The more you learn about skincare, the more tempting it can be to add more steps to your routine. But, when it comes to mad-dash-out-the-door mornings, that lengthy process needs trimming down or speeding up. With skin streaming all the rage on TikTok, what better time to take the less is more approach? So, if you’re pushed for time, we’ve nailed down a 5-step morning beauty routine that serves you hydration, exfoliation, and protection – the perfect all-rounder. And the best part? It takes under 10 minutes.
Step 1: Always start with a cleanse
Your skin gets up to a lot overnight while you sleep, from regenerating cells to losing moisture. This is why your skin’s morning wakeup call should always be a cleanse to wipe the slate clean and rejuvenate (it’s like the skincare equivalent of brushing your teeth, you never skip it!).
No two cleansers are made the same, so make sure to adapt your cleanser to your skin needs. Leaning on the dry side? Try a rich, cleansing balm that’s formulated for hydration. Need to control oil? A foaming cleanser can help balance your shine.
Your fresh canvas is clean and ready to roll. Now follow up with a toner. Using it straight after your cleanse helps rebalance your skin’s PH levels to help prevent dryness, irritation, and blemishes.
React to your skin’s needs and choose between a hydrating toner or exfoliating toner. The former adds a splash of moisture while the latter sloughs away at dead skin cells to reveal brighter-looking skin.
If you’re *really* stretched for time, skip this step and reach straight for your moisturiser. But, if you’ve got a couple of spare minutes, using a targeted treatment will help you reach your glow goals.
Quickly applying a multi-tasking serum can help brighten, smooth, and nourish the skin. We love a formula featuring Vitamin C – to help awaken skin just like your zingy morning smoothie. You could even mix it with your moisturiser (step 4) to shave off precious seconds. Then, for those days when your eyes reveal how little sleep you might have had the night before, a few gentle dabs of firming or cooling eye cream can go a long way.
Lock in the hydration with your favourite moisturiser before heading out the door. Keep your skin protected from harmful UV (everyone’s skincare nemesis) and add a separate application of SPF if your moisturiser doesn’t already offer you some protection (always check the label!)
Keep a bottle of hydrating face mist in your car/at your door/at your desk to wrap up your morning routine with a final spritz. It’s like a skin pick-me-up in a bottle and way quicker than applying a sheet mask (you can save those for home!)
Are you looking for more skincare saviours?
Check out our Face & Body range online at The Perfume Shop
A Simple Morning Skincare Routine
The more you learn about skincare, the more tempting it can be to add more steps to your routine. But, when it comes to mad-dash-out-the-door mornings, that lengthy process needs trimming down or speeding up. With skin streaming all the rage on TikTok, what better time to take the less is more approach? So, if you’re pushed for time, we’ve nailed down a 5-step morning beauty routine that serves you hydration, exfoliation, and protection – the perfect all-rounder. And the best part? It takes under 10 minutes.
Step 1: Always start with a cleanse
Your skin gets up to a lot overnight while you sleep, from regenerating cells to losing moisture. This is why your skin’s morning wakeup call should always be a cleanse to wipe the slate clean and rejuvenate (it’s like the skincare equivalent of brushing your teeth, you never skip it!).
No two cleansers are made the same, so make sure to adapt your cleanser to your skin needs. Leaning on the dry side? Try a rich, cleansing balm that’s formulated for hydration. Need to control oil? A foaming cleanser can help balance your shine.
–
Nakin
Advanced Cleansing Milk
Cleanser
150ML – £14.02
Step 2: Time to tone
Your fresh canvas is clean and ready to roll. Now follow up with a toner. Using it straight after your cleanse helps rebalance your skin’s PH levels to help prevent dryness, irritation, and blemishes.
React to your skin’s needs and choose between a hydrating toner or exfoliating toner. The former adds a splash of moisture while the latter sloughs away at dead skin cells to reveal brighter-looking skin.
Nakin
Purifying Face Toner
Toner
150ML – £14.02
Dr. Oracle
21 Stay A-Thera Toner
Toner
120ML – £24.65
Step 3: Hard-working serums & eye creams
If you’re *really* stretched for time, skip this step and reach straight for your moisturiser. But, if you’ve got a couple of spare minutes, using a targeted treatment will help you reach your glow goals.
Quickly applying a multi-tasking serum can help brighten, smooth, and nourish the skin. We love a formula featuring Vitamin C – to help awaken skin just like your zingy morning smoothie. You could even mix it with your moisturiser (step 4) to shave off precious seconds. Then, for those days when your eyes reveal how little sleep you might have had the night before, a few gentle dabs of firming or cooling eye cream can go a long way.
Nakin
Performance Face Serum
UNKNOWN for her
50ML – £23.80
Step 4: Moisturiser + SPF
Lock in the hydration with your favourite moisturiser before heading out the door. Keep your skin protected from harmful UV (everyone’s skincare nemesis) and add a separate application of SPF if your moisturiser doesn’t already offer you some protection (always check the label!)
–
Indeed Labs
Vitamin C24
Moisturiser
30ML – £21.24
Elizabeth Arden
Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturizer
Moisturiser
50ML – £29.75
Step 5: A final mist
Keep a bottle of hydrating face mist in your car/at your door/at your desk to wrap up your morning routine with a final spritz. It’s like a skin pick-me-up in a bottle and way quicker than applying a sheet mask (you can save those for home!)
Are you looking for more skincare saviours?
Check out our Face & Body range online at The Perfume Shop
Read next
The complete guide to vegan skincare
Our definitive guide to beard grooming
How to improve your sleep hygiene