A Lazy Mom's Guide to Glowing Skin With Products That Start at P74

If you’re fond of watching Korean dramas, then you might have dreamt of achieving the actresses' (and even actors!) poreless, flawless, glowing skin, which we now know follows a strict eight or 10-step skincare routine. Yikes! Most moms don’t have the time, money, and patience for it. Is there a "lazy" way to beautiful skin?

Here's a simplified a beauty routine to get you closer to your dream glow

1. Cleanse in the morning and night.

Whether you wear makeup or not, it’s important to always wash your face to remove dirt and other impurities that have built up during the day. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you can cleanse once daily at night.

Try this: Snailwhite Whipp Soap Beauty Bar, Php295, Watsons

It's a gentle cleanser that has snail extracts (Koreans consider it holy grail for skin care) that work hard to remove dirt and makeup while brightening up your complexion. It also is packed with hyaluronic acid, glycoproteins, and glycolic acid. The facial bar also contains a natural antioxidant called bearberry leaf extract; sunflower oil that manages redness, irritation, and acne; and balloon vine that soothes itchy and inflamed skin.

If you need any more convincing, Kris Aquino raved about this product when she discovered the brand during a trip to Thailand, saying it tempered her allergies.

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Try this: Celeteque 2-in-1 Facial Wash, Php315, Watsons

If facial soaps don’t appeal to you, you can stick with a liquid cleanser. This facial wash offers a deep clean but is mild on the skin. It’s perfect for those prone to dryness as it cleanses and moisturizes at the same time. It’s also an inexpensive option if you want to test it on your skin first — the smallest bottle (60 ml) retails for Php85.

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2. Use a toner for a thorough cleanse.

In the past, toners were rich in alcohol and were incredibly drying, but a lot of today’s toners are already alcohol-free and hydrating. Think of toner as your primer for the rest of your skincare routine, says dermatologist Arielle Kauva to Allure. It restores pH balance and helps your skin absorb other products.

Try this: Moringa-O2 Toner, Php90, Watsons

A skincare product under a hundred pesos? Why, yes! Many have fallen in love with this toner not only for its low price but because it’s alcohol-free and uses natural ingredients to give you added moisture. It’s formulated with a blend of moringa (malunggay), olive, and omega oils. It also has argan oil to keep your skin supple and smooth.

While many reviews say it lessened their pimples gradually, others mentioned the toner stings a little during the first use. So keep it in mind when trying this product.

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3. Moisturize regularly.

They say the secret to younger-looking skin is to moisturize, so you shouldn’t skip this step in your beauty routine. Maintaining the water content of the skin is crucial to keeping it healthy, and moisturizers slow down water loss while strengthening your skin barrier, and that helps a lot with fine lines, wrinkles and dullness.

Try this: Olay Regenerist Whip, Php1,999, Watsons

Yes, it’s the most expensive product on the list, but don’t fret because it’s one hardworking moisturizer, thanks to Amino-Peptide Complex II and anti-aging ingredients. The product looks like a cream at first glance (like whipped cream, from its name), but it is lightweight and transforms into liquid when it comes into contact with your skin. It absorbs fast and becomes matte-like on the face, making it ideal to put under makeup. The best part is you can use it both for morning and night — tap or massage lightly onto the skin for best results.

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4. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

Sunlight is the cause of at least 80 percent of the signs of visible aging — skin thinning, wrinkles, and facial lines. And applying sunscreen, which we tend to skip, can help reduce skin damage. Look for broad spectrum sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide — these are called physical blockers that are water-resistant and will protect you against ultraviolet A or B.

Try: Nivea Sun UV Face SPF50 Anti-Age, Php329, Watsons

One of the reasons why women don’t like putting on sunscreen is because it leaves a white cast, making it hard to put makeup over it. But this Nivea variant does not leave any white stuff on your face, plus it’s not sticky at all and it dries into a matte finish. It filters UVA and UVB rays while preventing visible aging.

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5. Indulge in a sheet mask.

If you want to inject life back onto your skin, a sheet mask offers a quick and easy boost. Think of it as a cheap facial that you can do every day as the final step in your skincare routine at night. Putting the cold mask on is also super relaxing, so it can be your ‘me-time’ for when motherhood becomes too much to handle. Plus, you know it works right away — peel it off and you’ll feel that your skin has become more hydrated, brighter, or even bouncier. No wonder people are obsessed.

Try: Dr. Morita Hyaluronic Acid Essence Mask, Php74 each, Watsons

When getting sheet masks, look at the main ingredients as these are the ones that will be absorbed by your skin immediately. This mask has hyaluronic acid and collagen, which offers anti-aging benefits, helps with skin repair, and leaves the skin plumper and hydrated. It’s perfect for all skin types, too!

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