Dear Self, Breathe.

After going through a traumatic event, even the simplest acts of self-care can feel overwhelming. Something as basic as brushing your teeth or washing your face might seem like an impossible task. In this post, I’ll focus on the physical self-care routine that helped me through my healing process. In one of my upcoming posts, I’ll dive deeper into the emotional and mental self-care practices that played a crucial role in my recovery.

My Daily Routine

For a long time, my daily routine included many steps and products. But after my breakup, I neither had the energy nor the desire to follow that routine anymore—it reminded me too much of the person who broke my heart. At the same time, I wanted to focus on clearing my skin and reducing the amount of makeup I used. My skin wasn’t in terrible condition, but I had acne and leftover scars that I wanted to treat.

So, I simplified my routine and built it back in a way that supported both my healing and my skin’s health:

• Morning: My day starts with brushing my teeth, followed by cleansing my face with The Ordinary’s facial wash. I do it in this order because I noticed that toothpaste residue was causing breakouts around my mouth and chin.
• Hydration: I drink a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon (about 1/3 of a lemon). Throughout the day, I aim to drink around 1.5–2 liters of water to keep my skin and body hydrated.
• Sun Protection: No matter what, I always apply sunscreen—even if I’m not wearing makeup that day.
• Evening Cleansing: At night, I cleanse my skin thoroughly, using different products depending on whether I wore makeup or not. I finish with PanOxyl’s facial cleanser, which is stronger than my morning one.
• Moisturizing and Treatment: Right after washing my face, I apply a gel with snail extract and seaweed to treat acne scars. Then, I hydrate my body with lotion. I follow this order to avoid getting body lotion residue on my face. If you prefer a different sequence, just make sure to wash your hands before applying facial products.
• Two Different Cleansers: I use The Ordinary’s cleanser in the morning because it’s gentler, while at night, I use PanOxyl’s stronger formula to remove the buildup from the day.
• Clean Towels: I introduced a habit of using separate face towels for each day of the week—seven in total. This prevents bacteria and residue from re-entering my skin. If you don’t want to keep seven towels, washing two towels and alternating them daily works just as well.

My Deeper Self-Care Routine

Twice a week—usually on the days I wash my hair—I extend my routine for deeper self-care:

• Facial Exfoliation & Mask: First, I exfoliate my face with a gentle scrub, followed by a DIY turmeric and honey mask, which I leave on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off. (Tip: Avoid using your favorite towel afterward—turmeric can leave yellow stains!)
• Under-Eye Care: After the mask, I apply eye patches to reduce puffiness and dark circles. No one needs to know we’ve been sleep-deprived and exhausted!
• Body Exfoliation: I exfoliate my body to remove dead skin cells and impurities, leaving my skin feeling refreshed.
• Hair Masks: Once a week, I treat my hair with oil masks. I apply coconut oil along the lengths of my hair, while my roots get a mix of olive oil, argan oil, castor oil, and rosemary oil for nourishment and growth.
• Facial Hair Removal: Every two weeks, I use a small facial razor to remove peach fuzz and fine hairs, keeping my skin smooth and making my skincare products absorb better.

Taking care of yourself, even in the smallest ways, can feel like an act of resistance when life feels heavy. This routine helped me regain a sense of normalcy and control over my well-being.

What are some self-care habits that have helped you through tough times? I’d love to hear your thoughts!