Self-care essentials: Everything you need to treat yourself

Self-care has become more than just a trend; it's a vital practice for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. For people juggling careers, families, social lives, and personal aspirations, carving out time for yourself is essential. This curated list of product recommendations focuses on enhancing your self-care routine, offering a blend of relaxation, rejuvenation, and empowerment.

From skincare essentials that promote a radiant glow to mindfulness resources that help center your thoughts, each recommendation is thoughtfully selected to resonate with you. Embracing self-care is not just about pampering yourself—it's about prioritizing your health and happiness in a world that often demands so much. Dive into our handpicked selections and discover how these products can elevate your self-care rituals

• I am a disciple of the brand Summer Fridays — their jet lag mask is one of my go-to products for curing my skin after a flight, a vacation in a dry climate, or just as an antidote to a busy week when I haven’t drank enough water. Summer Fridays’ Light Aura vitamin C and peptide eye cream is no exception. The caffeine helps depuff your under-eye area, while the vitamin C tackles dark circles. 

• Sometimes, the budget brand you’ve been using for twenty years is the best one. When I get a hormonal acne breakout, I turn to Neutrogena’s oil-free face wash to clear up my skin. 

• Dieux’s Forever eye masks are reusable, thin, and lightweight, and they last for a year. At $25, these are one of our favorite indulgent ways to relax at the end of a long day.

• This robot vacuum is a game-changer. I didn’t think it was possible to feel genuine affection for a moving glass and silicon circle, but this thing proved me wrong.

• Dumb down your smartphone to do a real digital detox. Using a phone that only has basic functionality — like phone calls and texting — can eliminate the distractions. The Light Phone includes tools like directions, a calendar, an alarm, and a music player, so you won't be without your creature comforts.

• Uncommon Goods’ Thera weighted relaxation hoodie has all the soothing benefits of a weighted blanket in wearable form. With glass beads sewn into each of its quilted panels, this 10-pound hoodie can relax muscle soreness and relieve stress and anxiety. Be warned: Even the lightest sleeper can fall into a mood-restoring nap while wearing this weighted hoodie.

• Want to get your friend a beautiful gift, but don’t want it to wilt and wither immediately? Bouqs’ Terracotta dried flower bouquet is a stunning, timeless twist on a traditional bouquet. 

• Areaware’s miniature food-themed jigsaw puzzles make the perfect quirky gift for a friend on their birthday, a housewarming, or just because you feel like it. 

• Parachute’s cloud cotton robe somehow feels simultaneously feathery soft, immensely comfortable, and elevated. Its 100% long-staple Turkish cotton makes it durable and high-quality, lasting many wash cycles and spa days.

• Remember Tamagotchis? When you use the Finch app, you’ll get reminders to practice daily self-care by taking care of a pet avatar. (Did you remember to put on sunscreen this morning? Have you eaten yet today?) It’s better — and way cuter — than the to-do list in my Notes app that’s collecting dust.

• I don’t often wear a full face of makeup, but after a formal event, nothing works like Clinique’s buttery-smooth Take the Day Off cleansing balm to melt away every trace of makeup.

Every product and service listed in this section is independently chosen by us, Take Care’s highly discerning editors Maya and Eliza. We have two rules for our recommendations: We only recommend things we’d use ourselves, and we don’t earn a commission from these links — we just want you to have the best of the best. No, seriously.