Valentine’s Day may traditionally be for lovers, but it’s also a prime opportunity to embrace what you love (or are trying to love) about yourself. As the most important person in YOUR life, show “you” some appreciation this month by taking some time to practice a little selfcare.

Expensive products and fancy packaging may look appealing, but the best way to truly love your skin is by taking note of what’s actually in the stuff you’re plastering on your face and body. Clean, active ingredients are important and are worth looking out for.

Did you know that just allowing yourself to be pampered can help reduce the skin-destroying stress hormone, cortisol. So here are five ways to show your skin some true love this Valentine’s Day.

1. Mask LOVE

A rich face mask treatment is the perfect way to nourish and hydrate your skin. Create instant radiance by looking for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, peptides, stem cells and omegas.

Once you’ve picked the right mask for your skin type (also another important factor before buying) be sure to work the mask into your skin by giving yourself a facial massage at the same time. Not only does this feel amazing but it also promotes better circulation, bringing invigorating blood and oxygen to the skin’s surface, which in turn helps to flush out toxins.

2. Facial LOVE

A hydrating facial is the ultimate treat, and that doesn’t necessarily have to mean a booking at a fancy salon or spa. There’s no better way to give yourself some time-out and TLC, especially at the end (or ahead) of a busy week.

So, we know you’ve got your skincare regime sorted, and you’re stocked up on weekly treatments, but it’s easy to upgrade your routine if you’re searching for something a bit extra.

Easy wins are opting for a cleansing balm instead of oil, gel or foam, as this adds a new level of silky luxury. If your regular skincare routine neglects your delicate eye area, now’s the time to show it some extra attention with a good set of peptide-packed patches. Designed to boost hydration and reduce under-eye puffiness, a gel patch will feel instantly refreshing, not to mention deliver some much-needed vitamins to those dark circles.

3. Fine line LOVE

Sure, you can wear sunglasses to prevent “the squint” in a bid to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay, or, like the rest of us, you can accept they are gradually becoming a little too visible and do something about them now.

Products packed with skin peptides are a great place to begin. Signal peptides — now found in many skincare products — send messages to different parts of the skin to promote collagen, elastin and other proteins.

They are strings of amino acids, which are the building blocks that make up proteins in our body, including collagen in the skin, adding tissue firmness and elasticity. Think of peptides as biologic messengers looking after the skin’s structure and function, important factors in firmness, texture and overall appearance.

4. Exfoliation LOVE

After the busy festive season, it’s only natural your skin could be in need of some much-needed revitalisation.

Exfoliating products are an excellent way to shed dead, dull skin, clear your pores, and stimulate fresh, new cell production. The result is smoother, brighter, more even skin with diminished fine lines and wrinkles. Yes please!

Glycolic acid peels are a great choice and now come in the form of at-home potions and lotions. The star here is alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) from sugar that penetrates into the skin’s outer layers to remove dead cells and spur generation of new cells and collagen.

It’s quick, easy and you’ll start to see improvement immediately. Side effects can be some light peeling, which means you do need to have your favourite, go-to moisturiser to hand.

5. LOVE Sleep

It’s no secret that a good night’s sleep is key to great skin. So, anything to help achieve that is a necessity in our book. An aromatherapeutic sleeping balm can help provide the high quality of sleep your body needs to activate its overnight skin renewal program.

Go for one combining 100% pure essential oils that all have a proven record of supporting good sleep - like ylang ylang flower, Melissa officinalis leaf, and lavandula angustifolia oil – for a night of pure bliss. It will not only help to make you sleep like a baby, but also allow your body to activate its natural nocturnal skin renewal process. With a little investment you’ll wake up feeling good and looking radiant.