Fresh in Five: Every Busy Woman’s Step-by-Step Skincare Guide​

Everyone wants K-drama lead-level skin but not everyone has the time for a 10-step skincare routine. Fortunately, you can still have healthy, glowing skin with the three basic steps of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing — you just have to make sure you’re doing them right. Here, we give you a step-by-step guide for skincare for women in a rush. Make sure you get the most out of your face care routine.

Forget the splash-and-dash — wash your face the right way to get rid of skin stressors and give your other skincare products a clean canvas to work with.

Cleansing your face in the evening is a non-negotiable as it rids your skin of all the sunscreen and makeup you applied as well as the dirt and pollution your skin picked up during the day. A double cleanse is ideal for a deeper clean: Start with a cleansing balm or micellar water to wipe away hard-to-remove makeup then follow up with a facial wash.

Cleansing in the morning might seem unnecessary given your clean-up job the night before but think of the dirt and oils from your hair that end up on your face as you sleep. It’s also best to wash away the night cream and any other products you slathered onto your face.

When picking a facial wash, you need to consider your skin type, but you should also think about adding another cleanser for other needs. POND'S Bright Miracle Ultimate Pore Clear Facial Scrub is a great all-arounder, especially if you're battling acne. It targets 99% acne-causing bacteria and prevents stubborn zits from coming back.

The goal is to get dirt and makeup off but that doesn’t mean you should be rubbing your skin too vigorously when you’re cleaning your face. Use a gentle circular motion as you go from your forehead to your eye area, cheeks, chin, and down to your neck.

Soak up all of toning’s benefits by doing it properly.

Your skin is naturally acidic and washing it throws it off its proper pH level, making it dry and even flaky. Toner helps quickly restore the pH balance and also preps skin to better absorb your moisturizer and other skincare products like serums and essences. Toners also come in different formulations to address various skin needs, from oil control to hydration, so don’t skip it or you’ll miss out on these extra benefits.

The usual toners can be applied by soaking a cotton ball or pad and gently wiping it on your face and neck. Those that come in spray bottles can be spritzed directly on the face while those that have a thicker, serum-like consistency can be applied with your fingers.

Like a sponge, skin is more permeable when it’s damp, so make sure to quickly apply your moisturizer right after toning for better absorption.

While it’s totally okay to use the same moisturizer for day and night, your skin goes into repair mode while you get your beauty sleep, so why not give it some skin-soothing ingredients to absorb? You’re also less hydrated at night, so a night cream (like POND'S Age Miracle Anti-Aging Night Cream) can help keep your skin moisturized when it really needs it.

No tugging, pulling, or vigorous rubbing as these can lead to irritation or even premature sagging. Apply your moisturizer in a circular motion and use your ring finger to pat gently around the eye area.

We know you’re a busy girl but that doesn’t mean you don’t have enough time to take care of your skin. With just five minutes and this step-by-step skincare guide, you can get glowing before you get going.