The 5-Minute Lazy Skin Care Routine to Look & Feel Fresh

If there’s anything we all can agree on, I’ll bet it’s that we all would like an extra 5 minutes in bed every morning. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to have those spare moments to take things slow, but more often than not we’re rushing out the door to get to school or work (back to school season makes things all the more hectic). It’s times like these that you might start to get lazy with your morning skincare routine, trading in essential steps to catch a few more Zzz’s.

When you don’t have a lot of time in the AM, it’s vital to spend those precious minutes where they actually count. A well-designed routine can be minimalist, check all the right boxes AND get you feeling as fresh as you look at the end of it. Put down the 10-step skincare regimen you’ll be abandoning in a week’s time and turn to our easy “lazy” skincare routine: just 5 simple steps to breeze through, setting you up for a successful day ahead. Keep reading on for the full details.

Step 1: The (Optional) Gentle Cleanse

The first step to any skincare routine? An effective cleanse. Getting rid of surface dirt and impurities will allow any preceding skincare to properly absorb into the skin, letting your routine do its designated job. A morning cleanse serves to wash away this buildup that has accumulated over night, refreshing the skin for the hydration and nourishment to come.

One thing to note: an effective cleanse on the AM depends on your skin type. For oily, combo or acne-prone skin, we recommend using a lightweight cleanser to sweep away excess sebum, dead skin cells and other impurities. If your skin tends to be dry or get irritated easily, skip the product and just use water to avoid stripping your moisture barrier further.

BEAUTY OF JOSEON - Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - BEAUTY OF JOSEON

The BEAUTY OF JOSEON Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser is our AM pick-me-up cleanser of choice. Deeply moisturizing while still being refreshing and light, the Plum and Mung Bean-infused cleansing gel maintains a healthy skin pH to keep the skin balanced, rather than strip it of natural moisture. It plays nice with all skin types, and we reckon it’ll even find its way into your PM double cleansing routine.

Step 2: The Restorative Hybrid

Bring your complexion back to life post-cleanse with a nutrient-packed mist. A true lazy routine staple, face mists can be spritzed on without getting your hands dirty, and don’t require any patting in to aid absorption. Plus, it takes all of 3 seconds to get your mist on—that’s valuable time saved to maximise your stretch in bed.

haruharu wonder - Black Rice Probiotics Barrier NAD+ Serum Mist

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - haruharu wonder

Work smarter, not harder with the haruharu wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier NAD+ Serum Mist. Think of this as your toner and serum steps rolled up into one instant dew: it’s loaded with firming NAD+, skin barrier-strengthening Ceramide and double Probiotics to improve skin tone and texture. Every layer replenishes the complexion to undo the effects of skin damage, repairing the skin from within.

Step 3: The Glow-Maxxer Serum

To really maximise your glow and appear revitalized, a Vitamin C serum is worth investing a minute of your time into. Vitamin C works on 2 levels: it inhibits melanin production to brighten dark spots and skin tone, as well as provides antioxidant protection to fight against environmental stressors that damage and age your complexion.

Vitamin C works best in the morning; when paired with SPF, they create a powerful synergistic defence against UV exposure and oxidative stress. Because UV light rapidly degrades Vitamin C, your sunscreen acts as a dual shield: protecting your skin from solar rays while preserving your serum's antioxidant potency.

EQQUALBERRY - Vitamin Illuminating Serum

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - EQQUALBERRY

The EQQUALBERRY Vitamin Illuminating Serum is an editor favorite for its high-performance formula that doesn’t irritate the skin. Acerola-derived Vitamin C is combined with Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid and Ferulic Acid to target stubborn hyperpigmentation and banish skin tone unevenness, restoring the skin’s vibrancy. The addition of Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramide offer softening hydration on top of the glass skin finish.

Step 4: The Soothing Wake-Up Call

When you’re scrambling to get yourself out the door in the mornings, eye care may not be at the top of your priorities list, and we totally understand. Our take? You haven’t met the right kind of eye care that adds value to your routine. An effective eye gel or serum will melt away the tiredness of an early rise, keeping swollen dark circles at bay. Rejuvenating the undereyes make the biggest difference in your overall appearance, creating the effect of a bright and awakened complexion even if you didn’t manage a full night’s worth of sleep.

AXIS-Y - Vegan Collagen Eye Serum

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - AXIS-Y

Recharge your gaze with the AXIS-Y Vegan Collagen Eye Serum, a lightweight eye gel formulated with vegan Collagen and a 5-Peptide Complex to iron out fine lines, triple Hyaluronic Acid to deliver plumping moisture and Niacinamide to brighten dark circles over time. It’s outfitted with a cooling metal ball roller that massages the gel into the skin; the cryo-boost is guaranteed to make you actually look forward to doing your morning routine.

Step 5: The Hydrating Sun Shield

By now, you’ll know that sunscreen is a non-negotiable step of any morning routine. What elevates your regimen and cuts down the time needed to complete it is a hydrating sunscreen that will cover both your cream and sunscreen steps. We know the pains of waiting for all your skincare to sink in, so a hydrating sunscreen kills 2 birds with 1 stone and streamlines your getting ready process.

SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SKIN1004

We’ve yet to hear a bad review for the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++—in fact, users of all skin types sing its praises. Quenching Hyaluronic Acid and calming Centella come together in this featherlight serum texture that melts into the complexion, with the only evidence of it being on the skin a healthy, dewy sheen (read: no white cast or stickiness). Goodbye to dry, greasy skin; hello to a nourished, protected complexion that’s ready to take on the day.

Will you be making this lazy morning skincare routine your go-to? Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keeping an eye on the VANA Blog, so you receive all the latest news, promos and information!

FAQ

1. Why is morning skincare important?

The purpose of a morning skincare routine is to remove any buildup that has accumulated overnight, and to hydrate and protect your skin against stressors that may come about during the day. If nighttime skincare is to repair, morning skincare is to defend against and prevent damage, with the help of hydrators, antioxidants and SPF.

2. Can skincare beginners follow this lazy skincare routine?

Absolutely! The routine highlights fundamental skincare steps that any skincare user, beginner or intermediate, can pick up and apply to their mornings.

3. What is the correct order of applying skincare?

After cleansing, apply your skincare in order of the thinnest texture to the thickest. This is so that lighter textures are able to penetrate the skin without being blocked by heavier ones. At the end of your morning routine, always finish off with a generous layer of sunscreen. Our 5-minute lazy skincare routine is designed following the correct order to maintain a strong, healthy complexion.

4. How long should I wait after applying skincare to apply makeup?

Applying your makeup too quickly after skincare can result in a pilling or patchy base. Give the last step of your skincare routine at 3-5 minutes to fully absorb before applying makeup to ensure all the products layer seamlessly.