As a young person, I spent a lot of time looking at myself in the mirror. If I felt sad, insecure, or just plain bored, I would go to the bathroom, take out my skincare, makeup, or hair products and dance around to my favorite songs playing loudly—an activity that I did for hours (much to my sister’s annoyance). I would come up with new hairstyles, try different skincare mixtures, or create wild makeup looks while singing and moving freely. Looking back, my routine was a way to build confidence and develop a deep love and appreciation for my skin and body. As I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed that there is still a connection between my beauty routine and my emotions. Enjoying the textures and scents of my favorite products makes me feel centered and calm—almost like therapy. It has become an essential part of my day for relaxation, even when I don’t have hours to spend dancing in front of the mirror like I used to—although I do manage to fit in a quick dance session now and then.
Fortunately, Neuraé recognizes this emotional link I feel between beauty and emotions. The new brand, which comes from the Sisley Paris family, was launched in April with a range of products designed to enhance mood through scent, ingredients, and texture, ultimately improving skin health. There are four categories aimed at sparking different positive emotions: Harmony, Energy, Joy, and Serenity, with moisturizers, serums, and aromatherapy roll-ons. For instance, the brand’s Joy roll-on fragrance uses citrus notes to elevate feelings of joy.
According to the scientific research behind the brand, our emotions can have a visible impact on our skin over time. This happens through communication using our brain’s neuromediators, which are the body’s natural messengers that transmit signals from the brain through the nerves and muscles. These messengers regulate all of our body’s natural functions; they are what instruct our limbs to move when needed or tell our heart to keep beating. They process the information we receive internally and externally, enabling us to react to it. Concerning our skin, our neuromediators help recognize our emotions and prompt a skin response based on whether those emotions are positive or negative. This can manifest in a variety of ways on our skin. For example, negative emotions may result in dull, dry skin, while positive emotions can be renewing and give the skin a radiant, healthy appearance.
The standout product in this line for me is the Harmony Serum. This serum helps to calm and soothe the skin, leaving it feeling balanced and refreshed. When I first started using it, I immediately noticed the calming and luxurious, woody scent of Palo Santo. Every time I opened the bottle, it felt like I was being transported to a serene spa retreat, which was enough to relax my mind. Taking a deep breath of the fragrance was soothing and almost meditative, as I found myself continuously inhaling deeply to savor it. The texture was silky and encouraged me to take my time applying the product. It compelled me to slow down and indulge in a few moments of self-care, which is a luxury in itself. The ribbed frosted glass bottle felt like a gentle massage in my hands and added a touch of elegance to my bathroom counter. While applying the serum is a calming experience, it’s important to note that using any skincare product will not completely change your emotional state. Trust me; there were a few stressful days and sad moments that my skincare routine couldn’t solve on its own. However, incorporating this serum into my daily routine provided a soothing break that was much appreciated during those times.
Throughout our lives, we will all experience a range of emotions, both positive and negative. Our ability to do so is what makes each of our lives unique and beautiful. No matter how you manage your emotions and process your individual experiences, your skin doesn’t have to suffer from the daily challenges we face. My teenage self would probably have appreciated the idea that a skincare product could help elevate my emotions. My adult self retains the same joyful enthusiasm for beauty as I did as a child, and I will always make time to dance in front of my bathroom mirror when I can.