Suffer from a Mental Illness? Turns Out Skincare and Makeup May Be Able to Help

Beauty isn’t only skin deep. For generations, women have been wearing makeup to look and feel better, and in fact, a full 82% of women believe that wearing makeup makes them feel more self-confident and sure of themselves.

It turns out that this feel-good sensation isn’t made up. Recent studies have shown that having a skin care and makeup routine has the power to help women cope with feelings of anxiety and depression.

A brain’s negative thought pattern is linked incredibly close to the neurological processes associated with anxiety and depression. When the brain connects to a negative thought, those neural connections look like a merry-go-round in shape of a loop. The goal is to interrupt these connections and form an arrow-like connection which leads to happier feelings.

According to psychotherapist Mike Dow, these “pitfall feelings” such as overanalyzing situations, blaming yourself for things beyond your control, and feeling overwhelmingly pessimistic, can go round and round the brain in these loops. A simple change to a daily routine can form these negative loops into arrows, which will represent a gradual increase in the structure of the brain as a whole.

Cognitive behavioral therapists believe simple changes that are pleasurable and productive have the ability to alter these merry-go-rounds little by little. Establishing a makeup routine and a relaxing skin care regime as a ritualized form of self-care paves the way for routine and control, something that is severely lacking in those who suffer from a mental illness.

Women also have the ability to change their look with makeup in order to project an image they feel more comfortable with, which is crucial for mindfulness and reflection. It is important to note that this habit forming practice isn’t meant to be done once a week such as a yoga class, journaling, or meditating. Carving out a time for makeup and skin care application every day has shown an immediate effect simply because it is repetitive.

“A skin-care regimen where you do this first, that third, and the other thing last will help calm you because you will believe it’s effective. When you’re engaging in hygiene activities, it’s almost like a self-soothing ritual.” Dow explains to Teen Vogue.

Dr. Dow explains that creating a makeup and beauty routine is not a cure for anxiety and/or depression, but it is a great first step. After all, no one will argue the self-confidence boost a bold lip will bring, right?