Between mealtime, playtime, bathtime, and more, moms have a lot of time — just not for themselves. While it’s understandable that some things just have to give, your well-being — including your skin health — shouldn’t be one of them. Here’s how to maintain a routine amidst all of your daily chaos.

Take time for yourself

It’s a classic mom stereotype: you spend wayyyyy more time taking care of your kids than yourself. Case in point: a hurried trip to the drive-thru after packing them a well-balanced lunch, or skipping your workout so you can cheer on the tee-ball game.

But according to Dr. Lee, an effective skincare routine doesn’t need to be time-consuming or expensive. “Spending just a few minutes, twice a day, to cleanse, treat, and moisturize your skin will pay off in the long run,” she notes, “and by watching you, your kids will build good habits, too.”

Dr. Lee’s skincare suggestions

• Salicylic acid is my go-to ingredient for cleanser, because it penetrates pores and helps exfoliate, too. My SLMD Salicylic Acid Cleanser is gentle enough to use everyday.
• Vitamin C is great for brightening up the skin and protecting from free radical damage. My SLMD Vitamin C Serum also has hyaluronic acid for a little hydration boost.
• Moisturizer is a must, even for oily skin — just find one that’s lightweight and formulated with acne-prone skin in mind, like my SLMD Facial Moisturizer.

Get some rest

We’ve talked about the importance of sleep for skin health before, but it’s worth reminding all you sleep-deprived moms. Nighttime recharges your skin cells — it’s when they repair all that daily damage, and it does wonders for relieving dark circles and dullness.

But we’re under no delusions: oftentimes it’s just not possible to get a good night’s rest, especially when you’ve got very young children. So for those who need to hear this: it’s OK to nap instead of reorganizing the pantry. If sleep is out of the question, smooth on a face mask and listen to a 20-minute meditation.

Dr. Lee’s skincare suggestions

• Retinol helps speed up cell turnover, minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting a more even appearance. You should use it at nighttime only. Try my SLMD Retinol Resurfacing Serum which is designed to work gently overnight.
• Using a face mask a couple of times per week can help keep your pores clear, which will ward off breakouts. I love my SLMD Clear Out mask because it penetrates pores and helps smooth skin, but isn’t at all drying.

Do more with less

Let’s be real: a 10-step skincare routine isn’t in the cards for most moms. But here’s the good news: you don’t need all those products to keep your skin looking great. Here’s a quick rundown of Dr. Lee’s top SLMD product suggestions broken down by skin concern:

• Acne. If you’re dealing with hormonal breakouts, you need to treat and prevent acne at every stage. My Acne System and Sensitive Skin Acne System have everything you need for that: a cleanser, 2 treatments and a moisturizer and it’s just three steps, two times a day. And keep spot treatments on hand: BP Acne Spot Treatment for inflamed pimples, Salicylic Acid Spot Treatment for blackheads and whiteheads.
• Dull/dry skin. Sometimes people are afraid to use exfoliants when they have dry skin, but it’s all about the right products. Start with my Salicylic Acid Cleanser, then All Bright Toner, then a few drops of Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Make sure you follow up with a non-comedogenic sunscreen like my Dual Defender.
• Dark spots/uneven skin tone. Whether it’s from sun exposure or acne that’s healing, hyperpigmentation can be frustrating. My Dark Spot Fix is really great for this because it has salicylic acid to exfoliate, and kojic acid to brighten the look of dark patches. Use Retinol Resurfacing Serum at night, and always use sunscreen (like Dual Defender) during the day.

Please note: if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with your doctor before using any skincare treatment products.