No Time, No Problem: The Ultimate Guide to Quickie Skin Care

When you’re busy and constantly on the go, every second of your day matters, and you choose your tasks wisely. One task you should never axe from your to-do list is your skin care routine. Our skin travels everywhere with us; it shouldn’t look dull and lackluster all day long. Besides, who said a thorough skin care routine has to be complicated and time-consuming? With dual-purpose products—and ones that work while you snooze—flooding beauty aisles, it’s easier than ever to look phenomenal with minimal effort. In other words, a hectic schedule is simply not a good enough excuse to neglect your skin. When you’re short on time, simplify the steps, opt for multitasking formulas and stick to the essentials. “No matter how rushed you are, there are two things you must do—cleanse at night and apply sunscreen during the day,” says board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com expert, Dr. Dendy Engelman. “Those two things are simply non-negotiable.” Below, what to do—and what to use—when you have no time to waste.

According to Engelman, cleansing your skin at night is a must. It helps keep your skin free of impurities—dirt, excess oil, makeup, and dead skin cells—that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. A multi-purpose cleanser—suitable for all skin types—that we’re loving right now is Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water. It cleanses and refreshes skin and removes makeup from the face, lips, and eyes at the same time. Powerful yet gentle micellar technology captures and lifts buildup like a magnet without harsh rubbing, leaving skin feeling clean and not dry. It’s a great product to use on the go since there’s no need to rinse it off. Simply saturate a cotton pad with the formula and gently wipe it over your skin until it’s completely clean. Follow up with a night cream that will help smooth and revitalize your skin while you sleep; trust us, it’ll only take a few moments! For a fast-absorbing moisturizer that works over night, try The Body Shop’s Nutriganics Smoothing Night Cream. Apply the cream with your fingertips using circular upward motions, jump into bed, and let it work its magic.

No matter how rushed you are, there are two things you must do—cleanse at night and apply sunscreen during the day. Those two things are simply non-negotiable.

Convinced you don’t need to wear SPF everyday? Think again. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays—UVA, UVB, and UVC—have the potential to cause skin cancers like melanoma. What’s more, excessive sun exposure, and its subsequent damage, can lead to premature aging of the skin. Reach for a dual-purpose moisturizer that contains SPF of at least 15 to keep your skin protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays and hydrated at the same time. Try SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 for coverage, protection, and moisture. Garnier Clearly Brighter Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer is another good product to use in a pinch to help reduce the look of visible sun damage and reveal radiant, younger-looking skin. The best part is that it doesn’t feel greasy and is fast absorbing.

Overall, it’s good to keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way with your skin. Don’t feel pressured to bombard it with products. Sticking to a daily routine that works for your skin type, even if it’s short and sweet, can help improve your skin’s appearance and also cut down your time spent in the future. “If you take care of your skin on a daily basis, chances are you’ll need less products to ‘hide’ any  problems,” says Engelman. “You’ll thereby reduce the time you will need to conceal.”