Let’s be honest: There are approximately 47,000 skincare routines floating around the internet.

Cleanser. Toner. Essence. Serum. Eye cream. Another serum. Moisturizer. Face oil. And don’t forget the separate morning and nighttime routines.

Listen, I’m tired just writing that list. And there is zero chance I am going to do all that. You are lucky if I remember to take my makeup off before bed.

If, like me, you want to take care of your skin but have absolutely no desire to spend 30 minutes every morning and night applying products, good news: you really don’t have to.

As we get older, our skin does change. It can become drier, thinner and more sensitive, and collagen production slows down. That doesn’t mean we need an entire bathroom cabinet devoted to skincare. In fact, a simple routine that you’ll actually do consistently is far more useful than an elaborate routine that makes you want to throw everything in the trash.

Step 1: Wash Your Face

Start with a gentle cleanser. That’s it. You don’t need something that leaves your face feeling like you just scrubbed it with a kitchen sponge. In fact, that tight, squeaky-clean feeling can be a sign that you’ve stripped too much moisture from your skin.

Look for a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser if your skin tends to be dry or sensitive. I like CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, as a bonus, it’s a good all around cleanser everyone in my house can use.

And if you’re thinking, But I don’t wear makeup every day, that’s fine. You still want to wash away sweat, oil, sunscreen, etc. If nothing else, have you been outside? It’s gross out there!

Step 2: Moisturize

This is where things get really easy.

Use a moisturizer that works for your skin type and use it consistently. I am also a fan of CeraVe here also. Their daily face lotion is light, but effective and has 30 SPF which can save you a step later on if you don’t want to use a separate product.

As skin gets drier with age, keeping that moisture barrier happy becomes increasingly important. You don’t necessarily need the fanciest moisturizer on the shelf. You need one you like using.

If your skin is dry, look for ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin or hyaluronic acid. If your skin is oily or combination, you may prefer something lighter.

And don’t forget your neck. Your neck is attached to your face and has apparently decided it would like to participate in this whole aging thing, too.

Step 3: Sunscreen. Seriously.

If your moisturizer doesn’t have it — you need it.

A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher should be part of your morning routine, especially if you spend time outside. Sun exposure is a major contributor to premature skin aging, including wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and loss of elasticity.

And yes, even if you aren’t lying on a beach.

Put it on your face, neck and other exposed skin. This is the skincare step that is worth being annoyingly consistent about.

Step 4: Pick ONE Anti-Aging Ingredient

Notice that I said one. You do not need to purchase every serum marketed to women over 40.

If you want to add something specifically aimed at signs of aging, a retinoid is one of the better-studied options. Retinoids can help improve the appearance of fine lines, uneven texture and pigmentation and can support collagen production over time.

But here’s the catch: more is not better.

Start slowly — perhaps a couple of nights per week — and use a moisturizer. Retinoids can cause dryness and irritation, particularly when you’re first starting.

And if your skin hates it? You don’t get bonus points for suffering.

There are other ingredients that can be useful depending on your goals, including vitamin C and niacinamide, but you don’t need to start adding them all at once. Your skin does not need a science experiment.

And that’s it. Seriously.

A perfectly respectable basic routine can look like this:

MORNING: Wash or rinse your face. Moisturizer. SPF 30+ if your moisturizer doesn’t have it.

NIGHT: Gentle cleanser. Moisturizer. Optional retinoid a few nights a week.

That’s the whole thing. No jade roller required. No refrigerator full of tiny bottles. No standing in front of the bathroom mirror wondering which product you’re supposed to use before the other product.

What About Eye Cream? Exfoliation? Sacrificing the first-born son of the 2nd generation lamb?

All fine, but not necessary. Pick out an eye cream if you have specific concerns. Exfoliate gently every now and again if you are feeling a little dry or dull. But that’s all bonus stuff that the lazy girl ain’t doing every day (nor should you when it comes to exfoliating!) As for the sacrifice — again, moderation, but if it works, let me know!