It’s a truth universally acknowledged that most moms live crazy-busy lives. With kids and work and housework to juggle, plus often a partner in the mix, plus, you know, remembering to eat… there’s little to no time for yourself. Thankfully, 2019 seems to be the year when the world is finally admitting that self-care matters. And what better way to incorporate some “me” time than with a few quick and easy self-care items moms love?
There are plenty of simple self-care ideas moms can implement, but when you’re beyond busy, any ambitions of booking an appointment in a float tank pretty much go right out the window. If you daydream about some uninterrupted quiet time or just eight hours of sleep — or a way to simultaneously make dinner and do something that makes you feel good about yourself — good news! We’ve rounded up the best quick fixes even the busiest moms can work into their routine.
An eye gel patch to de-puff your eyes while in the school pickup line? Check. An anti-aging roller you can use while helping the kids with homework? Check. You have to treat yourself, Mama — because we know it’s a rarity you get to spend 10 minutes alone to pee in peace. So grab one of these, and then get back to being the kick-ass mom you are.
Skincare starter kit
If you’d like to establish a solid skincare routine but can think of oh so many ways you’d rather spend 20 minutes every morning and night, plus you have no idea what mix of products to start with, this starter kit from NYLSkincare is for you. It has everything you need for simple, clean skincare, and includes body lotion, transformative serum, gentle sugar body polish, and organic rosewater face wash. Did I mention it’s organic, cruelty free, gluten free, and handmade in small batches? Your skin just got a whole lot happier.
NYLSkincare starter kit, $46 at Amazon
Goat milk bath bomb
This bath bomb has the benefit of a) smelling unbelievably good, and b) feeling just like taking a milk bath — minus the gross imagery of dumping cartons of milk into your bathtub. The fat and protein in the bomb feed your skin with softness and moisture, while exfoliating to give you an absolute glow.
Goats milk bath bomb, $13.95 at Amazon
Amethyst facial roller
Give your overworked facial muscles a little love with this amethyst facial roller that vanishes dark circles and puffy skin. If you haven’t been fully rested since 2002 (what a weird coincidence that was also when you had your first child), this is the tool for you. It takes only a couple of minutes to roll this cooling little device over your worry lines and damn-it-Karen-don’t-make-me-count-to-three furrows to release stress and ward off anxiety.
Amethyst facial roller, $24 at Amazon
Charcoal face mask
Time is of the essence as a parent, and let’s be real; you never get more than a few minutes alone — especially in the bathroom. Use those five minutes to dab on this five-minute charcoal hydration mask and make the most of those blessed seconds before your kindergartener picks the bathroom lock. This mask brightens and evens skin tone and hydrates your skin, and the charcoal absorbs dirt and oils to give your clean, baby-soft skin. Plus, if your kid bursts in while this is on your face, it might scare them. Just an added bonus.
Plantanicals Charcoal 5-Minute Hydration Face Mask, $9.99 at Amazon
Dry body brush
If you’ve never heard of dry brushing, you’re missing out on one of the fastest ways you can give your skin some much-deserved love and attention. Benefits include cellulite-appearance reduction, improvement in blood circulation, shedding dead skin and eliminating clogged pores for better nutrient absorption.
Dry body brush, $9.95 at Amazon
Hydrating moisturizer-&-sunscreen-in-one
Anything that does double duty is great and saves you precious minutes by cutting out yet another layer to apply. This is not only a fantastic moisturizer that provides all-day hydration, but it also has SPF 30, because it isn’t cute anymore when your toddler plays their favorite game of count Mommy’s wrinkles. (Thank God they can only count to five.)
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV, $19.99 at Amazon
BB Cream
This is the best combo: a lightweight foundation, hydrating lotion anti-wrinkle cream and SPF 15. It’s made with 98.9 percent natural ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals, and is pocket-size for your convenience. Perfect for the mom on the go.
Burt’s Bees BB Cream with Noni Extract, $6.64 at Amazon
Teeth-whitening pen
Putting your family first usually means you just don’t have time for things you’d like to do. Not anymore. This speedy teeth whitening pen and blue accelerator light work in tandem in only three minutes for whiter teeth. That’s something to smile about.
Go Smile On the Go Teeth Whitening Pen, $19 at Amazon
Antiaging acupuncture roller
While this may look like a terrifying medieval torture device, it’s actually a quick, easy and painless way to stimulate your nerves and improve blood flow. You can use it anywhere on your body, and it fights wrinkles while improving your skin’s elasticity.
Antiaging acupuncture roller, $28.40 at Amazon
Coffee leaf tea
If the only me time you get is the five minutes with your cup of coffee in the morning before all hell breaks loo… we mean, before your darling children wake up, check out Wize Monkey. Wize Monkey coffee leaf tea is an unusual loose tea that uses the leaves from the coffee plant. It’s smooth, sustainable, has no caffeine crash, and is packed with antioxidants. And they provide jobs for coffee farmers year-round.
Wize Monkey Coffee Leaf Tea, $14.99 at Amazon
Productivity journal
Moms lead insane, hectic, chaotic lives. You’re in charge of a bunch of tiny people, all their activities, keeping them fed and (occasionally) bathed and making sure you don’t leave for Christmas vacation without one. If your brain doesn’t explode from all that’s crammed in there, you’re a magician. For everyone else, there are Live Whale planners. Live Whale is the most practical and effective planner, designed to motivate you and help you gain more control over your life. Improve your positivity, productivity and mental health. Because you have to treat your brain too, Mama.
Live Whale productivity and mental health planner, $22.49 at Amazon
Micellar water
At the end of the day, it’s a miracle if you don’t just flop into bed once you get the kids down. Honestly, most of the time, we debate whether we have the energy to get up and wash our faces. This one-step cleansing solution not only smells great and makes your skin feel amazing, but it’s a three-in-one solution — a cleanser, toner and makeup remover — so you are refreshed and ready for a good night’s sleep. Or ready to lie in bed for the next four hours going through your mental to-do list. Either/or.
Vichy cleanser/toner/makeup remover, $14.49 at Amazon
Aromatherapy bracelet
If you’re not one for a color-changing desktop essential oil diffuser but still want the benefits of aromatherapy, this minimalist volcanic rock aromatherapy bracelet has you covered. Subtle and understated, the three stones are made from lava rocks, the porous quality of which lets it absorb more essential oil. You can treat yourself to aromatherapy all day, right from your wrist.
Aromatherapy bracelet, $10.99 at Amazon
Pink clay mask
This Australian pink clay mask brightens and detoxifies in just 10 minutes, tightens pores and boosts your skin’s natural radiance. It comes with a soft applicator brush so your fingers don’t get all goopy and is made from Australian pink clay, mangosteen, kelp, witch hazel, pomegranate and Kakadu plum.
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask, $46.55 at Amazon
Travel essential oil diffuser
If you need five minutes to just breathe but are in your cubicle or stuck in traffic, this mini travel essential oil diffuser will make anywhere more bearable and give you a few moments of Zen. It has multiple charging capabilities, an auto-off feature and seven different-colored lights to choose from. Pair it with your fave essential oil, and you can bust this bad boy out when you need it the most — say, on a plane or pre-conference call.
Mini travel essential oil diffuser, $23.99 at Amazon
Gummy vitamins
Nourish yourself from the inside out with these vegan vitamins (gummy, because you are way more likely to take a vitamin every day if it’s a gummy) that hydrates your skin and is loaded with tons of vitamin C, vitamin E and stimulates collagen production to give you that all-natural glow.
Hum Glow Sweet Glow gummy vitamins, $39.06 at Amazon
Eye gels
Perk up your eyes and combat puffiness, fatigue and dryness with these anytime, anywhere cooling gel eye patches loaded with caffeine and hydrolyzed collagen. These patches work in just five minutes, so you can pop them on while waiting in the school pickup line and be refreshed by the time you get to the front.
Patchology FlashPatch Eye Gels, $15 at Amazon
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