"But I Don’t Have Time!"
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I hear it all the time—“I’d love to get into a proper skincare routine, but I just don’t have the time.”
And believe me, I get it. Mornings are chaos. Evenings are… well, sleepy chaos. We’re all juggling a million things (some of them shaped like small children or very needy pets), and the thought of adding multiple steps of skincare sounds about as achievable as running a half-marathon before breakfast.
But here’s what I’ve realised: it’s not actually about time—it’s about habit.
The Myth of the 30-Minute Routine
Yes, Korean skincare routines are famous for their many steps, and yes, sometimes I’ll do the full works. But most days? My morning routine takes less time than it does to boil the kettle. My evening routine takes about the same time it takes me to decide which Netflix show not to watch.
You don’t need to carve out a sacred half-hour for your skin. You need 5 minutes, maybe 6. And once you’ve got the rhythm, it’s second nature. Like brushing your teeth or ignoring your alarm.
A Quick Reality Check
Let’s look at the numbers, shall we?
- The average person spends 2 hours 23 minutes on social media every day.
- Your skincare routine? Morning: 5–7 mins. Evening: 7–10 mins max.
(Unless you’re doing something fancy like a sheet mask, in which case… pour a tea and enjoy the moment.)
I’m not saying give up social media (perish the thought—I need my soothing stream of cat reels and skinfluencers). But if we’re being honest, most of us could spare 10 minutes for skincare without blinking.
How I Fit It In
Here’s how I sneak my routine into even the most hectic days:
-
Morning
I splash my face (no cleanser for me in the AM—my dry skin says no thanks), then go straight into toner, serum, moisturiser and sunscreen. I layer while waiting for the kettle to boil. Sometimes I put my SPF on while waiting for my toast to pop up. Multitasking at its finest.
-
Evening
As soon as I get home and change into comfy clothes, I do my double cleanse and the rest of the evening routine. That way, I’m not half-asleep and trying to pat in a serum with one eye closed at 11pm.
Bonus tip: Keep your products out where you can see them. If they’re tucked away in a drawer, they’ll be forgotten faster than last week’s salad in the fridge.
The Secret Weapon? Habit.
Starting a new routine always feels like a lot. But after a few days, your skin starts to love you for it, and your hands just do the steps without thinking. It becomes part of your rhythm.
And when you see the glow? You won’t want to skip it.
My Current "Speedy But Mighty" Lineup
- Morning
-
Evening
- Pyunkang Yul Deep Clear Cleansing Balm (takes off sunscreen in seconds)
- Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
- Torriden Dive-In Low Molecule Hyaluronic Acid Serum
-
Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask (on the nights my skin needs extra TLC)
So if you’ve been putting off a skincare routine because you “don’t have time,” here’s your friendly nudge: start small, stay consistent, and stop scrolling while your toner’s absorbing.
Your future skin will thank you.
Priscilla x
