Tuesday

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"I can hold space for both effort and ease."

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

• The ice water facial trend

• How winter can affect your skin

• Skin feeling sensitive or dry? Start here

• Sunset of the day: New York City

The Truth About the Ice Water Facial Trend

You’ve probably seen it: someone dunking their face into a bowl of icy water and emerging with skin that looks instantly refreshed. The viral ice water facial promises to reduce puffiness, brighten your skin, and even calm anxiety. But does it actually work? According to dermatologists, yes, just not in the miracle way social media might suggest.

Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, which helps with puffiness and can make pores look smaller. As your skin warms up again, blood flow increases, giving your face that healthy post-freeze glow. It can even activate your body’s “diving reflex,” slowing your heart rate and leaving you feeling calmer and more centered.

Still, this trend isn’t for everyone. If you have sensitive skin, rosacea, or eczema, it’s best to skip it, since extreme cold can cause irritation. For most people, a few ice dips a week can be a refreshing addition to a skincare routine.

How to Protect Your Skin From Winter Dryness

Cold air and indoor heating can make your skin feel tight and dry within days of winter’s arrival. Dermatologists recommend focusing on barrier repair: starting with richer moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and protection from wind and cold. Applying moisturizer right after washing helps trap water in your skin before it evaporates.

For an extra boost, try adding a hydrating mask once or twice a week. Look for formulas with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or algae extract to restore moisture and calm irritation. These masks work best when applied after cleansing and followed by a thick cream to seal everything in.

At home, a cool-mist humidifier and softer fabrics like cotton can also make a big difference. If your skin still feels flaky or raw, avoid hot showers and switch to fragrance-free products.

Sometimes even the best routines need backup. If dryness lingers or cracks appear, dermatologists can recommend prescription treatments to help your skin recover before spring.

The Perfect Mask to Add to Your Winter Skincare Routine

When skin feels tight, dull, or easily irritated, hydration alone isn’t always enough. Clark’s Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask restores balance with a clinically proven formula that delivers up to eight hours of hydration while visibly reducing redness in minutes.

It’s powered by dehydrated algae microspheres that pull in moisture and support collagen, Japanese green tea to calm irritation, and the brand’s signature Jasmine Catalyst Complex—a blend of jasmine enzymes, arnica montana, niacinamide, and red algae—to strengthen the skin barrier.

Use it as a 20-minute reset, or leave it on as a rich, daytime moisturizer for a dewey, refreshed complexion all day long. Pair it with our award-winning Retinol Rescue Overnight Cream to target the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Free from parabens, sulfates, silicones, and phthalates—and fully vegan and cruelty-free—it’s the kind of luxury that feels earned.

Enjoy 20% off all single products with code REVEL20 (valid through 12/31, one-time purchases only).

See what makes this mask different.

Thank you to Clark’s Botanicals for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Sunset of the Day

Shared by Note To Self reader Erica, this view captures the city just as day fades to night, the Empire State Building glowing against a sky brushed in orange and blue. The streets hum with their usual energy, but for a moment, even New York seems to pause.

It’s a reminder that beauty doesn’t always mean stillness. Sometimes it’s found right in the middle of motion and light.

Have a sunset or sunrise worth sharing? Tell us where it’s from and what makes it special. We’d love to see it!

Wellness Round-Up

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Your skin renews itself about every 28 days.

• 🌅 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: Changes in your skin don’t mean you’ve done something wrong, as our skin is always evolving. Be curious, not critical.

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]!