15 Best Skincare Gifts For Every Holiday And Occasion
August 22, 2023
Self-care has become the ultimate buzzword, and if you ask people online or in your life, they’ll all have different definitions of this practice. To clarify, self-care is more than a trendy word used by mental health advocates and your therapist. It’s a very necessary part of living and comes in many forms (journaling, baking or working out, for example). Ultimately, how you decide to practice self-care is up to you as it’s an incredibly personal thing. We’re fans of self-care in the form of skincare. Not only does it pull you into the present moment and engage your senses (particularly helpful if you’re dealing with back-to-school stress, holiday stress or regular everyday stress), it also makes your skin healthier and happier.
Skincare and self-care go hand in hand because things like washing your face, applying a face mask or using a face roller allows you to be mindful of the act you’re doing. This type of mindfulness is key to self-care. To help you sort through all of the options there, we compiled a list of the best self-care skincare gifts and sets on the market to give to a friend or as a treat for yourself – they’re good for you, after all.
15 Self-Care Skincare Gifts and Gift Sets
Vichy Laboratories Sunscreen Duo
Protect your skin against the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays with this sunscreen lotion duo that gives you options. Both products offer broad-spectrum SPF protection that can be used on the face and body with a lightweight formula that won’t clog pores or leave skin feeling greasy. If you’re layering makeup on top, we recommend the Capital Soleil Soft Sheer Sunscreen for its sheer finish that also makes a great makeshift primer for makeup — so you won’t have to worry about cakey layers.
La Roche-Posay Essentials Skin Care Routine Skin Travel Set
Traveling can be extremely stressful, especially when it comes to the packing part. Eliminate that added stress with this skincare routine set by La Roche-Posay. It includes everything (and we do mean everything) that you’ll need to care for your skin when you’re away from full-size products at home. This set includes a cleanser, serum, moisturizer and sunscreen in travel-size bottles ideal for plane rides and last-minute packing. Remember, just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your skin has to be.
Skinceuticals Acne System Set
If there’s one thing that can really inhibit your routine and self-esteem, it’s adult acne. One day you’re doing your skincare and the next you’re avoiding the mirror altogether because you don’t want to be reminded of the blemishes sprouting all over your skin. Keep your adult acne in check and invest in an acne treatment set like this one from Skinceuticals. Formulated with acne-fighting ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid, the included cleansers, toners and blemish serum will target painful and irritating acne to offer some relief and fade its appearance.
Kiehl’s Age Defying Skincare Gift Set
Aging (and the wrinkles and fine lines that come with it) is a gift and not something you have to “fix” unless you want to. Since self-care can look like a lot of things for different people, if your goal is the appearance of younger-looking skin, then we’re here for it. Try this set that includes the powerful Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum, Super Multi-Corrective Cream and Super Multi-Corrective Eye Zone Treatment that targets the sensitive skin on the face (especially the under-eye area). Pure retinol, phytomimetic vitamin A and collagen peptide work together to renew and firm the skin’s surface to help diminish deep-set wrinkles and crow’s feet.
Youth To The People The Minimalist Skincare 3-Step Routine
Your self-care and skincare routine don’t have to be complicated. The process is streamlined with this three-step routine from Youth to the People, which includes the bestselling Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins, 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum and Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream. This complete routine features full-size products that’ll gently cleanse the skin, moisturize with antioxidants and firm skin with caffeine.
It Cosmetics Your On-The-Glow Hydration Trio
All skin types will appreciate this skincare travel trio that makes it easy to cleanse and hydrate your skin on the go. Maybe you’re going on a vacation, or maybe you cried at work and need to wash your face to reset yourself. Whenever you use this trio your skin will thank you for the added care. The set includes a travel-size version of the Confidence in a Cleanser, Confidence in a Cream Hydrating Moisturizer and Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep to revitalize your skin with each use. IT Cosmetics even works with plastic surgeons to develop products that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a brightened, glowy complexion.
Lancôme Absolue Soft Cream + Eye Cream Gift Set
If your self-care habits are all about treating yourself, then this is the gift set you’ll be thanking yourself for for weeks to come. The cult-favorite Absolue Revitalizing & Brightening Soft Cream from Lancôme helps to visibly brighten and firm skin while the similarly formulated eye cream nurtures the delicate skin in that area. This indulgent set creates a luxurious experience with a soft scent from added grand rose extract that makes applying skincare enjoyable — even on the days you don’t feel like doing anything.
Aesop Industrious Set
A good way to practice self-care is by incorporating it into your everyday life and beauty routine. If you don’t feel like you have the time for a long regimen, add mindfulness to your hand-washing routine with this set from Aesop. The time you take to wash your hands daily can be used to hone in on the task and focus on just that. Use the included Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash to cleanse hands gently without stripping skin of moisture. Follow up with the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm to nourish and hydrate hands, cuticles and fingernails. If you’re in a rush, you can keep the Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash in your bag to refresh your hands with the fast-absorbing gel formula.
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Face Mist
Keep this face mist in your work bag or school bag for quick moments of refreshment. This face mist is more than a can full of water thanks to added selenium and natural minerals to soothe skin. Mist yourself when you’re feeling extra stressed or just need a little pick-me-up on extremely sweaty days. For those with oily skin who prefer products that eliminate shine and dewiness, opt for the La Roche-Posay Serozinc Face Mist, which leaves skin matte and free of excessive sebum (aka oil).
IT Cosmetics Your Radiant Face & Eyes Gift Set
Raise your hands if you too miss the midday naptime of our childhoods. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have that time anymore but we can replicate restful skin with skincare. Just remember, nothing beats actually catching the proper number of ZZZs at night. This set features two full-size skincare essentials to help reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. The Secret Sauce Anti-Aging Moisturizer hydrates skin with a lightweight finish that won’t leave skin feeling tacky. Gently massage in the Bye Bye Under Eye Brightening Eye Cream for a spa-like experience with the results of refreshed-looking eyes.
NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Reusable Cooling Undereye Patches
On those really overwhelming days when nothing seems to be going right, take a pause from everything and reset yourself. Recharge with these cryotherapy-inspired skincare patches that do exactly as their name suggests. Inspired by the popular wellness trend and DIY hack of using cold spoons under your eyes to depuff the under-eye area, these reusable patches offer a cleaner and more sustainable solution.
Throw the patches in the freezer and focus on your skin for a few minutes as you decompress from a long day at work or class. Add the NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Cooling Hydration Moisturizer + Primer to your self-care session for an added cooling effect that nourishes your skin and tightens the appearance of pores with snow mushroom and niacinamide.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Refill Duo
While the fragrance isn’t exactly a skincare item, it is a well-deserved gift that needed to be on this list. On the days you’re feeling your absolute best, mist yourself with a couple of sprays of the Lancôme La Vie Est Belle perfume: this can help you associate those good memories with this stunning fragrance: On the days you need some extra self-care you can recreate those moments with a spritz of this perfume. The warm notes of vanilla, blossoming flowers and earthy patchouli blend together to create this floral scent that smells like a fresh spring night, no matter the time of year. Bonus: This set includes a refillable bottle so you can use as much as you want without fear of running out quickly.
Kadaly’s Clean & Bright Bundle
Create a bedtime routine that’ll incorporate self-care and skincare with nourishing and glowing benefits. This bundle from Kadaly’s replenishes and restores skin overnight in three simple steps. Wash off the grime from the day (both physically and mentally) with the Musaclean Pure Melt Cleansing Gel In Oil which turns into a gentle foam when activated by water. Give your face a mini massage with the Radiance Precious Oil and Musalift Lifting & Anti-Aging Organic Night Cream to round out your routine and leave you feeling calm for some well-deserved beauty rest.
Loops Variety Loop Face Mask Set
When someone says self-care skincare they usually point towards face masks to rescue them from stressful days. The LOOPS face mask set provides that stress-free experience with a uniquely-formulated hydrogel mask that caters to different skin needs. Not only are these gel masks hydrating, refreshing and glow-inducing, but they also feature fun colors that make this self-care task selfie-worthy.
The Crème Shop Cozy Treats! Moisturizing Foot Mask
If your self-care routine is all about moisturizing your body for softer skin, don’t forget about your feet. You can always use a hydrating lotion, but if your feet need extra help, add these foot masks to your routine as needed. The sock-like mask slips onto your foot and infuses skin with saturated moisture to soften skin and fight bacteria.
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