Not very long ago, I sat down with a few girls and we got round to talking about skincare – what else eh? 😀 As we chatted, I was asked what I did for my skin care and what I used. Now, having a new found love for skincare, I have been doing a lot of homework and messing around and I was quite happy to talk about what I’d learned and what I did.
So, happily I started by saying “Ok, let’s start with cleansing. On makeup days, I cleanse 3 times and I use… ” and I started explaining how I would go at it with a micellar water and then onto a cleansing balm… and I noticed that their eyes had glazed over. I could have said “…and I finish off by applying nightingale poop all over and sealing with whale blubber” and no one would have batted an eyelid at this point.
But when they woke up from their reverie, they exclaimed at how long the process took and how troublesome it was and wasn’t there an easier, quicker way? Couldn’t they just use an all in one product, wash their face in one step, apply one cream and go off to bed? It was just too tiring and too much work applying potions and lotions and oils and creams…
And I got to wondering. Do you consider your skin care a routine or a chore?
Do you try to find quicker ways to cleanse your face each day, hoping to be able to settle with just 1 product and be done with it? For some, the cleansing oil serves the best purpose for this. It removes makeup and cleanses your face in one go. For others, a cleansing wipe does an even better job – they don’t even have to touch a drop of water!
Do you prefer using just 1 face cream day and night, to suit most if not all your needs? I find that many girls who have good skin tend to go down this route. Because they have little to no problems with their skin, they fancy that a quick wash and cream will do the job. Anything longer than a cleanse and moisturise is a chore. It takes too long! I’m too tired! I want to sleep! I’m too lazy!
I personally enjoy my skincare routines, both morning and evening. In the mornings, it is shorter but I do still put on more products than many people I know. The evening routine is much longer. As I have said, my makeup removal and cleansing process alone takes 3 steps and I savour each and every one of them.
I don’t rush, and I take my time. I could be exhausted or I could have just returned home after midnight, my Cinderella ballgown turned to rags, my coach turned into a pumpkin, but I never stint on my skincare time. I go through my whole routine from start to finish, cleansing, massaging, oiling, mixing, matching my potions and lotions and creams as I go.
I’ve never found it a chore, personally. Skincare has always been a personal interest for me and realising just how well my skin responds to certain techniques, routines and combinations of products gives me that impetus to stick to the routine day or night, early or late. My whole routine including taking my shower (as part of my face cleansing happens in the shower) could take up to half an hour with just 10-15 minutes alone spent with my lotions, potions, oils and creams like a mad scientist 😀 For me, that isn’t very long at all but to some, that’s eternity!
I find the few minutes I spend with my skin care calming and relaxing and it helps put me in the right frame of mind, whether to start the day or to end it. It is my time and I never ever find that a chore.
However, I would be very interested to know what you think – be honest now! There’s no harm admitting you find using skincare a chore because I know many people do! 😀
Do you find putting on skin care a comfortable routine or a chore? Do you wish there was a quicker, easier way to better skin?
Be honest! You don’t have to feel intimidated that people might laugh because if you do find using skin care a chore, I’d love to know why 😀
Paris B
I used to have beautiful(oh this sounds so wrong now) skin back when I was in my early teens.My routine then consists of just 3 steps:wash-tone-moisturize,using products my mum didn’t want (It was Loreal by the way). Then when I hit 17, I had a serious allergic reaction that made my skin go ballistic ONLY on the RIGHT cheek.Apparently it was my not-so-healthy lungs that made my skin cry for help.Since then I had tried and throw away many useless so called acne-fighting products and only until recently,I have sorta understand what my skin wants and have tried to maintain my skincare routine which includes–wait I have to count–7 steps in the morning and 9/10 steps in the evening. Paris I do agree with you that it is FUN applying skincare that my skins like and it is not a chore(yes if I am dead tired in the evening). The time used to nurture my skin with skincare is actually time to relax myself.Just massage and let our skin let go of the tension accumulated in the day. But no matter how tired I am,I do not skip my skincare rountine 🙂 It is a habit now LOL.
Oh Qing, I’m so sorry to hear of what happened to your skin 🙁 When I was a kid, I had beautiful skin too and then puberty struck and it was all downhill from there 🙁 I’m glad you didn’t just give up but took the time to care for and continue to care for your skin because I’ve learned that it’ll reward us by looking so much healthier and better.
It totally depends for me. I work 12 hour shifts with an hour commute one way, so I am exhausted by the time I get home. On days I work I’m lucky if I take my makeup off. But on days I don’t work I usually stick to my (simple) routine. I can’t do complex skincare routines. 1. my skin is too sensitive for that and 2. ain’t nobody got time for that!
Oh man, if I had the hours you do, Brianna, I’d be dead on my feet too! Still, it’s good on ya for at least keeping to some form of skincare routine. Few products or more, it doesn’t matter so long as there is some sort of routine in there 🙂
Honestly, I dont feel it is a chore at all. In fact, I feel good to be able to nourish my face by giving it some love. But one thing for sure, I prefer using one cream for day and night instead of separates because I just dont see the difference on my skin. Anyway, I must say makeup is a chore for me as I had to use it everyday and do it carefully or else I would look funny. Hehe
Li Yeun, I notice that night cream is more heavy (or thicker). Some night cream has cell repair function that works when you sleep. And day cream these days contain SPF15… unless you don’t mind wearing a very mild sunscreen to sleep… hehe
I used one cream for both day and night when I had just given birth. Those first 3 months you just can’t be bothered with anything else… you know… 🙂 And skin care was just cleanse and moisturise. 2 steps. Again, in those hectic first months, no makeup (because the time I have, I just wanted to sleep) so skip cleansing oil etc altogether. :p
Yup Ting, I totally understand your predicament as a mommy who could not care less on how they look, especially when they have newborns. In Malaysia, we still have many day cream without SPF, which I think is a good idea. I don’t really like my day creams to have the added sunscreen as I have tried a few and did not quite like the texture. yes, I agree with you that some night creams have either repairing/restoring function in them, but it makes no difference on my skin, honestly. A good serum is what that makes a whole lot of difference on my skin. I prefer using oils at night, though.
Hahahaha Li Yeun, I don’t really pay attention if my day cream contains SPF or not. Because I would always use a different sunscreen on top anyway. Yes I use oil at night too. 😉
hehe…. ting, wat do are you currently using for your day cream and oil at night? tell me tell me!
Hello Li Yeun, I am using Korres chestnut day cream (I don’t remember the exact name). Actually, I ordered it for myself but when it arrived, I realised it is meant for men so I sort of share it with my husband. Then I get tired of the typically men cream smell, so I bought No. 7 Lift & Luminate from Boots. It’s on promotion. I think it has SPF15? I didn’t know until now that I can keep the receipt, and if there’s any skin allergies using No. 7 creams I can take them back to Boots. There’s no expiry date of return. Woohoo! 😀
For oil, I am very diligent in using up Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I got a large bottle and it’s taking very long to finish. After this, I plan to get the ANRII. 🙂 Or any of the dry face oils which Sunny recommended in Paris’ earlier post. Can you recommend your face oil to me? 🙂
I don’t think there’s anything wrong using one cream for both day and night, to be honest. Not all of us feel the need to and seriously, it’s more affordable keeping one cream for everything haha! With makeup, I used to think it a chore until I worked out that good skin meant I had to use less makeup! Win all around 😀
Definitely a routine, something which I enjoy. I take my time especially at night before bed. You know, patting, massaging… It’s like a ritual. If I missed it, it’d feel like something’s missing and I won’t be able to sleep. LOL!
Perhaps all those pampering help you sleep better! 😀
I’m the same haha! If I’m really tired, I cut out a step or two but since I have so many it’s probably ok, I’ll make it up another time 😀
A chore? Never! It has never crossed my mind as a chore at all. I love going through my skincare routine. It’s like a little spa time. Even when there are a gazzillion products to put on, I’d go through it with a smile. 🙂 Well, unless I’m trying to finish a product just for the sake of using it up. Then that’s no fun. Haha. 😛
Maybe that’s part of the reason why I’m very particular about how my skincare smell like. They have to be relaxing. There’s this one serum from Clarins that smells really really strong and heady. Tried it once and got rid of it. Thank god it’s a sample. 😉
Hmm I’m not sure if I’m smiling all the way, but I treat my routines, as especially the night routines as a mini spa/facial session too. I can usually handle most scents but I tried a sample of a Perricone cream once that smelled of fish. Not even I could handle that 😛
LOL. Me too! I thought I was the only one that think the Perricone creams smelled like fish. 😀 Can’t even get myself to finish half the bottle. And they are expensive too.
Most of the time, especially in the evenings, I enjoy it. I like to take my time, put some music on, get the lights down low and slowly do my thing. But I have to admit that when I’m bone tired or worse, when I’m ill, it’s a chore. You’d think that when ill, I’ll just skip a step or two and just head to bed but I can’t. A routine is called that for a reason. I don’t feel right skipping anything.
Other than that, most of the time, it’s something I look forward to in the evenings.
Wah you really do have a routine! Music and all 😀 When I’m sick or too tired, I do skip a step or two. I think that’s fine so long as I have the basics on. Then, I make up for it the next day. But it’s usually quite rare. The one that takes the longest time now is the cleansing balm in the shower!
Nope! I don’t find it a chore, its quite therapeutic to me at the end of the day. But I do try keep it as simple as possible..
My nightly routine consists of using Nivea cleansing lotion/milk to remove my make-up, then washing face with facial cleanser. For skincare I use an essence and moisturiser from Belif or Etude House’s Moistfull range. I use masks 2,3x a week. 🙂
I’m blessed with pretty good, non-problematic skin that doesn’t get tight/dry in the morning so I don’t find the need for a day skincare routine.
Hi Dawn, you are indeed blessed to have good skin! 🙂 Actually I don’t think a short or simple routine is bad, it’s what we are comfortable with using for our skins and there’s never a right or wrong way about it! Sounds like you have your routine down pat and the upside is that a simple routine is always easier to stick to 😉
Skincare is a necessity!! But not to the extent that i die die must adhere to 3 masks a week, 2 clay masks etc. I am a wash, moisture and sunblock mummy. If I can sneak in a mask in 1 week, its great sense of achievement. Lol.
Hahaha! I don’t do masks every week either! Sometimes I forget but I’ve been trying to use up my stash of sheet masks so I’ve been doing one at least on Sunday evenings. It helps relax me and prep me for the week ahead. Can imagine it must be hard enough looking after little ones, much less pampering your skin!
i definitely am lazy so i never have too many steps. usually makeup remover + cleanser or exfoliant. then serum/oil and/or moisturizer! that’s it. I mean, sometimes i might do a mask, or put on eye cream, or put on extra sunscreen but thats it!
Hey at least with a simple routine it’s easy to stick to it, which is most important 🙂 I don’t think it’s necessary to have multiple steps in skincare but for some of us, perhaps we find it more efficient. I just don’t think it necessary so long as whatever you’re doing works. The people I was talking to didn’t even enjoy putting on skincare, finding it a chore! I thought that a pity because it’s so much fun treating the skin right? 🙂
I believe there is no easy way out. One can skip a step or two once in a blue moon because of too tired, too sleepy etc because there won’t be much difference in a day. As we have already discussed, good skin not only depends on the products one use, but also on one’s lifestyle & diet. It’s like a life time commitment if you want to have good skin. Sure, one can always seek surgery, but I wonder, will the skin come back to original state before surgery is done if one continues to have lousy diet, sleep little etc?
Since becoming “hardworking” about the routine, I noticed that i have less problems especially when my dai-yee-ma visited. My skin is also brighter whereas before it was ok, but looked a bit dull.
In the mornings, while waiting for some products to absorb (like serum & moisturiser), I get dressed, come back to moisturise, dressed some more, and finish with sunscreen. Then I’m out of the house. 😀 It has already become an automatic, more like instinct now. So I guess… it’s not a chore but it’s hard-wired into my life now. HAHA
By the way, Paris, the picture of a lady above looked like she has nose pore strip on… hehe
That I think she does! HAHA!
You are absolutely right, Ting. For anything to work, it has to be hard work and that’s true for everything. I have found that having a set routine for my skincare has definitely reaped benefits because I had a lot of problems before this and I also didn’t realise how some products weren’t helping my skin. Now, I’m a lot more observant. But it’s people who absolutely hate the idea of using any skincare that boggles me. A simple routine is better than no routine at all because at some point, our skin will “reward” us if we don’t take care of it and by then, it’d be too late.
It’s definitely a routine for me! On days where I feel tired and lazy I will skip my toner and serum. That’s the max I can go. The standard 3 steps procedure is a must for me! 🙂
I do enjoy putting the products on my skin. Because I like when I see my skin look good the next morning.
Haha if I’m really tired then I may skip a serum but ever since I restarted using a toner/lotion, I’ve not skipped that. That said, I do that just once in a blue moon and only if I’m extremely exhausted because I know all too well how easy it is to slip off the bandwagon! 😀 And you’re right, Cynthia. When we take care of our skin, it really does show 🙂
I love skincare, so for me I don’t care how long it takes to take care of my skin. I love seeing when products finally make a difference! That’s the reward for all the time spent haha!
Well said, Tracy! Our reward is the good skin we hope to see! I think sometimes, that the young ones who are blessed with good skin probably don’t see the need because they naturally have good skin. But it’s when we age, that’s when the problems arise! So better to take care from the beginning 🙂
Skincare is a routine for me and I never saw it as a chore no matter how many products I put on my face. Just like you, I have been concentrating on skincare these days instead of makeup. My rationale is if my skin looks good, the less makeup I need. LOL. I have been trying many different products this year compared with last year due to the knowledge gain from beauty blogs. I can already identify several products that would become my staple for years to come unless I find something better.
Unfortunately, I am still lazy at applying foundation and usually go to work with a good sunscreen as my base, meteorites all over my face, a good brow pencil to define the brows, blush and lipstick. Might change my routine next year by adding foundation but that means I need to wake up earlier. Hahaha.
That’s my rationale too, Victoria! I have damaged skin but I’m now comfortable enough to go out in bare skin (well actually I’d been doing so for a long time but lately it doesn’t get so blotchy or so uneven so often) or at least with the minimum of makeup, of just concealer and powder. Reading skincare blogs have most certainly helped my skin a lot and there is so much information out there! I think you don’t even need foundation, based on what I saw when I met you! 😀
Since I am seeing a doctor, I don’t have that much to do. The doctor helps me treat my skin from the inside rather than out. All I have to do is cleanse my face morning and night, put on an acne cream every night before bed and take my antibiotics every day. I don’t feel like it’s a chore anymore now because everything else that I do, moisturizing and stuff like that, I do it more naturally by drinking more water etc. I do still have a problem with scars and hyperpigmentation rather than acne (because honestly I don’t get them anymore unless it’s that time of the month) which I hope I can resolve with my doctor very soon.
Oh yes, with a medical routine, it’s important to stick to everything the doc advises. I often wish I was as fortunate to know about doctors and dermatologists when I was suffering from acne, instead of letting it practically destroy my skin but I suppose caring for my skin now is better than not caring at all 🙂 Good job taking care of your skin from an early age.
I don’t really think about it – my nighttime skincare routine is just part of getting ready for bed, like brushing and flossing my teeth. I don’t have very nice skin though, so it’s definitely necessary.
That’s a good analogy! As we brush and floss, so we should treat our skincare the same way. From what I’ve been reading and hearing, it appears that those of us without good skin tend to take a little more care than those with good skin. It might be because those who already have good skin feel a little more infallible? 🙂
I love going through my skincare routine, it’s so relaxing and soothing, it feels amazing to wipe the day off your face! Like you I also have a passion for skincare.
It does doesn’t it, Kassie? I love that process of removing my makeup and cleansing my skin. It always feels so amazing after that! I hope to focus a little more on skincare in time to come. There’s so much to learn!
I believe beauty takes time to maintain, only lazy women will get bad skin in the end. hehe!! i’m the hardworking one!
Good on you Wynnce! Haven’t “seen” you in a while – hope all’s been good with you 😀
Hey! I’m ‘appearing’ in your Hydraluron review post la~~I believe it shouldn’t be too long time ago. hahaha~ I’m doing fine here, will only comment on post that I’ve some thoughts/opinion in it (don’t want to create junk replies to you).
Oops! Sorry! This aunty wasn’t paying attention LOL! 😀
It really depends on how tired or stressed out I am during the evening. Sometimes it’s a chore but for the most part, it’s a routine. But I have tried to minimize the number of steps in my routine and am pretty much down to lotion/toner, serum, eye cream and moisturizer for night. During the day, I skip the serum and eye cream and add sunscreen instead.
I do need to pamper my skin and self more. This reminds me that I should slap on a mask over the weekend. I’ve been neglecting masking for a really, really long time.
Whatever works, Lyn! I don’t think it’s in the amount of product we use. Some of us use more, some less but in the mindset because I was actually told that some people don’t even want that basic 3 step! They just cleanse and then moisturise and go to sleep or even feel too lazy to remove makeup before sleep. The look of horror on my face was priceless LOL They had youth and good skin on their side but for how long eh?
Hello Paris~ An interesting post, indeed. A routine! For me it is a routine. To be honest… I look forward to my skincare routine in the morning and at night. It is because I know for a fact that if I take care of my skin well, my skin will improve 🙂 Used to have bad acne when I was younger. I looong for good skin 😀 I am thankful that my skin has been improving these few years 🙂
Hi Rin, it looks like many of us don’t consider our skincare a chore even if we sometimes skip a step or two if we’re tired! Also, I noticed that those of us who have or had bad skin tend to take a little more care, like me. I guess we see the benefits of taking care of our skin while those who already have good skin can afford to be a little more lax.
Personally I find it more of a routine as I am used to it. Only thing is I am very lazy with masks. I have more dry skin now, and with age, it’s even more important to make sure the skin is always hydrated and protected with sunscreen.
The difference shows up when I apply makeup: with better hydrated skin, applying makeup is a breeze and everything can be done with light touches. At last count, I have 7 steps in my routine now, but usually it can be completed in 10 mins 🙂 And removing makeup is really a must at the end of each day, otherwise no amount of skincare is going to help!
Hi Tracy, I’m pretty lazy with masks too LOL So for me, sheet masks are a real boon! I have been trying to use up my stash so I do a mask twice a week if I have the time, or at least once a week on a Sunday to prepare for the week ahead. You’re absolutely right. I see the difference almost right away! Skin just looks so much better when it’s well hydrated right? It’s my personal philosophy now – dry skin is no joke >.<