Weekends when I don’t have a lot to do are the best. I can relax, reset and extend my skincare routine as part of the process.
As an introvert who does well at cosplaying extroversion, I hardly ever have weekends where I’m not occupied. So, when I have a free weekend, I see it as an opportunity for some mega-level self-care. One of my favourite aspects of a slow weekend dedicated to self-care is an extended skincare routine.
I typically start with a long, early-morning walk , aiming for at least an hour. This gives me time to get in as many steps as possible — the daily goal is 10k. When I finally get back home, feet aching, I go right back to sleep. I don’t joke with my shut-eye, and waking up early to walk often eats into that time. When I finally wake up for the second time, I take my time. Brew a cup of tea or coffee, and make myself a very nice meal without any rush. I also try to eat slowly and savour each bite.
After breakfast, I light some incense or a candle, sit and listen to some music, letting my food settle and digest. After a few minutes of languid lounging, I begin my slow, extended skincare routine — a many-step routine that can last the rest of the day. The goal is simple — to practice self-care while using products that refresh, renew and revive my skin. So, let me take you through my extended skincare routine and the products I love to use.
Morning:
Mindful cleansing with Simple Face Wash
₦6,800
What self-respecting skincare routine doesn’t begin with cleansing? Simple’s Refreshing Face Wash is my holy grail when it comes to cleansers. It’s lightweight, odourless and super silky in texture. I find the fact that it’s so mild combined with the repetitive process of cleansing deeply relaxing. It always feels like a session in mindfulness and staying present. My extended and even normal routine always starts with using this underrated cleanser.
Cleansing part two, with Simple Micellar Water
₦8,793
After washing and drying my face with a soft towel, I like to go in with Simple Micellar Water. Micellar water is such an underrated skincare product. Its key ingredients include purified water, moisturisers (like glycerin), and mild surfactants, which are the compounds responsible for its cleansing action. It’s also great for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
I soak a cotton pad with micellar water and swipe it across my face in circular motions. I love this step because it recreates that feeling of mindfulness from the first stage of cleansing, and also gets the oil and dirt that the face wash alone can’t remove. It helps that it’s odourless, letting me enjoy the scent of my candles or incense.
Mega moisture with Enudium’s Firmness Cream
$60
Moisturising is layering, and after micellar water has set the stage, I go in with moisturiser. After moisturising my face with another Simple product — the hydrating moisturiser, I moisturise the rest of my body with Enudium’s Ethnobotanical Firmness Cream. I love the scent of this cream, and how it sinks into my skin, making it feel supple and fresh. Enudium uses a process called Ethnobotany to combine modern research and technology with traditional African ingredients, creating rich skincare solutions.
With ingredients like Maobi seed oil and Kigelia extract amongst others, this product is packed with natural agents that aid skin firmness and plumpness. I massage it into my skin, focusing on areas prone to dryness such as my elbows, knees, and feet.
Sun protection with Enudium
$38
The next step in my extended skincare routine is face oil. After that, I seal in all the products with sunscreen. Like our Fashion and Beauty editor, I have tried many sunscreen brands, and have many favourites. However, Enudium’s Nuru Spectrum Sheer Sun Emulsion Sunscreen is the latest addition to that list. With Kigelia, Green Rooibos, and Tara extracts, this lightweight, unscented sunscreen melts into my skin, leaving a clear, soft finish. It’s the perfect sealant for my facial skincare for the day. To be honest, I’m still sceptical about the re-application advice from skincare experts, but with how lightweight this sunscreen is, I don’t mind as much.
Read also: Skincare Ingredient Spotlight: Vitamin C and the best products for your routine in 2025
Afternoon
Under-eye TLC with RePatch eye patches from Enudium
$20
After another nap — don’t judge me, I did say naps are one of my favourite things — my extended skincare routine continues with some tender-loving care for my under eyes. Enudium’s RePatch eye patches are the perfect thing for tired, puffy eyes. Made with skin-safe silicone, I like to pair them with my favourite eye cream or serum. After use, I notice that it visibly smooths, de-puffs, and refreshes my dark and tired under eyes.
I particularly love that RePatch patches are washable and reusable. It boosts absorption without waste, offering a sustainable alternative to single-use patches. It’s also very portable, making it perfect for my travel beauty bag.
A quick hydrating spritz with Sioris Face Mist
₦14,000
The name of this product may seem a tad dramatic, but I promise it’s not. Anytime I spray it, it feels like I’ve fallen into a bed of clouds that smell like fresh, gorgeous roses. It’s my skin’s equivalent of a refreshing glass of water. The Korean beauty product is flavoured with argan and rose flower oil, and is a great way to moisturise midday without layering moisturiser onto my sunscreen. It’s also an all-in-one toner that doubles as a mist and serum.
Evening
Another refreshing face wash with Simple
After a long day of napping, being a couch-potato, and only existing in the plot of TV shows, this is the final phase of my extended skincare routine. Before this phase, I set the stage by lighting another candle, making myself dinner and then taking a long, warm bath. My face wash comes to the rescue once again, washing away the layers of sunscreen and dirt from the day.
Exfoliating with The Ordinary
₦37,930
It’s been me and this product since I first started my skincare journey a couple of years ago. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is the only chemical exfoliant I use. Over the years, using this twice a week has improved my skin’s clarity and evened out my tone. I only apply it in the evenings, and the best part is that one bottle lasts up to three months.
Relief moisturising with SKINFOOD Carotene relief cream
$22.30
To wrap up my delightful extended skincare routine on a delicious slow weekend, I moisturise with SKINFOOD’s Carrot Carotene Relief Cream. Formulated with a vegan formula that contains carrot seed oil, it’s the perfect way to provide relief to my skin after exfoliating. I seal it in with my face oil, as usual, and head to bed!
For me, my extended skincare routine on a slow weekend is more than just about the products; it’s a dedicated practice of self-care and mindfulness. It’s about taking the time to truly refresh, renew, and revive my skin, while also nourishing my soul.
So, the next time you have a free weekend, consider indulging in your own slow, extended skincare ritual – your skin, and more importantly, your mind, will thank you for it.
