Hello Lovely,

I want to talk about something that might sound a bit indulgent, but I promise you it's not.

Your skincare routine isn't just about anti-ageing or looking good (though those are lovely bonuses). It's about taking a few minutes each day that are entirely, unapologetically yours.

In a world where we're constantly giving – to our families, our work, our responsibilities – those five minutes morning and evening when you care for your skin? They're radical acts of self-love.

When did we stop taking time for ourselves?

I hear it all the time from women: "I don't have time for a skincare routine." "I'm too tired at night." "It feels selfish when there's so much else to do."

But here's what I've learned: taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's essential.

You can't pour from an empty cup, as the saying goes. And those few minutes you spend on your skincare? They're not just about your skin – they're about filling your cup, even if just a little.

The science of self-care

There's actual research behind this, lovely. Studies show that:

Rituals reduce stress and anxiety. Having a consistent routine – particularly one that involves touch and pleasant sensory experiences – activates your parasympathetic nervous system. That's the part that helps you relax and feel calm.

Touch is therapeutic. When you massage products into your skin, you're not just applying skincare – you're engaging in a form of self-massage that reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases feel-good hormones like oxytocin.

Mindful moments matter. Even five minutes of focused, present attention – feeling the texture of your moisturiser, breathing in the natural scents, noticing how your skin feels – can have measurable benefits for your mental wellbeing.

Self-care builds self-worth. When you consistently take time to care for yourself, you're sending a powerful message to your subconscious: I matter. I'm worth this time and attention.

Transforming routine into ritual

There's a difference between rushing through your skincare and creating a ritual. Here's how to transform those few minutes into something truly nourishing:

Slow down
You don't need an hour. But you do need to be present. Put your phone down. Close the bathroom door. Take a breath. These few minutes are yours.

Engage your senses
Notice the texture of your cleanser as it melts into your skin. Breathe in the natural scent of frankincense and may chang. Feel the warmth of the cloth on your face. This isn't just skincare – it's a sensory experience.

Use touch mindfully
Instead of quickly slapping on your products, take time to massage them in gently. Use upward strokes. Feel your facial muscles relax. This is your moment to literally touch base with yourself.

Create atmosphere
Light a candle. Play soft music. Make your bathroom or bedroom a sanctuary, even if just for five minutes. You deserve beauty in your daily rituals.

Practice gratitude
As you care for your skin, take a moment to appreciate your face – every line, every feature. This face has smiled, laughed, cried, and carried you through life. It deserves kindness.

The morning ritual: Setting your intention

Your morning skincare routine is your opportunity to set the tone for the day.

As you cleanse your face, imagine washing away yesterday's worries. As you apply your day oil, think of it as armour – protecting and nourishing you for whatever the day brings. As you massage in your moisturiser, set an intention: Today, I choose kindness. Today, I am enough.

It might sound a bit woo-woo, but there's power in starting your day with a moment of intentional self-care. You're telling yourself, before the demands of the day begin, that you matter.

The evening ritual: Letting go

Your evening routine is different – it's about release and restoration.

As you use your hot cloth cleanser, imagine the warmth melting away not just makeup and daily grime, but the stress and tension of the day. As you apply your night oil or cream, think of it as tucking yourself in, giving your skin (and yourself) permission to rest and repair.

This is your transition from doing to being. From the day's demands to the night's restoration.

Why natural skincare enhances the ritual

Here's why I'm so passionate about natural, organic skincare for these rituals:

The scents are real
When you breathe in frankincense or may chang, you're experiencing the actual plant essence, not a synthetic approximation. Your brain recognises these natural scents, and they have genuine aromatherapeutic benefits. Frankincense is grounding and calming. May chang is uplifting and refreshing. These aren't just nice smells – they're part of the therapeutic experience.

The textures are luxurious
Natural oils and butters feel different on your skin. They're richer, more nourishing, more sensual. Applying them becomes a genuinely pleasurable experience, not just a task to tick off.

You can feel good about what you're using
There's a different quality to self-care when you know you're using ingredients that are good for you and good for the planet. It's care that extends beyond yourself.

The ritual feels more authentic
Using products made in small batches, by hand, with genuine care – it adds meaning to your ritual. You're not just using mass-produced products; you're using something created with intention and love.

Making time when you have no time

I know what you're thinking: "This sounds lovely, Shona, but I barely have time to brush my teeth, let alone create a skincare ritual."

I hear you. But here's the thing: you don't need more time. You just need to reframe the time you're already taking.

You're already washing your face (yep!). You're already applying moisturiser. The ritual isn't about adding time – it's about being present in the time you're already spending.

Even two minutes of mindful skincare is more nourishing than ten minutes of rushed, distracted application.

The ripple effect

Here's what I've noticed, both in my own life and from messages from customers:

When you start treating your skincare routine as sacred self-care time, it ripples out into other areas of your life.

You start to value yourself more. You set better boundaries. You're less willing to accept being constantly depleted. You model self-care for your children, your partners, your friends.

Those five minutes become a daily reminder that you're worth caring for. And that reminder? It's powerful.

Your invitation

Tonight, I invite you to try something different.

Don't just wash your face and slap on some cream. Create a ritual.

Close the door. Take three deep breaths. Warm your cleanser in your hands and notice its texture. Breathe in the natural scents. Massage it into your skin with intention and kindness. Feel the warmth of the cloth. Pat your face dry gently, as you would a child's.

Apply your night oil or cream slowly, with upward strokes, taking time to appreciate your face. Notice how your skin feels. Notice how you feel.

End with a moment of gratitude – for your skin, for your body, for yourself.

That's it. Five minutes. But five minutes that are entirely, completely, unapologetically yours.

You deserve this

I know you're busy. I know you're tired. I know there are a million other things demanding your attention.

But lovely, you deserve these few minutes of care. You deserve to feel the pleasure of nourishing textures on your skin. You deserve the calm that comes from a mindful ritual. You deserve to start and end your day with kindness towards yourself.

Your skincare routine isn't vanity. It's not frivolous. It's not selfish.

It's a daily practice of self-love. And that? That's revolutionary. 

 

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