Lifestyle and Beauty

The Go-To Skincare Routine For Busy Moms

It can be difficult to maintain a skincare routine when you’re busy caring for your child and managing the household as a mum. Who has time for a 12-step skincare routine when you can barely get enough sleep?

Even for busy mums, it is still important to maintain a beauty skincare regimen for beautiful, glowing skin – as getting bad skin will be much harder to treat.

1. Be organized

Don’t clutter your bathroom with a ton of products. Keep only what you need and in a place that is easy for you to access. You can also arrange your products in order so you don’t have to think about which product to use next.

Change your towels regularly every week as using old towels that have accumulated sweat, dirt and oil can lead to breakouts.

It’s essential to be consistent with your skincare routine to see the benefits of hydrated skin over time.

2. Cleanse

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser in the morning after you wake up and in the evening before bedtime. This will remove any dirt, sweat, makeup, or oil that has accumulated on your face which can clog up your pores and cause you to break out.

You can also opt for cleansers that can exfoliate and hydrate your skin. If you are prone to breakouts or have sensitive skin, pick cleansers that are gentle to your skin. Mums looking for anti-aging products can also use cleansers that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) to reduce signs of aging.

If you really don’t have time, micellar water can be a quick, fuss-free option for basic skincare. Apply it onto a cotton pad and use it to wipe your face gently. The micelles contain particles that will cling on to dirt, sweat, and oil, thus cleansing your face.

3. Moisturize

Moisturizer is essential to replenish your skin’s water content so you have skin that looks well-rested. It helps trap moisture on the topmost layer of your skin.

Use moisturizer once in the morning and once at night. Apply it before makeup or use tinted moisturizers to replace your foundation. For an all-in-one product, find tinted moisturizers that contain SPF with added hyaluronic acid or glycerin for hydration and antioxidants for an anti-aging effect.

Alternatively, you can apply a sleeping cream at night which is a heavier moisturizer that can often be more effective in restoring moisture to your skin, or a simple sheet mask over the weekend for an added boost of moisture. 

4. Don’t forget sunscreen!

Sunscreen protects your skin from damage due to UV rays from the sun and reduces signs of aging such as wrinkles and age spots. It is especially important if you’re always out with your kids when taking them to school or other activities.

Apply sunscreen daily in the morning on top of your moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. You can also opt for moisturizers that also contain an SPF so you save time by applying only one product.

5. Tone or double cleanse if you have a minute to spare

Tone your skin or double cleanse on the days when you have some extra time. Using a toner after your cleanser can help you clean and balance your skin to ensure it has the right amount of oil and water for optimal hydration.

Double cleansing means you use micellar water first before following up with a normal cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or sweat that remains on your skin.

These extra steps help to ensure your skin is fully cleansed.

6. Be mindful of your nutrition

Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated. 

Eat foods that are rich in natural antioxidants. These include fruits such as berries, pineapple and oranges, fish, and leafy greens including broccoli and spinach. Antioxidants will remove free radicals which can cause signs of aging.

7. Have easy products on hand

Keep some cleansing wipes and an all-in-one moisturizer on your bedside table for the days when you don’t have any time and just want to catch up on some sleep. You can quickly wipe off dirt, oil, sweat, and makeup from your face with the cleansing wipes and get your daily dose of hydration and SPF with your moisturizer.

You can also keep these cleansing wipes and moisturizer in your bag so you can cleanse and moisturize on the go. However, these should not be a replacement for your regular skincare routine and should only be for days when you truly have no time.

Conclusion

A busy mom still needs to make some time for self-care and to maintain glowing and beautiful skin. Cleanse and moisturize your skin every day at the minimum and apply sunscreen. Stay organized so that you can quickly grab the skincare products you need. Use all-in-one moisturizers or sleeping creams that pull double duty. Eat more foods rich in antioxidants and drink plenty of water as that contributes to skin health. On the days when you have extra time, use a toner or double cleanse. Keep this up and your skin will thank you for it!