Quick skincare routine for busy women: Focus on cleansing, moisturising, night-recovery and consistency

Skincare routine: Cleansing, moisturising and protecting your skin can take less than 10 minutes a day. What matters most is consistency, not quantity, say experts (Image: Canva)

For women juggling work deadlines, home responsibilities, endless messages and to-do lists, finding time for a full skincare routine often feels out of reach. But looking after your skin doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. In fact, a simpler routine is often more effective, and easier to stick to.

According to Nitin Jain, Founder & Director of La Pink, a minimal routine can be far more impactful when done consistently. It’s about using the right products in the right way. “Effective skincare means meeting your skin’s basic needs with fewer, smarter products. Cleansing, moisturising and protecting your skin can take less than 10 minutes a day. What matters most is consistency, not quantity,” he says.

Busy women often deal with shifting skin conditions due to stress, hormones, or pollution. Rather than following every new trend, choose what suits your skin. “Stick to gentle, barrier-supportive formulas. Your skin will respond better to consistency than to constant changes,” Jain recommends. Hence, a streamlined routine with multi-tasking products can make all the difference.

Also read | Beat the heat: Summer skincare tips for hot and humid weather

Time-saving beauty hacks: Pay attention to your skin’s signals. If it’s dry, moisturise. If it’s irritated, simplify. Don’t follow every trend, what works for someone else might not suit you (Image: Canva)

Here are tips, suggested by Jain, to simplify your skincare routine in a way that works:

• Cleanse with intention: Use a sulphate-free, non-stripping cleanser morning and night. It clears away dirt, oil and pollutants, leaving your skin fresh without feeling tight. “Your cleanser should never leave your skin feeling tight. That’s a sign it’s doing more harm than good,” says Jain.

• Moisturise and protect in one step: Choose a day cream that hydrates and includes SPF. It saves time while shielding your skin from UV damage, even indoors. A lightweight formula with SPF 30 or higher works well for daily use.

• Prioritise night recovery: Before bed, apply a nourishing cream or serum with ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide or peptides. These support skin repair overnight. “Even five minutes of a calming skincare routine before bed can make a difference,” says Jain.

• Keep a ‘skip-day’ backup: On hectic days, keep micellar water and a hydrating mist nearby for a quick cleanse and refresh. It’s better than skipping skincare completely.

• Focus on how your skin feels, not trends: Pay attention to your skin’s signals. If it’s dry, moisturise. If it’s irritated, simplify. Don’t follow every trend, what works for someone else might not suit you.