Why the ‘lazy girl’ skincare routine can do wonders with less effort: a minimal routine can lead to better results than you imagine if you just stick to these 5 simple steps

Oct 11 , 2023

Sometimes, less is more when it comes to skincare. Photo: Shutterstock

Health and beauty reporter Julia Pugachevsky has tried most beauty products thanks to her line of work, but recently discovered it was the simplest routine of all that got the best results

Going minimal doesn’t mean you’ll sacrifice clearer skin; in fact, it might even make your complexion smoother over time if you stick to cleansing, moisturising and sunscreen

When it comes to mainstream beauty trends, I’ve always been a “lazy girl”. I didn’t have the patience to straighten my hair in senior school, I still don’t know how to do a smoky eye, and for most of my life, I had no skincare regimen.

What seemed to come naturally to other people – watching YouTube tutorials, researching products, spending more than five minutes on their face – felt overwhelming to me. When 12-step skincare routines were popular a few years back, I saw it as confirmation that I was just inept at doing the thing every other woman does without thinking and doomed to have dry, acne-prone skin forever.

Skincare routines don’t all have to be overly complicated. Photo: Shutterstock

Since then, I’ve learned I’m not the only one: Plenty of people are opting for more minimalist skin trends, either due to sensitive skin or just the fact that 12 steps are about six too many to reasonably remember every single day.

Eventually, through trial and error (and talking to many dermatologists), I was able to find a simple skincare routine that I could stick to without fail. Because I’m consistent, the products actually work – and have led to the smoothest, clearest skin I’ve ever had.

I go through three quick steps every morning and night

Face washes are essential. Photo: Shutterstock

I follow the best basic skincare routine according to dermatologists, in which I use a few core products and complete almost the same steps every day and night. Some of my products are multifunctional, like my favourite sunscreen which combines skin-protecting SPF with moisturising niacinamide. Here’s my daily routine:

Morning routine

This writer does a handful of simple things every day. Photo: Handout

I start by cleansing my face with The Rice Wash from Tatcha, which also hydrates. Next, I apply the Matter of Fact vitamin C serum, which has a cult following and is one of the most shelf-stable vitamin C sera out there. Finally, I put on the EltaMD UV Clear sunscreen, which doesn’t leave a white cast or make my skin greasy.