An Easy, Effective Skincare Routine for Busy Moms (all under 10 minutes!)

The Low Maintenance Approach to Skincare

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. 

At a recent baby shower for a dear friend, I did a live skincare analysis (upon request!) for another friend who just turned 40. My friend is a busy working mama of two toddlers, wants to start using clean beauty products, but was feeling really overwhelmed about where to start.

One of the first things we discussed was her overall approach to skincare. My friend shared, "I'm very low maintenance. I basically don't do anything except wash with water and maybe use some moisturizer. I should do more now that I turned 40. I want to start using cleaner products, but don't have time to figure out where to even begin!"

This sums up how so many of us feel about not having the time or energy to invest in a complicated skincare regimen. I've had so many friends ask for me for advice on how to maintain a simple, yet highly effective skincare routine.

So, I wanted to share a low-maintenance guide that I created to help those of us who are busy and time constrained, but want to keep our skin looking healthy and glowing.

The Basics

Let's start with the good news: you don't need a dozen products to take care of your skin. In fact, all you really need are three!

If you're a “lazy girl” who wants to adopt a skincare routine that takes less than10 minutes, follow this simple 3-step routine:

• Cleanser: This is your first step, crucial for removing makeup, dirt, and impurities from your skin.

• Moisturizer: Keeps your skin hydrated and vibrant.

• Sunscreen: This is critical for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays and preventing premature aging.

Step 1: Cleanse your skin

For most people, cleaning your skin twice a day (once in the morning and once at night) with a foam-based cleanser is the easiest approach. For those with dry skin, you can opt to skip using a cleanser (if you find it too drying) in the morning. If your wake up with really dry skin, feel free to simply wash your face with water instead.

If you wear makeup during the day and want a deeper cleanse, you might want to consider adopting the "double cleanse" method in the evening. It's a game-changer for ensuring your skin is thoroughly clean from all the dirt, impurities, and makeup that has accumulated in your skin and pores all day, but it does add one more step to your routine. I only adopt the double cleanse method on days when I wear heavier makeup.

The Double Cleanse Method

• Step 1 (use an oil-based cleanser): Start with an oil-based cleanser. The oil breaks down makeup, sunscreen, and sebum, lifting away impurities without stripping away your skin's natural moisture.

• Step 2 (use a foam-based cleanser): Follow up with a foam-based cleanser to remove any remaining oil and cleanse your pores.

Step 2: Moisturize your skin

Your skin has different needs at different times of the day. I tend to have drier skin so in the morning, I like to use a moisturizer that focuses on hydration and glowiness - this also helps prime my skin before I put on my concealer and foundation. My favorite clean moisturizer for the daytime is Tatcha's Dewy Skin cream. I've gotten so many compliments on my skin since I started using this cream a few years ago and it really does as it promises -- it keeps my skin dewy all day long! Even though I'm constantly trying new products, I keep returning to Tatcha's Dewy Skin cream as my go-to day moisturizer.

In the evening, I recommend using a moisturizer that focuses on anti-aging and renewal as your skin is better able to absorb ingredients in the evening while you sleep. My two favorite nighttime moisturizers are Caudalie's Resveratrol Night Moisturizer and Biossance's Squalane + Omega Repair Cream. I have been using Caudalie's resveratrol moisturizer for years and am a big fan of it. If you aren't familar, resveratrol is a vegan alternative to retinol and highly effective for anti-aging - my skin is supple and smoother after using resveratrol. However, if you are planning to have a family or are currently expecting, you should avoid products with both retinol and resveratrol. Instead, you can use Biossance's Squalane + Omega Repair Cream which contains ingredients which are all pregnancy safe. I have also found Biossance's cream to be highly effective and revitalizing for my skin (especially for making it softer and tighter).

If using two different types of moisturizers for the day and night seems too complicated, I totally get it. In this case, just pick one type of moisturizer to use for both the day and night depending on what your biggest skin priority is. For example, if anti-aging is your focus, then feel free to use a moisturizer that focuses on renewal during both the day and night.

Step 3: Protect your skin

The final step of your skincare routine should be to apply sunscreen. If you want to use a clean sunscreen, look for mineral-based sunscreens that contain zinc oxide for full-spectrum protection. You always want to use mineral-based sunscreens as the very last step of your skincare because it needs to sit on top of your skin to repel all the UV rays from penetrating your skin.

Bonus Tip: Seal with rose oil

I've gotten a lot of questions lately about the role that oils can play in your skincare routine. Oils are fantastic for adding an extra layer of hydration and sealing in moisture if dryness is an issue for you. One of my favorite oils is rose oil, especially the one from Biossance, which includes squalane and vitamin C (along with rose oil)—it's a perfect combination that's not too thick.

Here’s how to use it: After applying your nighttime moisturizer, put one to three drops of the oil in the palm of your hand. Pat it gently into your skin to seal everything in. By morning, your skin will feel wonderfully soft and nourished.

Final Thoughts

Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be overwhelming, even if you're new to it at 40 or feeling way too busy to start. With just a few key products and steps, you can maintain a radiant, healthy complexion. Start with the 3 basics (cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen), consider the double cleanse method, and feel free to add in an oil at the end if you feel like you want to really lock in that moisture. Happy skincare journey!