I am terrible at taking care of my face, but over the years I have managed to create a routine that works for me. I never understood how to properly wash my face and thought all I needed to do was wash it. I had severe acne as a teenager and I tried those acne products with none of them working. As an adult who has educated my self on proper hair and face care, I realized it wasn’t the products faults but really me using them wrong. I didn’t use the products long enough for them to have any lasting effects. I also didn’t wash my face before using the products or pair them with a moisturizer. My advice for makeup, face care, and body care came from Seventeen magazine, sure there was Youtube but it didn’t register to me to use Youtube for skin care.

Well, I would be lying if I said I never used Youtube to find skin care routines. I found videos on using rice water for toner and eggs for face masks, but I just didn’t understand I needed to care for my face daily. I hated getting my face wet without using a washcloth but didn’t like using a washcloth to wash and one for drying. As I got older my face became dryer and my acne scars have remained red-red. Even though I’m technically still am in my prime (24), I realize its important to take care of my face because it’s the part of us that is the most noticeable when we age. I understand that skin care is more than just rubbing on moisturizer, its about our mental health and what we eat. You can clean your face all you want but if your sitting there stressing and munching on food that’s bad for you, your skin in the future isn’t going to thank-you.

If you are lazy like me, you probably are going to need some quick hacks on how to take care of your face day and night. Perhaps something simple enough that you can add more things to it like serums, eye creams, and face scrubs without feeling like those things are a burden. So here is my lazy skin routine that so far, works for me. NOTE: this may not work for everyone’s skin type. I am also not a dermatologist.

1. Cotton pads

I buy cotton pads that can be easily decomposed. Cotton pads are a must for me because I can dampen them with micellar water and witch hazel, for my beauty routine. Some people like to buy presoaked pads but dry cotton pads are the cheaper way to go. If you are like me and hate to have water splashed on your face or hate having a damp towel on your face, this is a good workaround. It also takes less than a minute to squirt the liquids you need on a cotton pad, wipe your face…then you are done. I typically will use two cottons pads each time I do my face. If I wear makeup, then the cotton pad usage is a tad bit more. (I am aware this is not a step but is one of my must-haves)

2. Micellar water

This water is honestly a blessing! It takes off any grease on my face and any makeup. It’s a great liquid to remove makeup or dirt on the face. It is safe for my skin and doesn’t upset it. If my skin is upset, it reddens like no other. It is great to squirt on a cotton pad and clean my dirty face, quick and simple. Water doesn’t get everywhere, perfect for my laziness.

3. Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel is a toner, it also helps with so many other things besides toning the skin.  It may help reduce skin irritation, it treats hemorrhoids, fights acne, treats scalp sensitivity, protects against skin damage, and helps against infections. Witch Hazel is also fairly cheap for such a big bottle, easy to buy, and lasts a lot longer than other toners. It doesn’t smell too pretty if you get pure Witch Hazel. Most beauty routines recommend toners, and Witch Hazel is an all-natural acne fighter toner. Just squirt it onto a cotton pad and use it!

4. Face moisturizer

I haven’t found the perfect moisturizer for my face or a brand that I love love, but I do recommend Pond’s face moisturizer. The biggest version has lasted me a really long time, even after using it both day and night. Pond’s is a classic American brand, that Baby Boomers’ parents used (look at the reviews on Amazon)…it works and is cheap. Get a moisturizer that works for your skin type, usually, when I change moisturizers it takes my skin a day or two to get used to it. Since my face is always dry, I do need moisturizers. After you put on your toner just rub some moisturizer on your face and neck. There your done!

So there is my simple lazy skincare routine, but I do add different steps depending on when I shower and on my mood. Make sure to allow each liquid to absorb into your skin, before adding another product.

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5. Face Wash/ scrub

I use face wash in the shower, so every time I shower, I use face wash. I also use facial scrub in the shower. After my face is dry then I go about my facial routine but drop the micellar water, unless I wore makeup that day. I swear my makeup likes to cling to every pore. Korean Beauty is smart at using multiple cleaning processes before we get to the serums and moisturizers. If you wear makeup, you need to make sure you get everything off. If you don’t have a problem with a wet face then use face wash then toner and then face moisturizer. Always take into account your makeup.

6. Serums

I am getting into serums, so I didn’t include it into my lazy people list because I haven’t used serums that much. Vitamin C serum is great to help prevent wrinkles and brighten your skin. Try getting a high percentage of vitamin C serum and use it after cleaning your face and after your toner. You are never too young to use vitamin C.

7.  Sun Screen

Protect your face from the sun!!!! Enough said. The sun can age your skin, burn it, and give you cancer. You only need sunscreen during the day, so just include it after you moisturize.

So far in my life, I need quick and easy face routines for me to actually care for my face. I still forget to moisturize my legs and skin after I shower. Use this lazy routine as a simple way to start your own face cleaning routine, just remember we need to clean our skin, moisturize it, and protect it.