Cara Rogers
2022 has been the year of wellness. With a new essential wellness product put on our radar every week, it’s been a good one for those of us who are self-care fanatics. Naturally, we want to carry on our self-care habits into 2023, so here are a few reflections to help you decide what to carry into the New Year and what to leave behind.
“Wellness isn’t just about having a well-stocked skincare fridge – but it can definitely help”
Self-care and wellness can take many forms. It might look like spending extra time with loved ones, having a week-long digital detox, or trying to integrate that ten minute meditation into your night routine on a more regular basis.
Love it or hate it, though, wellness has also become something that we’re tempted to buy into. Trying out the latest serums, tools, oils, and gadgets is just another way of ‘doing’ wellness. Buying into your self-care era isn’t essential – wellness isn’t just about having a well-stocked skincare fridge – but it can definitely help.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best wellness products that we’ll be bringing with us from 2022 into 2023. Take a look and maybe you’ll be inspired to incorporate something new into your routine this year.
Gua Sha
First up is the Gua sha. A traditional Chinese healing method usually carried out by trained professionals, Gua sha has filtered down into the masses and proved itself to be incredibly popular this year. Said to reduce puffiness and inflammation, relieve tension, and even treat muscle pain, the Gua sha is a nifty tool that forms the foundations for a strong skincare routine.
Simply cleanse your face, apply a serum or face oil, and use the smooth edge of the Gua sha to glide along your skin. Even if you don’t see results immediately, it can be a relaxing and therapeutic addition to your 2023 night routine.
Sleep Spray
Admittedly, we’re still not entirely sure if these sprays actually make a difference to our sleep quality. However, there’s something that feels really luxurious about spraying your sheets with a lavender scented spritz and really elevating your sleep set-up. Top tip: take a look at the ingredients in your chosen spray, because you’ll want to avoid excess artificial ingredients on or around your face.
Matcha
Despite its earthy taste being somewhat divisive, matcha has been one of the most popular wellness trends of 2022. However you like your matcha – iced, piping hot, or with gallons of vanilla syrup to hide its actual taste – its health benefits continue to be an appealing asset of this green beverage.
High in antioxidants and with great anti-inflammatory properties, if you’re looking to find a new signature drink for 2023, this could be the one for you.
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask
We all know that there are lots of different kinds of showers (a quick in and out job, hair wash, or The Shower, to name but a few), but if you’re really looking to go the extra mile in your shower routine, a hair mask is a great addition.
An ideal way to add some extra moisture and nourishment to your hair, is to turn to the likes of Gisou or Ouai for your hair mask needs in 2023. Just run through clean, towel dried hair, leave in for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off and follow up with conditioner.
Dry Brush
Dry brushing is a quick and easy addition to your bodycare routine, and one which isn’t extortionately priced –brushes are sold for as cheap as £12.
Dry brushing can be thought of as a kind of exfoliation, which removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores, ultimately making skin smoother and softer. It’s not necessary for this to be an essential part of your daily routine, but if you’re looking for something to elevate your bodycare in the New Year, you might like to try this one out.
NEOM Candle
Nothing makes you feel like you’ve got your life together like lighting a candle in a freshly cleaned and tidied room. Candles are an essential all year round for setting a relaxed and comforting vibe, and these from Neom are ideal in that they only use natural ingredients – natural wax, essential oils, and absolutely no paraffin.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
If you’re tapped into wellness and self-care trends online at all, you might have witnessed the immense popularity of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.
You don’t have to opt for Laneige exclusively, but an overnight lip mask is a great investment, especially in the winter months. Just slather on before bed, and let the moisture work its magic overnight. The added bonus? These little pots come in all sorts of delicious flavours.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Sol de Janeiro was one of the most talked about bodycare brands on social media this summer, and for good reason. Their ‘Bum Bum Cream’ comes in multiple scent variations, including pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla. The cream is infused with coconut oil, acai oil, and Brazil nuts, so you can rest assured that you’re treating your skin with natural, gentle ingredients.
Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Cream has been a 2022 staple, and its popularity is set to continue long into 2023.
Essential Oil Diffuser
It is somewhat of a luxury, but an essential oil diffuser is the perfect addition to a self-care night, and it’s guaranteed to make your 2023 living space smell and feel amazing.
Most diffusers typically only require water and essential oils, so you can make your space smell good with the knowledge that you’re not pumping it with nasty ingredients. Top tip: lavender is a great oil to opt for at nighttime, to really set yourself up for a good night’s sleep.
Water Bottle
Finally, no wellness routine is complete without staying hydrated. Make 2023 the year you really commit to the job and invest in a cute water bottle to make it more enjoyable. We especially love the water bottle offerings at Chilly’s, Swell, and Lululemon – just choose your colour and sip away.
There’s no product that you absolutely have to buy to indulge in self-care. If you are looking to make your 2023 self-care a little more fancy, though, these recommendations might be of help.
Featured image courtesy of Viva Luna Studios via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
cararogers
Cara is a freelance lifestyle and culture writer based in Manchester. When she's not writing opinion pieces about pop culture or the latest social media trends, she's trying out new veggie recipes and listening to podcasts.