The Best Self-Care Products, According to Our Editors

“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

“I’m working hard to go the ‘all natural’ aging gracefully route and as such, I use these Frownies patches almost nightly to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, particularly in my 11s between my eyes. And let me tell you — they work. After about 2-3 days, I noticed a difference in my fine lines.”  — Camey Hess, Sales Director

“I foam roll 10-15 minutes every day to support my body’s recovery from my daily weightlifting and running regimen. I like this trigger point foam roller more than the average flat density roller because these specific grooves target my back muscles without pressing on my spine and allow me to reach the deepest parts of my hamstrings (which are historically the most injury-prone part of my body).” — Camey Hess

“For better or worse, I am that millennial who requires a daily sweet beverage. Lately, instead of wasting money on yet another $9 strawberry matcha, I’ve been stocking my fridge with drinks to accompany my daily walks. My latest obsession is this coconut juice from Vita Coco. The brand is most known for its 100 percent coconut water (also perfect), but its newest flavor has a touch of sweetness that I need when my energy starts to drop midday and it’s too late for caffeine.” — Justine Carreon, Affiliate Content Manager

“As a certified Curly Girl, I’m a self-described expert in all things haircare. My latest fave find is this lightweight yet super-effective curl cream from R+Co. Just a squeeze of this after a shower ensures defined, bouncy locks that are never crunchy or hard.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor

“I overheard a cool girl at a party saying that this mask gave her the glowiest skin she’d ever had, so I quickly copied her and invested. I instantly became obsessed with the super light texture, lovely scent, and refreshing afterglow. Every time I apply it, I feel like I’m one step closer to transforming into the coolest version of myself.” — Diana Valenzuela

“My entire existence pretty much revolves around self-care. Whatever the hottest in wellness is, I’m likely sipping the Kool-Aid. Cold plunges, reformer pilates, sea moss, exosome facials with salmon DNA? What can I say? Call me Gwyneth. One habit that I swear by and actually recommend to all is sweating it out. When I can’t take advantage of my gym’s amenities or hit up a hot yoga class, I DIY it with an at-home sauna blanket. I slip into this gadget and listen to an audiobook for 20 minutes or so a day. You get the same detoxifying benefits of a dry sauna without the bulky gear. And yes, this is a very steep investment, but I bought these cheap Amazon inserts to help offset the price a little.” — Justine Carreon

“I’m running the New York City Marathon this fall (and yes, I’ve made it a significant part of my personality), so a lot of my self-care is focused on my feet and legs right now. These are the slides I wear around the house all day, and I can’t emphasize enough how much of a difference they make in my overall comfort. They’re cushy and supportive, with a padded upper that cradles my feet. I also run hot, so I like that I can wear them all year round with or without socks.”— Ciara Hopkinson

“I am trying to create and maintain a solid skincare routine, but as a lazy person, I cannot be troubled with the serums, retinols, creams, etc. The Universal Daily Peel from Dr. Dennis Gross is my one-stop-shop for exfoliation, skin brightening, and reducing fine lines. The easy two-step routine provides all the ingredients you need in the wrapped pads. It’s a great option for those looking to simplify their morning and evening routine or for those on-the-go.” — Sam Donsky, Audience Development Manager

“You can ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you that the ultimate form of self-care for me is anything to do with my face. When I’m at home and need some love in a pinch, I pop one of these sheet masks in the fridge for about 30 minutes before I put it on. Now, I know the thought of putting snail mucin on your face might sound weird, but once feel the heavenly cooling effects and then wake up with glass-like skin, your mind will be at ease. These are a staple in my skin care regimen, especially in the winter months when I get dried out. I’ve been using them for years for the ultimate hydration and recommend them to everyone, plus they won’t break the bank! Happy mask-ing!” — Samantha Olguin, Account Executive

“One of the most positive changes I’ve made to my sleep routine over the last couple of years is mouth-taping. OK I know it sounds weird, but bear with me: You tape your mouth shut when you start to drift off, which helps prevent dry mouth and snoring, promotes nasal breathing (which soothes your nervous system and helps you take in more oxygen), and might even cut down on tooth-grinding. These little latex-free strips are the nicest mouth tape strips I’ve tried: soft, barely noticeable, and even come with a tiny hole in case you want to take a little sip of water during the night.” Molly Simms, VP & Editorial Director 

“On days when I really want to pamper myself, I’ve been throwing on these reusable under eye masks from Dieux. They feel nice and cool atop my puffy eye bags, and they actually help any serum or cream I put on beneath them really penetrate my skin so I can reap all the benefits.” — Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor

“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 

“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 

“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

“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

“I’m currently pregnant, so self-care really revolves around remaining physically comfortable right now. One thing I cannot stomach? Denim. I don’t want anything rough or zipper-clad near my precious bump. I’ve been wearing only dresses and sweats lately, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve added a few maternity joggers to my collection, including this pair by Simple Wishes. These are the ones I reach for every few days, hoping they’ve been magically washed since the last wear. The micromodal fabric is silky smooth against my skin. I like that these aren’t heavy or thick because my body temperature has been a bit unpredictable, but I’m never hot in these. Not pregnant? I promise you, these will not be removed from my rotation once the baby comes.” — Maggie Parker, Deputy Site Editor

“Don’t judge me, but I’ve dipped into the baby’s stash of super sensitive skincare products. I received a bundle of this beloved baby brand’s lotions, and while there’s no baby to use them yet, I couldn’t resist trying them myself. Consider it quality testing! I also happen to have very sensitive skin, so I figured the Tubby Todd products might work for me, too. And I was right. My skin might be glowing most days, but I’m still combatting the dry patches that come with the colder weather. I love this All Over Ointment to sooth any cranky roughness. With ingredients like oatmeal and beeswax, and no synthetic fragrances, parabens, or steroids, you can rest assured that this stuff will treat skin right — adult or infant.” — Maggie Parker

“I’ve always had a hard time sleeping, and staying asleep. While I haven’t quite mastered the perfect sleep hygiene routine, for years now I’ve slept with a silk eye mask. I still struggle so I’ve been looking to upgrade myself to a high-tech version by Lumos Sleep Mask, where product development was supported by NASA, the Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation. It has lights embedded into the mask that can regulate your sleeping patterns and strengthen circadian rhythms. It even helps fight jetlag on a plane because it helps preset your body’s clock to your destination’s time zone! So you might not sleep like a baby, but you may just sleep like an astronaut. And right now, they’re offering $50 off for the holiday season.” — Justine Carreon, Affiliate Content Manager