Summer is beautiful, yet now and then it can take a lot out of us. We move from one place to another, we sunbathe, we swim, we go on trips, we enjoy barbecues and we do sport. And then suddenly you notice that evening has come and you feel completely worn out, without a single moment for yourself.
Even if you may not realise it, your body and your skin sense everything. That is why we decided to create an evening ritual for you, one that will help you stop, switch off and enjoy a moment that is only yours. We believe that skincare should not be just an obligatory routine. It can be the loveliest moment of your day. A moment when you truly pause, breathe deeply and feel yourself. Gentle natural products, scents, touches and short affirmations can help you with this, calming not only your skin, but your mind as well. The ritual we have prepared for you is not only about cosmetics and cleansing your skin properly. It is above all about returning to yourself, to nature, and to what soothes you and makes you happy.
STEP 1: Awakening the senses
- Scent – Add a few drops of lavender, orange, eucalyptus or citrus essential oil to your diffuser – and let your home turn into a quiet little piece of forest. You do not have a diffuser? That does not matter at all. Pour warm water into a bowl and add a few drops of essential oil. Then place it close to you and simply enjoy the fragrant steam all around. And if you are not fond of essential oils, you can also use a natural wax candle, which brings soft light, atmosphere and scent all at once.
- Sound – The best music for relaxation is often slow, with a low tempo (around 60–80 beats per minute), gentle melodies and a minimum of strong rhythmic elements. This tempo is close to the natural rhythm of a resting heart, which helps the brain and the body slow down. According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology (2017), music with a slow tempo, without sharp sounds and with flowing transitions significantly lowers the level of cortisol – the stress hormone – in the body. This effect brings a feeling of deep relaxation and less anxiety. For the loveliest effect and experience, we recommend using headphones.
- Space– Find a place where you will be all by yourself. It can easily be a terrace, a balcony, a bathroom, or even the living room or kitchen with the windows open. Simply create an atmosphere that embraces you and lets you switch off completely.
STEP 2: Your skincare routine
This time it will not be just the quick evening routine you do automatically every day. Since this is a moment of relaxation, enjoy every single step and every single touch on your face. Do not forget, you are doing this for yourself, as a reward after the whole day.
Zuzička cleansing oil
First, use the Zuzička cleansing oil, to remove everything that has settled on your face during the day. Apply the oil to a dry face and work it into the skin with gentle circular movements. If you are wearing make-up, drop the oil onto a damp cotton pad and use it to remove your eye make-up. A few passes over the eyes are enough, Zuzička dissolves mascara quickly and beautifully. Then moisten your face and glide your hands over the skin. On contact with water the oil turns into a soft milk that softens and cleanses the skin. Do everything with tenderness and calm.
Alternative: Báthoryčka two-phase make-up remover, Štramanda, Malachit
Cleansing foam
Since this is an evening routine, it is important to think about two-phase cleansing. So, as your second product, use the Báthoryčka or Malachit cleansing foam. Apply it to damp skin, massage gently for one minute and then pat your skin softly dry with a clean towel.
Alternative: Cica micellar water.
Facial toner
Do not forget the toner either, which cleanses your skin to perfection, hydrates it beautifully, balances the pH of the skin and prepares your complexion for the next product. Panakeia toners also smell wonderful thanks to their natural ingredients. They bring you the scent of nature straight into your home, where you suddenly feel naturally connected to it.
You can choose from these much-loved varieties: Báthoryčka, Vráskožrút, Diamant, Štramanda, Kleopatra, Štefka, Cica, Motýlek
Facial serum and a face massage
Applying a hydrating or oil serum should not be just a habitual movement. Serums should always be massaged or gently patted into the skin softly and with love. With an oil serum (which is always applied AT THE VERY END of the routine, after the night cream) we recommend combining the application with a gentle relaxing massage, which lets you release the emotions and tension of the whole day. Massaging your face supports the microcirculation of blood and lymph, thanks to which the active substances from the serum reach deeper into the skin, where they can work more effectively.
- Begin on the forehead – with gentle circular movements.
- Continue on the cheeks – stroke, release.
- And finally the jaw – the place where stress is often held.
We recommend using an oil serum such as: Kopaničiarska žehlička, Magic nature, Báthoryčka or Bosorkin lektvar.
Night cream
At the very end, treat yourself to the final touch of care with a night cream. As this is the last step, feel it fully and enjoy the closing moments you have given yourself after the whole day. Remember to apply it not only to your face, but also to your neck and décolletage. The skin in these areas is delicate, has fewer sebaceous glands and tends to be thinner than the skin on the face – so it loses hydration and firmness more quickly. Regular care can therefore keep this area smooth, hydrated and slow down the visible signs of ageing.
This routine is a general one and you can add to it with eye creams or eye roll-on serums. You can also treat yourself to exfoliation and use, for example, a glycolic serum.
An affirmation tip for a perfect evening skincare ritual
Evening skincare does not have to consist only of cosmetic products. It can become your intimate ritual, during which you touch not only your skin, but also your inner self. Affirmations – that is, conscious positive sentences you say out loud or in your mind – have a special place in this ritual.
Why use affirmations during skincare?
- They help you slow down and feel yourself in the present moment. Instead of applying a product automatically, you consciously say something to yourself that gives you a sense of safety, beauty or calm.
- They strengthen self-love and a positive view of your own body. Many women look at themselves critically. Affirmations are a way to change this relationship kindly and naturally.
- They help anchor positive emotions before sleep. What you say to yourself before falling asleep influences your mind. Affirmations support calm and good sleep.
Affirmations you can say during your evening routine
"I am beautiful just as I am."
"My skin is alive, healthy and strong."
"Every day I care for myself with more love."
"Today I let go of stress and welcome calm."
"My body knows what it needs, and I listen to it."
"I am grateful for this moment of peace."
"Today I forgive myself and release everything that hurts me."
And above all, do not forget that Panakeia is here to remind you, through nature, scents and touch, of who you really are. So that its products bring you not only active ingredients and the pleasure of beauty, but also femininity, freedom and the self-care that we all so often forget in the everyday rush. We believe that with this ritual you will give yourself what you truly deserve, because in the end you will always be here for yourself – and that is exactly why you should be the most precious person to you.