Unwind and Glow: The Ultimate Skincare Routine to Destress After a Long Day

We’ve all been there – those long, hectic days where it feels like the world is pulling you in a million different directions. By the time you get home, all you want to do is collapse on the couch and forget about everything. But before you dive headfirst into a Netflix binge, why not take a few moments to pamper yourself? It’s time to unwind, bring your attention back to yourself, and detox from the busy, noisy world around you.

Imagine this: you walk through your front door, kick off your shoes, and instead of immediately sinking into the couch, you give yourself the gift of a simple yet effective skincare routine. Not only will it help you shed the stress of the day, but it will also leave you feeling refreshed, reinvigorated, and ready to tackle whatever comes next.

We know you’re exhausted and borderline ready to sleep in your outside clothes, so we’re keeping this skincare routine short and sweet. You deserve a moment of tranquility that’s easy to achieve and even easier to enjoy.

Here’s the best skincare routine to help you destress after a long day.

Step 1: Remove makeup, dirt, and debris

Before you can truly unwind, it’s essential to remove the day’s buildup from your face. Think about it – makeup, dirt, and environmental pollutants have been accumulating on your skin all day. The first step in your evening skincare routine is to cleanse your skin thoroughly. Our top pick for this crucial step? Clean AF Cleansing Face Wipes.

We love these wipes because they’re incredibly gentle, making them perfect for daily use, even if you have sensitive skin. But don’t let their gentleness fool you – these wipes are powerhouses when it comes to effective cleansing. They’re loaded with skin-loving ingredients that not only cleanse but also nourish and protect your skin.

Key Ingredients:

• Vitamin B5: This natural humectant attracts and retains moisture, keeping your skin hydrated and plump. It also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Biotin: Essential for healthy skin, biotin promotes cell growth and repair, giving you that lit-from-within glow.
• Folic Acid: This detoxifying agent helps purify your pores, reducing inflammation and redness, and improving your skin’s overall appearance.

These wipes make it easy to wipe the day away and get ready for the next steps in your skincare routine.

Step 2: Wash your face

Now that you’ve wiped away the day’s makeup, dirt, and debris, it’s time to give your face a thorough wash. This step will lift off any lingering impurities, leaving your skin fresh and clean. Washing your face not only cleanses but also preps your skin to better absorb the benefits of the next steps in your skincare routine.

Use your favorite facial cleanser for this step – something that suits your skin type and addresses your specific skin concerns. If you’re in the market for a new face wash, check out this curated list of The 17 Best Face Washes of 2024, Tested and Recommended. Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or combination skin, you’ll find a cleanser on this list that’s perfect for you.

A good face wash can make all the difference, so take a moment to really work the cleanser into your skin using gentle, circular motions. This not only ensures a deep clean but also gives you a mini facial massage, which can be incredibly relaxing and help boost circulation.

Step 3: Apply a 5-minute face mask

Here’s a little life hack: you can shorten your skincare routine and still get incredible results by using a 5-minute face mask! These masks are formulated with highly effective ingredients that penetrate the skin and target problem areas quickly, all while you sit back and relax on the couch.

Imagine this: you’re unwinding after a long day, catching up on your favorite show or reading a good book, and at the same time, you’re giving your skin the TLC it deserves. A 5-minute face mask does the heavy lifting for you. No need for multiple steps like toners or serums afterward  – just let the mask work its magic, then gently pat in any remaining serum once you remove it.

This step is all about maximizing results with minimal effort, leaving your skin feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for whatever comes next.

Choosing the right face mask

Choosing the right face mask is crucial because it allows you to address your specific skin concerns. Not all masks are created equal, and what works for one person might not work for another. Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, dullness, dryness, or fine lines, selecting a mask with targeted ingredients ensures you’re giving your skin exactly what it needs. 

Best face masks for your unwind and glow routine

If you’re struggling to find a face mask that will help your skin unwind and destress after a long day, this is your guide. We’ll cover the most common concerns and recommend the best face masks for each one, so you can find the perfect match for your skin.

These are the most common skincare concerns for over-stressed skin:

• Stress-induced breakouts
• Dull, tired skin
• Dark under-eye circles
• Stress-related premature aging

We’ll cover the best face masks for each of these concerns, so you can find the perfect match for your skin.

Combat Stress-Induced Breakouts

Stress has a profound impact on your skin and can lead to unwanted breakouts. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can increase oil production in your skin. This excess oil can clog pores, leading to acne and other blemishes.

To combat stress-induced breakouts, it’s important to be proactive with your skincare routine. This means using products that not only address existing blemishes but also help prevent new ones from forming. The Good Fight Clear Skin Face Mask can be your ally in this battle. This mask is specifically designed to tackle the root causes of acne and soothe stressed skin.

Key Ingredients:

• Willow Bark: Soothes irritated skin and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. It’s rich in salicin, which has anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for calming stressed skin.
• Tea Tree: Controls oil production, preventing new blemishes. Its antimicrobial properties help keep acne-causing bacteria at bay.
• Peppermint: Reduces inflammation and redness, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and revitalized. The cooling effect of peppermint also provides a soothing sensation, helping to reduce the stress on your skin.

Using The Good Fight Clear Skin Face Mask regularly can help manage oil production, reduce the appearance of breakouts, and keep your skin calm and clear. But if breakouts have already appeared, no stress – there are effective solutions for that too.

Try the Breakout Box or Not A Spot Gunk-Absorbing Hydrocolloid Dots for quick spot treatment. These products are designed to provide immediate relief for blemishes:

The Breakout Box: Includes everything you need for targeted spot-treatment, with blackhead-eliminating charcoal nose strips, pimple-shrinking salicylic acid dots, and whitehead-absorbing hydrocolloid dots.

Not A Spot Hydrocolloid Dots: These dots work overtime to flatten whiteheads, absorb pus and fluid, and create a barrier to prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the blemish. When used regularly, they promote faster healing and minimize the risk of infection.

By incorporating these targeted treatments into your skincare routine after stressful days, you can effectively manage stress-induced breakouts and maintain clearer, healthier skin.

Restore a healthy glow to dull, tired skin

Stress can take a toll on your skin, leaving it looking dull, tired, and lifeless. According to Healthline, when you’re stressed, your body diverts energy away from non-essential functions, which can lead to a lack of nutrients and oxygen for your skin. This results in a grayish, fatigued complexion. To restore your skin's natural radiance, it’s essential to use products that brighten and revitalize.

If stress leaves your skin looking dull and gray, the FlashMasque® Illuminate Sheet Mask is a game-changer. This mask is designed to quickly bring back your skin’s natural glow, even out your complexion, and give you a refreshed look in just minutes.

Key Ingredients:

• Vitamin C: Brightens the complexion by reducing the appearance of dark spots and promoting an overall luminous glow. It also boosts collagen production, which helps maintain skin's firmness and elasticity.
• Licorice Extract: Evens skin tone by reducing hyperpigmentation and dark spots, leaving your skin looking more uniform and radiant.
• Grapefruit Seed Extract: Refreshes and brightens skin with its antioxidant properties. It helps to fight free radicals and rejuvenate dull, tired skin.

Using the FlashMasque® Illuminate 5-Minute Sheet Mask regularly can help you achieve a brighter, more youthful complexion, which makes it a non-negotiable part of your de-stress skincare routine.

To complement the effects of your face mask, pair it with Rejuvenating Eye Gels to combat dark circles, fine lines, and puffy under-eyes. The delicate under-eye area often shows signs of stress and fatigue first, so pay attention to the signs so you can give it extra care.

Key Ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Acid: Delivers intense moisture to plump and hydrate the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and creating a smoother, more youthful look.
• Peptides: Promote collagen production, which helps to firm and tighten the skin around the eyes, reducing puffiness and dark circles.

By incorporating these targeted treatments into your skincare routine, you’ll effectively restore a healthy, dewy glow to your skin and get back that refreshed, youthful appearance, even after the most stressful days.

Unwind with a calming spa experience at home

After a stressful day, you deserve a treat! A calming spa experience at home can work wonders for your mind and body. Stress can leave your skin feeling tense and fatigued – take time to pamper yourself with skincare products that will soothe and rejuvenate.

For a truly indulgent experience, try the Serve Chilled Rosé Sheet Mask. This mask is designed to provide a luxurious spa-like treatment in the comfort of your own home, helping you unwind and relax.

Key Ingredients:

• Resveratrol: A potent antioxidant found in grapes, resveratrol soothes inflammation and protects the skin against environmental stressors, helping to calm and rejuvenate stressed-out skin.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Renowned for its exceptional hydrating abilities, hyaluronic acid replenishes moisture and improves skin’s elasticity, promoting a plump and youthful appearance.
• Strawberry Extract: Known for its skin-softening properties, strawberry extract helps to smooth and refine the skin’s texture, leaving it feeling velvety and supple.

Make a moment of tranquility part of your de-stress skincare routine and you’ll notice a difference in both your mood and your skin. 

Reduce stress-related wrinkles 

For many of us, stress can accelerate the signs of aging, leading to premature skin sagging and wrinkles if not properly cared for. While we embrace aging as a natural part of life and find beauty in every stage, we also aim to prevent premature aging as much as possible.

To combat early signs of aging due to stress, incorporate the Beauty Sleep Restoring Night Hydrogel Face Mask into your bedtime routine. This mask acts as your nighttime hero, harnessing gel technology inspired by our Restoring Night Under Eye Gels to deliver potent smoothing ingredients directly to your skin.

Key Ingredients:

• Retinol: Speeds up cell turnover.
• Peptides: Reduce fine lines and crow's feet.
• Centella Asiatica: Improves skin’s elasticity.

Don’t forget to tap it in! 

No matter which face mask you’ve chosen, once you've removed your mask, gently tap in the remaining serum into your skin. This will seal the deal, making sure all the beneficial ingredients penetrate deeply, working their magic to hydrate, soothe, and rejuvenate your skin. The serum from your mask is designed to be lightweight yet powerful, delivering nutrients that your skin craves after a long, stressful day.

Step 4: Apply Moisturizer

Finally, apply your favorite moisturizer to seal in the goodness. Moisturizers help to create a protective barrier on your skin, preventing moisture loss and ensuring long-lasting hydration. 

Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin type – whether it's lightweight for oily skin or richer for dry skin – and gently massage it into your face and neck.

Need help finding a moisturizer you love? Check out 14 Best Face Moisturizers of 2024.

Other Healthy Habits to Destress After a Long Day

When skincare isn't enough to fully unwind, incorporating other healthy habits can enhance your relaxation and overall well-being. Here are some additional practices to help you destress:

1. Breathwork & Meditation: Calm your mind, body, and soul. Even just a few minutes of deep breathing or guided meditation can significantly reduce stress and promote a sense of inner peace.
2. Yoga or a Walk: Release endorphins and boost your mood! Gentle yoga stretches or a hot girl walk can help clear your mind, improve circulation, and elevate your spirits.
3. Warm Shower or Bath: Wash away stress with some me-time. The warmth of the water can relax tense muscles, and adding a few drops of essential oils can enhance the soothing effect.

Integrating these habits into your evening routine can help you feel truly rejuvenated. Remember, taking time for yourself is essential for maintaining both your physical and mental health. Treating yourself to these simple yet effective self-care practices can bring a peaceful end to your day.

De-stress with your favorite skincare routine

Imagine coming home and shedding the stress with your favorite skincare routine – a familiar pattern designed to refresh and invigorate you. With steps that are both easy and effective, you can restore your inner peace and prepare for whatever comes next.

From cleansing to masking and moisturizing, each step is crafted to be gentle yet impactful. Choose masks that cater to your skin’s unique needs, whether it’s combatting breakouts, restoring radiance, or soothing tired skin.

It’s time to treat yourself, sis! After a long day, you deserve to unwind and glow.