The end of summer vacation is just around the corner. While some of us might be breathing a sigh of relief as we ship the kids back to school, for most busy moms, the work doesn’t end there. Sure, the phrase “I’m bored, can you take me to the mall?” might not be constantly ringing in our ears, but it’s often replaced by endless loads of washing, packing of lunches and after school chauffeuring. And that’s without factoring in any work you do outside the home.
No matter what time of year it is, we tend to put our kids and spouses first. That makes it all too easy to forget about important and energizing self-care rituals, like looking after our skin. If you’ve been neglecting your complexion lately, we’ve got some great fall skincare hacks to help you streamline your beauty routine, so you have more time to do the other things you love!
1) Use Multi-Action Products
Multi-functional products are a busy mom’s best friend. Who has time to apply six different products in the morning? Instead, select a miracle-working multi-tasker that can streamline your routine. Try switching out your foundation for a good quality BB cream.
Unlike foundation, many BB creams don’t simply conceal blemishes but also treat them, using powerful ingredients like salicylic acid. Additionally, BB creams often contain anti-aging properties and SPF to protect your skin from the sun. That’s two more steps skipped!
2) Conceal Acne Quickly
If your hectic schedule has you breaking out, don’t worry. While treating acne can take time, you can cleverly conceal those little red marks for the school run, a business meeting or a coffee date. Simply apply an ice cube to any areas of inflammation to soothe redness then apply a lick of green-toned concealer. Green cancels out red, meaning it will neutralize any signs of irritation. We won’t tell if you won’t!
Save yourself some time in the future by preventing acne now. While there are some great OTC products on the market, don’t just grab a bottle of Proactiv, Clearasil or Clean & Clear. They might not work for you, so do your research to find out what studies and reviews have to say.
3) Banish Eye Bags
Didn’t sleep as well as you’d have liked? You can tackle any under-eye puffiness by placing a spoon in the freezer before bed and then gently pressing it on top of and under your eyelids in the morning. If this method doesn’t work for you, repeat the procedure with a teabag. The caffeine will constrict the blood vessels, causing the puffiness to dissipate.
4) Boost Your Hydration
The beginning of fall tends to herald the arrival of dry skin. To avoid tight, dull or cracking skin, it’s important to boost your hydration. You don’t need expensive new products to do this. Just make sure to drink plenty of water and incorporate more Vitamin E (found in almond, spinach, mango, avocado and fish) into your diet. If your skin is still crying out for moisture, you may also need to switch to a richer nightly moisturizer.
5) Shave with Cold Cream
When we’re talking about skincare, we don’t need to stop at the face. If you’re about to rush out the door and suddenly realize you’ve missed a spot on your legs, don’t sweat it. Grab your cold cream and slather it onto the patch you want to shave. Then, wet your shaver and shave off the offending hairs. You don’t need to rinse, just wipe off and go. The moisturizing properties of your cold cream will stop irritation in its tracks and make sure your pins stay smooth in the drying fall weather.
Being a mom is a full-time job. However, it’s important to squeeze in a little “me” time whenever you can. If you’d rather be catching up with friends or cuddling up with your S/O than laboring over a beauty and skincare regimen, incorporate some of these fall beauty hacks into your day. They’ll leave you with more time to do the things you really love without sacrificing that gorgeous complexion!
