What’s the criteria for a shorter PM routine?
Whilst I love trying new products and having a maximalist routine, there’s occasions when I’m short on time or energy.
Maybe I’ve been shopping all day, out for the evening or I’m a bit under the weather – my skin needs some TLC but I don’t have the time or will for a lot of effort. That’s ok, though, because something is always better than nothing.
So I have an effective short backup routine that will nourish my skin quickly!
What I want to include are superb multitasking products to ensure that my skin is hydrated and moisturised without compromising on either.
I also want to make sure I include products that dry well and don’t leave my skin sticky so I’m not waiting around for each step to dry and I can achieve maximum efficiency.
The whole routine is a tricky balance for me because my neck needs extra moisturising and shea butter, which is too much for my face. Thankfully an oilier essence works on my face too, so I can use the same initial routine for both and then different creams.
Also, my short k-beauty routine might not seem very stripped back to some people and there’s an option for a super short routine, which I’ll detail below. My skin needs a fair amount of love because it’s prone to dehydration and on the mature side, hence my well-aging posts here and here.
One last thing: I skip serious acid products like Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power liquid. Although it’s a great product, you can’t have wet skin or it stings, which is extra time that I don’t have on a minimal routine night!
Cleansing
Of course, we’re all double cleansing because it’s so good for your skin.
But if the sink or shower is too much work, Benton Tea Tree Cleansing water is actually a great option – I found it even removes waterproof makeup. Plus it smells really fresh!
If you’ve got a bit more energy but the standard double cleanse is still a bit too much work, one of my favourite cleansers will come to the rescue! Axis-Y Quinoa One-Step Balanced gel cleanser is awesome – it will remove makeup (I’ve got it in my eyes, I didn’t find that it stings) and thoroughly cleans your skin to a reasonably soft finish, which is impressive for a one-step cleanser.
Benton Aloe BHA Skin toner
Whilst my Isntree Yam Root Vegan Milk toner is one of the best toners I’ve tried, it can be a little sticky with my Tia’m Snail & Azulene Water essence so I’m calling on my most hydrating toner from Benton instead.
Aloe is a great ingredient for hydration and whilst this toner has 0.5% salicylic acid, it’s designed for daily use and doesn’t irritate my sensitive neck now that I have shea butter moisturisers. However, the usual advice with acids applies: patch test, start slowly, reduce usage if you n. More on acids here.
It is ideal for a quick routine because the texture is thicker than the average toner so it’s quick to apply but it absorbs perfectly – no stickiness! Detailed review here.
Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power essence
We love snail here at UNBLEMISH: Safina, Bianca and I’ve written about it.
Although I was considering that Tia’m Snail Azulene Essence Water might replace my beloved Cosrx 96 and whilst the Tia’m is great, I’ve discovered it can be a touch sticky in some product combinations, as I mentioned above.
However, the Tia’m is fine with the Benton toner so I could use either of these in this slot, which is basically an obligatory snail step!
We’ve talked a lot about snail at UNBLEMISH and I keep snail to hand for a lot of reasons but it absolutely shines in a stripped back routine because it’s so healing, soothing, hydrating and well-aging.
It even adds in some gentle exfoliation and it really helps breakouts for me. Snail plus my two recent products raves make an amazing but gentle way to heal acne in my experience.
And as Safina says, the Cosrx can be a bit tacky on dry skin and I’d mentioned it doesn’t spread so well on dry skin so I make sure my toner hasn’t dried before I apply it, then it spreads well and dries well.
Dr Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea essence
Dr Ceuracle is one of my most purchased products and something I use daily as well in a hurry.
It’s moisturising, hydrating and full of fermented goodness – detailed review here.
If I’m really, really short on time, a k-beauty routine of two layers of Dr Ceuracle and a moisturiser saves my skin from discomfort and still leaves me glowing!
The Dr Ceuracle really is one of the best products I’ve ever tried and is a staple in my routine.
K-Beauty Moisturisers
A’pieu Madecassoside Sleeping Mask is the standout option for my neck.
I don’t like to skip the shea butter now that I’ve found it’s magic for my neck! The soothing and moisturising effects of this cream are amazing so this is my go-to for my neck cream slot in a short k-beauty routine.
Illiyoon ATO Ceramide Concentrate cream is one of my top products, it’s a great all-rounder, which I wrote about here, and Safina talks about its role in barrier repair here.
However, in a short k-beauty routine, I’m looking for a powerful and perfectly balanced cream that will give me the maximum benefits.
This crown has to go to the Mary & May Blackberry Complex Intensive Total Care cream: it’s got a hefty amount of antioxidants and other great ingredients like hyaluronic acid, as well as ceramides. Plus the well-aging idebenone – so the phrase “total care” in the product name is accurate! Detailed review here.
Final Word on Short Routines
A short k-beauty routine doesn’t have to short-change your skin – just pick your most nourishing products and you can get back to your normal routine when you’ve got time.