5 easy steps to incorporate meditation into your daily skincare routine

The first step in tuning into the moment and being present is to turn off all distractions. Leave your phone in another room or turn it off. Removing distractions can help you clear your mind and focus on your beauty ritual and yourself.

Deep breathing not only calms the mind but its boosts circulation which promotes healthy glowing skin. Skin cells are the healthiest when they have enough oxygen.

Start by taking five deep breaths. Feel the air fill your lungs and slowly release. Notice the movements in your chest as you take on more air. Feel your body start to relax. As the air leaves your body imagine all the negative, stressful energy leaving the body. Breath in calm and soothing thoughts.

Massaging the face stimulates the facial muscles, promotes circulation and helps to increase collagen production. The more collagen produced the healthier and brighter your skin will feel. It also helps to promote lymphatic drainage which helps to  drain toxins and remove excess waste.

1. Focus on relaxing your breathing, take five deep breaths. Fill your lungs and slowly release the air. Start by washing your hands and face. Notice the temperature of the water on your skin. Close your eyes and listen as the water flows down the basin and into the drain. Imagine the toxins and stress draining away from you. Cleanse your mind of any negative self-talk about your appearance. If this is difficult, set a positive affirmation mantra and repeat throughout the practice. 

2. Open your eyes, keep focusing on your breath as you dry your face, become aware of how your skin feels and silence the mind from distractions. Feel the texture of the towel on your face.  

3. Apply your facial oil (or moisturiser), take notice of the scent and feeling it has on your hands. Transfer the oil first to your forehead, start with pressure above the eyebrows and push skin and oil back to the hair line. Repeat this movement five times. Notice the tension and pressure release from your forehead. 

4. Place your knuckles on your cheeks near your nose bridge, gently push them out towards the temple. Feel your lymphatic system start to release waste and toxins. 

5. Move towards your mouth. Starting at the edge of the mouth massage in a V shape towards your earlobe. Repeat this motion and feel you mouth soften. Move toward the chin and follow a similar V shape towards your ears. 

6. Follow your fingers around the edge of your face. Feel the circulation that your massage has stimulated. Close your eyes again and put your hand over your heart and take five deep breaths. Let yourself feel grounded by your touch.

7. Finish with one last deep breath.

In meditation, we are often asked to focus our attention on different parts of the body. This type of mindfulness helps keep our focus inward and wards off any mind-wandering. Using an exfoliating glove helps you to hold your focus, practice mindfulness and cleanse the mind. It is also great for improving the skin’s texture, promoting circulation, unclogs pore and leaves the skin feeling smooth. The wellbeing benefits of exfoliation have been known and practiced for thousands of years. The brac. Turkish silk exfoliating glove was inspired by the ancient bathing ritual called the Haman. It offers a powerful deep exfoliation for the mind, body and soul.

1. Start by slowing down your bodily movements as you prepare to shower. This means removing your clothes slowly and carefully. Feel the air on your bare and naked skin. Enjoy the freedom of wearing nothing as you move towards the shower. 

2. Under the shower, focus on the warm sensation of the water as gently falls onto your head and runs down your body.

3. Acknowledge the temperature of the water and allow  your muscles to relax. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Inhale; feel the steam flow in through your nose and imagine it expanding through your chest. Exhale, release your tension, stress, negative thoughts and negative energy. Imagine these negative flows eagerly escaping out of your mouth. Repeat 10 full breath cycles this way.

4. Tune into the sound of the water as it soothes your brain and allows any thoughts and feelings to be washed away.

5. As you apply shampoo and conditioner, do so slowly, with care. Notice how it feels on your hair. Let the lather accumulate for a moment before you rinse it out. Take a moment to tune into your sense of smell. Enjoy the aromatic scent of your shampoo and conditioner. Steady and relax your breathing to make the most of this sense of smell. 

6. After 10 minutes step out of the direct flow of the shower to allow your skin to dry a little. Put on your brac. Turkish Silk Exfoliating Glove and start to exfoliate your skin. Gently start to tune into the sensation of your hand passing over your skin. Make your movement slow and purposeful – give yourself time to feel the sensations and acknowledge them.

7. As you re-enter the shower, gently feel the water flow smoothly down from your head and stream all the way down your neck, your shoulders, your arms, your fingertips, your back, your chest, your thighs, your calves, your toes, and then run off down the shower drain.

8. Imagine the dead skin washing off you, draining with it all of the tension, strain and anxiety from your head and body, pulling and washing it all down, down, down towards the ground, falling into the drain and disappearing deep into the earth. Continue deeply inhaling and exhaling as you gratefully feel the tension completely running off you.

9. Take a few final refreshing breaths, then slowly step out of the water stream and open your eyes. Wriggle your fingers, toes, arms and legs, feel happy energy coursing and surging through you. You are fresh. Your body is at peace. Your mind is clear. Your senses are alert

10. You are ready for this bright day ahead of you.

To get the most out of your skincare routine the most important thing you can do is go slow,  be purposeful and be truly present in the moment. Move out of auto pilot and focus on all the small movements, temperature and textures which surround your skin care routine.