The best beauty products to use while you’re sick
The season of colds, fevers and sore throats is suddenly upon us again. And while hopefully you’ve been drinking plenty of liquids, getting lots of sleep and washing your hands frequently, sometimes no matter what you do to protect yourself, you fall sick—usually at the worst possible time. As tempting as it can be to push through it and neglect yourself in favour of everything you need to get done, it’s important to slow down and give yourself some extra TLC when you’re sick. Everyone has their own rituals for comforting themselves when sick, whether it’s a special cup of tea or a favourite movie, but there’s one thing you probably let fall by the wayside that could actually help you feel better.
Beauty products are usually the last thing on most people’s minds when they’re battling a cold or the flu. After all, who has the energy to get all dolled up when they’re sick? That’s completely understandable, but it’s important to remember that not every beauty product is about making you look good; sometimes it’s about making you feel good. Some beauty rituals, such as taking a bubble bath or using a face mask, are incredibly soothing and relaxing. Plus there’s nothing like refreshing dirty hair and cleaning a greasy face to make a person feel more like themselves again.
To that end, we highly recommend keeping a selection of refreshing and calming beauty products on hand for the next time you get sick. You’ll appreciate your foresight the next time you’re stuck in bed wishing you had something to cool down your forehead or soothe your chapped nostrils. Check out these eight beauty products that will make a sick day feel more like a spa day.
There’s nothing better than a warm, relaxing bath when sick. Take your bath to the next level (and distract yourself from your misery in the process) with a few bath bombs from Lush. After all, if there was ever a time to treat yourself this is it. The Luxury Lush Pud is a good choice because it contains lavender oil, which is good for relaxation, and benzoin resinoid, which can soothe aching muscles.
Lush Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb ($7, lush.ca)
Sadly, not everyone has a bathtub–but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of soothing aromatherapy while washing up. This shower kit from Essio is genius. It contains three aromatherapy pods, each containing a unique blend of pure essential oils, that you can attach to your shower head to diffuse a relaxing or energizing scent while showering. The Unwind blend would be perfect for sick days, as it contains a blend of lavender, bergamot, sweet orange, and patchouli that will help you leave the shower feeling calmer and less stressed.
Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit ($27, uncommongoods.com)
A face mask is a great idea when sick, and a cooling one is an especially good idea when your face is flaming from a fever. In a pinch you could stick any face mask in the fridge to make it cool, but this Hot & Cool Duo mask from Caolion is perfection. Step one is the warming mask that opens and clears pores, and step two is the cooling mask that closes and minimizes the pores. Not only will the cooling portion of the mask soothe you when overheated, but it will also leave you with amazing skin.
Caolion Premium Hot & Cool Pore Pack Duo ($36, sephora.ca)
When you’re really sick, you can hardly be expected to make it to the sink to wash your face every night. It’s still important to keep your skin free of dirt and oil, however, and that’s where cleansing wipes come in. Keep these right by your bed to freshen up whenever needed. They’ll clean and refresh your skin without irritating it (and you can even do a quick swipe under your arms, because no one will judge you for that when you’re sick).
Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleansing Cloths ($20, sephora.ca)
This is another great product for refreshing and soothing distressed or dehydrated facial skin while sick. It has a comforting scent of cucumber and chamomile, and contains a blend of organic ingredients to help calm and hydrate skin. Keep this around when you have a fever or parched, irritated skin from a cold; you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Jurlique Calendula Redness Rescue Calming Mist ($44, sephora.com)
Honey has natural antibiotic properties as well as high viscosity (which means thickness) which makes it an ideal balm for extremely dry, chapped lips. This balm also contains beeswax, shea butter, and almond oil among other natural ingredients to help moisturize and repair skin. When your nose is all chapped and irritated from a cold, smooth some of this balm on there too for some extra relief.
Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm ($5, burtsbees.ca)
Who has the energy or motivation to wash their hair when sick in bed? This texturizing dry shampoo will make your hair look and feel so great, nobody will suspect you haven’t washed it in a week. Not to mention the amazing scent of peony, musk, and lily of the valley, which will lift your spirits and make you feel almost human again. (Tip: the Black version smells just as amazing.)
Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Dry Shampoo ($34, sephora.ca)
This powder is a special indulgence that will make spending your sick days in bed more of a treat than torture. You can sprinkle it onto your skin to absorb sweat, grease, and odor, and while you’re at it go ahead and use some to refresh your sheets as well. The jasmine and vetivert scent will make your bed feel alluring and luxurious, making it all the easier for you to stay in it and relax.
Lush Silky Underwear Dusting Powder ($9, lush.ca)
 with a few bath bombs from Lush. After all, if there was ever a time to treat yourself this is it. The Luxury Lush Pud is a good choice because it contains lavender oil, which is good for relaxation, and benzoin resinoid, which can soothe aching muscles.
Lush Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb ($7, lush.ca)
Sadly, not everyone has a bathtub--but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of soothing aromatherapy while washing up. This shower kit from Essio is genius. It contains three aromatherapy pods, each containing a unique blend of pure essential oils, that you can attach to your shower head to diffuse a relaxing or energizing scent while showering. The Unwind blend would be perfect for sick days, as it contains a blend of lavender, bergamot, sweet orange, and patchouli that will help you leave the shower feeling calmer and less stressed.
Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit ($27, uncommongoods.com)
A face mask is a great idea when sick, and a cooling one is an especially good idea when your face is flaming from a fever. In a pinch you could stick any face mask in the fridge to make it cool, but this Hot & Cool Duo mask from Caolion is perfection. Step one is the warming mask that opens and clears pores, and step two is the cooling mask that closes and minimizes the pores. Not only will the cooling portion of the mask soothe you when overheated, but it will also leave you with amazing skin.
Caolion Premium Hot & Cool Pore Pack Duo ($36, sephora.ca)
When you’re really sick, you can hardly be expected to make it to the sink to wash your face every night. It’s still important to keep your skin free of dirt and oil, however, and that’s where cleansing wipes come in. Keep these right by your bed to freshen up whenever needed. They’ll clean and refresh your skin without irritating it (and you can even do a quick swipe under your arms, because no one will judge you for that when you’re sick).
Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleansing Cloths ($20, sephora.ca)
This is another great product for refreshing and soothing distressed or dehydrated facial skin while sick. It has a comforting scent of cucumber and chamomile, and contains a blend of organic ingredients to help calm and hydrate skin. Keep this around when you have a fever or parched, irritated skin from a cold; you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Jurlique Calendula Redness Rescue Calming Mist ($44, sephora.com)
Honey has natural antibiotic properties as well as high viscosity (which means thickness) which makes it an ideal balm for extremely dry, chapped lips. This balm also contains beeswax, shea butter, and almond oil among other natural ingredients to help moisturize and repair skin. When your nose is all chapped and irritated from a cold, smooth some of this balm on there too for some extra relief.
Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm ($5, burtsbees.ca)
Who has the energy or motivation to wash their hair when sick in bed? This texturizing dry shampoo will make your hair look and feel so great, nobody will suspect you haven’t washed it in a week. Not to mention the amazing scent of peony, musk, and lily of the valley, which will lift your spirits and make you feel almost human again. (Tip: the Black version smells just as amazing.)
Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Dry Shampoo ($34, sephora.ca)
This powder is a special indulgence that will make spending your sick days in bed more of a treat than torture. You can sprinkle it onto your skin to absorb sweat, grease, and odor, and while you’re at it go ahead and use some to refresh your sheets as well. The jasmine and vetivert scent will make your bed feel alluring and luxurious, making it all the easier for you to stay in it and relax.
Lush Silky Underwear Dusting Powder ($9, lush.ca)){kind=link}