My Non-Negotiable Skincare Routine for Busy Teachers
By Maren — Home cook energy. Not chef energy. Let's make something good with what you've got. ·
October Skin: Why I’m Treating My Face Like a Well-Seasoned Pan
It’s October in Minneapolis, which means the air has officially turned crisp, the leaves are doing that beautiful, crunchy thing on the sidewalk, and my skin has decided to stage a protest. If you’ve been following my TikTok, you know I spend most of my day in a middle school classroom—a place where the air is dry, the stress is real, and I’m constantly touching my face after handling markers and grading papers.
I’m not a dermatologist, and I’m definitely not a beauty influencer. I’m a home cook who thinks about ingredients the same way I think about face cream. You know how you wouldn't use a delicate, expensive olive oil to sear a steak in a rusted pan? You have to treat your skin with that same logic. It needs to be nourished, protected, and—most importantly—it needs to be consistent. My skincare routine isn't about looking like I’m twenty-two again; it’s about feeling comfortable in my own skin so I can focus on feeding people and teaching kids.
Keep It Simple: The 'Pantry Principle'
If you have a twenty-step routine, you’re a better person than I am. By the time I get home from school, feed Gary (my sourdough starter, obviously), and get a cast-iron skillet heating up for dinner, I don’t have the mental bandwidth for serums that require a chemistry degree.
I treat my skin like a good recipe: start with quality basics. My routine is essentially three steps. Think of it like a base sauce for a pasta dish—you don't need a thousand ingredients to make something taste like home. You need a cleanser that doesn't strip you dry, a moisturizer that locks everything in, and a sunscreen that doesn't make you look like a ghost. That’s it. That’s the whole meal.
The 'Post-School' Reset
When I walk through the door at 4:30 PM, the first thing I do isn’t check my phone—it’s wash my face. That feeling of washing off the school day is sacred. It’s like clearing off the cutting board after chopping onions. I use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser because my skin is already dealing with the Minnesota wind-chill, and I don’t need to aggravate it further.
I’ve found that using a washcloth—just like the ones my grandmother used to use in her kitchen—makes the biggest difference. There’s something about the gentle physical exfoliation of a soft, cotton cloth that feels so much more 'human' than those fancy silicone brushes. Plus, you can throw them in the wash with your kitchen towels, which keeps things easy.
Why Hydration Is My Love Language
Feeding people is my love language, but feeding my skin is my act of self-care. In October, I switch to a heavier moisturizer. My grandmother always kept a tub of thick, no-nonsense cream in the pantry, and I’ve realized she was onto something. If you’re feeling tight or flaky, your skin is basically telling you it’s thirsty.
I look for ceramides. If you don't know what those are, don't worry—just think of them as the 'glue' that holds your skin barrier together. It’s the difference between a sad, cracked loaf of bread and a perfectly proofed, hydrated sourdough. If your skin barrier is compromised, everything you put on top of it is just going to evaporate. Lock the moisture in while your face is still slightly damp from washing. It makes all the difference.
The SPF Truth (Even When It’s Cloudy)
I know, I know. You’re tired of hearing it. But I see the sun reflecting off the snow or the gray October sky, and I still reach for my SPF. I think of it like seasoning a dish—you might not taste the salt as an individual ingredient, but the whole dish falls apart without it.
I struggled for years to find a sunscreen that didn't feel greasy or smell like a beach vacation I wasn't currently on. My advice? Find a 'sunscreen-moisturizer hybrid.' If it’s in the same bottle as your moisturizer, you’re way more likely to use it. If you have to dig for a separate tube, you’re probably going to skip it on a Tuesday morning when you’re running late with a half-packed lunch in your hand.
Listen to Your Face
At the end of the day, your skin is going to change based on the season, your stress levels, and what you’re eating. Some days, my skin looks great. Other days, I look like I’ve been grading essays for six hours straight (because I have). And that’s okay.
We put so much pressure on ourselves to be 'perfect,' but just like in the kitchen, perfection is boring. I’d rather have a face that looks lived-in and happy than one that looks like a plastic filter. Eat your veggies, drink your water, and treat your skin with the same kindness you’d use when folding dough. It’s a work in progress, and that’s the best part.
So, tell me—what’s the one skincare product you swear by? Or are you still searching for your 'holy grail' moisturizer? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for recommendations that actually hold up to a busy, messy, wonderful life.