin (consistent use is key to results) the use of an LED device can help to address acne, fine lines, redness and pigmentation making it a great addition to your pampering regime. Be sure to work alongside manufacturer's instructions for usage as some devices require you to use on clean, dry skin whilst others suggest pairing it with a serum containing hyaluronic acid for example to enhance absorption.