Self-care tips to try this weekend
GIF! Yes, you’ve had another successful week! Well done! The question is how you want to spend this weekend. Whether you’re heading out into the city or spending some quiet time at home, we wanted to share some ideas on finding time for self-care! So read on for some tips on how to unwind this weekend.
Make a list
The easiest way to do this is to list all the things you love about your friends or family. But do you find it a little hard to list the things you love about yourself? Writing down a list of things you love about yourself will not only boost your confidence, but it will also give you time to slow down and really think about yourself. We spend the week rushing around everywhere, school trips, sprinting to catch the train, beating traffic to get home, getting dinner ready in time for family dinner – you know, we live in a rush. Simply writing a list will hit the big pause button, even if it’s just for a short while. You’ll collect your thoughts and reset your mindset, enjoying the rest of the weekend, ready to dive back into the busy week!
Go to your favorite coffee shop alone
Yes, that’s right, alone. For some people, the idea of sitting alone in a cafe might be their living hell, don’t worry, I felt the same way not too long ago. I think you should give it a try because you might discover how peaceful it is. Sitting there with only your favorite coffee to keep you company and all you can do is people watch or read a chapter or two of that book you’ve always wanted to start, it might be just the break you need! Oh and don’t worry, no one will be thinking, “Oh that poor lonely guy, doesn’t he have any friends?” I’m 98% sure they will be thinking, “Oh look at the lucky ones of that era who are able to relax and read a book, wish I could do that too!” ”
Prepare Breakfast
Perhaps you’ve double-clicked on a mouth-watering image of a stack of pancakes, fry-ups, or French toast. But why not try something crazy and make your own breakfast? I know, it’s a crazy idea! But you’d be surprised how many of us feel the need for a quick and easy breakfast even on the weekends! There are so many breakfast recipes on sites like Pinterest, whether it’s scrambled eggs or a smoothie bowl. As long as you take the time to prepare, sit down and enjoy it, the possibilities are endless. You can also go completely over the top and take a photo of your creation to share with the world.
Take a Nap, Don’t Feel Guilty
Now I’m not the biggest napper in the world, in fact I almost never do it. But it’s something I’d change if I could. I’m not convinced that 5 It’s definitely not a good idea to show up after hours because you might end up eating too much of a good thing and sleeping too much. The best time for a nap is around 20-30 minutes, any more time might leave you feeling groggy and uncomfortable. As you can imagine, that’s not the point of a nap. Maybe set an alarm to prevent you from oversleeping and wake up feeling refreshed and energized!
Try different types of exercise
Simply changing up your workout can have a lot of benefits! Try a spinning class, yoga, or maybe even a power walk down the street, whatever it is, give it a try. Sure, the endorphins will get your blood pumping and you’ll get moving, but you’ll also find the challenge satisfying, push yourself to achieve new goals, and maybe even train in areas you wouldn’t normally reach with your workouts!
Turn off your phone
If you’re planning on going out on your own without your phone, I’ll have to tell you roughly where you’re going to be for safety reasons. You can then leave your phone at home or take it with you with you in a turned-off state. You’ll absolutely be surprised how much you don’t miss it! You’ll really enjoy the moment and the time on the go without looking at a screen. I’d even go so far as to say that you’ll feel calmer and breathe easier, without the worry and anxiety that comes with watching so many influencers “live their best lives”.
At-Home Spa
Yes, you guessed it, of course I can’t talk about weekend self-care tips without mentioning a well-deserved pampering session! Turn on the tub, light the candles, let Moby play in the background, and switch off. You can go all out and treat your body to a scrub, use a hair mask, give yourself a manicure, or relax with a face mask. I’ve heard this detox is particularly good.
So here are some weekend self-care tips. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do it in a way that makes you happy, calm, and connected. We spend so much time overworking ourselves, worrying about our families, and not having time for ourselves. Sometimes, you just need a little time alone to feel ready to take on the world!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
