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We’ve all heard of the mind-body connection, but what about the mind-skin connection? Enter the world of psychodermatology, the profound field that examines the relationship between our inner emotional state and the outer appearance of our skin. Psychodermatology studies how emotional factors, such as stress and anxiety, can increase our cortisol levels, which can have an outward impact in the form of acne, inflammation and dryness (to name a few). In other words, psychodermatology reaffirms the old saying “beauty is only skin deep.” In reality, our skin is an outward reflection of what is happening on the inside - so feeling beautiful comes from much deeper within.
Meet selfmade, the personal care brand that gets personal.
Personal care brand selfmade has recognized this powerful relationship and filled a much-needed gap in the beauty and wellness space. Coined the first emotionally intelligent personal care brand, selfmade’s mission is to empower its consumers to feel like their best selves by nurturing their mental and emotional state. When we do this, we’re more likely to reap the positive benefits in all areas of our life – including our skin. At selfmade, this is the real first step in feeling like your most beautiful self.
While most skincare lines focus solely on aesthetics, selfmade dives deeper and asks the question, “How can nurturing our emotional wellbeing improve our skin?” Stephanie Lee, founder of selfmade, knew firsthand that the societal pressure and standards within the beauty industry were not benefitting our nation’s current mental health crisis. As a former beauty industry veteran that battled with her own mental health, she recognized that our self-worth is often tied up in these unrealistic standards. Stephanie knew that society could – and should – do better, and thus selfmade and its mission to celebrate all of our collective life experiences and inherent value was born.
The intention at selfmade is to simultaneously nurture these different aspects of our mental health and treat them as the root cause of inflammatory skin issues. Selfmade actively engages with Gen Z in an effort to provide creative mental health solutions, as these issues are more than skin deep for the brand. Its recent research speaks for itself: Those who feel worthy are 6X more likely to see themselves as beautiful. Those who engage with their mental health are 3X more likely to see themselves as beautiful. You can read more about selfmade’s findings here and the brand’s products aimed to empower below.
Credit: Carly Danner
I’ve been lucky enough to try selfmade’s personal care line and can say first hand that this brand is carving a new path in the beauty industry. While it’s good reason alone to love a company that acknowledges our mental and physical health, selfmade’s products are just as great as the beliefs they stand for.
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Introducing ATTACHMENT, RESILIENCE and INTIMACY.
Selfmade offers four products that affectionately fall under the categories of attachment, resilience and intimacy. I’m a big believer that “wellness” is a conglomeration of all areas of life, so I love that selfmade is a feel-good purchase that is more so an act of self-care than an indulgence.
Continue reading for a breakdown of each product (and what they stand for) in this exciting new line:
I’m a sucker for a great face serum, and the Secure Attachment Comfort Serum+ passes all of the tests for a quality product that truly hydrates and repairs the skin’s moisture barrier. The serum doubles as a primer, so the best part is that it can be worn alone or underneath make up – no need to seal in the hydration with a moisturizer. I’m a big advocate for including hyaluronic acid and squalane in your skincare routine, and the Comfort Serum+ contains both. I love putting it on in the morning and feeling completely set for the day.
The serum gets its name from one of the four different attachment styles, with secure attachment being the healthiest. When we feel anxious or insecure, our cortisol levels rise which can cause undue stress on our skin (think redness, acne, dryness, sensitivity). When we feel secure, our cortisol levels lower, thus allowing our skin barrier to retain more moisture. The mission at selfmade is to feel comfortable in our own skin – something that everyone can stand behind.
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It’s very rare to come across a skincare product that can be used for both your face and body, and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m typically skeptical of products that make this claim. However, selfmade has mastered the art of a 2-1 lotion that is gentle enough for both. I have naturally dry skin, and I have naturally dry skin, and I love the moisture barrier protection the Comfort Cream provides. It goes on light and airy due to its special time release tech with encapsulated hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, but the hydration lasts all day. I highly recommend using it right after the shower to really seal it in.
The Comfort Cream stems from the idea that our life experiences can spark our internal stress systems (again, think high cortisol) which can trigger irritation. If we are conscious of how our emotional state is affected by these experiences, we can be more conscious of how we respond to them. The Comfort Cream promotes reframing these negative thoughts and reactions into positive responses, which ultimately helps to lower our cortisol – creating less inflammation and a stronger moisture barrier.
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Selfmade excels in creating multi-use products, and the True Grit Resilience Scrub is another testament to that. This physical and chemical exfoliator can be used everywhere and anywhere – literally. Whether it be your scalp, underarms or pubic area, the scrub is safe to use twice a week. I keep mine in the shower and love using it as a full-body cleanser and exfoliator. The scent alone is enough to make you want to purchase it – with hints of Palo Santo, you’ll feel like you just got back from an exotic vacation.
Resilience is an important aspect of mental health. The ability to overcome life’s obstacles is similar to the skin’s ability to overcome external factors that can cause dryness, flakiness and harmful bacteria. The True Grit Resilience Scrub contains adaptogens and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as holy basil and tea tree oil, that help to strengthen the skin while eliminating trauma-inducing skin stressors.
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Sexual wellness is a key player in our overall health, and the Self Disclosure Intimacy Serum hones in on this concept. Designed to soothe the nervous system and work as an aphrodisiac, the serum promotes intimacy with yourself – or a partner – and feeling comfortable while doing so. Containing adaptogenic stress-fighting natural ingredients, including arnica flower and schisandra berry, this no-mess serum is easy to use and totally pregnancy safe.
Self-disclosure requires vulnerability, which is a necessary component of a healthy relationship. Whether that be the one you have with yourself or with a partner, it’s vital to feel comfortable in your skin – and the Intimacy Serum is guaranteed to help with that.
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Selfmade illuminates how our mental health is a crucial part of our overall health, so when we have the opportunity to support both it’s a run-don’t-walk situation.
Give yourself a little self-love with selfmade!
5 More Reasons to Love selfmade:
- Selfmade takes sustainability to a new level – every product is made in the USA with 100% recycled material and manufactured in a Climate Neutral Certified facility that focuses on minimal energy usage and carbon emissions.
- The brand boasts an accomplished roster of industry experts in psychology, psychiatry and beauty that stand behind selfmade’s mission, so you know it’s the real deal.
- If a team of doctors supporting the brand isn't enough, each product is also dermatologist and/or gynecologist tested, vetted and approved.
- Every product is free of hormone-imbalancing toxins such as microplastics, parabens, sulfates, formaldehydes, and silicons – plus they’re 100% vegan and cruelty-free!
- Over half of selfmade’s vendors and suppliers are women, non-binary and/or BIPOC-owned.
