Raise your hand if you are a busy mom and wish you had the time to do a whole 10-Steps Korean skincare routine in the morning, or at night, without a tiny human banging on the door or without hearing “mommy” 174 times from the other room… Me to mama, me too!
Somedays I remember how I would lay on my bed with a facial mask on and just relax for 20 minutes. Then go back to my bathroom just to apply more skincare products to my face. Good times!
Nowadays, I only have ten minutes to do my skincare before any interruption, and fit all that I can to battle the first signs of aging. Welcome to the thirties!
I have to be strategic about my skincare routine, even better when I can get affordable skincare and good quality together.
If you are a busy mom and want to start, or incorporate, an anti-aging skincare routine into your life, keep reading as I will share with you my easy busy mom’s anti-aging skincare routine (budget-friendly too) and my fave affordable products (all under $19 each).
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But first, let’s quickly review the skin types according to The American Academy of Dermatology Association:
What is your skin type?
- Sensitive skin: may sting or burn after product use;
- Normal skin: clear and not sensitive;
- Dry skin: flaky, itchy, or rough;
- Oily skin: shiny and greasy, acne-prone;
- Combination skin: normal or dry in some areas and oily in others.
Busy Mom’s Anti-Aging Skincare Routine
Easy Busy Mom’s Anti-Aging Skin Care Routine (Budget-Friendly too) in five doable steps!
1. Cleansing
It is standard to clean your face twice a day, in the morning and evening. The best option is a gentle cleanser so you don’t strip the natural oils of your skin or disrupt the natural barrier.
For a long time, I wouldn’t remove my makeup before washing my face because makeup removers used to burn my skin. I would always have some makeup residue, even when I double washed my face.
When I got The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser as an order gift from Ulta that changed and now it is what I use to remove my makeup, it removes even waterproof eyeliner.
How to use: it’s a cream that you apply on the dry skin and massage into your face until it turns into oil that practically melts your makeup, then you rinse with warm water.
Makeup or no makeup, I always use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, it is my favorite cleanser that doesn’t dry my face out. Regularly $15.99 at Ulta.
How to use: apply cleanser on wet face and massage the face and neck, wash it out very well.
2. Serums
A facial serum is a lightweight liquid with a high concentration of certain ingredients that target specific skin concerns. They are nutrients for your skin and essential in any anti-aging regimen. Always use them on clean skin and let them completely absorb before the next step.
Here are the ones I’m using right now to address the first signs of aging:
2.1 Hyaluronic Acid: draws moisture and holds it on your skin to hydrate it. It gives skin a more refreshed, plumped look, reduces the appearance of fine lines, fortifies the skin barrier, and directly contributes to your skin cell regeneration. (If you are a complete newbie on skincare, don’t get scared by the acid on the name. Hyaluronic Acid is not a chemical peel like the other known products that carry the word Acid on their names).
My favorite right now is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and it only costs $6.80 at Ulta.
How to use: Apply on damp clean skin, all over your face and neck, and let it absorb. The dump skin is a must for the Hyaluronic Acid to work the best it can.
2.2 Argireline Solution: A super lightweight solution that targets signs of aging by inhibiting muscle contraction, improving the appearance of areas of the skin prone to dynamic folds. (around eyes & forehead).
My favorite right now is The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% and it only costs $7.90 at Ulta.
How to use: on clean skin before or after any other water-based serum, all over your face and neck, or only on the wrinkle-prone areas.
3. Retinoid (only for nighttime)
First things first, Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A. They have amazing anti-aging benefits, such as reducing inflammation, inducing the production of procollagen (collagen’s precursor), unclogging pores, and slowing aging by sun damage.
All of these benefits make Retinoid a favorite in antiaging and it can’t be left out of your skincare regimen. The first rule of retinoids: start slow, really slow. As it can be irritating at first, the idea is to start in the weakest version and alternate nights of application until your skin adapts to it. Second rule: when using Retinoids sunscreen is a necessity.
My favorite right now is The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, this one is very gentle on the skin. It costs only $9.80 at Ulta.
How to use: apply after water-based serums but before heavier treatments like oils or creams. All over your face and neck until absorbed. Don’t mix with other retinoids, vitamin C, or acids (exception Hyaluronic Acid).
Some retinoids may cause a purge on your skin, this is particularly the case as oil and debris that are trapped deeper underneath the skin comes to the surface. It can last between 2 to 4 weeks.
4. Moisturizer
Moisturizing is my favorite step! Moisturizing will seal all the goodies you just added to your skin and reduce the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness.
My favorite right now is the Cerave PM, by the way, it is safe for daytime too, and it only costs $16.99 at Ulta.
How to use: Twice a day, after serum treatments, enough to cover your face and neck.
5. Sunscreen
This step is the cherry on top! Sun protection is imperative for healthy skin as the UV Rays can penetrate the skin and cause damage to the cells. These damages can result in hyperpigmentation, aging, and even skin cancer.
The minimum ideal protection factor is 30, don’t fall for the SPF 15 anymore. You better not forget to apply it religiously.
A tinted version is an amazing option if you use makeup, but make sure it has at least SPF 30.
My favorite right now is the Cerave AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 and it is only $18.99 at Ulta.
How to use: the last skincare step in the mornings, even if you are indoors or if it’s cloud, apply enough to cover all your face and neck.
Things that I stopped doing and made my skin better
I stopped exfoliating my face with facial scrubs, instead, I use chemical exfoliants. I notice a great improvement in my skin texture.
Another thing that I stopped using was a toner, since I change to a gentle cleanser I didn’t feel the need to use it anymore. Didn’t notice any change in it but it is one less step for me.
Summary
This skincare routine is super simple, budget-friendly, and only takes me 10 minutes max, it does really great for my skin and also for my self-esteem.
These products can be used by almost anyone, they are endorsed by dermatologists, and are really easy to find, but know that retinoids can’t be used by pregnant ladies or nursing moms.
Here are all the products I am obsessed over and mentioned before, they are very budget-friendly and will make your skin feel amazing.
Let’s review the steps once more:
- cleansing,
- anti-aging serums,
- retinoid for nighttime,
- moisturizing,
- and sun protection for daytime.
One more thing worth mentioning is this amazing site called Deciem Chat Room if you want to learn more about The Ordinary products you can start there! They even have a skincare routine builder for customized skincare.
I hope after reading this, you can start or upgrade your skincare to an easy busy mom skincare routine and feel better in your own skin! I will love to hear from you about your current favorite products or skincare step.
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