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We get it, you’re busy. We’re in busy times, most people are too. And while “busy” can not be a valid excuse for all the good things you decide to skip on, it can motivate you to find quicker, more efficient methods for things like skin care.
Skincare isn’t really any different than exercise or eating healthy. Sure, it can be difficult to stick to, but it doesn’t just make you feel better like a healthy diet and fitness, it can make you look better.
If you’re a busy man who understands the importance of caring for your skin, but just don’t have time for daily spa treatment, be assured that in less than 5 minutes, twice a day, you can get the same benefits. In fact, unlike exercise, with every minute you spend on them, skin care routines don’t get better. For example, scrubbing your face for 20 minutes would do more harm than good. Think of the skin on your face as the ideal relationship where you can invest short, intensive time blocks to show you care and let the rest take care of themselves.
There are really two things that you need to remember to make your skin care a regular, low-maintenance habit: don’t over-complicate it. Your skin is quite straightforward. It must be cleaned, protected and addressed with any problems. It does not need a laundry list of expensive products with obscure ingredients, applied for extended lengths of time in exactly the right way. You do too much if you spend more than 10 minutes in the morning on your skin. Although it may illustrate otherwise overcrowded drug store shelves, proper skin care should be simple. Engage in consistent care for two weeks. It takes time to create a habit and you will have to practice some self-discipline in those initial days. By committing to consistent skin care for two weeks, you can create a lasting habit. So, what are you doing in those two weeks? Only 5 minutes are set aside for your face in your morning and evening routine.
With a liquid, oil-free cleanser, OIly skin sufferers do best. If you also suffer from acne, look for something to help keep oil at bay with either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
With something made for daily cleaning, normal and combination skin guys can go. Look for a gentle cream or liquid to cleanse that is marked with normal skin.
Dry skin requires extra moisture, so look for a cream cleanser that hydrates. Because too much product could irritate your skin further, you may find that you only need to use a cleanser once a day and that the other time there will be enough lukewarm water.
Sensitive skin patients should always look for hypoallergenic products. They will have fewer irritants that can cause irritation and flare-ups. Like dry skin patients, you can benefit only once a day from using a cleanser.
Time-saver: do your morning cleaning in the shower if you shower every morning. When you’re out, no need to rewet and wash your face in the sink again.
You may be able to skip this section and save yourself some time if you have quite simply skin care needs, without any glaring problems. However, if you specifically suffer from acne breakouts, you’ll want to use an extra product for a minute.
Look for a treatment for spot and all-over acne in one. The less you need to apply the products, the less time it takes. Both spot and all-over treatments for acne should come with oil-controlled ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are the most popular. A quantity of pea to dime should be sufficient to cover your face.
Time-saving: You may only need to use a drying product once a day when your acne is under control.
Finally, once you’ve prepared it for the day (or night) you’ll want to keep your skin healthy. Everyone needs a moisturizer regardless of their skin type. Men with oily skin will obviously look for an oil-free variety, while men with dry skin may choose something more intensive.
If you are fighting the signs of aging, a different moisturizer can be used at night— one specifically created to help lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For this purpose, retinol and antioxidant products are particularly good.
Finally, regardless of your skin type, you need to make sure you have sunscreen for your daytime moisturizer. The American Dermatology Academy recommends one with wide-spectrum protection and 30 or higher SPF. Fortunately, sunscreen is included in most good moisturizers these days.
Time-saver: search for products that’ll kill two birds with one stone. A good sunscreen that’s also a moisturizer can help combat acne and premature aging, it also means you’ll have less clutter in the bathroom and spend less time getting ready every day.
As with most health aspects, healthy skin starts from the inside. By taking care of your general health, you can prevent problems such as early aging and acne, ensuring that your skin care routines in the morning and evening never get too intensive: don’t smoke. Smoking contributes to the early signs of aging, and it makes you look bad, quite frankly.
Water, water, water. Your skin truly depends on being well hydrated. A good moisturizer won’t do it alone, though it’ll certainly help when staying properly hydrated.
Ward off the sun. Use sunscreen, but also look for shade and wear a hat when all day you’re going to be in the sun.
Eat well. Fresh products contain vitamins and minerals that can contribute to healthier looking skin, including antioxidants.
Kick the stress. That line between your eyes is not a good look and it will not do your skin any favors to stay up all night stewing about a work project.
It is not difficult to put together a quick skincare routine that’ll last and not take the whole morning doing so. What it comes down to, like most things in life, is a little discipline. Given that the total time investment is less than 10 minutes, creating a healthy complexion should be much easier every day than, say, losing that spare tire around your mid-section. Plus, with clothing you can always hide the belly; ski masks, on the other hand, usually don’t go over well.
