How to Squeeze Skincare into Your Super Busy Schedule

Struggling to find time in your busy schedule to follow a skincare routine? Despite what you may have heard, you don’t need a 12-step skincare regimen to attain clear, glowing skin. You don’t even need six steps.

If you’re a super busy babe, and you find yourself going days without properly washing your face or moisturizing, we’re going to show you how to change things — for better skin and improved wellness.

Here are some skincare tips for following and sticking to a beauty routine.

#1: Cleanse After Brushing Your Teeth

Since brushing your teeth is something you do twice a day, use this time to wash your face. If you wear makeup, you’ll need to cleanse in the morning and the evening. Those who go bare-faced can get away with only cleansing in the evening before going to bed.

Choose a cleanser formulated for your skin type. If you’ve got acne-prone skin, try Rainbow’s Anti-Blemish Facial Cleanser. For dry skin types, you’ll want to look for something a little more hydrating in your daily routine. And if you’ve got sensitive skin, opt for a gentle cleanser free of acids to prevent irritating your skin.

#2: Multitask with an Exfoliating Cleanser

Dermatologists recommend exfoliating once or twice a week, depending on how well your skin can tolerate it. To save time, use an exfoliating cleanser or toner in replacement of your regular face wash 1-2 times a week.

Exfoliation helps slough away dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, decongesting pores, preventing breakouts, and revealing fresh and healthy skin. It also helps other skincare products penetrate better.

Look for a multitasking cleanser that contains exfoliating acids like alpha hydroxy acids or exfoliating particles like sugar or salt.

#3: Address Your Skin Concerns with a Face Mask

From acne to discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, face masks are a great product for tackling your skin concerns. And because they stay on the skin longer than a cleanser, they penetrate deeper and have more time to work their wonders. Plus, it’s a great moment of self-care if your super hectic days are leaving you feeling overwhelmed.

Lucky for you, we have a few for you to choose from, depending on your skin concerns. Got acne? Reach for our Anti-Blemish Face Mask. Looking for something with anti-aging benefits? Try our Tighten Face Mask. And for a brightening, antioxidant-rich treatment, opt for our vitamin C and vegan collagen-packed Smooth Face Mask.

#4: Moisturize with a Serum Straight After Cleansing

While your skin’s still a little damp, apply a thin layer of moisturizing serum like Rainbow’s Hydrate Serum. It’s made with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to deeply hydrate, nourish, and plump the skin.

The great thing about serums is that they’re lightweight, fast-absorbing, and they can do multiple things at once — unlike your regular cream or lotion. A regular moisturizer only moisturizes. It doesn’t do anything else. Whereas a serum can moisturize and treat hyperpigmentation and fine lines at the same time. Additionally, they work as a great base for your foundation and concealer.

#5: Going Out? Wear Sunscreen

If you know you’ll be inside all day, you can skip this step. If you’re planning on heading outdoors, give yourself 20 minutes beforehand to apply SPF, and leave it to absorb before leaving the house.

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable skincare step. It’s essential for protecting your skin from UV rays and daily pollution. Even on cloudy days, those skin-damaging UV rays are still there. Keep your skin safe by always layering up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Pro tip: Maximize the protective effects of your sunscreen by layering a vitamin C serum underneath.

HOW TO REMEMBER TO DO SKINCARE

As you can see, there are only five simple steps above that you really need for achieving smooth, vibrant skin. You don’t need a dozen steps to get the same results. However, if you’re someone who often forgets skincare simply because you’re so busy, these tips should help you remember to do it.

• Keep Your Products within Reach: create a space in your bathroom for your handful of skincare products so that you always see them — and remember to use them. It’s easy to forget if they’re hiding in a drawer somewhere. So, bring them out and make sure they’re in clear view so you always remember to use them.
• Connect Your Skincare Routine with Another Daily Habit: Like we mentioned before, cleansing your face after brushing your teeth is a great way to stick to your skincare regimen. But you can connect it to any daily habit you do, like taking a shower, brushing your hair, or even getting dressed. By attaching it to a deeply ingrained habit like showering or brushing your teeth, your skincare routine itself will become one of those instinctive habits.
• Learn to Enjoy it: Skincare is a form of self-care that does amazing things for your mind — and your skin, of course. Try to see it as something that boosts your mood and improves your quality of life. Even studies show following a skincare routine can greatly benefit your mental health. Between the structure and the self-care, skincare is an excellent way to feel good.
• Remind Yourself of the Benefits: Remember that if you follow this routine every day for the next three or four weeks, you will start seeing a noticeable improvement in your complexion. Make that one of your motivators for getting started — and sticking to it. Whether you’re trying to get rid of breakouts or smooth out creases, using the right skincare products on a regular basis can significantly help.

If you always seem to have a million things to do every day, we get why it’s hard to carve out time for a skincare regimen. That said, following a daily skincare routine offers multiple benefits that go beyond better skin — such as enhancing your mood and motivation.

For the sake of your skin and mental wellbeing, give yourself the challenge of following this skincare regimen for the next four weeks.