How to Care for Your Skin Without Standing Over a Sink

At home you may enjoy completing your skin care routine while hovering over a sink. Since cleansing is the first step in any skin care routine and many formulas require a rinse, it’s not uncommon for the remainder of the skin care routine to be completed in the bathroom in close proximity to running water. But what if you don’t have access to a sink and need to care for your skin? This scenario can occur more often than you might think—think: a camping trip, a long-haul flight when the bathroom’s occupied, or during an overnight drive—so it’s best to be prepared. Instead of skipping your skin care routine, you’ll want to invest in the right products. Below, we’re sharing five steps to caring for your skin from virtually anywhere. 

STEP 1: REMOVE EYE & FACE MAKEUP

If you’re wearing makeup, the first step is to make sure it’s fully removed from your skin. To do this, reach for a makeup-removing face wipe like the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Wipes. Inspired by the brand’s Bye Bye Makeup Melting Balm, these facial wipes can remove all traces of makeup—including stubborn mascara and long-wear foundation—without irritating your skin. In fact, the wipes are formulated to deliver the benefits of a micellar cleanser, makeup remover, and anti-aging serum all in one, so you can rest-assured that your skin will not only feel clean but soft and hydrated as well. Thanks to their small and portable size, it’s easy to travel with facial wipes. Place them into your purse, carry-on, or gym bag so you’re never stuck in a pinch.  

Editor’s note: You can remove your eye makeup with a facial wipe, but this may lead to unnecessary rubbing and tugging of the skin near the eyes. If you notice your eye makeup is not slipping off with ease with a facial wipe, hold off on removing it till the next step.

STEP 2: CLEANSE YOUR SKIN

Facial wipes are incredibly effective, but the jury’s still out amongst experts on whether or not a deeper clean is necessary. We at Skincare.com are big fans of the double-cleansing trend, so using more than one type of facial cleanser is an extra step we’re willing to take. If you’re a skin care minimalist, however, skip to step three. If you’d like to ensure your skin is fully cleansed, reach for a no-rinse micellar water to remove any lingering traces of dirt, impurities, and makeup. Soak a cotton pad with  La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra and sweep it over your face, lips, and eyes (no rinse required). Your skin will be left feeling perfectly clean and refreshed. For a full list of some of the best drugstore micellar waters you can add to your beauty arsenal, click here!

Editor’s note: To remove eye makeup easily, hold a cotton pad soaked in micellar water over your closed eyelid for up to 10 seconds before gently sweeping it off your skin.

STEP 3: HYDRATE WITH A SERUM

While your face is still slightly damp from the micellar water, apply a few drops of your favorite hydrating serum. Hyaluronic acid is a hydration powerhouse, so you can’t go wrong with L’Oréal Paris’ Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. The formula absorbs quickly without leaving behind a greasy residue and can instantly replenish your skin’s hydration levels.

STEP 4: APPLY MOISTURIZER

Even though you just hydrated your skin with a serum, there’s no harm in upping the ante with a facial moisturizer. Don’t know which moisturizer to use for your skin type and concerns? Take our moisturizer quiz to find out!

STEP 5: PROTECT WITH BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN

As a final step to your morning routine, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays. Neglecting to wear sunscreen during daytime hours can not only cause premature signs of skin aging to appear, but it can also increase your chances of developing sunburn or skin cancer. By applying a broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher on all exposed areas of skin (and reapplying at least every two hours), wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, you are helping to keep your skin healthy and looking youthful.