Some days, I love to indulge in a 10-step skincare routine, taking my sweet-ass time, rubbing, patting, waiting for stuff to absorb.
Other days, I’m so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open, but I would never, EVER go to sleep without giving my skin a little something.
I remember those college days when I actually used to go “out.” It did not matter if I came home at 4 am, I don’t think I’ve ever gone to sleep while still wearing makeup.
Well… maybe except for that one time when my acne was so bad that I actually slept with foundation on when visiting my husband’s friends. But that’s a different story.
Point is, sometimes we just get a little lazy… but we still kinda want to have great skin, eh?
There are a few trusty products that I love reaching for whenever I feel lazy, tired, or I’m simply short on time.
THE MINIMAL APPROACH
There are some products that are just “blah,” some that are “okay” and some that you just can’t help but l-o-v-e. Last year I was introduced to MŪN Skincare and I immediately fell in love with the brand. My favorite product is their Akwi Cleanser (but you probably already knew that) and it’s the kind of product that just makes you feel… special. It is a cream/oil cleanser that even as a single product, kind of makes you feel like you spent 30 minutes at a spa, right after you wash it off. You take 2-3 pumps, massage into your skin for about a minute, then take a warm washcloth and gently press it against your skin, washing the cleanser off. If you have dry skin or love double-cleansing, then you will fall in love with Akwi- it helped me get through my Accutane treatment, which leaves your skin incredibly dry, uncomfortable and tight. As always, you can save 15% when using the code “MUN13T“- I also love their Anarose mist/toner and the Aknari Brightening Youth Serum.
Another product that my dry skin loves is Perricone MD’s Cocoa Mask. I’m on the third jar of this mask and just like Akwi, it leaves your skin feeling very special. One, it smells delicious. Two, it doesn’t irritate skin and leaves it feeling soft, smooth, nourished and very supple. Third, all you need is 5-10 minutes. I usually apply it on after cleansing my skin, massage it in very well until all the microcapsules have burst and the mask turns brown, and leave it on while applying my body butter or lotion, then just rinse it off. If you love both skincare and chocolate and have dry skin, you need this in your stash.
FOR A SOFT, SMOOTH SKIN
You know just how much I love my Salux cloth– loofahs and sponges are gross and these cloths can be thrown in with your towels when you wash them in the washer, so they last for years. No harboring bacteria here. Keep one in your shower and you will never need a body scrub again (although I do love to indulge in bi-weekly body scrubs whenever I have time). With these cloths, you can just add some soap or your favorite body wash and you have yourself a nice, mess-free exfoliating treatment. Body butters and lotions absorb SO much better and I also love using my Salux before shaving my legs- it seriously gives you the smoothest shave, ever.
Lancome Visionnaire 2-Phase Peel– this is a leave-on peel that helps fight dullness, discoloration and subtle uneven texture. Why should this be a lazy girl’s essential? Because it’s incredibly easy to incorporate into your routine. After cleansing and toning, you apply the “Phase 1” for the first 14 nights and then replace the “Phase 1” with “Phase 2” for another 14 days. This peel is very gentle, it doesn’t require rinsing, it won’t make your skin burn or peel and, most importantly, it gives amazing, I-noticed-a-difference-after-one-use kind of results.
Overnight, hydrating masks are life-savers. They’re usually richer and work a bit better than, let’s say, a thick, nighttime moisturizer. Clinique’s Moisture Surge is great for those with sensitive skin; it comes in a tube and is fragrance-free. Paula’s Choice new Rehydrating Mask* is actually very similar, but on my skin it is actually juuust a bit more hydrating- it works great when used after AHA, BHA or Retinol treatments and gives the skin that extra hydrating boost. Love that they both come in a tube- again, you can just keep these on your nightstand since they do not require rinsing.
Erno Laszlo’s Hydra Therapy Memory Sleep Mask* has also been sitting on my nightstand for months. Whenever I don’t feel like indulging in a 7-step nighttime skincare routine but know that my skin needs a little pick-me-up, I always reach for this baby. It has THE most amazing, soft, bouncy texture and the minute it touches my skin, I know I’m in for a treat. Again, this is a hydrating treatment that I usually apply in place of my moisturizer. The price does make my eye water, but this takes care of my dry patches like nothing else out there. It has a slight fragrance so I expected this to irritate my skin, but nope. It does the complete opposite.
TO CLEAR CONGESTED SKIN
Clogged pores, breakouts, acne scars: Stridex has always been there for me when I was battling all three. These are basically pre-soaked pads that you use on your skin, almost like a toner, so again, very easy to use. If your skin is used to BHA products, you can use these every night. If you’re on the more sensitive side, try it every other night. Either way, Stridex pads are a great budget buy- I also use them in the summer under my arms and other spots to prevent in-grown hair when I shave a lot.
Speaking of discoloration and congestion, Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel is another favorite that gives amazing results over time. I’ve spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on products that promised to help with hyperpigmentation such as acne scarring, while also helping with clogged pores and none delivered results as good as this peel. If you’re a skincare junkie, chances are you’ve either already used these, or heard about them in the past. It’s a simple, two-step treatment that takes only about 3 minutes of your time and doesn’t require rinsing. It’s one of those skincare products I’m never without and have been using for ages. Even now, that acne is no longer an issue, I love reaching for these because they just make my skin bright, clear and smooth.
When all you’ve got is three to five minutes, these Trans-foam Clay masks from Dr. Jart are also pretty cool. You apply them, let them dry for three to five minutes, and rinse with warm water, massaging the skin. While the mask dries you can brush your teeth, apply your body lotion, take your daily supplements, or just sip your morning coffee. These leave your skin feel clean and soft. Not sure if there is a major difference between the three that I’ve used, but love them all.
And, on those days when I am completely pooped and don’t even feel like washing my hair, I just reach for CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Mario Badescu’s Face Mist, Tazorac and finish off with my Cetaphil in a tub. If I were to only use one product, then I’d probably be my Cetaphil cream, simply because it’s the shit and my dry skin loves it more than any high-end moisturizer I’ve tried thus far.
Do you ever get lazy with your routine, even though you’re obsessed with skincare? What are some of your favorite lazy-pamper products?
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