Modern society is full of pressure to conform to certain (sometimes unrealistic) beauty standards, and the only thing that the millions of different skincare products available have in common is that they all imply that taking care of your skin in a very specific way is essential. That can cause a lot of anxiety if you’re not sure which advice to follow or you don’t fit into that narrow definition of beauty.
On the other hand, there are plenty of people who’ll say that a good skincare regimen can help them relax and feel better about themselves. Get it right, they claim, and it may actually be a good way to relieve anxiety.
There’s no denying that unrealistic beauty standards can cause a lot of damage, especially to teenagers who are in a more vulnerable position anyway. Some brands are fighting back with products that claim to improve your quality of sleep, boost your self-esteem and generally help you relax. Can any of these claims really be true?
The question becomes more complex when we consider how this ties into alternative therapies such as aromatherapies, which may be popular but are mixed in terms of scientific backing. As a general rule, it’s best to be skeptical about any product or treatment that makes sweeping claims about its effectiveness, but there are certain ingredients known to promote relaxation and there’s a big gap between “doesn’t work” and “actively harmful”.
One thing that does have scientific support is the idea that routines and rituals can be comforting and therefore help alleviate anxiety. There is something very reassuring about a regular skincare routine where you can follow precise, repetitive steps and know exactly what is going to happen. It can be an isle of familiarity in uncertain times.
You can take comfort from your beauty regimen, and you can use it to incorporate tools of relaxation into your daily life. The problem comes when you become too dependent on these things and treat them like they’re more important than anything else. As with so many things, it’s sensible moderation that allows you to make the most of skincare practices and products without succumbing to potentially damaging side effects.
Every person is different when it comes to what makes them anxious and what calms them down. Take the time to figure out what works for you.
