I’ve got a quick skincare tip for you today, which is one that forms the central part of my lazy day skincare routine. Oh yes, I get those, and as diligent as I am with my skincare, there are days when I just want to vege out. You know those days? When even spritzing on a facial mist seems like too much effort.
Yet, you don’t feel right not putting on your evening face – the layers of lotions and potions. Some days I power through the malaise. Other days, I cheat 😉
Well, I’ll share with you what I do in this instance. You only need 2 ingredients (faster than baking a cake!).
Just 2 skincare products for an intensive lazy night routine
What you need is just 2 things which, I’m sure you already own, or if you don’t, then perhaps it might be something you want to consider owning:-
- A facial mist – a floral water spray will do, or a spray essence thingy if that grabs your fancy
- A facial oil
I do this after cleansing (as lazy as I am, that’s not something I’ll skimp on, because I wash my face in the shower anyway, so it comes naturally).
A treatment mask with facial oils for lazy skincare days
- Mist your skin liberally with your facial mist – get it wet, ideally. It helps the oils absorb better into the skin, and is helpful if you don’t like the feeling of oil on your skin. I prefer floral water mists as opposed to an aerosol can mist as I don’t want such a fine spray. I prefer wetter skin with this technique.
- Take 4-5 drops of your favourite facial oil – Be generous but don’t overdo it. I usually use 2-3 drops depending on the texture of the oil for regular application. So, I up it by another 2-3 drops. If you regularly use 1-2 drops, then 3-4 drops might feel sufficient for you
- Warm up the oil between your palms, apply and massage into damp skin – Really work it in. It will feel oilier because you are using more product. But working it into wet/damp skin means you will notice it feeling less oily as it blends with the water, and it will absorb into the skin. You will have a layer of oil on your skin that will slowly be absorbed in a few hours. But it won’t drip (if it does, you’ve used too much or not massaged it enough) and unless you are the squeamish sort, it isn’t uncomfortable.
- Go to sleep and wake up with hydrated, glowing skin!
I use any of my facial oils with what I call my “oil mask technique”, with the exception of a treatment oil like the Sunday Riley Luna oil or its ilk.
Types of facial oils suitable for the oil-mask technique
My favourite oils for this oil mask technique are the La Mer Renewal Oil (this is lighter in texture so I use about 6-7 drops), Pai Bioregenerate Rosehip Oil, Skin Creamery Facial Hydrating Oil, and the REN Rose O12 Moisture Defence Oil. Basically, I prefer the heavier, thicker oils for this purpose.
I rarely use lighter oils for this oil mask technique; lighter oils like the Caudalie Premier Cru The Elixir Oil, Caudalie Overnight Recovery Oil and The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil. I I find that because the texture is lighter, it absorbs a little too quickly for me, and doesn’t deliver the moisture I need. These oils work better for me as a “serum” under a moisturiser, instead of used on its own.
That said, use whichever oil makes you comfortable. I discovered this technique while using the Pai Rosehip oil and I love the results I get with it. Whenever my skin feels tired or I’ve had a late night, I do this oil mask technique with the Pai Rosehip Oil and I wake up with skin that belies how I feel. I could feel like last night’s dog’s dinner, but my skin tells people I’ve just had 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. It’s almost magical! I also do this with the May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon, to soothe irritated skin.
RELATED READING: Why is the Pai Rosehip oil a staple in my skincare wardrobe? READ HERE
Is it a thing? I don’t know. I haven’t come across it, but it works a treat for me, and perhaps, if you too get bitten by the occasional lazy bug, you might appreciate this trick too.
It gives my skin the hydration and moisture it needs, and it treats, in one simple step. Oh and it doesn’t mess up my pillow cases – the trick is to apply enough to have a thicker layer, massage it into damp skin, but not have it drip. If you sleep on your face, then I have nothing to say except don’t? 😛 Sleeping on your back is proven to be better for your skin – so flip 😛
Basically, just think of it as a sleeping mask – but better. WAAAAY better! 😀
Have you tried doing something similar with your facial oils? Do you use facial oils?
This is also a good way to use up your facial oils before it goes bad as oils do. I realised I’ve been using many different facial oils for quite a while now. Perhaps I should do a round up of the ones I like? 🙂 Is this trick new to you or have you been doing it already?
Paris B
Hahahah. Thanks to talking to you, you reminded me I can do that.
Actually, given how much I love multi-masking (heh, see what I did there? Heh) I use the ANR capsule as the first layer of oil. I then layer on a thick layer of SKII Facial Treatment Oil followed by my regular moisturiser – Olay Regenerist. Before I floss and do my teeth for the night, I slap on a layer of sleeping mask.
I know it still seems like quite a few steps to a lazy night but when broken into 2 parts – oils and mask later on, I cheat my brain by saying yea, you’re not doing much really so get a move on it 😛
Wah ok that’s a lot of masking and oil! 😀 But in your weather, I think that works well. Usually if I use an oil as a mask, I skip the moisturiser or sleeping mask coz it feels like too much. And really, it only takes a few seconds to slap it on – we can all spare those few seconds!
“Really work it in” – true lazy means just slapping it on and expecting it to work anyway. LOL!
Just kidding 😉
Good tip with the oil mask. It’s also a great tip for travel since the oil could be swapped in for almost everything – overnight mask, on the plane, serum or moisturizer. Think of the space you’ll save!
LOL! Well, you can try – don’t use too much oil then no need to work it in 😉 And you are right about the travel bit – might work extremely well in long plane rides, and far better than a sheet mask methinks!
Sounds interesting. I’ll have to try it out and see.
I do hope you’ll like it! It’s my weekly or twice weekly lazy day treat haha!
oh yes. This is my go to methods whenever I have had a Long day/late nights. But definitely not something that I can do too often for my finicky skin though. Once a week is fine but more than that, it’ll break me out. But strangely, whenever I use oil as a serum, I don’t breakout. And I did this using both Argan oil & rose hip oil.
I have just started using Barbarry Fig oil but yet to do the “mask” thingy with it.
Will try & see what happens hehe.
I think it’s because if you’re working with oils that are highly efficient or active, then putting on too much might send your skin into a bit of “shock” LOL! So, that might be why your skin breaks out. I do like oil as a serum – works so well right?
This may sound silly, but how do you know when the oil turns bad?
Not silly at all! It just smells rancid and off. Your nose will usually be able to tell you.
Thanks Paris! Love trying all your beauty tips.
No problem, I do hope it works for you – don’t be overzealous and use this technique everyday in case you develop clogged pores 🙂
What bout kiehls midnight recovery oil? Does it suit this?
You can try, Mimi, but I’d personally find the Kiehl’s MRC a little too light an oil for this purpose. But work within your comfort zone!
I have milia seeds under my eyes, afraid of putting oily stuff there for now.
Good call, but you could do this for the rest of your face? 🙂