The Perfect 10 (Minute Skincare Routine)
We all want flawless skin. However, some of us believe we don’t have the time to dedicate to a proper skincare routine. Instead, we may rely on using an abundance of makeup to cover up problem areas. Of course, this is just a “band-aid” that doesn’t address underlying skin concerns.
Sometimes, hearing about long and complicated 10-step skincare routines can be intimidating, but you don’t need to dedicate yourself to such a thorough routine to get good results.
Not only do you NOT have to use 10 steps and as many products to achieve the best skin of your life, you can find skin success by keeping your routine simple. It can even be argued that a simple skincare routine can go further than a complicated one (if your skin is sensitive, for example, simpler is always better).
The good news is that achieving beautiful skin doesn’t have to take forever. As a matter of fact, it can take only minutes—ten to be exact. Five minutes at night and five minutes in the morning is all the time you need. So, get your stopwatch ready and be prepared to marvel at your skin, because we’re about to tell you how you can have the perfect skincare routine in just 10 minutes a day.
Ready, set, go!
Cleanse and Exfoliate: 1 minute
Start your routine off by cleansing and exfoliating your skin. There are many cleansers available that actually both cleanse and exfoliate, thus eliminating an entire step. For acne prone skin, use the Clear Cell salicylic gel cleanser to wash away excess oil and gently exfoliate dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is a common ingredient for decreasing the appearance of acne. It’s a beta hydroxy acid that works by increasing cell turnover to help unclog pores.[1]
For dull and aging skin, you’ll want to use the Ageless total facial cleanser that uses glycolic acid to exfoliate, along with pH balancing elements to tone. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate, but has the added benefit of helping to boost the appearance of collagen-deprived skin.[2] This is why it’s so helpful for aging, mature skin.
Remember to wet face with lukewarm water, then apply the cleanser onto your skin and massage into skin using circular motions. Apply the exfoliating cleanser for a full minute before rinsing off and patting your skin dry.
Treat: 3 minutes
Next, you will apply a treatment(s) specific to your skin concern and allow time for the product to penetrate the skin before proceeding. For acne-prone skin, you can use the Clear Cell salicylic clarifying tonic, a skin clarifier designed to remove excess oil and target bacteria, while using natural elements to reduce the appearance of redness and irritation. Once again, this product relies on salicylic acid as a key ingredient.
For aging or sun-damaged skin, use the Ageless total anti-aging serum with vectorize-technology to smooth out the appearance of fine lines while illuminating the skin. This serum addresses multiple skin concerns, including the look of uneven skin tone, dryness, and lack of firmness. Regular use can make a big difference in those with mature skin. You can also try the Ageless total pure hyaluronic filler, which will help plump up the appearance of skin to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Just remember, IMAGE products are designed to work together, so don’t be afraid to use more than one treatment.
Moisturize and protect: 1 minute
Whether you are off to work, or getting ready to hit the sheets, you’ll want to make sure your face is moisturized. Even if you have oily skin, moisturization is important to keep skin hydrated and looking youthful. SPF is also just as important, if not more so, because sun exposure can be damaging (it can not only cause skin cancer, but it also accelerates visible skin aging).
In the morning, follow cleansing and treatment steps, with the Prevention + daily matte moisturizer SPF 32 to moisturize and protect your skin. It also works as an excellent primer before makeup application to keep skin looking smooth.
At night, use the Ageless total repair crème, which exfoliates and revitalizes while you sleep. Be sure to fully massage in the moisturizer so it penetrates deeply into skin.
Get into the habit of following the above steps each day — both once in the morning and once in the evening (10 minutes total) — for a solid and effective simple skincare routine. Consistency is key, so don’t put off or neglect your daily routine. With persistence, you can achieve the best skin of your life in just a few short weeks.
[1] https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(12)01331-X/fulltext
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9793513/
