Most skincare advice feels like it was written for people who already have their lives together. “Cleanse, tone, serum, moisturize, SPF.” Great. Love that for them.
But what if you forget you even own skincare?
What if your products are sitting in a drawer somewhere because opening that drawer takes more energy than you have?
What if routine itself is the enemy?
Hi. Welcome to skincare for ADHD.
If you’ve ever looked at your 10-step lineup and just… turned off the lights and went to bed, this is for you.
Step One: The “One Product” Rule
At my lowest, I could only do one thing. So I picked a cleanser.
And that was it.
If I washed my face, I won. No guilt, no shame, no pressure to do more.
Once that one step felt easy, I added a toner. Then a serum. And sometimes I still go back to just cleanser, because… ADHD. It’s not about sticking to a perfect routine every day. It’s about doing what you can each day without hating yourself for it.
Having a no-shame relationship with skincare for ADHD actually makes it easier to stick to a well-rounded routine.
Step Two: Make It Visible or Forget It Exists
Out of sight = out of routine.
If I don’t see it, it’s like I never owned it. So here’s what helps:
- A skincare tray on my desk or sink (where I actually look)
- A skincare vanity I designed myself
- Updating my skincare blog (ADHD Skincare) or reading beauty newsletters
- Putting my cleanser in the shower (because duh, I’ll be in there)
Clear containers, open shelves, and being able to see my products instantly doubles my consistency.
Step Three: Routine Pairing
I always brush my teeth twice a day (ADHD can’t take this away from me because I am terrified of needing another extraction). So I stacked skincare on top of that habit.
Right after brushing, I reach for my cleanser.
Other ADHD skincare-proof pairings:
- Skincare + watching your comfort show
- Skincare + waiting for noodles to boil
- Skincare + daily stretches
Basically, make it part of something you already do without thinking.
Step Four: Keep It Under 4 Steps
We already broke down the three major parts of skincare in another post, so check that out if you want a super simplified overview. The general idea is that good skincare routine for ADHD= cleanse, treat, and protect.
Now, building on that, let’s talk routines.
A full, fancy skincare routine typically looks like this:
Cleanser → Toner → Eye Cream → Serum → Moisturizer → SPF (for morning)
But let’s be real: doing all that every day is hard, especially if you have ADHD. My hack?
I stick to a 3-step routine on days I just can’t do it all. It covers the essentials and still does the heavy lifting. Honestly, even if you only ever do these three steps, your skin can still thrive.
Sample 3-Step Routine:
Morning: Cleanser → Moisturizer → SPF
Night: Cleanser → Serum → Moisturizer
Step Five: Pick Products That Feel Good to Use
This is key. I need products that either feel nice, or look cute.
Why? Because I need dopamine bait.
A mist that cools my face? Love.
A gel that makes my skin bounce? Inject it into my routine.
A product that feels sticky, heavy, or boring? Bye.
If it’s not sensory-friendly, it’s not gonna happen.
But here’s the trap: chasing dopamine via smell is risky business. I love a good scent (I would lay down my life for St. Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin body wash), but in skincare?
Fragrance is a sneaky little villain. It often comes with irritants your skin didn’t ask for. And while the rest of your body might be able to handle that, your face might not.
TLDR: You need a little consistency, not a lot
Here’s the thing no one tells us:
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to do 12 steps. Consistency is the secret to great skin for ADHD. You just need to consistently put in the bare minimum every day. Then you can choose to build from there or not.
That’s what makes it work.
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