5 Minute Skincare Routine
By Lauren Brady
No matter what your schedule is — 8:30s every day, early morning lifts, back-to-back final exams — everyone can and should set aside five minutes (at least!) each day for themselves. This should be a time for relaxing and decompressing before and/or after a long day running around campus meeting deadlines. Taking care of your skin is especially important during periods of high stress, and I make sure I carve out time for cleansing and hydrating my face when I wake up and before I go to bed. Check out these four steps below (cleansing, toning, hydrating, and moisturizing) with both higher priced and more affordable products that you can try using!
Step 1: Cleanse
Makeup remover wipes aren’t enough at night! Those only remove surface-level dirt and oils from the skin. Take a dime size portion of each and rub into your skin in circular motions using the pads of your fingers. Rinse using warm water and you’re good to go!
More expensive: Borghese Crema Saponetta Creme Cleanser ($35)
This stuff is definitely worth the price for such a large bottle, and it has a luxurious scent too. My makeup comes off so easily and my skin doesn’t dry out! I would recommend this for combination and dry skin types.
Less expensive: Pacifica Coconut Milk Cream to Foam Face Wash ($7.99)
So many good things to say about this! It’s sold at Amazon, Target, and Ulta; it smells like the beach; it’s vegan; and it’s 100% cruelty-free! This bottle goes a long way and is available in smaller sizes for sampling or travel.
Step 2: Tone
If you don’t do a good job washing your face, using a toner is sure to remove any dirt from your pores and your neck too! These should always be alcohol-free to avoid harsh reactions to the skin and excess drying. Simply dab a few droplets onto a cotton round (300 for $8.95 on Amazon) and rub on your face as if you were painting. Your skin should feel cool and refreshed afterwards.
More expensive: Murad Acne Control Clarifying Toner ($25)
This isn’t just for reducing acne! All skin types benefit from this toner as it digs down deep to remove hard to reach dirt. The scent is relatively mild, and the large bottle is sure to last a while!
Less expensive: Neutrogena Oil- and Alcohol-Free Facial Toner ($4.69)
Oh boy, this stuff makes me want to be a dermatologist, SERIOUSLY! This toner has such a refreshing scent and feel, and doesn’t leave any greasy residue on my skin. Neutrogena offers such cheap alternatives to high-end skin care products that everyone should take advantage of.
Step 3: Hydrate
TBH, this step isn’t really necessary, but I like adding it in for an extra boost and refreshing feel. I haven’t experimented that much with other products, so I highly recommend Mario Badescu’s numerous facial mists available in multiple sizes. To make life easier, the sprays are available at Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora!
Mario Badescu Skin Care Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber, and Green Tea ($7-14)
This is my favorite scent due to the extra hydrating feel and aroma. I love the smell of cucumber, and it just feels spa-esque. Spray in a circular motion 3-4 times to cover the entire face and wait until dry before applying moisturizer. Your skin will be glowing after!
Step 4: Moisturize
Using a proper moisturizer is SO important especially in the sub-freezing temperatures we’ve been experiencing. Make sure to monitor both the amount applied on your face and the choices of moisturizer available for you. The least expensive can dry out your skin, and certain body creams are not meant to be used on delicate faces! I use about a dime size portion and apply the same motions used when washing my face. My t-zone, in particular, gets the driest after taking showers, so I apply more cream when necessary here.
More expensive: Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator ($39)
Boy, this stuff is potent (and pricey)! I was a bit hesitant to use a gel lotion, but I am so glad I did. I received a sample of this and didn’t have to use as much as I normally do on my face. My skin feels as smooth as glass and glowing after, and I highly recommend this for a no-makeup day or during the summer after a long day at the beach.
Less expensive: SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Glow Priming Moisturizer ($12.99)
This is perfect for an extra glow due to the coconut oil base and sets so nicely under foundation! I use this morning and night and my skin feels so smooth after such a small portion. Because of the coconut oil, there can be a slight gold tint on your skin, so if you’re not into that, I would look into lotions with different bases. It isn’t that noticeable, and I appreciate the extra touch on days when I don’t wear makeup.
Depending on how fast you move or how pressed for time you are, I’m sure that making time for your skin can be accomplished in less than five minutes!
