Care to Indulge in a Little Therapeutic Laziness?

In today’s world, we are hard-wired to always be “on”. It’s exhausting. And when it comes to a skincare routine, it can seem like another chore to tick off your to-do list. This is where therapeutic laziness comes in. An elevation of the bed rotting TikTok trend, it’s essentially about having a passive approach to beauty, but being intentional about it, with WGSN describing it as “a guilt-free retreat where therapeutic rest meets beauty”. Think skinimalism with more purpose.

In a time when we’re all under constant pressure, this trend appeals to all, providing a universally satisfying and rejuvenating experience. “The shift towards slower, more conscious beauty reflects what we all need right now: permission to pause,” says make-up artist, Ruby Hammer. “There’s power in paring back.” Is this just another buzzy phrase or is there something to take away from the art of doing less? We speak to experts to find out.

Experts Featured in This Article

Dr.Shereene Idriss is a Consultant Dermatologist and founder of Sinaesthetics.
Ruby Hammer, MBE, is an internationally acclaimed makeup artist.
Jodie Lever is a Soft-Age facialist and founder of Created by Beauty.
Dr.Shereene Idriss is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr.Idriss.

What Is Therapeutic Laziness?

Therapeutic laziness gravitates towards ease, slipping hardworking skincare seamlessly into a beauty routine, meaning you do less, while your skincare does more. It encourages you to concentrate on what your skin needs rather than what everyone else is doing. “People are prioritising effective products rather than a routine filled with ten trending items,” says Dr.Shereene Idriss, board-certified dermatologist and Founder of Dr.Idriss.

This move reflects a growing demand for efficiency and effectiveness, streamlining beauty routines using products that give tangible results. “Therapeutic laziness emphasises simplicity by using fewer, but highly potent, skincare products instead of complex routines,” says Dr.Adel Rammal, Chief Scientific Officer of Indeed Laboratories. But it doesn’t end there. With rest and recovery being a major player in therapeutic laziness, creating a quiet and rejuvenating environment should also be imperative to your routine. “When you approach skincare with mindfulness and intention, it becomes a moment of relaxation, not a task,” says Dr.Rammal.

Is Therapeutic Laziness a Good Thing?

“I think the human brain craves elegance and simplicity, so from a mental health point of view, rationalising a skincare routine into as few steps as possible can offer tremendous benefit. It reduces decision fatigue and makes the process feel more intentional rather than burdensome,” says Dr.Sina Ghadiri, Consultant Dermatologist and Founder of Sinaesthetics.

Simplified routines aren’t just practical; they’re empowering, according to Soft-Age facialist Jodie Lever, founder of Created by Beauty. “The skin thrives on simple, purposeful rituals that support its natural functions without overwhelm. The rest is just noise. It’s about stripping skincare back to what truly matters: nourishment, protection, and regeneration.” She believes self-care isn’t about stacking products, it’s about choosing what genuinely serves your skin and wellbeing, with minimal effort and maximum benefit. The main takeaway is that complexity doesn’t necessarily equate to better results – consistency and intention do.

Any Negatives To Therapeutic Laziness?

“Of course, some people will take things too far – skipping out on essential steps, such as sunscreen application,” warns Dr.Ghadiri. “There is also a danger that by labelling a trend as ‘lazy”, we unintentionally promote a mindset of neglect or ignorance when it comes to skincare practices.”

While simplification can be beneficial, it mustn’t come at the cost of omitting fundamental elements necessary for maintaining healthy skin. “It’s perfectly okay to skip steps when they’re not needed. Just make sure to check in with your skin and assess when it may need extra support,” says Hammer. So if you keep your micellar water and cotton pads by your bed for nights when the only skincare routine you can manage is a lying-down one, there’s no judgment here.

How Can Therapeutic Laziness Be Incorporated Into Your Beauty Routine?

The main thing to consider is not to stress about yet another trend we should all be following. Therapeutic laziness takes the pressure off and allows you to incorporate skincare into your schedule, not dictate how and when you do it. Whether you laze with an LED mask or gua sha while soaking in the tub – ditch the guilt, and initiate a slower and kinder beauty routine without compromising on great skin.

Skincare Meet Self-care

Complicated routines and extreme beauty fads demand our time and energy. “Morning routines should focus on preparation and protection,” says Lever. Breathwork, Vitamin C or Hyaluronic Acid serum, SPF, and self-massage with a gua sha to stimulate lymphatic flow – “essential to encourage glow and resilience”, Lever adds. Evening rituals are about release and repair; a double cleanse to remove the day and its tension, followed by nourishing facial oil or regenerative retinol to support cellular renewal. “Intentional self-massage is a powerful element here, boosting circulation and lymphatic detoxification, calming the nervous system, and enhancing regeneration,” explains Lever.

Habit Stack

“One of the best tips I can recommend is to habit stack a skincare routine into your daily life,” says Dr.Ghadiri. “I’ve been particularly inspired by the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. The idea is to anchor a new habit, like skincare, to an existing one to make it feel more natural and automatic.”

For example, most people shower in the morning, so having your skincare products at arm’s length just as you step out makes them easily accessible and visually prompts you to apply them. “This small environmental tweak can significantly boost adherence and help turn your skincare routine into a seamless, daily ritual,” he explains.

Take A Beauty Snack

Carve out convenient and bite-sized moments to use your products throughout the day; keep a face mist (such as Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist) in your bag to get a hydration hit on-the-go, make your bedside table home for lip and handcare so you use them before you sleep, or slip on an undereye mask while going for a run – Skin Gym Reusable Eye Masks are reusable and stay in place. Testers or mini skincare products are perfect for storing on your person, or at least nearby. The ease of their location means you’ll be more likely to use them. So, next time you pop a protein bar in your bag, add a skincare nibble, too.

Treat While You Laze

It’s a Sunday, you’re still in your PJs, and the furthest you’ll make it today is onto your sofa. Clever, faff-free products can slot seamlessly into lazier days, making skin rejuvenation an effortless act. “Beauty should never feel like a burden; it is a form of self-care and should support us, not stress us out,” says Hammer. Keep your skincare basics in a portable caddy so they can come with you, instead of you going to them. You can do a 1-step, 2-step or whichever you wish skincare routine, without moving far.

Supplements For Skin Health

The biggest shortcut to clear, healthy skin is taking a food supplement. There is no arguing that good skin comes from within, and there are smart supplements made to give your skin the nutrients it needs to look great, or to target specific skin concerns. If it’s fine lines and pigmentation you’re worried about, try introducing a collagen supplement into your routine; pop it in water or your daily juice and down it while the kettle’s boiling. We like Vida Glow Pro Collagen+. Be mindful that although supplements can be an easy and beneficial addition, aiming to get your nutritional requirements through food is the best option.

Sensorial Mode On

Perception in terms of quality and effectiveness is frequently influenced by its sensory attributes. Opening a new jar of your favourite skincare and dipping your finger into the fresh texture can be a moment of pure joy, or breathing in the scent of nourishing facial oil that evokes feelings of luxury and comfort. Being more intentional about the feel, sight and smell of products can affect your overall mood and breathe any new life into your regular routine. If in doubt light a candle to soothe your soul. We like Neom Perfect Nights Sleep Treatment Candle which can be drizzled and massaged onto your body once the candle has melted to help stressed and fatigued skin.

Hybrids Are A Game-Changer

Multirole products offer myriad of benefits: convenience, versatility, mindful consumption, and can easily be included in your beauty routine. “For me, it’s about simplifying with multi-functional products that nourish your skin,” says Hammer. “Lazy skincare, when done mindfully, is just being efficient. It’s smart, not slack.” These versatile products have clever formulas that work overtime, so you can use them in countless ways and cut your routine in half.

The Best Multi-Use Skincare To Save Time And Enhance Wellbeing