It’s no secret that with an ongoing pandemic—plus a multitude of other unprecedented challenges—many of us are unlocking new stress levels on a regular basis. While we understand it’s not always easy to rid yourself of tension or anxiety, keeping the right self-care essentials at the ready can serve as a great incentive to prioritize your well-being.
Aside from hitting the gym or going for a long walk to decompress, some of the best options to help you unwind can be found in the comfort of your own home—or at the very least, on the Internet. For a short list of soothing items that quickly put you in relaxation mode, we’ve asked BAZAAR editors about a few of their tried-and-true beauty and wellness favorites—from high-powered massage tools to hydrating body oils—that make it simple (and fast!) to channel optimal chill.
“I’m a little bit obsessed with masking and usually indulge in a few different ones per week while I unwind for the night. This Clean Greens powder mask from Golde is one of my favorites—I think of it as a green juice for your skin—and is great for fighting hormonal blemishes or simply when my skin needs a pick-me-up.” —Bianca Betancourt, culture editor
“It sounds cliché, but I channel my inner self-care moment when lounging in a bathrobe with a face mask (or two, hello multi-masking) on and a candle lit. If I had a gorgeous bathtub—which are hard to come by in New York City apartments—I would relax in one and sprinkle in some Lord Jones CBD Bath Salts. But a comfy robe does the trick, even without a tub. Throwing one on is a simple pampering technique, yet it clears my mind and mentally transports me to a day at the spa. I love the Turkish Cotton Robe from Parachute—it’s so plush and soft.” —Katie Intner, assistant beauty editor
“This is the most luxurious face oil ever and always gives my dry skin a healthy dose of hydration. I love layering it with my favorite serums and pairing it with a quick gua sha session to give my face a mini massage.” —BB
“When multi-masking, I like to reach for the Kiehl’s Deep Pore Cleansing Mask first and finish with the Chantecaille Hibiscus Smoothing Mask to brighten.” —KI
“When I’m feeling icky, anxious, or stressed, it helps me to exfoliate my entire body with this product from Nécessaire. Something about scrubbing away dead skin cells leaves me feeling mentally fresh and invigorated, like I’ve cleansed all the toxicity out of my life. Sounds weird, I know, but it works every time. What’s so great about this scrub in particular is that it’s in a tube, not a jar, which makes it far less messy to use.” —Jenna Rosenstein, digital beauty director
“I notoriously have bad posture, which is only intensified after sitting in front of my laptop for a full workday. Since it’s pretty easy for the muscles in my neck and shoulders to tighten up, I love using the small but mighty Theragun Mini to loosen them—not to mention the rest of the muscles in my body. Not only does it have three speed settings, but its ergonomic design fits comfortably in the palm of my hand, which makes it easy to pinpoint the spots that need massaging.” —Tiffany Dodson, associate beauty commerce editor
“Whether I’m dealing with a breakout or just looking to treat myself to a good old-fashioned spa day at home, this minty clay mask is consistently one of my go-tos. It’s ideal for both oily and acne-prone skin, and contains lactic acid to help smooth skin’s texture.” —TD
“Self-care for me starts and ends with getting eight hours of sleep (minimum!) per night. In my east-facing apartment, these blackout sleeping masks are crucial to help me stay asleep once the sun comes up—they’re truly light proof. Their padded concave design leaves room for my eyes to naturally move while I sleep, so if I forget to take my eye makeup off, it doesn’t end up smudged all over my mask.” —Halie LeSavage, fashion commerce editor
“My Sunday scaries antidote is a long soak in the tub with a new book (currently: Matrix by Lauren Groff), a calming candle, and maybe a glass of wine. This sturdy, expandable tray keeps all my wind-down accessories dry and within reach.” —HL
“I’ve tried a number of bath soaks in my day, but this one from Oui the People is definitely one of my favorites. Its bergamot scent smells divine and almost instantly makes me feel more relaxed every time I use it in the tub. Plus, it’s the perfect primer for body lotion, since it always leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth afterward.” —TD
“I recently started to top off my skin care routine by using this jade gua sha tool. Gua sha is used for a lot of different health benefits, like increasing blood flow or stimulating lymphatic drainage, but it also just simply feels good.” —Chelsey Sanchez, associate editor
“There are quite a few things in life that have me tossing and turning, so I always like to keep a sleep supplement nearby. This one is consciously crafted with the highest-quality ingredients, which makes me feel good about what I’m putting in my body.” —Sierra Mayhew, content coordinator
“Nothing helps me unwind better than my skin care routine, and this Sunday Riley face oil—combined with the gua sha technique—has become an essential part of my evenings. It’s rare for me to find an oil that doesn’t make me break out, so I take this one everywhere I go.” —SM
“I’ve been very into lymphatic drainage lately, and this tool is a must in my self-care routine. I use it every time I take a bath.” —Kerry Pieri, digital fashion director
“Another staple in my bath time routine? This amazing body oil serum that’s made to tighten and hydrate skin. I love using it with my wood massage tool.” —KP
“Reusable gel eye masks are my favorite thing to reach for at the end of the workday to soothe my tired eyes or anytime I feel a migraine coming on. These can be used hot or cold (I like to keep mine in a skincare fridge) and applied whenever you need a moment to pause, relax, and meditate.” —Mariah Morrison, senior social media editor
“After putting my wardrobe on the backseat and prioritizing skin care during quarantine, I became a loyal fan of the cult-favorite Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels. TL;DR: They are absolutely worth the hype. Formulated with glycolic acid, lactic acid, and green tea extract, these two-step peels exfoliate your dead skin cells and uncover the ultimate glow. I reach for them weekly or whenever I feel like my skin needs an effective but quick at-home facial.” —Laura Galvan, fashion and luxury commerce manager