How to Make the Perfect Skincare Gift Box

I think the best kinds of gifts are the ones you know the giftee is interested in but has never gotten for themselves. That’s why a skincare basket is so perfect- it’s full of little indulgences and you take care of all the guesswork! This Mother’s Day idea was inspired by my own mom, the woman who introduced me (and all her friends) to the magic of Korean skincare and continues to inspire me everyday.

For the Perfect Skincare Gift Box You’ll Need

a gift basket that can double as a bath caddy
basket filler
assorted skincare products (suggestions below!)
extra small surprises
a plant (kidding, I just want a plant)

To build the perfect basket, think of it in layers. What kind of gift basket fits the theme? Well, a bath caddy or decorative tray would be nice for organizing the new gifts so let’s start there!

Then comes the main gift- in this case, skincare products. Think through the giftee’s normal skincare routine and consider what products they would like to try. Personally, I’m awful at keeping up with weekly face masks, but someone who travels a lot might enjoy them for long flights! Or if you see any missing steps in their regime, fill those spots in.

Once the bulk of the gift is gathered, build up the theme with smaller surprises. What are other things that relate to skincare or pampering? Candles are always personal and relaxing. Sea sponges always make me think of spas. And while I’ll never turn down a bouquet, a small succulent fits in the basket and rounds out the gift. To blend into the basket, I just buried the pot under the basket filler.

Skincare Basics & Favorites

Ever since my mom got me hooked on Korean skincare, I generally stick to Korean brands like Klairs. Soko Glam is hands down my favorite site for navigating complicated 10 step routines and figuring out what I actually need. Korean skincare is generally known for being crazy effective. Pro Tip: If you see something you like on a specialty Korean store but it won’t ship in time for Mother’s Day, check Amazon. They’re usually sold at a slight upcharge though, so get your orders in early!

Roughly, a basic skincare routine will have a:

Cleanser
Exfoliator
Toner
Serums
Moisturizer
Masks

This list can help you basket brainstorm. For my combination skin with a focus on sun protection (hello, Florida!) I always stock these in my kit:

LUSH Ultrabland & Dark Angels cleaners
Heimish white clay exfoliating scrub
klairs toner
vitamin C serum (most formulations for vitamin C are the same. Highly recommend YouTuber Gothamista for in-depth explanations/reviews.)
Miisha sunscreen (I love the silkiness this leaves with no white cast under my foundation!)

I haven’t found 1 particular mask or moisturizer I come back to, but I do like the fresh masks at LUSH & the trial-sized Laneige options at Target.

Ideas for Little Extras

small bouquet or succulent
pumice stone
wool sea sponge
konjac face sponge (I switched out my makeup towel for these- love the gentleness)
Makeup Eraser
body oil
bath salts/bath bombs (great handmade addition)
candle
hand cream (my sister swears on Midwest winters by this stuff)

Think someone you know would love getting this gift? What would you love in your skincare basket? Let me know what some of your skincare favorites are!