If you're the girl who smirks at the sight of countless skincare products on your BFF's dressing table and often forgets to take off your makeup at night, then this is for you. Thorough skincare doesn't have to be a tedious many-steps routine. Now thanks to a host of skin loving multi-use skincare products you can look—and stay—gorgeous in a flash. Read on for the uncomplicated beautiful skin guide for the woman who just can't be bothered.
Actually most women don’t have the time to go through the whole cleanser-toner-serum-treatment-moisturizer-mask routine day after day. After all, our naanis had dewy soft skin well into their 80s even though they made do with a bar of soap and a tub of cold cream. Besides, paring down your skin routine is actually beneficial, according to Ambika Bhavnani, Nykaa skincare expert. “The less you put on your skin, the lower your exposure to chemicals and the risk of a reaction or skin irritation,” she points out. Read on for the simplified seven-step approach to perfect skin.
Simple skincare routine for your complicated lives
1. Wash your face
That may sound ridiculously simple advice but beautiful skin starts with a good mild cleanser; nothing fanciful or very expensive because the treatment ingredients in a cleanser don't stay long enough on your skin to make much of a difference. If you have dry skin, pick a non-lathering formula like Bioderma Sensibio H2O. Oily skins would benefit from a gentle foaming cleanser, such as The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser Nettoyant Moussant. Meanwhile combination skin gals should try Olay Total Effects 7 In One Anti-Ageing Foaming Face Wash. Remember this skin cleansing thumb rule: if you have dry skin, cleanse only in the evenings to while oily skins need a morning-evening cleaning routine to keep blemishes at bay. Use a light moisturizer afterwards if skin feels tight. Try L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence.
2. Too tired to remove makeup?
Like your face, your hands bear the brunt of the elements; sun, hot or cold air, moisture, wind and dust. Prophylaxis is the key here. While you should maintain hand hygiene by washing with a hand wash like Lifebuoy Cool Fresh Menthol Germ Protection Handwash Pump, it's also important to regularly use a moisturizer to restore lost nutrients. Use a product that contains aloe vera, lanolin, glycerin, calendula, and oatmeal. Nykaa recommends Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream and Nykaa Hand & Nail Creme.
3. Use sunscreen
Nykaa can’t stress enough the importance of using sunscreen, indoors and outdoors. Nykaa skin expert, dermatologist Dr. Abhijit Desai emphasizes, “I tell all my patients, ‘Wear sunscreen, every day. No exceptions.’” He says sunscreen is the single most important defense against darkening and pigmentation, real concerns for most Indians.“Stay-at-home moms and housewives with little sun exposure can use a sunscreen with SPF 25-30+, upping that to one with SPF 50 +++ on weekends and vacations.” Apply it on the neck and all exposed skin on arms, legs and feet as well. “Depending on your skin type—and not a friend’s recommendation—look for an oil-free or moisturizing sunscreen formulation that works for you,” he adds. Nykaa recommends Lakme Sun Expert SPF 50 PA+++ Ultra Matte Gel Sunscreen and Avene Very High Protection Spray Spf 50+.
4. Keep face wipes handy
Okay so we’re all about shortcuts and cutting corners but let’s be smart about it… in a lazy kind of way. The thing with simple skincare product like wipes is they’ve got to be better than doing nothing.Which is why, my fellow lazy girls, make sure you have a set of face wipes for times when you simply can’t be bothered with a tedious night time makeup removing routine or just when the day’s sweat and grime is making your skin look dull and drab. We personally recommend Kara Aloe Vera & Mint Oil Cleansing & Hydrating Face Wipes - 30 Wipes when you just need an instant pick me up and Simple Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Wipes when that bottle of makeup remover is just too far (and you’re too tired) to reach.
5. The one skincare product you should use
If you have to choose just one skincare formula, opt for a retinol cream. There's ample dermatologically certified proof that retinoids—vitamin A derivatives—actually work, offering multiple skin benefits from boosting cell turnover and acne control to fading fine lines and improving elasticity. For long a darling of celebrities, retinoid creams have progressed to become the gold standard age defying ingredient in a host skin care creams and serums. Take your pick from St.Botanica Retinol 2.5% + E & Hyaluronic Acid Professional Facial Serum, WOW Skin Science Retinol Face Cream and Ponds Wrinkle Correcting Serum Mask With Green Retinol + Hyaluronic Acid & Avocado Extract.
6. Kill two birds with one stone
Find products that are as multi-tasking as you are! De-clutter by investing in products that multitask. For instance look for formulas that simultaneously cleanse and exfoliate or offer sunscreen and anti-ageing protection in one neat formula. For a cleanser-exfoliant, check out Aroma Magic Coffee Bean Scrub. Looking for an anti-tan-face wash rolled into one? Try Biotique Bio Papaya Revitalizing Tan Removal Scrub. And there are the ultimate multi-taskers, BB and CC creams. Get yours today and enjoy multiple skin benefits—from acne protection to sunscreen—packaged in one neat tube. Check out Deborah BB Cream 5In1 Foundation.
7. Overhyped products you can give a miss
A surefire way of simplifying your beauty routine is binning products you don't really need. Topping the list are toners (unless you have very oily skin), primers and separate eye creams (unless your under-eye woes are ruining your beauty sleep). If your regular moisturizer doesn't irritate your eye area, use it under your eyes too. You could always opt for the bestselling creams on Nykaa, the likes of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, L'Oreal Paris Hydrafresh Anti-Shine Icy Gel and Plum Green Tea Renewed Clarity Night Gel.
