I’ve talked about how to get the best effects from a short routine when you’re low on time or energy – you can read about it here, but this post is about a multitasking skincare routine and how to get more time-consuming extra steps done efficiently.
My skin really benefits from doing that skin cycling thing: using some extra products weekly or using additional steps on areas of my body that you might traditionally only moisturise. Read more about skin cycling here.
A morning clay mask
A mask can feel like a step that’s a bit too much effort but I really benefit from a clay mask once a week or so as part of my multitasking skincare routine.
Whilst I do need to use heavier moisturising products (thanks to very hard water), I notice that my pores are also more prone to clogging. Using a clay mask regularly helps keep my pores clear. Read more about clay masks here.
What I should do is give myself that at-home spa experience and I strongly recommend it: a bath, candles, you know how it works!
But I’ve found that the best way to encourage myself to do a mask is to multitask.
I loathe cleaning the bathroom (but obviously love the results) so if I put on my clay mask before cleaning, it feels like I’m getting a treat for doing chores. If you try this, be careful and make sure you keep any cleaning products away from your face! I make sure I’m doing sprays at arm’s length and keeping back whilst the spray settles.
It also encourages me to do the full 10-20 minutes, then it’s time to wash it off and move onto the next stage.
Because the Mary & May masks turn into a cream when I’m emulsifying them, I consider them a first cleanse and I like to follow up with a water-based foam or gel cleanser.
You might want to dry your skin and then do an oil cleanser plus foam but I don’t feel it’s necessary for me personally.
Next up is some kind of acid: it could be in my face wash or a leave-on product. If you have sensitive or very dry skin, you may want to avoid acids on a day you do a clay mask, the combination could be drying.
Even if I haven’t used a clay mask, a leave-on acid really wants to go on dry skin (or it can sting a bit) and it’s best to let it dry so it can work its magic.
Multitasking for the body
I have different routines for different body areas so whilst my leave-on acid dries (face, arms, butt) I then do my neck and body routine. Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is my current regular use leave-on acid, read more about it here. If you want to cut down your product application and want a gentle but effective acid, there’s the Isntree Chestnut PHA 5 Clear Cream. More on that in a future review as I’m still in the testing phase but it does save time as I don’t need as much body lotion or I can completely skip lotion on my arms.
It absolutely feels like extra work to add an acid to my body but I’ve learned that as part of my multitasking skincare routine, it makes a difference so I let it dry whilst I move on to my sensitive skin products for my stomach and neck.
Using a calming serum on my stomach is a bit outrageous but it means I can use a cheaper body lotion so I kinda feel like I’m saving money?! It improves my barrier and means my stomach is better hydrated, which it great because dehydration makes the irritation worse. You can read more about this here.
I’m using the Skin1004 Madagascar Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum and the gel texture means it’s really easy to spread without it running off and I don’t actually need to use very much because it’s very hydrating.
Another great option with barrier building ingredients is the Benton Deep Green Tea Serum. I’d argue the Skin1004 is more hydrating and it has centella which is great for the barrier, however, green tea is also barrier-supporting and also full of antioxidants. Read more about green tea extract here.
When I get to applying lotion, it’s another multitasking product! My beloved and much repurchased Benton Deep Green Tea Lotion covers my bases for any blocked pore areas (neck, arms, butt).
Although as I noted above, the Isntree PHA Cream is another good bet if you’re low on time and I’ll absolutely sub out an acid toner and the lotion for the Isntree. As the Isntree has an acid, it’s probable that it would have more of an effect for more people than the Benton, but the Benton works great for me! Whilst I find the Isntree gentle and tolerable by my neck, I don’t want to use chemical exfoliation every day so the Benton is an excellent moisturising maintenance option for me.
I follow up with an outrageously cheap shea butter lotion that is the final layer to lock in moisture for the drier areas.
Whilst my body products are starting to dry, I style my hair: I have to do this before my face routine otherwise my hair is too dry for my styling products.
On to the face
Whilst my body and hair are drying, I do my face routine and get dressed bit by bit. It’s a weird way to put on skincare and clothing, although it works great because it’s means I’m not getting dressed before I’m dry and I’m not waiting around for face products to dry either.
It is a question of using the right amount of product to allow optimum drying times – I’m often guilty of wanting max effects so I will use too much product because more equals more effects in my mind. I don’t actually think that’s true, as long as you’re using enough to spread it across your skin.
A case in point is the Isntree Onion Newpair B5 Ampoule – I get just as good effects with a quarter of dropper as I do with more product, unless I’m after a boost in hydration. Read more about it here.
This probably sounds like an outrageous amount of work (I don’t do the clay mask daily) but even with washing and styling my hair, the whole multi-area multi-product body and face routine, I’m done in about 25 minutes.
Final Thoughts
This multitasking skincare routine allows me to get a full body and face treatment in just 25 minutes, leaving my skin feeling comfortable and radiant!