From Red Light to Cold Therapy—These Are the Skincare Rituals Insiders Swear By

Every year begins with a bang of ambition and drive. Jumping into a new year can be like jumping into a cool pool on a summer’s day: energizing and satisfying. But the feeling doesn’t last. By July, that new year feeling has grown tepid. But luckily, there are actual cold pools (and even colder plunges) to jump into to energize you from the inside out.

As the beauty and wellness spaces become further intertwined, energizing rituals don’t just transform how you feel, but also how you look. Beauty rituals go beyond blush and brow fluffing, especially in the summer, where low-maintenance beauty and high-octane vibes are the name of the game. They’re about feeling your best, so they can look your best. Let’s look at a few of them.

Lymphatic Drainage

The first order of business: Take your de-stressing seriously. High stress leads to the buildup of cortisol, which often manifests in uncomfortable bloating. Detoxing your lymphatic system doesn’t just happen on the (expensive) massage chair. You can also do it at home.

From the gua sha to the dry brush, lymphatic drainage boosts blood flow and gives you an instant “lit-from-within” glow. As a bonus, physical touch also increases natural chemicals like serotonin and oxytocin for an instant mood boost.

“Dry brushing before a shower is one of my favorite rituals to boost circulation and instantly feel more alive,” says Kandel.

Best Tools for At-Home Lymphatic Drainage