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To practice self-care means to safeguard our mental and physical wellness—and who wouldn’t want to prioritize that? And yet maintaining good self-care and doing what is good for us tends to be shelved for more “important” things. But sometimes, it just takes the right tools to keep self-care front-of-mind. For friends or loved ones who could use a little pampering, relaxation or the right items to treat themselves, we’ve rounded up the best self-care products in a variety of categories, including for pregnant women and mental health-focused gifts.
Best Overall: Santal Essential Oil
Cozy and relaxing blend of sandalwood and papyrus that’s warm and sophisticated
Applying a self-tanner is an immediate mood boost. But when I don’t have time for a spray tan, face drops make an enormous difference. And because there’s nothing more confidence-inducing than waking up with summer-like glow, I like to think of self-tanning drops or mists as the ultimate form of self-care. Salty Face’sTanning Water is the first face tanning formula that hasn’t broken out my skin. It feels like water and is friendly to sensitive skin, and the tan develops gradually and seamlessly.
Almost $40 might seem like a splurge for a 10ml bottle of essential oil. But I’m here to convince you of the price tag. There is nothing cozier on a Saturday morning than sipping a cup of coffee withAromatech’s Santal diffusing in the background. Depending on the diffuser, I mix water with about 8 drops, and that tends to give me four to six hours of the iconic fragrance. It’s a blend of sandalwood and papyrus that’s warm, sophisticated and cozy.
For a body scrub to meet self-care requirements, it has to come through in the scent department as well. Not only does the OUAI Scalp and Body Scrub offer a deep cleanse and gentle exfoliation leaving your skin silky smooth, it also leaves your shower experience smelling divine—with velvety-rich rose, bergamot, lychee, white musk, champagne and more. Apply to damp skin and rub in circular motions to gently exfoliate.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads
For the gift that keeps on giving, Dieux’s Forever Eye Mask makes an incredible gift for women who love their serums and creams. Simply apply your serum of choice to your under eye and top with these thin, lightweight and reusable eye masks that encourage products to fully sink in and hydrate the eye area. They’re made of 100-percent medical-grade silicone, so they’re great for all skin types.
For the gift that keeps on giving, Dieux’s Forever Eye Mask makes an incredible gift for women who love their serums and creams. Simply apply your serum of choice to your under eye and top with these thin, lightweight and reusable eye masks that encourage products to fully sink in and hydrate the eye area. They’re made of 100-percent medical-grade silicone, so they’re great for all skin types.
A traditional Chinese healing technique, gua sha has become a self-care ritual for those looking for a lifting, sculpting and even meditative process. Using the Jade Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool, you can help manually drain stagnant lymph in the face and neck, which tends to cause puffiness and inflammation.
Belly oil is like gold during pregnancy. As your skin stretches, it requires intense hydration to decrease itchiness and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars. But finding a nutrient-rich oil that doesn’t feel greasy can be difficult. Enter Hatch. Gift the pregnant person in your life with the gold-standard Hatch Belly Oil, and they’ll quickly be singing your praises.
Sleep is essential at all stages of life, but it’s especially difficult during pregnancy. There’s increased heart rate, shortness of breath, aches and pains, heartburn and constant pressure. Plus, you’re advised not to sleep on your back or stomach. And that means that extra bump, hip and back support is necessary for any good night’s rest. The BabyBub Maternity Pillow saved my pregnancy sleep. It wasn’t too bulky, prevented me from rolling onto my back, reduced my back and hip pain and added support for my bump. It was a gamechanger and makes the perfect self-care gift.
It should go without saying that a premium cotton pajama set is the ultimate self-care gift. Incredibly cozy and inspired by menswear pjs, the CosaBella pajama set uses Peruvian Pima cotton and modal, so it’s super soft. Plus, it’s inspired by menswear, so it’s not too tight, and pregnant women can feel comfortable growing into the relaxed fit.
A weighted blanket for your eyes? Sign us up. The NodPod is a strap-free weighted eye mask that equally distributes deep-touch pressure across key pressure points. This idea of weighted wellness helps to soothe headaches, eliminate feelings of stress, calm overactive minds and encourage a more restful sleep.
Aromatherapy is a holistic practice that has long been used to create a soothing effect on the mind. In fact, research has shown that aromatherapy can affect the brain and even alter behavior. Inhaling or smelling aromatic fragrances can help you relax and reduce anxiety and stress, but it’s important to use essential oils properly. Diluting them with water is a common practice, and I prefer to use the Vitruvi Diffuser. It not only has a lifetime guarantee and an 8-hour run time but the stone design also doubles as a piece of decor.
Journaling is a common wellness practice and a helpful tool for managing your mental health. It helps to control and regulate moods, prioritize concerns or feats, recognize triggers and encourage positive self-talk. Whether they have a penchant for writing or not, journaling is a healthy way to express yourself, and this Joy Wellness Journal makes a great gift.
For luxury candles that double as great gifts, look no further than Le Labo, whose candles have garnered quite the following. This set includes the fan-favorite Santal 26, a smoky, leathery blend, as well as Encens 9 and Petit Grain 21.
Exercise boosts energy, improves mood, promotes better sleep and eliminates stress. For the woman in your life who prioritizes fitness, why not lean in to the gifting theme? This Starter Kit from Bala includes their popular and wildly versatile Bala Bangles, which can be worn on wrists or ankles for athletic or recreational activities, as well as their Power Ring and Bala Bars, a nontraditional dumbbell alternative.
You can implement this collection of simple yet effective products into your morning or evening skincare routine, and they promise to create skin-glazing results. Included are four full-size products: the Glazing Milk, Peptide Glazing Fluid, Barrier Restore Cream and Peptide Lip Treatment
It’s common for women to push their own needs to the side, especially when endless responsibilities in the office and at home pile up. Which means that a self-care gift should always assist the gift recipient in focusing on herself, whether that’s soothing aromatherapy to help a 30-minute meditation or a body scrub to add value to a nighttime shower. There is no one-size-fits-all self-care solution or one single way to recharge your mind and body, but a good self-care gift will hopefully inspire or encourage the recipient to focus on themselves.
What are the best budget friendly women’s self-care gifts?
You can always find budget-friendly bath and body care products, whether it’s a jade roller, gua sha tool, exfoliating bar of soap, bath salts and more. If your friend or loved one is a tea drinker, soothing and relaxing teas won’t break the bank. You can also find inexpensive gratitude journals. Another idea: Offer your time. During hectic seasons of life, some women just need a break. Can you offer to clean the house while she heads to an appointment? Maybe you can watch the kids for a few hours while she has a restorative spa day? Time can be an essential gift.
Self-care gifts for women don’t have to be complex or expensive. In fact, anything you can offer your friends or loved ones to encourage them to prioritize their own wellness can make a world of difference.
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Megan O'Neill Melle is a dynamic Senior Editor at Reader's Digest, bringing over a decade of expertise in magazine and digital publishing. With a flair for turning captivating ideas into engaging narratives, Megan has a proven track record in guiding editorial strategy for major publications like Parade, showcasing her editorial acumen and passion for storytelling.
