Skincare Is Self-Care –
This Is Why
In honour of Self Care Day, this article is penned by our friends at Kew Organics, Singapore’s leading organic facial bar, presented in partnership with TRC, to shine a light on the integral role skincare plays in overall wellness.
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What first comes to mind when you think of “self-care”? Is it 15-minute morning meditations, putting pen to paper or maybe getting in 10,000 steps each day? Seen as an overindulgence or a grudgingly necessary routine, we’re pretty sure skincare wasn’t one of the first things to spring to mind. Yet, we argue it’s both, and more importantly, it is the ultimate act of self-care and self-love.
This is why
Skincare is a ritual that grounds you
As we lather cleanser in our palms and gently massage it onto our face, or pat a serum in our skin, we fully engage in a calming, meditative experience that encourages us to be present, engage our senses and to appreciate the subtle motions and sensory textures. In these moments, it gives us a chance for us to slow down, unplug and bring us back to the here and now.
Being intentional about your skincare routine is you showing your skin the kindness it deserves
Often we hurriedly apply moisturizers and sunscreens before dashing out. Yet, when we intentionally dedicate time to nurture our skin, we are showing ourselves the love and care we deserve.
However, nurturing our skin is not just about the act of applying skincare. It’s also about the type of products we use. Our skin, being the largest organ, acts as a gateway, absorbing everything it encounters and passing it into our bloodstream. When we use organic and natural skincare that is free from harmful chemicals prevalent in many skincare products on the market, we make sure that we’re feeding our skin with only the good stuff.
Self-care extends to what we consume
With our gut or gastrointestinal tract being home to billions of bacteria and neurons, what we consume directly impacts our mood and overall health. The gastrointestinal tract is responsible for producing approximately 95% of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter involved in regulating sleep, appetite, mood, and pain inhibition. This production of serotonin is largely influenced by the billions of “good” bacteria that make up your intestinal microbiome. For example, processed foods can disrupt healthy gut bacteria, while whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables promote a healthier gut and subsequently, healthier skin and a better mood.
What’s more, our skin is a great barometer for what’s going on inside the gut. When the good and bad bacteria in our gut is off-balance, it shows in our skin health through inflammation, eczema, rosacea, and acne. This is why it’s important to be intentional about the foods we put in our bodies.
Movement matters too
Incorporating exercise elevates our heart rate, pumping more oxygen to our brain to better manage anxiety and depression. This physical activity also releases mood-enhancing chemicals like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. Long-term, regular exercise may even generate new neurons in the hippocampus, the brain hub for memory, learning, and emotions, promoting long-term emotional stability. Furthermore, the increase in blood flow from exercise not only nourishes all organs, but also enriches skin cells with oxygen and nutrients, clearing impurities from the skin.
To round it all up, self-care is multifaceted and encompasses many different aspects beyond mindfulness. It is also about what you put on your body, what you put in your body and what you do with your body.
References:
The link between our food, gut microbiome and depression (2023) The Washington Post. Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/01/31/gut-microbiome-anxiety-depression/ (Accessed: 11 July 2023).
MD, E.S. (2022) Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food, Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626 (Accessed: 11 July 2023).
Uma Naidoo, M. (2019) Gut feelings: How food affects your mood, Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548 (Accessed: 11 July 2023).