From Skincare confusion to confidence: My Journey to a Simple Skin Routine for Busy Mums

I never really cared much about skincare growing up. My routine was simple: a bit of moisturizer here and there, maybe a primer before makeup if I was feeling fancy, wash it all off at night. That was it. But everything changed this year when the signs of ageing seemed to speed up 10-fold and the wrinkles and loss of collagen stared me in the face every morning. Throw in a melanoma and I knew my skin care routine needed a shake up. I love love love learning new things, so long as I have the time to commit, so I made this a priority and learned about all the possible aspects of daily and nightly skin care routines, what they treat or affect, what products are best and most bioavailable and then put together a routine of the products that I felt were relevant to me. I then had a skin consult and went through the routine with the skin queens at Skin forum to ensure that I was not missing any steps or adding in some that did not need to be there.

I know how busy life can be, especially for mums juggling a million things at once. That was one of the excuses I told myself for not looking after my skin "I don't have time for a 10-step routine", I mean, I stand by that, I still don't but 5-step and 3-4 minutes work, that is all I am talking here. So I want to share a simple but effective skincare routine that fits into a hectic schedule. I also want to be honest about how I flip-flop between brands, picking what works best for each product and a few recommendations for each because I have tried soooo many. Hopefully, this will help other busy mums feel confident about their skin without spending hours on complicated routines.

My Morning Skincare Routine

Starting the day with a fresh face sets the tone for everything. Here’s what I do every morning:

• Spray toner: This wakes up my skin and preps it for the next steps.

• Hyaluronic acid serum or cream: It’s a hydration powerhouse that keeps my skin plump.

  • Currently using

  • Have tried CeraVe hydrating Hyaluronic acid

  • Winner:

• Vitamin C: This brightens my complexion and helps with pigmentation.

• Moisturiser: Locks in all the goodness and keeps my skin soft.

• Sunscreen: The most important step to protect against sun damage and prevent further aging.

  
  

Each product plays a role, and together they create a solid foundation for the day.

My Nighttime Skincare Routine

At night, I focus on cleansing and repair:

• Cleanse twice: First to remove makeup and dirt, second to deeply clean pores.

• Hyaluronic acid: Again, for hydration overnight.

• Retinol: This helps with cell turnover and reduces fine lines.

• Moisturiser: To nourish and repair skin while I sleep.

  
  

This routine feels like a reset button for my skin, helping it recover from the day’s wear and tear.

My daily skincare essentials lined up on a bathroom shelf

The Brands I Use

Space for me to talk about each brand I use

I tend to try different brands for each product depending on what I like or what’s recommended. Some brands work better for certain products, and I’m always open to switching things up if I find something better. I’ll share my thoughts on each product brand here soon.

Overall Recommendations for Skincare Products

After trying many options, I’ve learned a few things about what works best:

• Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid in serums and moisturisers.

• Use vitamin C products that feel light and absorb quickly.

• Choose a gentle cleanser that removes makeup without stripping your skin.

• Introduce retinol slowly to avoid irritation, especially if you’re new to it.

• Never skip sunscreen during the day, even if you’re indoors a lot.

  
  

These tips help keep the routine simple but effective.

Why I Recommend Cerave

Cerave has become my go-to brand for many products. Their formulas are gentle, affordable, and packed with ingredients that support skin health. Whether it’s their cleansers, moisturisers, or serums, I find Cerave reliable and easy to use. For busy mums who want good skincare without fuss, Cerave offers a solid starting point.

My Skin Clinic Treatments

Space for me to talk about skin treatments I am having at a skin clinic to help my skin and aging

Alongside my daily routine, I’m also exploring professional skin treatments. These help target deeper concerns like pigmentation and firmness that daily products can’t fully address. I’ll share more about these treatments and how they complement my routine soon.

Recommendations

Overall Winner for best low cost skincare: Cerave

Overall Winner for more high end skin care: