Breaking free from the anxiety-picking cycle with compassion, not shame
If you've ever caught yourself picking at your skin—your cuticles raw, your face tender from repeated touching, your arms marked with evidence of anxious moments—you know the frustration. The shame. The endless cycle of promising yourself "never again," only to find your fingers drawn back to that same spot.
What if I told you there's finally a book that doesn't shame you for this struggle? One that understands skin picking isn't about willpower or being "disgusting"—but about anxiety, stress, and nervous system responses that need compassionate, strategic intervention?
Written by Susie Kuse, founder of Indie Beauty Market and someone who has walked this path herself, Hands Off is the first comprehensive guide that treats skin picking for what it really is: a complex behavior rooted in emotional regulation, not a character flaw.
Most advice about skin picking falls into two unhelpful categories:
"Just stop doing it" (as if willpower alone could override years of ingrained patterns)
Surface-level skincare tips that ignore the psychological drivers entirely
Hands Off takes a radically different approach. It recognizes that picked skin heals differently than accidental wounds, and that the urge to pick is often your nervous system's attempt to find relief from anxiety, perfectionism, or sensory overwhelm.
The book is divided into three powerful sections:
Part 1: Understanding Skin Picking - More Than Just a Bad Habit
The psychology and physical manifestations of skin picking behaviors
How to map your personal picking cycle and identify triggers
Physical intervention strategies that actually work
Anxiety management techniques specifically designed for skin pickers
Part 2: Understanding Skin Repair After Picking
Why picked skin requires targeted intervention, not just time
The science behind barrier repair and healing
Strategic application techniques for maximum results
How to integrate healing products with your existing routine
Part 3: The Anxiety Connection
How PickFix™ addresses both the physical and psychological sides of picking
Sensory interventions for anxiety-driven behaviors
Building a comprehensive anxiety management plan
Your journey to calm, confident skin
Throughout the book, Susie introduces readers to PickFix™—a specialized oil blend created specifically for skin that's been repeatedly picked or damaged. Unlike regular moisturizers, PickFix™ was formulated to:
Accelerate healing in traumatized skin
Provide sensory satisfaction that can interrupt picking urges
Offer aromatherapeutic benefits that calm the nervous system
Create a ritual of self-care rather than self-harm
The book features testimonials from real users who've broken free from the pick-heal-pick cycle:
"PickFix™ completely changed my life. I can avoid picking for several hours, and almost all my wounds are completely healed after 4 months of using it. Most importantly, I can now go out of my house without feeling horrible about myself."—Sam
"This stuff is a huge miracle in a little bottle. I've had areas that were taking forever to heal. I applied this and saw significant healing in just 24 hours."
—Kelly
What sets Hands Off apart is its tone of radical compassion. Susie writes as someone who's been there—hiding her hands in sleeves, avoiding close-up photos, feeling the crushing weight of shame that comes with visible self-inflicted damage.
But rather than dwelling in that shame, the book offers a path forward. It's practical without being preachy, scientific without being cold, and hopeful without being naive about the challenges involved.
Hands Off is perfect for:
Anyone who struggles with compulsive skin picking, nail biting, or cuticle tearing
People whose anxiety manifests through body-focused repetitive behaviors
Those who've tried to "just stop" without success
Anyone looking for a compassionate, comprehensive approach to healing
If you're tired of feeling broken, tired of hiding your hands, tired of the endless cycle of pick-regret-repeat, Hands Offoffers something revolutionary: understanding, practical tools, and genuine hope for change.
This isn't about perfect skin or perfect self-control. It's about healing the relationship between your mind, your body, and your anxiety. It's about finally having tools that work with your nervous system, not against it.
Hands Off: A Compassionate Guide for Skin Pickers to Break the Cycle and Soothe Anxiety Naturally is available now. Your journey to calmer skin—and a calmer mind—can start today.
Order your copy of "Hands Off" or grab the book and PickFix™ bundle at indiebeauty.market. Use code PICKFIXBOOK for 20% off the book or any book and PickFix™ bundle.
Your skin will thank you.
So will your peace of mind.
Susie 💕