Okay, let’s talk about something I’ve been thinking about.
How many times have you found yourself standing at the bathroom sink at 11:00 at night, frantically scrubbing off your makeup while scrolling through your phone, already thinking about everything you have to do tomorrow?
Yep. Me too.
You finally get a few minutes to yourself and somehow you’re still trying to multitask.
Checking Facebook.
Answering a text.
Thinking about tomorrow.
Wondering if you remembered to move the laundry.
And meanwhile, you’re standing there with cleanser on your face thinking…
“Can I just have five minutes where nobody needs anything from me?”
Honestly? Yes. Yes, you can.
And maybe that’s one of the reasons I’ve started looking at my skincare routine a little differently.
What if skincare wasn’t just about your skin?
We’ve already talked about how I don’t think you need 47 products sitting on your bathroom counter.
I’m all about keeping things simple.
But I also think there’s another part of skincare that we don’t talk about enough.
The few minutes you spend taking care of yourself can actually be about more than your skin.
It can be a pause.
A reset.
A few minutes where you stop doing for everyone else and actually do something for yourself.
And if we’re being honest… Who doesn’t need that reminder sometimes?
Because it’s really easy to spend an entire day taking care of business, work, family, errands, appointments, messages and everybody else’s needs.
Then suddenly it’s nighttime and you realize you haven’t done one thing just for yourself.
So maybe that little bottle of cleanser on your counter isn’t just cleanser.
Maybe it’s your excuse to slow down for five minutes.
Stress and Your Skin Are More Connected Than You Might Think
Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything seems to happen at once?
You’re stressed.
You’re tired.
You’re running on coffee and determination.
And then you look in the mirror and your skin is basically saying,
“Oh, we’re having THAT kind of week?”
Your skin can be affected by stress, sleep, hormones and all the other things going on in our lives.
When we’re under stress, our bodies release hormones such as cortisol, and ongoing stress can affect things like inflammation and oil production.
I’m not saying washing your face for five minutes is going to magically make all your problems disappear.
Wouldn’t that be nice, though?
Just picture it with me:
Cleanse → moisturize → suddenly your inbox is empty.
I’m still waiting for that product. And also the magical cleaning and laundry fairy.
But taking a few minutes to slow down and care for yourself can be a really positive part of your overall self-care routine.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
Turn Your Routine Into Something You Actually Enjoy
Remember in my last article when I said skincare shouldn’t feel like a part-time job you didn’t apply for?
Same rule applies here.
You don’t need a fancy bathroom.
You don’t need an expensive spa membership.
And you definitely don’t need a 10-step skincare routine.
You just need to change your mindset a little.
1. Put the Phone Down
I know, I know I just suggested something outrageous.
But hear me out.
For five or ten minutes, put the phone down.
No scrolling.
No checking messages.
No seeing what everybody else is doing.
Just you!
You’d be amazed how different those few minutes can feel when you’re not trying to do three other things at the same time.
And if you absolutely cannot resist checking Facebook…
Well, I’m not judging of course.
I’m just saying give yourself a break once in a while.
2. Slow Down
This is probably the biggest one.
Don’t rush through your routine like you’re trying to win a race.
Actually feel what you’re doing.
Notice the warm water.
Take a breath.
Enjoy the feeling of your moisturizer.
Give yourself permission to be present for a few minutes.
You don’t have to solve tomorrow’s problems tonight.
Tomorrow will still be there in the morning.
Unfortunately.
Trust me, I’ve checked, more than once!
3. Make It Feel Like YOUR Time
This is where you can have a little fun.
Maybe you turn on some music.
Maybe you use a candle.
Maybe you put on your favorite pajamas.
Maybe you have a favorite moisturizer that makes your routine feel a little more special.
Maybe you give yourself a gentle facial massage.
There isn’t a right way to do this.
The point isn’t to create some picture-perfect nighttime routine that belongs on Instagram.
The point is to create a few minutes that feel good to you.
And Let’s Talk About Facial Massage
If you enjoy facial tools like a roller or simply using your fingertips to gently massage your face while applying your products, go for it.
I love anything that makes my skincare routine feel a little more relaxing.
I’m trying to work on my consistency with gua sha.
Whatever you do, just keep it gentle.
Your face doesn’t need to be attacked like you’re trying to knead bread.
We’re relaxing here. Not cooking for once!
A gentle massage can be another way to slow down and pay attention to what you’re doing.
And honestly, sometimes that’s the whole point.
Maybe Self-Care Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated Either
I think we have a tendency to make self-care into another thing we have to be good at.
We see the perfect morning routines.
The perfect nighttime routines.
The perfectly organized bathroom.
The matching pajamas.
The candles.
The green juice.
And suddenly we’re thinking,
“Well, apparently I’m doing self-care wrong, too.”
Nope. I’m not buying that ocean front property.
Self-care doesn’t have to be perfect.
It doesn’t have to be expensive.
And it doesn’t have to take an hour.
Sometimes it’s five quiet minutes at the bathroom sink.
Sometimes it’s going to bed a little earlier.
Sometimes it’s saying no.
Sometimes it’s taking a walk.
Sometimes it’s putting your phone down.
And sometimes it’s washing your face and putting on your favorite moisturizer while reminding yourself that you matter, too.
So Tonight, Try Something Different
Tonight, when you get to the bathroom sink, don’t automatically rush through your routine.
Put your phone down.
Take a breath.
Slow down.
Enjoy it.
Let those few minutes belong to you.
You don’t have to accomplish anything.
You don’t have to be productive.
You don’t have to check anything off your list.
Just take care of yourself.
Because your skincare routine doesn’t have to be another chore.
It can be your little pause in the middle of a busy life.
And honestly?
I think we could all use a little more of that.
Now I Want to Know About You
What’s your nighttime skincare routine look like?
Are you a five-minute-and-done kind of girl?
Or do you love taking your time and turning your bathroom into a mini spa?
And do you have a product that makes you feel like you’ve officially entered “okay, I’m relaxing now” mode?
Tell me in the comments or come find me on Facebook.
I’d love to hear what your little self-care moments look like.
And if you missed my last article about keeping your skincare routine simple, start there. We don’t need 47 products to take care of ourselves.
Simple. Consistent. And a little bit of time just for you.
That’s a routine I can get behind.
XO
