Top 5 skincare products for the busy girl

Being back at school is probably the most acceptable time to be lazy when it comes to taking care of your skin…but it totally shouldn’t be. There are millions of skin care products out there, but which ones do we really need to apply every day? When I was in high school, my skin care routine would be so extensive that I was using wrinkle prevention cream at the age of sixteen. As my schedule got busier as a college student, I cut down on products. When packing for my sophomore year at Kent State, I probably took half of my skincare products that I thought I needed.

Now, let’s focus on the basics. Always, no matter what, always always always remove your makeup at night. I’m sure you’ve heard this plenty of times, but just think about it. Sleep is the time your body rejuvenates itself, and if you have a load of foundation, powder, bronzer, blush, and highlight on your skin, it can just lead to breakouts and change the texture of your skin. My top choice for any skincare product would be a good cleanser. I love the feeling of going to bed knowing my skin is clean and all the impurities have been washed away. I know what you’re thinking, okay she is already onto her second step, but no! When a lazy day strikes, I reach for my facial cleanser and makeup remover in one. The product I use and would recommend is the Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing and Makeup Remover. It’s great for all skin types and its good for sensitive skin. I lightly sweep this across my face, eyes and lips for 30 seconds and all my makeup is off and my skin feels squeaky clean. It’s also an affordable drugstore brand, ladies! When I’ve had the busiest of all days, I always do this to wrap up my night – no matter what.

I’m the kind of person who has to wash their face day and night, but some girls can totally get away with not doing that. Although some skin types are different than others, I would recommend using micellers water for a quick, easy clean. miceller water removes all impurities on the skins surface, and it is a lot faster than manually washing your face. Bioderma’s classic micellar water is a great buy and Garnier makes a very similar product at a drugstore price.

Let’s talk about morning routines. After you give your skin a good cleanse, you only dream to have enough time in the morning for moisturizer, serum, eye cream and eventually leading into your makeup prep with primer, but you have to be out of the door in 15 minutes. Take a couple seconds out of your day to moisturize…and prime, or both! My go-to move after my skin is clean is to apply a moisturizer and primer in one. You’d be amazed at how much faster you could be with your routine if you just did this simple step. I’ve always been a fan of Smashbox primers, and when they recently released a moisturizer and primer duo product, you know I snatched that up. The Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer is my top dog right now.  Although it is a little pricey, think of it as you’re getting two products for the price of one.

Let’s jump to my favorite topic when it comes to the face…makeup! I love my sleep and treasure it especially in college, but I also like looking presentable during my classes. Yeah, it’s fun to do the whole primer, foundation, concealer, powder, baking, contour, ugh. you get the point, but on early morning class days, I need a fast routine with limited products. I would highly recommend getting a full coverage pressed powder to use in place of your foundation. If you have an oily/ combination skin type, your skin will love you for this, too. It saves so much time because you literally sweep on the product, and your skin looks flawless all day. The powder I would recommend is the It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation.

Lastly, let’s talk about a sometimes overlooked topic, the lips! I don’t know about you, but I feel very polished and put together when I’m wearing something on my lips, whether its lipstick, lip liner, or a liquid lipstick, etc. I always used to wear lip balm in high school, but I like added color. Instead of the lip balm, liner, lipstick, gloss routine, go for a tinted lip balm. Again, this is an all-in-one product that is easy. Burts Bee’s has affordable lip balms and lip shimmers that come in many different shades. If you go to your local drugstore or Ulta or Sephora, you’ll see products like these all over. I like using these products because they’re quick, easy, and I can always throw it in my bag if I need a discreet touch up.

Ultimately, we’re all going to have those days where we roll out of bed and just hope for the best. I hope these products give you ideas about how to save time in the morning and get those extra 5 minutes of sleep. Let’s be honest, beauty sleep is the best beauty routine there is.