Too Busy to Take Care of Your Skin? These Skincare Tips are Perfect for Busy People

I get asked often how I keep my skin in tip top shape and youthful-looking. Honestly, my not-so-secret secret to great-looking skin is taking care of it consistently using safe and effective products at home daily that work. I also make sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen daily and stay out of the sun.

However, I understand that taking care of your skin can feel like a chore when you have kids, are traveling all of the time for work, and just living an everyday busy life in general. Add on to that the following…you may not know what products to use, how to use them, in what order to use them, and what works best for your individual skin type and issues. But it really doesn't have to be that difficult. Truthfully, daily skincare maintenance gets more and more important as the years go by. Just because you are young and your skin may look flawless now, doesn't mean that aging skin won't creep up with you sooner rather than later. The younger you start, the better off your skin will be.

I wasn't born with naturally beautiful skin, so I started using retinoids, exfoliators, and other more aggressive anti-aging treatments in my mid 20s to deal with acne and hyperpigmentation issues. Now I stay out of the sun and take care of my skin consistently using safe and effective products and treatments. You can too! I love sharing skincare secrets, whether it be a special routine, product, or daily ritual that helps start and end the day with a little bit of time for just me in my busy life. It's important for all busy individuals to remember to take some time out for self care. Even the busiest person can squeeze in some pampering time thanks to these simple skincare tips.

Simple At-Home Skincare Routine

As a general rule of thumb after washing your face, you should start with the lightest products and end with the heaviest products. Toners, spot treatments, and serums should always come before lotions and moisturizers. Anything water-based will sink into your skin easier without any heavier products getting in the way. Concentrated treatments like retinoid serums or prescription topical treatments should be applied at night time only since for the most part, they can cause skin sensitivity from the sun.

Applying your skincare products in the proper order ensures that your skin receives the full benefits of each product. For example, if you apply moisturizer before serum, the moisturizer's emollient nature will prevent the serum from reaching your skin. Most moisturizers also contain water. So, if you apply a moisturizer over sunscreen, you would in effect be watering down your sunscreen and diluting its efficacy.

Step 1: Wash your face with warm water and a mild, foam-free cleanser. Then pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Step 2: Apply toner and wait for it to dry. Make sure to use an alcohol-free toner. If you have sensitive skin, then you can skip using toner.

Step 3: Apply any topical applications, such as a spot acne treatment, hydration serum, or retinoid cream/serum and let dry. Make sure to not apply retinoids to your eye area.

Step 4: Apply eye cream to your eye area only.

Step 5: Apply moisturizer at night. Drying out your skin can actually cause it to produce more oil. Adding moisturizer last locks in active ingredients and helps products be more effective in repairing your skin. If you apply moisturizer during the day as well, make sure to apply it BEFORE your sunscreen.

Step 6: If it's morning or day time, make sure to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 (SPF 30 is ideal) to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Don't apply sunscreen at night.

Your basic weekly routine should also include exfoliating your face and entire body, unless you have sensitive skin. Exfoliate your face 2-3 times a week and your body from head to toe once a week. Regular exfoliation 2-3 times a week is one of the best ways to combat dull skin, refresh your appearance, and even out skin tone. Exfoliating the old outermost cells is the quickest way to make skin look smoother and more vibrant from head to toe. However, never scrub your face too hard with an exfoliator or use it too often. Over-exfoliation can strip away your lipid barrier, making skin more susceptible to irritation and bacterial infection.

Oh, and don't forget to moisturize your lips. They are part of your face and therefore should be a part of your skincare routine too.

The Lazy Skincare Routine

I understand that there are those days where you may be just too tired to do all of the steps listed above. In that case, at least follow the mini routine below.

While everyday skin conditions can be complex, daily skincare maintenance solutions done at home don't have to be. Use safe and effective products with the right ingredients, in the right formulations, and in the right order, and follow these steps listed above.

Have any questions or comments for me? Comment below or email me at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you!