How to Stick to a Skincare Routine When You Struggle with Executive Dysfunction

Sticking to a skincare routine can be tough in the best of circumstances. Throw in executive dysfunction—when your brain decides that starting, organizing, or even thinking about a task is equivalent to climbing Mount Everest barefoot—and suddenly, your three-step skincare plan feels like a NASA-level mission.

If that sounds familiar, welcome. Grab a seat (or lie down, because comfort is key), and let’s talk about how to make skincare work for you—not against you.

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Why It’s Hard (And Why That’s Okay)

First, give yourself some grace. Executive dysfunction doesn’t mean you’re lazy or incapable; it just means your brain has a unique way of operating.

That “I’ll do it later” mindset? Totally normal. Forgetting until your moisturizer has a layer of dust on top? Been there.

Skincare routines, with their multi-step expectations, can quickly feel overwhelming—especially when you’re juggling 10,000 other things (or just 10, but they’re really loud).

The good news? It doesn’t have to be perfect. Small steps matter—for your skin and your mental health.

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1. Start With Simplicity

The best routine is the one you’ll actually do. Forget the 10-step skincare alchemy. Think bare-bones essentials:

Morning

• Gentle cleanser (or splash water if that’s more doable)
• Moisturizer with SPF (a two-in-one win)

Night

• Cleanser (makeup wipes count)
• Moisturizer (soothing, no-fuss)

Product picks:

• CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser – gentle, brain-dysfunction-friendly
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair SPF 30 – because SPF you don’t have to think about is a gift

👉 One product per step. No serums, no toners, no shame.

Pro Tip: Look for labels like “for all skin types” to cut down decision fatigue.

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2. Make It Multitasking

Multi-purpose products are a blessing when brainpower is low. Less clutter = more doable.

Try:

• Micellar water (like Bioderma Sensibio H2O) – cleanses and removes makeup in one swipe
• Tinted moisturizer with SPF (like Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue) – no layering needed

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3. Build Tiny Habits

Big routines can feel impossible. Tiny habits feel doable.

• Wash your face while brushing your teeth
• Keep moisturizer next to the sink so you see it
• Use micellar water while watching TV

If you’re fried, start with one step…the one that matters most to you. Maybe that’s a quick cleanse, maybe it’s a face mist.

The rule: Done beats perfect. Clean beats nothing.

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4. Set Reminders That Actually Help

When “later” turns into “never,” reminders can be a lifesaver.

• Phone alarms with labels like “Time to moisture up, champ”
• Sticky notes on your mirror
• Visual cues (keep products out, not buried in drawers)
• Try apps like Done, Habitica, or even a recurring TickTick prompt

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5. Reframe Skincare as Self-Care

If skincare feels like a chore, try seeing it as a micro-act of kindness. You’re not trying to be glowy. You’re just giving yourself a tiny moment of care.

Try:

• A texture you love (gel, balm, creamy)
• Unscented or sensory-friendly products (Vanicream is a hero)
• A mist like Avène Thermal Spring Water for low-effort reset moments

Skincare isn’t about skin. It’s about pausing the world for two minutes to say, “Hey, I matter.”

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6. Keep It Visible + Accessible

• Store products where you’ll see them. Ideally eye-level
• Use a pretty tray or basket on your sink
• Opt for easy-open packaging (pumps and flip-tops win; screw-off lids lose)

Avoid the drawer of doom. If you can’t see it, it doesn’t exist.

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7. Give Yourself Permission to Be Imperfect

Skincare doesn’t have to happen every day to count. Missing a day (or five) doesn’t mean you failed. You just…missed a day. It’s okay.

Pick up where you left off—no guilt, no spiral.

If all you do today is a splash of water and a swipe of moisturizer? That still counts.

Progress > perfection. Always.

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Bottom Line

Executive dysfunction can make a skincare routine feel like an Olympic event. But it’s totally possible to work with your brain instead of against it.

• Keep steps simple
• Use products that multitask
• Stack skincare onto habits you already have
• Let it be imperfect—and still meaningful

And if today’s not the day? That’s okay too.

Your moisturizer will still be there tomorrow.

And so will your glow.