Skin First, Shame Last — Start Where You Freakin’ Are
Let’s get one thing clear—glowy skin does not require a 10-step routine and your life together. Some days I’m a skin queen. Other days I’m a skin goblin in a hoodie drinking cold matcha from yesterday. And that’s fine. ADHD isn’t about being lazy—it’s about having 30 tabs open in your brain. So we begin here, with grace. Splash cold water on your face, rub in whatever serum is near, and move. Glowy skin starts with dropping the guilt, not adding more rules.
Make It Obvious — Set Yourself Up Like You’d Set Up a Friend
You know what doesn’t work for ADHD skin days? Hidden drawers. If it’s not visible, it doesn’t exist. Put your skincare where you already are—next to your kettle, on your desk, wherever you stare blankly in the morning. I’ve got a tray on my bathroom sink with only my ride-or-dies: mist, LED mask, barrier cream. Keep it cute and in sight. Think of it as your personal shrine to Showing Up for Your Skin, even when your brain says “not today.”
Stack It Like a Ritual — Pair It with Something That Feels Good
Want a hack? Use your LED mask while you doom-scroll or drink cacao. I do my skincare while watching cat reels or making my weird breakfast bowl (shoutout to eggs, flax seeds and vibes). Stack skincare with whatever you’re already doing. You don’t have to carve out extra time—just link it to a habit that already happens. That’s how you trick your brain into building consistency without the mental tax.
Romanticize the Hell Out of It
Honestly? Skincare is one of the only rituals that feels like mine. So I romanticize it. I light a candle. I use my cryo spoons from the fridge. I put on Lana Del Rey like I’m the main character in a moody French indie film. ADHD makes everything chaotic—so skincare becomes my pocket of peace. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to feel like a little rebellion against the overwhelm. A slow breath. A swipe of serum. A reminder that you’re still here.
Gut Health = Skin Health = Mood Support
When I’m stressed or spiraling, it shows up in my skin. (Hi hormonal breakouts, my old frenemies.) But instead of punishing my face, I’ve started supporting it from the inside. Think warm lemon water, cacao, chia, pink salt, salmon, real food. ADHD makes routine eating hard, but I keep my fridge prepped with stuff I actually like. It’s not about restriction—it’s about giving my body the tools to heal, even when I’m running on 2 hours of sleep and vibes.
Crash Days = Emergency 3-Step Skin Plan
No thoughts, just:
- Swipe face with micellar water or splash cold water.
- Slap on hydrating serum or mist.
- Seal it with a barrier cream.That’s it. Three moves. Done in 60 seconds. If you’ve got the LED mask near, pop it on and scroll TikTok while it does its thing. Glowy skin doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from repeat kindness on the worst days.
Chapter 7: Texture, Temperature, and Tactile Magic
ADHD skin routines are sensory experiences. I’m not here for boring skincare—I want experiences. Cooling gels, steamy cloths, cold spoons on my cheeks, the way a balm melts into skin—it makes me want to do the routine. Products that feel good = routines that stick. That sensory delight is half the reason I even bother. Make your skin care tactile, dreamy, and a little dopamine hit in a bottle.
Build a Skin Nest (Not Just a Routine)
Your skincare should live in a cozy, ADHD-proof home. I’ve got a tray with my face tools, magnesium spray, rose balm, affirmations and a tiny notebook for brain dumps. That’s my “skin nest.” It’s not just about products—it’s about a corner of calm I can crawl into. On hard days, I come back to it like a reset button. You don’t need a Pinterest bathroom—just a soft landing.
The Mirror Is Not the Enemy (Unless It Is)
Let’s be real. Some days, the mirror makes me want to disappear. So I’ve changed how I use it. Softer lighting. Candles. Moodboards taped to the mirror. Affirmations that feel like hugs. If you can’t face yourself today, that’s okay. Do your routine without looking. Your skin doesn’t need performance—it needs presence. And sometimes that presence means dim lights and a little grace.
Redefine Consistency — You’re Not Broken, You’re Brilliant
If your routine shifts weekly, it’s not failure—it’s flexibility. ADHD doesn’t follow linear paths. You’re not doing skincare wrong because you don’t do it the same every day. You’re doing it like a shape-shifter. Some days it’s 10 steps with gua sha and red light. Other days, it’s a splash of water and tears. You’re still showing up. And that’s the glowiest thing of all.
Let your skincare meet you where you are. That’s how we build beauty on our own terms.