The 13 Best Self-Care Gifts to Buy Yourself (2024)

If you’re still looking for that perfect signature scent, but you feel overwhelmed by department-store cosmetics counters or the endless rows of perfume at Sephora, we suggest this six-pack of mini bottles from New York City–based D.S. & Durga. Sporting names like Cowboy Grass (with notes of thyme, sage, and rosewood), I Don’t Know What (with a top note of bergamot), and Radio Bombay (sandalwood, copper, and cedar), these scents have depth and complexity, and they are far from the cloying, powdery smells of so many other perfumes. For a bunch of samplers, this self-care gift might seem pricey, but the scents are so transcendent that each spritz brings a lot of joy.

A suction vibrator is meant to simulate oral sex, and the Dame Aer is our pick of its type. This vibrator is a tad loud, but the larger nozzle creates a more-diffuse, customizable suction sensation. And due to its slender, curved shape, this toy is comfortable to handle and easy to use. It also charges quickly, holds a charge for a long time, and is very easy to clean, thanks to its waterproof silicone design.

There’s a reason that Kate McLeod’s Daily Stone Solid Moisturizer shows up in a lot of our gift guides: It feels great and smells lovely, and it leaves skin soft and glowing yet not greasy. When the cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and apricot kernel oil meet the heat of skin, this bar softens and melts, creating an easy-to-apply oil. It’s available in three subtle scents (“herbal,” “fresh,” and “earthy”) and comes in a reusable bamboo box. Refills normally run about $7 less than the complete kit.

These drapey, soft PJs are the short, flirty version of the classic Eberjey Gisele PJ Set, one of our top-pick pajama sets. The fabric—a blend of Tencel modal and spandex—is lighter, softer, and smoother than any jersey we’ve ever felt, and the Malou set has romantic, soft lace detailing at the sleeves and hem. The shorts are cut quite short, with flared legs, and they fit like tap pants. They come in light ivory or soft blue, and they might end up being the only PJs you ever want to sleep, lounge, or traipse around the house in.

This exceptionally moisturizing, ultra-smooth balm is one of our picks for best lip balm. Although it’s definitely pricey, it not only temporarily quenched our lips but also plumped and conditioned them for days, so it’s well worth the splurge. Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Balm contains plant-based oils, extracts, and waxes, and it has a citrus-forward scent but no chemical fragrances or colors. It layers seamlessly both under and over lipstick, and it looks polished when worn alone, too.

Compared with their cotton cousins, silk pillowcases are less absorbent and create less friction—and that makes them easier on both skin and hair. People in dry climates and those with curly locks may particularly appreciate what a smoother night’s sleep can do for their skin and hair, but there’s also just something to be said for the slippery, soft feel of silk. Our top choice for the category is the Lilysilk 25 Momme Oxford Envelope Luxury Pillowcase. The 750-thread-count case is made with 6A mulberry silk, the highest grade. Its instructions suggest hand-laundering, and senior editor Jen Hunter has had great success regularly washing her pillowcase with Soak detergent. That said, my cases are still alive (albeit less shiny) after accidentally going through the washer and dryer.

The light, crisp feel of an airy, 100% cotton nightgown is only part of the joy of the vintage-inspired Heirloom Art Co. Larissa White Nightgowns. They also lend themselves to swishing around dramatically while indulging in Jane Austen fantasies. This company offers many styles in the same vein, with long or short sleeves, and with old-fashioned feminine flourishes like pleats, ribbons, lace, or embroidery. And despite the light fabric, these nightgowns are comfortable year-round, especially for anyone who sleeps hot.

When editor Katie Okamoto wrote her rhapsodic ode to Davids Sensitive + Whitening Premium Toothpaste, calling it her “platonic ideal” of a toothpaste, we had to try it. Indeed, this perfectly smooth paste—made with cavity-fighting hydroxyapatite, instead of fluoride, and without sodium lauryl sulfate—charmed us as well. It’s flavored with real peppermint, so it tastes herbal, not chemical, and each recyclable aluminum tube comes with a metal key to help you squeeze out every last dollop.

Eating quality chocolate is absolutely self-care, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. And the Recchiuti Confections Black Box 16—our pick for the best box of chocolates—provides a full sensory experience. These bonbons are beautiful to behold and elegantly packaged, and they’re memorably unique. Classic flavors, such as Burnt Caramel and Piedmont Hazelnut, offer just the right balance of sweet and bitter. Adventurous flavors, like Tarragon Grapefruit and Star Anise & Pink Peppercorn, are never overpowering. The Sesame Nougat is one of our favorites—it has the perfect texture of chewy caramel with a subtle crunch from toasted sesame seeds.

After testing this body oil, which can also be used on the face, hair, and cuticles, I became a brand loyalist. Senteurs d'Orient Fleurs d'Oasis L’Huile is scented with 14 essential oils (cypress, basil, lavender, and red thyme among them), and the result is flowery but not cloying, musky but not overpowering. Made from a combination of eight oils—including macadamia, olive, and apricot kernel—this elixir is light and thin. And it absorbs quickly, with zero greasiness, leaving skin with a sexy, subtle sheen.

Yes, for a pair of socks, the Maria La Rosa Laminated One Socks are diabolically expensive, which is why we prefer to think of them as jewelry—a little bling for the foot, to add that final touch to an outfit. They look great peeking over the top of a white sneaker, out from under a hem, or in a strappy heel. When you put these socks on for the first time, the metallic finish will “crack” to reveal the ribbing in the silk-blend sock. And the shiny finish will eventually fade with washing, which is why we recommend these socks only for dress-up, so you can air them out between hand-washings. Supervising editor Hannah Morrill has had hers for more than a year, deploying them judiciously to spark joy, and they’re still as shimmery as they were on day one.

The colorful candies in the BonBon Medium Gift Box aren’t the stuff of childhood memories—these confections are way, way better. A favorite of Wirecutter’s kitchen team, this New York City shop imports high-end Swedish candies. The gift-box mix includes some of its best-sellers, like sparkly sour mini strawberries, shiny chocolate-covered rice puffs, and a more-sophisticated version of Swedish fish. The goodies arrive in a chic box tied with a pretty pink ribbon—a proper gift for you, from you. They’re also available in large and gift basket sizes.

A soak in Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath Salts is simultaneously soothing and energizing—while muscles relax in a hot bath of the salt-mustard blend, its eucalyptus, rosemary, and wintergreen aroma awakens the senses. The Ayurvedic brew has been used in the UK for more than 40 years to balance pH and to soothe muscles, congestion, skin conditions, and even sleeplessness. Sky-high claims aside, this is a wonderfully earthy indulgence, a welcome respite from overly flowery or synthetic-smelling bath embellishments.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.

This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.