7 multitasking skincare products that'll do all the heavy lifting for you
Running low on time and energy? Here’s how to supercharge your routine
I love layering skincare products as much as the next beauty enthusiast. But with the potent combination of lockdown and monsoon humidity, I’m a hot sticky mess. Shuttling between scrubbing burnt milk off the stovetop, office deadlines and cleaning up whatever dead animal my cat has brought me today as a pledge of allegiance.
My skincare ‘me time’ has flown out the window with the same speed that my knees buckle under as I try out the latest celebrity workout to shed the late-night besan ladoo kilos.
Instead of my 10-step Korean skincare routine, I’m putting my faith in multitasking skincare products that’ll do all the heavy lifting.
Investing in good multitasking skincare products cuts down on the time, effort and even money spent on different products. It’ll even take some of the load off your skin.
For example, use a sunscreen with moisturising ingredients — it will let you skip a standalone moisturiser during the day (unless you have very dry skin).
A moisturiser that is also rich in antioxidants will give you the protection against free radicals that a separate vitamin C serum would. Top things off with a tinted lip balm you can reapply through the day.
We’ve trawled the beauty counters and internet, and curated a list of multitasking skincare products that are as relentless as Sima aunty. But more effective.
Multitasking skincare products to add to your beauty cabinet
Dr Sheth’s Rosehip & Retinoid Power Emulsion A powerhouse of ingredients that can diminish signs of ageing, increase skin’s elasticity and hydration, fight acne and brighten any hyperpigmentation spots – all in one bottle. Like a potent energy bar for your skin. Retinol can be drying and sensitising, but don’t fear it. It’s all about using it the right way (starting off with once-twice a week at night) if you have reactive skin. There’s a support system for every possible skin reaction. There’s hyaluronic acid for hydration and suppleness. Overachieving antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E to give that brightness and clarity. Calming and healing properties of centella asiatica extract (Gotu Kola), repairing amino acids and one of our all-time favourite ingredients, niacinamide. It’s all been carefully formulated to complement each other’s strengths and make up for weaknesses.₹1,200 ROVECTIN Deep Moisture UV Protector SPF50+ PA++++ I’m that annoying colleague that will tell you about the importance of sunscreen if there’s even a whiff of someone leaving the building without applying it. But I get it. Not everyone is an enthu cutlet and most SPFs leave you looking like an extra from Aahat. This light-on-the-skin tube right here, infused with a bunch of skin-loving goodies is the answer to your woes. It contains panthenol, a skin-soother and protectant that along with tocopherol and blueweed seed oil deeply moisturises the skin from within. The added niacinamide helps with brightening, minimising the appearance of pores and evening out your skin tone. ROVECTIN as a brand focuses a lot on the restoration of your skin. Before entering the commercial market, they started out as catering to the skin needs of cancer patients after the founder’s sister started her treatment. ₹1,999
Plum Green Tea Clear Face Mask, Masking feels like the ultimate self-care ritual. It just does. And if you’re taking time out to do a face mask then you may as well use one that does more for your skin. The multitasking green tea face mask from Plum is a kaolin and bentonite clay mask, especially good for oily and/or acne-prone skin. The clay can absorb excess oil and sebum from your pores which then diminishes their appearance. The mask also has glycolic acid which is an alpha-hydroxy acid, a resurfacing chemical exfoliation ingredient that gently sloughs off dead skin cells and increases cell turnover. Green tea is one of the mightiest reserves of antioxidants that you can apply on your skin that prevents cell damage from free radicals, soothe the skin and improve the appearance of damage caused by sun exposure. ₹490 Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash For those sensitive Saras whose whose skin reacts even to the slightest touch, this no-frills product, effective in getting off the days impurities without being too harsh on your skin, is ideal. This face wash has a give-and-take rule. It takes off the day’s pollution, sebum build-up and more while giving back some moisturise that may get taken off in the process. What more can you really ask from a face wash? ₹325 Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 25 This triple threat does the job of three products. And makes only one hole in your pocket. You get the hydration and moisturising properties of a lip balm from their base of coconut oil, shea butter, squalane, sunflower seed oil and more. There’s broad-spectrum protection of sunscreen and the pigment of a lipstick. Given our mask-clad existence now, there will be few occasions to show off that lip colour but we can hope for a future where our lipsticks come back into play. ₹1,950
Kama Ayurveda Kumkumadi Miraculous Beauty Fluid Ayurvedic Night Serum The name may seem self-centred, but after using it you will accept that it truly is a miraculous beauty fluid. You may already be familiar with the traditional kumkumadi thailam, a traditional blend of oils and herbs that does wonders for skin with its antiseptic, anti-bacterial and disinfectant properties. You get overall brightening of complexion and an evening out of your skin tone. It’s called a serum but has an oil-like consistency. But don’t fear the oils. All you need is two or three drops to spread across your face and neck. If you don’t have the energy to do a full routine at the end of a long day then do a simple cleanse and pop this on top, and voila! A product like this takes time and consistency to fully show its effects on the skin. Patience is key and it pays off. ₹2,550 Vaseline skin-protecting jelly Over the years dadi-approved vaseline petroleum jelly has gotten a bad rep. It could be a mix of greenwashing and fear-based marketing over the term ‘petroleum’, or just the simple fact that it’s gluggy to feel. Ask any expert and they’ll tell you that vaseline has numerous benefits for your skin (and beyond). Made using a byproduct of the oil-refining process (that would otherwise be discarded), it’s a great occlusive to trap and seal in moisturise in your skin. It can be used on top of your moisturiser to prevent trans epidermal water loss through the night. You can even use it to remove makeup, heal minor burns and skin scrapes, relieve chapped lips and so much more. It’s completely up to you if you want to stay clear of petrolatum and petroleum-based products (it’s in more than just vaseline) but as long as you properly cleanse your skin, it won’t clog your pores either. ₹340 (250 ml), price varies according to size |
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