No doubt cleansing your skin thoroughly twice daily is one of the most basic things you need to do to ensure healthy, congestion-free skin. Not to mention that makeup goes on best when your skin is clean. Yet, on the days when you can’t even bring yourself to roll out of bed, try reaching for a bottle of micellar cleansing water. Formulated to be rinse-free, a quick wipe down of your face with a cotton pad saturated in micellar cleansing water gently lifts traces of dirt, dead skin cells and sebum that have accumulated on your skin overnight. We like Estelle & Thild’s BioCleanse Micellar Cleansing Water, $38 for 250ml, as it is infused with aloe vera to soothe and hydrate skin while natural coconut tensides ensures that it cleanses thoroughly without compromising the skin’s natural barrier function. Best part? It literally takes 10 seconds.

When you’re trying to get out of the house in under 15 minutes, there’s no point bothering with your usual 6-step skincare and 8-step makeup routine — and flat-ironing your hair? Forget it. Instead, just go for the essential basics. Massage on a moisturiser, never ever forget sunscreen, pull your hair up into a messy bun, don’t skip concealer, apply everything with your fingers, dab on a touch of colour on your lips and cheeks and you’re good to go.

Another way to further help you save time is to count on multi-tasking products. And there’s definitely no shortage of them on the market because women, whether or not we’re running late, like products that do-it-all. After all, who needs three separate tubes of a moisturiser, foundation, sunscreen when you can get the benefits of all three in one nifty tube? Look to Dr. Jart+, a Korean brand that has a good selection of all-in-one products.

For example, its Dis A Pore Beauty Balm, $54 for 50ml, not only protects the skin against UV rays, but is also fortified with niacinamide, which refines skin texture and tightens pores at the same time. Plus, it contains a smoothing powder and silky polymer to smooth skin surface and blur out visible imperfections so your skin almost looks airbrushed. Alternatively, if you’re more concerned with redness, try Cicapair Re-cover SPF 30/PA++, $74 for 50ml. While it looks like a green paste, it contains colour-changing capsules which transforms it into a flesh-toned shade to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of redness and blemishes. It also contains centella asiatica extract, which accelerates skin healing and strengthens it against external aggressors. A combination of minerals like magnesium and potassium also helps energise the complexion.

And if you want to add some colour to your face, opt for a versatile product that doubles up as a cheek and lip colour. We like Nars The Multiple in Orgasm, $60, a universally flattering shade that works for all skin tones and has a buildable coverage so you can either dab on a sheer veil of colour or layer on for more intensity. It also comes in a convenient retractable format, making it easy to use even when you’re on the go.

We also like Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Highlighter & Balm Duo, $74. Dab the highlighter onto higher planes of your face to make your features like cheekbones and nose bridge pop, or apply the balm onto your cupid’s bow for instantly fuller-looking lips.