Reddit's SkincareAddition is an endless source of skin-care advice, product recommendations, and even the occasional drama. But the beloved subreddit is also a source of compassion and generosity, as was made apparent by a recent thread that's matching healthcare workers with people who would like to send them beauty care packages to thank them for the tireless work they're doing and the sacrifices they're making on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nearly three weeks ago, a thread called "Self-care packages for health care workers!" was posted by Reddit user PrincessRosella, who said the moderators are "letting me host a 'Self-Care for Health Care' care package matchup" in the subreddit, which has more than a million members. She asked both healthcare works and those who'd like to gift them to identify themselves, and they would be paired with someone in their country.
Within days, dozens of generous Redditors were matched with healthcare workers. In fact, as April 19, there were 500 international, verified healthcare workers signed up for the exchange, and more than enough care-package senders for those in the U.S. and Canada. (As of April 21, they're still looking for volunteers in Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Ireland, Iceland, Malta, Pakistan, Estonia, and Brazil.)
A separate "megathread' was started to allow the healthcare workers to thank their care-package senders and post pictures of what they received — boxes and baskets full of beauty products — and you'll want to bring tissues to the comment section.
"A very kind ScA redditor sent my SO and I a care package full of items to help our skin out while we work on the ambulance," one recipient share. "Thank you so much for helping us out when we had no idea what to do with our newly developed skin problems!"
"Received my AMAZING skin care package from a kind Redditor today! This means so much to me working as an immunocompromised nurse during these hard times," another wrote. "My skin will be so thankful for all of this as it is currently freaking out. I couldn’t be more grateful."
"Happy tears and so much gratitude to the lovely strangers participating in the healthcare workers care packages," another recipient said. "I received mine today after a hard shift and can’t wait to pamper myself before heading back to the hospital tomorrow. THANK YOU for supporting us!"
And those are just three of the thank-you comments rolling in from the hundreds of exchanges still going on — proof that during such an incredibly stressful time, a shared love of beauty can lead to a generous gesture that makes everyone feel a little better for a few moments.
More on beauty during the pandemic:
- The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Changing What I Consider "Essential" in Beauty
- The Salon Business Isn’t Built to Withstand a Pandemic
- I Was About to Launch a New Beauty Brand When COVID-19 Hit
Now check out 100 years of French beauty:
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