Stress and anxiety can creep up on us without warning. Add in juggling work, school, and a global pandemic to the mix, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed or burnt out. Soothing beauty products formulated with powerful ingredients and practicing self-care can seriously help calm the mind, body, and spirit. 

Check out our top picks for the very best calming beauty essentials and practices to kick anxiety, stress, bad moods, and insomnia to the curb. 

1. Essential Oils

Many people swear by the benefits of essential oils for a better sense of calm and well-being. How do these concentrated plant extracts make us feel more at ease? Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy, meaning they're inhaled or used topically. Inhaling the essence from essential oils can stimulate the brain's limbic system; this is the area that plays a role in emotional and behavioral responses. When essential oils are absorbed (think of therapeutic massages using essential oils), they offer more medical effects like pain relief. 

Quick Essential Oil Guide: 

• Chamomile: Relaxation
• Lavender: Promote better sleep
• Clary sage: Support relaxation
• Sweet orange: Decrease anxiety
• Ylang-ylang: Relieve stress
• Lemon: Improve concentration
• Sandalwood: Calms nerves
• Rose: Improve mood

We love the Terracotta Stone Diffuser and accompanying essential oils by VITRUVI. The diffuser not only disperses essentials throughout your home but also doubles as a stunning piece of home decor. 

2. Soothing Face Masks

Sometimes a relaxing face mask will help cure your blues. Take advantage of your work from home downtime and try a luxurious-feeling mask that helps hydrate, boost radiance, and calm the skin & mind. 

The Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask by Kiehl's 1851 is made with antioxidant-loaded cranberries and anti-inflammatory turmeric to renew, refresh, and brighten fatigued faces. 

Another great mask to unwind with is the Rose Face Mask by Fresh. Pure rose, aloe vera, and cucumber work together to soothe, tone, and calm the skin. 

3. Facial Massages

Along with the pampering and relaxation effects, facial massages can help improve circulation, boost energy, release toxins, and even help promote a smoother complexion. How? When you massage the face, it helps promote lymphatic drainage, essentially just draining extra lymph (fluid) from the skin and stimulating oxygen flow. Lymphatic drainage helps reduce puffiness and remove toxins to leave the skin looking and feeling smooth and healthy. Additionally, the improved oxygen levels from increased circulation help make the skin look brighter and more awake. 

You don’t have to visit a local day spa either for an incredible at-home facial massage. For the ultimate self-care massage, try the Jade Roller and Guasha Set by A'Mour 360. Glide the 100% jade roller and gua sha tools over the skin for a relaxing, cooling, and skin-enhancing facial massage. 

4. Bath Salts 

Soaking in the tub, in general, is an excellent way to pamper yourself after a long day. Adding sea salts helps stimulate circulation, ease pain, relieve inflammation, and offer some much-needed relaxation. Bath salts are quickly dissolved in warm water and used for everything from anxiety and stress relief to stiff joints and pains. Soaking in a bath enriched with salt helps increase magnesium levels. Magnesium helps the body make serotonin AKA the "happy molecule," to promote feelings of well-being and relaxation. 

If your bath routine needs a makeover, try the Calm Ylang Ylang and Vanilla Soaking Salts by Herbivore. Add about 1/4 of the bottle per bath and let dissolve for a minute before getting into a warm, comforting bath. 

5. Bonus Tips To Curb Anxiety & Stress

Life is messy and stressful things happen. It's important to remember that self-care is not about vanity, and it’s OK to take time for yourself. A happier and healthier mindset and body will help you manage and be more resilient to anxiety. There are other (free) ways of naturally relieving and preventing stress that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine, like exercise, meditation, eating a well-balanced diet, and getting enough sleep. 

Stick to these simple (yet powerful) practices as often as you can (they work best that way)! With time, you'll start to feel an overall improvement in your mental and physical health.