Self care tips to try this weekend
TGIF! Yay you’ve gone and had another successful week under your belt! Well done you! Question is how do you plan to spend this weekend? Whether it’s painting the town red, or having a quiet time at home, we wanted to share with you some ideas on having some time for selfcare! So read on for some tips on how to relax this weekend.
Make a list
It’s the easiest thing to list off all the things you love about your friends or family members. But have you ever found it a tad tricky when you have to write a list about the things you love about yourself? Writing a list about the things you love about yourself will not only give you a boost of self-confidence, it allows you the time to slow down the pace and really think about you. We spend the week dashing anywhere and everywhere, school runs, sprinting to catch the train, rushing to beat the traffic home, getting the dinner ready in time for a family meal, you get the idea, we live life in a rush. The simple act of writing a list will hit the big pause button, even if it’s for a short while. You will collect your thoughts and reset your mind to enjoy the rest of your weekend, ready in time to dive back into a busy week!
Visit your favourite café alone
Yep, that’s right, totally alone. For some the idea of sitting in a café by themselves could be their idea of hell on earth, don’t worry I felt the same a while ago. I do think you should give it a try as you may find just how peaceful it can be. For you to sit there, with just your favourite coffee order keeping you company and nothing else to do but people watch or read a chapter or two of that book you’ve been meaning to start could be exactly what you needed to feel rested! Oh, and don’t worry, no one will look over and think “oh that poor, lonely person, don’t they have any friends?” I’m 98% certain they are thinking “oh look at that lucky devil having the time to relax and read a book, wish I could do that!”
Make breakfast
You may have double-tapped a picture of a drool-worthy picture of an impressive stack of pancakes, fry up or French toast. But why not try something wild and actually make a breakfast like that for yourself? I know right, crazy idea! But you’ll be surprised at just how many of us feel the need for a quick and convenient breakfast even at the weekend! Sites such as Pinterest are heaving with recipes for breakfasts, be it scrambled eggs or smoothie bowls. The possibilities are endless, just so long as you take the time to make it, sit down and enjoy it. You could go completely over the top and take a picture of your creation for you to share with the world.
Take a nap and not feel guilty
Now I’m not the biggest napper in the world, in fact I hardly ever do it. But that is something I would love to change if I could. I’m not talking about heading off for a dose and surfacing 5 hours later, that is never a good idea as you can have too much of a good thing and get too much sleep. The perfect amount of time for a nap is around 20-30 minutes, anything else and you can start feeling too fuzzy and will result in you feeling out of sorts. As you can imagine that is not the idea of taking a nap, perhaps try setting an alarm to prevent any oversleeping and wake up refreshed and just like new!
Try a different type of work out
Just the simple thing of changing your work out will be full of benefits! Try a spin class, or yoga, maybe even power walk around your street, whatever it is, give it try. Obviously the endorphins will get your blood pumping and walking with a spring in your step but you will also find the challenge satisfying by pushing yourself to new goals and maybe even working out those areas your usual workout doesn’t reach!
Turn off your phone
Now, I must say, that if you are planning to head off by yourself without a working mobile, do try and tell someone from your family where you will be roughly, just to be on the safe side. You can then either leave your phone at home or take it with you, but switched off. You will be absolutely astounded at just how much you won’t miss it! You’ll find yourself really enjoying the moment and your time out and about, without looking down onto a screen. I may even be as bold to say you will find your inner self feeling a lot more calm and breathing easier without having the worry and anxious feeling of paying too much attention to the floods of online celebrities “living their best lives”
At home spa
Yep you guessed it, couldn’t speak about tips on selfcare for the weekend without of course mentioning a well-deserved pamper session! Run that bath, light those candles, have some Moby playing in the background and just switch off. You could do the full works and give your body a scrub, use a hair mask, give yourself a mani or relax with a face mask on, I’ve heard this one is particularly good at detoxifying.
So, there you have some tips on selfcare for the weekend, it really doesn’t matter what you decide to do as long as you do something that will make you happy, calm and reconnected. There is too much time spent burning the candle at both ends, worrying about our families and not having the time for yourself, sometimes a bit of you time is all you need 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.
