The Best Self-Care Products, According to Our Editors

“Taking care of my skin always makes me feel good. And while I love a clay mask that minimizes pores and does some deep cleansing (like this one from Kiehl’s), I don’t love doing the work of applying and removing it at the end of a long, stressful, anxiety-ridden day. That’s when I turn to these sheet masks from Wolf Project, which are miraculously moisturizing but require no water and no scrubbing whatsoever. After 15 minutes, I can peel it right off with zero hassle and marvel at how simple it was to get my face looking its best.” — Ryan Buxton, Features Director 

“I’m just about the last person on earth to go for an expensive, sounds-too-good-to-be-true gadget that promises to miraculously fix my skin, but I’ve got to say…this red light face mask works. The device is easy to use and keep clean (just wipe it down after each use). I usually put it on for 10 minutes while I’m reading before bed. It gets a little warm, but not uncomfortably so, and I’ve genuinely noticed a difference in my skin. It’s evened out dark spots and scars and helped take care of blemishes and acne, and it leaves my face feeling smoother. It’s an investment, but one I definitely don’t regret.” — Ciara Hopkinson, Senior Associate

“For most of my life, I was an easy sleeper, but over the past five or so years, my sleep has become like the protagonist of a YA novel: troubled. One of my biggest issues is being easily woken up by the slightest sound, whether that’s the creak of the floorboards under my cats’ paws or even the crinkling of the duvet cover. White-noise machines are key for me — I’ve tried several and can vouch that the absolute gold star option is this one by Lectrofan. Instead of having a weak little fan inside like many machines, it plays 20 different digital white noise tones (including ‘brown’ and ‘pink’ noises, which are, in fact, a real thing), and also has volume adjustment, so you can choose to have it whir gently or blast at full tilt. Plus, it has this somewhat dowdy, ‘1960s idea of the future’ look that I find irresistible. To me, the ultimate self-care is sound sleep, and this machine makes that possible. Now I just have to figure out how to deal with my cats.” — Molly Simms, VP & Editorial Director

“From perky matcha powder to loose assam leaves, I keep a wide range of tea in my cupboard at all times. My most recent discovery is damiana, which is an herb I discovered on TikTok (no surprises there). The flower is native to central Mexico and South America, and has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties — many even claim that it’s an aphrodisiac. I use it for relaxation purposes, and this caffeine-free tea has become a staple in my nighttime routine. Numi Organic Tea — a B-corp member, Fair Trade Certified, and Verified Fair Labor — just launched a line that harnesses the power of damiana in three different blends, including my personal favorite, Relax. It includes butterfly pea powder, which turns my beverage into a dreamy shade of blue.” — Justine Carreon, Affiliate Content Manager 

“If you wake up feeling like Puffin the Penguin (aka your undereyes or face feels swollen), there’s nothing better than grabbing an ice-cold face roller. This candy pink one from self-care queen Lauryn Bosstick, founder of The Skinny Confidential, isn’t cheap but it’s durable and does the trick. I keep mine in the freezer, and when I’m ready to use it, I roll it on my forearm to warm it up just a bit before treating my face. It’s a refreshing way to start the day and feels ahh-mazing.” — Alaina Mancini, Managing Editor 

“POV: You love the feeling of a weighted blanket, but want that all the time, not just when you’re lying on the couch or in bed. Enter: the Therahoodie. That’s right, it’s a weighted hoodie that can give you a calming hug while also delivering the benefits of wearing weighted garments wherever you are.” — Sara Levine, Managing Editor, Newsletters

“A hot bath can help melt away stress, sadness, or rage, even when temperatures outside are nearing 100. I normally add Epsom salts to my bath to help alleviate aches and pains, but I was recently introduced to these magnesium soaks from Flewd, and there’s no going back for me. They’re jam-packed with magnesium; B vitamins; and nootropics that help lower cortisol levels, boost your mood, and aid in relaxation. Each soak comes in a pre-portioned pack, so there’s no measuring to do. Everything dissolves quickly in the water and smells amazing (my favorite soak has cedarwood, lemon, and patchouli oils in it), and my sensitive skin isn’t irritated by it the same way it is when I use bath bombs. I leave the bath feeling relaxed, calm, and ready for bed, which is exactly what I need at the end of a long day.” — Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor

“To me, there’s nothing better than a super hot shower to wash the day away and then wrapping myself up in a cozy robe to relax on the couch and watch some mind-numbing TV. I like to turn my air conditioning down really low at night, so I need something thick enough to keep me warm, and this robe does just that while feeling like a cuddly hug. The material is a little luxurious, which will make you feel even more worthy of that rest. Barefoot Dreams also makes blankets and socks, but be warned: You might never want to change into real clothes again!” — Samantha Olguin, Account Executive

“I’m a person who can’t sleep without a blanket or even a top sheet, which makes things tough during ridiculously hot summers like these. Muslin Comfort’s blanket is perfect — it’s got the right amount of weight so I can fall asleep, but not so much that I need to blast my AC to feel cool. It’s made of all-natural cotton and so soft and breathable that I can drift off with no worries that I’ll wake up soaked in sweat a few hours later.” — Sara Levine

“Sleep is one of the best forms of self-care you can give yourself, and I’m notoriously am bad at it. I have a difficult time turning my brain off and typically get no more than six hours of sleep a night, but I can Pavlov Dog myself into sleep as soon as I put on a sleep mask. I originally owned a Slip one, which was great quality in a classic silhouette reminiscent of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but it’s pretty small and slipped off mid-snooze. I transitioned over to Drowsy’s wider style, which snugly fits on my head and truly blocks out all light. It’s made of 100 percent mulberry silk, which is gentle on sensitive skin. It has an adjustable velcro backing, but it’s specially made so it won’t snag your hair while you sleep.” — Justine Carreon

“Everyone starts their mornings differently, but mine often begin with the hum of my beloved espresso machine. This thing cost me a pretty penny, but I cherish it with all my heart. The slow, deliberate act of grinding my beans, watching the syrupy espresso drip, and steaming my milk each morning allow me to wake up gradually and leave me with a delicious beverage at the end. For me, the ritual of making my morning drink is a form of self-care: It reminds me to take a second and create something for me, then enjoy the fruits of my labor sip by sip.” — Katie Pittman

“Working at a computer all day seriously strains my peepers, so I love unwinding with these eye stones. They’re made from Finnish soapstone that purports to be more than two billion years old — and yet they somehow manage to cost only $20. Even if they aren’t actually ancient, they’re wonderfully smooth and just heavy enough to feel substantial without bothering my eyes. I keep them in the fridge so I can pull them out anytime to spend 15 or so minutes pretending the rest of the world doesn’t exist.” — Ryan Buxton

“Perfume and I have had a rocky relationship, to say the least. I’m very picky (as everyone should be) about how I want to smell: I refuse to wear most perfumes with citrus, vanilla, or floral notes. But searching for rich, musky, buttery scents can be incredibly tricky — especially when shopping online. Last year, however, I gave into a wave of Instagram ads and purchased the short story sample set from Imaginary Authors. You pick up to eight perfume samples to experience the enormous pleasure of trying out some unbelievably dreamy formulas. One spritz of O, Unknown! makes me feel like *that girl* because of the unique notes of black tea and Kyoto moss. I also adore Sundrunk — which smells like rhubarb and your first kiss. Needless to say, I’m in love: When I need to feel glam in an instant, I have a secret weapon that will immediately turn me into my most luxurious self.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor