Monday

Sponsored By:

"My skin reflects my journey—I honor it."

It’s a new week! Today, we're chatting about:

• Does your self-care match your values

• Take this 2-minute quiz to find skincare made for you

• What “ethical” really means

• Wellness routines that help the environment

Choosing Self-Care That Reflects Your Values

Self-care often feels personal, but it’s also connected to the wider world. The products we use each day, including skincare, candles, and even supplements, carry stories about how they’re made and who they support. Looking at them through that lens can be an act of reflection as much as an act of care.

The truth is, many mass-produced “clean” or trendy items come with hidden costs, from wasteful packaging to questionable labor practices. By contrast, smaller mission-driven brands often focus on sustainability and fairness, turning everyday rituals into choices that support something bigger than ourselves.

This isn’t about perfection or adding pressure to your routine. It’s about noticing where your money flows and choosing to let your self-care align with your values. Even small shifts can feel grounding, reminding you that wellness and integrity can go hand in hand.

What Ethical Skincare Actually Looks Like

Activist Skincare is face-care without compromise. Founded by a woman who wanted her skincare routine to be just as effective as clinical products while reflecting her environmental and ethical values, Activist is built for people who care about what they put on their skin—and the systems behind it.

• Clean, clinically effective ingredients (Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid)

• A 4-step system that’s easy, effective, and designed for sensitive skin

• Refillable packaging that cuts plastic waste by up to 75%

• Small-batch, California-made, and woman-owned

Take their 2-minute Skin Quiz to be product matched, and get a free $25 gift card when you buy a Trial & Travel Kit.

Find your perfect skincare match.

Thank you to Activist Skincare for sponsoring Note To Self. 

What "Ethical" Really Means in 2025

“Clean.” “Green.” “B Corp.” These words can look reassuring on a package, but they don’t always mean what we think. In 2025, it’s easier than ever for big corporations to lean on labels and certifications as proof of responsibility without changing the wasteful systems behind them.

That doesn’t mean these signals are meaningless, just that they’re incomplete. A certification can’t tell you everything about how workers are treated, where materials are sourced, or what happens to the packaging once you toss it. Sometimes, it’s more about optics than impact.

So what should you look for? Founder transparency, details on production practices, and thoughtful packaging lifecycles often reveal more than any stamp or seal. Brands that are ethical by design rather than by marketing show how integrity can be baked in from the start.

At the end of the day, it’s about pausing to ask: Does this product reflect my values, or just wear the right label?

Healing Shouldn’t Hurt the Planet

Self-care should restore us, and it feels even better when it restores the planet too. The truth is, overstuffed routines and endless products often create more stress (and waste) than calm.

Simplifying your rituals can be a kind of healing on its own. A refillable cleanser, a favorite moisturizer, or just taking time to rest can deliver more peace than chasing the next new thing. Small shifts like choosing low-waste packaging, slowing down purchases, or reusing what you already love, add up to a meaningful impact.

When our routines align with care for the earth, every step feels lighter. Healing yourself and healing the planet don’t have to be separate. They can be the same act of kindness.

A Note From Us

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: True. It’s about people, animals, and the planet.

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers’ lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Sustainability and self-care can go hand in hand. When your beauty routine feels good and does good, it’s a win on every level.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!