Welcome to HuffPost Canada’s guide to helping you pick up an easy, everyday ritual that can make your life a bit better, in a small but significant way.
Canadians are stressed out, anxious, and are feeling disconnected from each other. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we’ll share a tiny tip to help you feel good. We’ve got your back.
Today’s habit: Spray a bit of water on your face.
What it is: The thermal water market may be a scam, but reader, I can’t get enough of spraying water on my face.
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How it can help: My skin gets extremely dry during the winter, especially my face and hands. I use serums, oils, and moisturizers. I reapply lip balm constantly. I currently have six face and body lotions sitting on my desk and they’re close to running out.
Enter: thermal water. A couple years ago thermal water was a big trend, with beauty companies claiming that their bottled water was “essential care for sensitive, hypersensitive, and allergic skin” (actual label on my bottle of Avène Eau Thermale).
The companies claim that thermal water — a type of mineral water — has healing properties and has not been exposed to pollution or bacteria, but these claims haven’t been backed up by independent studies. According to The Atlantic, only French companies that sell thermal water products have conducted studies to back up their claims.
I scoffed at first. After all, the only ingredients in their product was water and nitrogen. No special oils or fruit extracts to help calm the skin. Just water and an ingredient that helps the bottle spray the water out.
But one day I decided to check it out. My skin was red, flaky, and dry, and my lotions weren’t cutting it. I bought a bottle of thermal water and started spraying away. I spritzed when I got to work to help calm my skin after a long commute. I spritzed when I got home from work. I spritzed when I was hot. I spritzed when my skin was so dry it felt like I was on fire.
And reader, I was pleasantly surprised. I felt refreshed. My skin felt hydrated and calm. It was like I had just encountered a light, cooling mist and I didn’t have to wear a raincoat.