Valentine’s Day skincare gifts
Did you struggle to find the perfect gift for your significant other for Christmas? Did you spend hours browsing gift guides on the internet, eventually breathing a sigh of relief when you found a gift that would make them happy and that would ship in time to arrive for the holidays? Congrats! But we have bad news for you: Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, and if you’re in a relationship, there’s probably an expectation that you give a perfect gift once again.
We’ve put together a little gift guide for a significant other who loves skincare or who, at least, is committed to entering spring and summer glowing. We’ve arranged the list from least to most expensive and even suggested a couple of gifts you can participate in together. Flowers are fleeting; we have to live in our skin our whole lives. Give your partner a gift that endures! (Or just a really thoughtful card might work, too.)
1. Reusable sheet masks for serums
Serums and masks can be expensive, and people can be very particular about what they use (for good reason, everyone’s skin is different!) Instead of taking a shot in the dark as to which skincare product to gift, give something that’s universal. A reusable silicone sheet mask works with any serum or moisturizer. The silicone helps the skin absorb the product, and it can be used over and over again, making it much more effective and sustainable than messy sheet disposable masks. This reusable sheet mask from Experiment is great because it comes in two sizes (small head and big head – so you and your partner can mask together). And the best part? It’s only $19.
2. Face roller
Sure, using a face roller can make you look a little crazy but have you tried it? It feels great! It also helps with depuffing, promotes drainage, and relieves facial tension. It’s perfect for a partner who is having a stressful start to the year and finds themself constantly clenching their jaw. A bonus tip is to keep a jade roll in the fridge to maximize the roller’s cooling effect. Want to make the gift extra romantic? Gift it with a company to use the roller on a series of facial massages for your partner (plenty of YouTube videos on how to do that). This jade facial roller is only $36, and there are plenty of higher-end rollers on the market if you’re looking to splurge.
3. Sunscreen
Sure it may seem a little passive-aggressive to gift someone sunscreen, but we can all use the reminder that SPF is necessary year-round — even in the dead of February. The winter sun is just as harsh as the summer sun, so the future version of your partner will thank you for this. There are also plenty of luxurious sunscreens on the market that double as moisturizers, like LaserAway Beauty BFF SPF Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Tinted Color Corrector, which contains plenty of hydrating ingredients for less than $50. If you really want to ensure this gift is a hit, pair the gift with a trip somewhere warm.
4. LED mask
Maybe you’ve seen it on Instagram or TikTok: an image that looks straight out of a science fiction or horror movie of someone wearing a glowing red face mask, only their eyes and lips visible through the incandescent light. LED masks are increasingly popular, and for good reason: they’ve been scientifically proven to work. They used to be only available at spas, and now they’re available to everyone. How do they work? LED lights penetrate the skin to have various effects and benefits. Red lights stimulate collagen and help with anti-aging, whereas blue lights kill bacteria to address acne and prevent breakouts; some masks contain both. Unfortunately, the high-tech device doesn’t come cheap! Omnilux makes popular, well-reviewed masks for both anti-aging and anti-acne. Their masks are priced at $395.
5. Clear+Brilliant facial
Some say the best gifts are experiences. Sure it’s easy to gift a straightforward facial, which can leave someone’s skin glowing for a few days. But why not go the extra mile and gift a skincare experience that will last months? Clear + Brilliant is a laser facial that addresses multiple skincare concerns, from sun damage and acne scars to premature aging. The best part is that results are often visible after just one session (and even more pronounced after a series), lasting approximately six months. The procedure isn’t comfortable, but it’s not painful either, and your partner will thank you for helping them to glow all summer. Price varies.
Khalid El Khatib is a Brooklyn-based writer and marketer who tweets too much.
