It’s the season for self-care.

While these autumn weeks are still a whirlwind of worries, panicky headlines and strict hygiene regimens, finding little ways to make yourself feel better on a daily basis is a solid step in the right direction.

There are things that are almost universal at this stage of the pandemic; dry hands from over washing, achy shoulders caused by working from home on a laptop propped up by books and magazines.

When it comes to those daily niggling bothersome problems, a little relief goes a long way.

Here are five products that are really, really good for right now:

1. One great hand cream

All this handwashing has turned decent hand cream into an absolute necessity. If your poor lámha are in need of some serious TLC, the old ones are still the best; Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream has been around for more than 40 years and it’s still as effective as ever.

Originally invented to heal the painfully raw and cracked hands of Norwegian fishermen, the formula contains nearly 40% glycerin. Just a dab restores and protects the skin barrier for hours.

Buy it: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream is €4.99 from pharmacies and supermarkets.

2. A soothing balm for an itchy scalp

The emotional rollercoaster ride that has been 2020 so far has left all of us feeling out of sorts. Stress rears its ugly head in a variety of weird ways, so if you’ve suddenly found yourself with an itchy scalp when your scalp has never itched before, you’re not alone.

Suu Balm was invented by Dr Tey Hong Liang, who runs the Itch Clinic at the National Skin Centre in Singapore. Working with Good Pharma Dermatology, a company set up by Irish doctor John O’Shea, together they formulated Rapid Itch Relief Scalp Spray Moisturiser. Suitable for all scalp types, as well as people with scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, bad dandruff, or eczema, the rapid itch relieving water-based scalp spray is free from drying alcohol, steroid, paraben and fragrances.

It won’t get in your hair either; the little nozzle directs the spray onto your scalp so you can apply it as often as you need without messing up your ‘do. Each scalp spray contains 450 worth of sprays too, so it should get you through everything else 2020 has in store.

Buy it: Suu Balm Rapid Itch Relief Scalp Spray Moisturiser is €24.95 here.

3. A long soak in a seaweed bath

Seaweed baths have been used for generations to soothe aches and pains and reduce cellulite. If you can’t stretch to a VOYA spa treatment, bring a little luxury home instead and fill your tub with the brand’s Lazy Days Detoxifying Seaweed Bath.

Once immersed in hot water, the seaweed naturally rehydrates and springs back to life, releasing its soothing and moisturising properties while working to detoxify and remove toxins.

There is no better way to recuperate after a long, stressful week – make it a monthly ritual.

Buy it: VOYA Signature Seaweed Wellbeing Bath is €16 from the Escape Spa store at The Imperial Hotel.

4. A golden glow on dull days 

Now that sunshine is in short supply, a layer of faux tan or two is just the thing to keep the winter blues at bay. It’s also a great way to warm up your complexion so that you can layer on extra moisturiser on a cold day without having to remove any foundation first.

Tan Organic’s Self Tan Mousse glides on like a dream and develops into a natural-looking glow in less than four hours. Lots of tanning products make the lofty claim that they are fragrance-free, but Tan Organic’s promise is legit; you can safely apply it in the morning and go about your business without worrying that you smell like a burnt biscuit.

An Irish company, TanOrganic has just been re-awarded independent Ethical Accreditation for the tenth successive year, following an annual ethical audit by The Ethical Company Organisation. The best bit? Tan Organic contains 70% organic aloe vera juice, hyaluronic acid and argan oil so your skin is left hydrated and nourished as well as bronzed.

Buy it: Tan Organic Self Tan Dark Mousse is €34.99 here. 

5. Dewy skin, without scrubbing 

As the weather grows colder, we tend to reach for richer moisturisers and heavier foundation, both of which can lead to breakouts. Regular exfoliation is key but if you tend to forget that regular scrub, Dermalogica’s Clear Start FlashFoliant gets rid of dead cells before they become a problem.

A leave-on, flash-foaming exfoliant that helps clear and prevent breakouts while brightening skin, the formula contains salicylic acid, a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) derived from Willow Bark to help wipe out existing and future breakouts and Tangerine Peel Extract to brighten dull skin. Grape Extract—a potent source of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)—exfoliates dead skin cells to help even skin tone. You just apply it once daily to cleansed skin, let it absorb for a minute and follow with your usual products.

Buy it: Dermalogica Clear Start FlashFoliant is €23 here.