Tuesday

"I allow myself to find comfort in ordinary moments."

Welcome to Tuesday! Today, we're chatting about:

• The brain-skin connection

• Is your skincare actually working?

• Food Network stars are delivering fresh meals

• How to use micellar water

• A better solution for gray hair

The Brain-Skin Connection You Didn't Know About

It turns out your skin and your brain have a lot more going on between them than you'd think. Researchers have been studying what's called the brain-skin-gut axis for nearly a century, and if you've ever broken out during a stressful week, you've felt this connection firsthand.

The science comes down to shared chemical messengers. Cortisol, the stress hormone, breaks down collagen and weakens your skin barrier while also contributing to cognitive decline. Serotonin, on the other hand, supports both your mood and your skin's barrier strength. What affects one tends to affect the other.

Now the beauty industry is catching up. A new category called neurocosmetics uses ingredients that interact with the skin's nervous system to reduce stress signals and improve how you look and feel. Some ingredients have been shown to increase calming neurotransmitters like GABA, while others help dial down excess cortisol.

And it doesn't have to be complicated. Even washing your face or getting a massage has been shown to have real mood-boosting effects.

Signs Your Skincare Routine Is Actually Working

If you've been consistent with your skincare routine and aren't sure if it's actually doing anything, your skin is probably already giving you the answer. Here's what to look for.

Even skin tone is one of the clearest signs things are working. Dark spots start to fade, acne scars heal up, and blackheads become less of a regular visitor. Your skin will also feel different, smoother and less reactive, with less oiliness and fewer itchy or dry patches throughout the day.

Hydration is another big one. When your skin is well taken care of, it stops swinging between too dry and too oily and settles into a more balanced state. You might also notice that when you do break out, it clears up faster and is less likely to leave a mark behind. Basically, healthy skin bounces back. If you're seeing these signs, your routine is working and it's worth sticking with it.

Say Goodbye to Grocery Lists

Getting real, nourishing food on the table can be a daily struggle. And trying to make everyone happy? Pretty much impossible. But now you can, without spending your entire evening scrubbing dishes.

Try CookUnity, the first meal delivery led by world-class chefs that connects you with nutritious meals from Michelin-starred masters and Food Network stars.

Every week, you and your family can pick from over 400 meals, and 60 global cuisines and lifestyle diets, including Fitness Fuel, Protein Boost, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Thai, and way more. They even have a kids’ menu featuring just-right portions packed with hidden veggies and classic flavors your tiny food critics will love.

Plus, these pro chefs source their own ingredients and handcraft your dishes locally so they’re delivered fresh, and ready to reheat in just minutes.

Weekly menus vary by market, but that’s the fun part of trying meals from the best culinary talent near you.

If you feel like this is the right fit for your family, take 50% off your first week. Enter your zip code, choose how many weekly meals you would like to receive, create an account, choose your dishes, and set your delivery address. You can skip, pause, or change the plan size anytime.

Get started with CookUnity here.

Thank you to CookUnity for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Are You Using Micellar Water the Right Way?

Micellar water is a staple in a lot of people's routines, but most of us aren't using it quite right. According to dermatologists, the way you apply it matters just as much as the product itself.

The key is the soak and glide method. Saturate a cotton pad fully, hold it against your eye or makeup area for 10 to 15 seconds, then swipe gently outward once. That pause is what lets the micelles, tiny oil-attracting molecules, actually lift the makeup off instead of just pushing it around. Skipping it and going straight to rubbing is the most common mistake, and it's especially hard on the delicate skin around your eyes.

Micellar water works best as the first step in a double cleanse routine, not a replacement for your regular cleanser. It's great at removing makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup, but a proper cleanser still does the deeper work. Think of micellar water as the setup, and your cleanser as the finish.

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Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: False. It can have physical effects, including on the skin.

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: Sunsets are more than beautiful—they’re actually good for your mood. Got a favorite one? Reply to this email with your best sunset or sunrise photo for a chance to be featured!

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Your skin and brain have more in common than you might think. Both thrive on the basics: sleep, hydration, nourishment, and care.

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]!