I’m all about that Sunday night reset—a full skincare ritual to help me unwind from a weekend of unapologetic fun with my friends. You know the vibes: staying out way too late, indulging in comfort food that hits all the right spots but might not win any wellness awards and maybe sipping on a drink or two…or three. No judgment zone here! But this week, as the election results rolled in, the stress hit on another level. By Monday, it was creeping in; by Tuesday, it was undeniable; and by Wednesday, I knew I had to do something to center myself. So, I said YOLO and decided that a midweek self-care session was in order.
When we experience stress, especially in these tense moments, it shows up in our bodies and often in our skin. Research shows that stress triggers cortisol production, which leads to inflammation, clogged pores and breakouts. And for many of us, the weight of these times is compounded by racial trauma and its effects on our mental and physical health. This type of stress doesn’t just live in our minds; it embeds itself in our bodies. Studies have shown that chronic racial stress can contribute to higher rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and skin conditions like eczema and hyperpigmentation. Taking care of ourselves, inside and out, isn’t just about looking good; it’s about surviving and protecting our well-being.
So, out came the clay masks, the toners and the serums—my whole lineup of skin-soothing, stress-relieving essentials. With every step, I focused on letting go of some of that tension and giving myself the care we all deserve. Prioritizing ourselves, making space to treat our skin and relaxing our minds are key. Here’s to finding ways to keep it together, one mask at a time.
I got my skin checked last week, and the expert didn’t hold back—they told me my pores were seriously clogged and that a steam and clay mask session was in order. So, after giving my face a good cleanse with Cetaphil’s gentle cleanser, I went in with a Glossier clay mask to exfoliate and clear out all that dead skin buildup. It was just what my skin needed for a little refresh!
Image: EBONY.
Cetaphil
Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
Price: $10
Once I rinsed off the clay mask, I went straight for my Dr. Dennis Gross LED mask to tackle any acne and smooth out a few fine lines. Getting older is a blessing, but let’s be real—you’ve got to stay on top of that skincare!
Image: EBONY.
Image: EBONY.
Dr. Dennis Gross
DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Price: $455
Now, I’m applying this gentle exfoliating AHA + PHA toner by Eadem to help even out my skin tone—it’s great for fading dark spots without being too harsh on melanin-rich skin. Next, I moved on to my serums, layering them up for maximum impact. I used a soothing serum from The Ordinary, perfect for calming any post-exfoliation redness, and then Auna’s niacinamide serum, which is key for tackling hyperpigmentation. Finally, I sealed it all in with The Ordinary’s hyaluronic acid serum to lock in moisture, which was especially important after all the exfoliating I did. This routine keeps my skin balanced and glowing!
Image: EBONY.
Image: EBONY.
Eadem
Cashmere Peel Gentle AHA + PHA Exfoliating Toner with 9% Lactic, Azelaic, Tranexamic Acids
Price: $42
The Ordinary
Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
Price: $17
Image: EBONY.
Image: EBONY.
Anua
10% Niacinamide+ 4% Tranexamic Acid Serum
Price: $20
The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
Price: $10
I know this sounds like a lot of steps, but trust—it’s only once a month, so go easy on me! Next up, I reached for my TheraFace depuffing wand, set to hot. The heat helps my skin absorb all those good ingredients from my serums more effectively, which is a win for keeping my skin hydrated and radiant. Then I popped on the Augustinus Bader eye mask to give my under eyes a little extra TLC. This is especially important since Black skin can be more prone to dark circles. After that, I layered on a hydrating sheet mask I picked up at the mall back in March, which reminds me—I should stock up on more of those!
To finish, I switched the wand to cold in order to depuff my under eyes and make me look fresh and awake—so I’m all set to face the world looking as put-together as I feel!
Image: EBONY.
Image: EBONY.
Image: EBONY.
Image: EBONY.
TheraFace
Depuffing Wand for Under Eye Bags & Dark Circles
Price: $149
Augustinus Bader
The Eye Patches
Price: $23
I secured my look with a hydrating moisturizer from Clinique, then jumped on my 2 pm call with a beauty founder to catch up on her latest launches and see how she’s feeling after yesterday’s news.
Image: EBONY.
Image: EBONY.
Clinique
Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Oil Free Face Moisturizer
