Between work, school, kids — the list goes on — there’s no question that we live in a busy culture that doesn’t provide us with much spare time. So while it would be nice to have the luxury to spend an hour on an in-depth skincare routine every single morning, the truth is that most of us don’t even have the time or energy to apply makeup.
While we should probably work on finding more time to prioritize self-care, there’s a solution in the meantime: It’s called a five-minute glow routine. In other words, by using the right skincare products and memorizing a quick skincare routine, you can take your skin from tired and dull-looking to glowy and energized in just five minutes — no makeup required.
Step 1: Cleanse your pores
Clogged pores can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and other acne-related issues. So if you want to get a dewy, fresh-faced look while also going makeup-free, the first step is making sure your pores are nice and clear.
Rodan + Fields’ Pore-Cleaning MD System is a great place to start. This is an exfoliating, pore-cleansing extraction system that removes blackheads and unclogs pores, leading to refreshed-feeling, vibrant-looking skin. In fact, 97% of people who used the Pore-Cleansing MD system instantly had fewer clogged pores and blackheads.
In other words, this is a quick, easy way to keep those pores clear—no visit to your facialist required.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Next up in this simple skincare routine, you’ll want to scrub away those dead skin cells with a really great exfoliant. Rodan + Fields’ Enhancement Micro-Dermabrasion Paste is a gentle way to exfoliate away dead skin cells on both the face and body.
This is a sugar and salt-based scrub that sloughs away dead skin cells and dry, flaky skin. It works well for dry, oily, and combination skin, and addresses uneven skin tones and any dullness after just one use, taking you a step closer to that makeup-free glow.
Step 3: Cleanse and moisturize
All that preparation goes a long way: One of the final steps to that five-minute glow involves cleansing and moisturizing. The Rodan + Field Redefine Regimen, which has anti-aging properties, includes a clay cleanser, pore-refining toner, triple defense cream with SPF 30, and an overnight restorative cream if you want to start your five-minute glow routine the night before.
This customizable routine uses retinoid science and peptide technology to help visibly firm up skin and combat signs of aging like fine lines, deep wrinkles, loose skin and more, leading to glowy, younger-looking skin.
Step 4: Add extra protection and glow with a tinted moisturizer
If you still feel like your skin is looking a little uneven and dull, elevate your look with a tinted moisturizer.
The Rodan + Field Radiant Defense Perfecting SPF 30 is a 4-in-1 tinted moisturizer that “looks like makeup but acts like skincare.” In other words, it will repair the skin’s natural moisture barrier and provide sun protection while evening out the skin tone and giving it a little glow. As celebrity makeup artist Gita Bass puts it, “It gives you a glow but never gets greasy, which is my favorite thing about it.”
Step 5: Give your brows a boost
A well-defined eyebrow goes a long way, especially when you’re going for a glowy, makeup-free look. Top off your five-minute glow routine with the Rodan + Fields BrowDefining Boost, which is one of Bass’ favorite products.
This multitasking brow gel gives the appearance of fuller, thicker and fluffier eyebrows thanks to cellulose fibers that boost volume and fullness, helping to take any look from natural to bold and giving your face a fresher, younger look overall.
“Thicker and fuller brows are not only in fashion right now, but also add definition to the face and make us appear much more youthful,” notes Bass. “Rodan + Fields Brow Defining Boost has been a powerful tool, for both me and my clients, to provide the appearance of fuller-looking brows instantly and over time because, let’s face it, brows naturally become thinner and more sparse as we age. Fluffier, fuller, more defined brows visually lift the face and help provide a more youthful appearance.”
Wondering how to use it? Bass has some tips for that, too — and trust us, it’s not that complicated. “I start by using short brush-like strokes with the edge of the tapered wand to mimic brow hairs and fill in where needed,” she says. “Then using the thicker part of the wand, I brush the hairs up to build thickness and definition and to set them in place.”
With the right products and methods, you can achieve a glowy, fresh-faced look in five minutes and with minimal effort.
