There’s a belief that’s been embedded in the beauty world for years: the more steps you do, the better you’re caring for your skin. The 10-step skincare routine captured people’s imagination worldwide for quite a while. But as an editorial desk that’s spoken with plenty of readers, we’ve come across a truth many are reluctant to admit — most people never complete all those steps, and those who do rarely keep it up for long. So this column takes a different angle: skincare done “lazily but sensibly” may actually deliver better results than forcing yourself through a lengthy routine you abandon after a week.

What Our Editorial Desk Wants You to Know: The Best Routine Is the One You’ll Actually Do

Working continuously with beauty products, one thing we’ve observed over and over is that many readers buy every product for every step they’ve read about in reviews — only to end up using just a few of them. The rest sit untouched until they expire.

The reason isn’t that these people don’t care about themselves. It’s that real life comes with real constraints on time and energy. Someone who gets home from work at 9pm, exhausted, is far more likely to wash their face and go straight to bed than to work through seven steps. And this is exactly the point we want to stress: skin results come from consistency, not from routine complexity.

A three-step routine you do every night for six months will outperform a ten-step routine you manage for ten days. That’s the simple principle we’d like readers to take away.

Why a NAD Serum Is the Best Choice for the Lazy?

If you had to pick just one product to add to the shortest possible routine, a serum is usually our recommendation. Here’s why:

It takes the least time of any skincare product — Its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture means you don’t have to wait long before moving to the next step, unlike heavy creams that take time to sink in and can leave a sticky feeling behind.

No extra tools required — Unlike masks that need rinsing off, or certain treatments with more involved processes, a serum just needs a few drops smoothed across the face, and you’re done.

It can be the single step that covers multiple concerns — Particularly all-in-one serum formulas designed to address several skin concerns in one product, which suits anyone who doesn’t want a dozen bottles crowding their vanity.

Easy to carry, usable anywhere — For frequent travelers or anyone who often stays out overnight, a serum in small packaging is far more convenient than hauling several large bottles.

The Minimum Routine Our Desk Recommends for the Time-Poor

Drawing on our own testing and input from various experts, here’s the shortest routine that still covers the essentials:

Morning — Cleanse with a gentle product, follow with a serum, and finish with sunscreen. This last step is one our desk always insists on never skipping, because protecting skin from UV rays is the single most fundamental element of slowing skin aging.

Night — Cleanse thoroughly, then apply your serum. For anyone with limited time, that’s enough. If you have the energy left, add a moisturizer — but on the nights you’re genuinely exhausted, doing just these two steps still beats doing nothing at all.

The key principle is this: don’t set a goal higher than what you’ll realistically sustain. Unrealistic goals tend to lead to abandoning the routine altogether, which is a worse outcome than doing less but doing it consistently.

How NAD Serum Fits the Lazy Approach?

NAD, or Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, is a compound that plays a role in cellular energy metabolism, and has been developed into topical skincare products over the past few years. What makes NAD Serum appealing for the time-poor is that it’s been formulated to be easy to use and applied at home, without needing a medical facility or complex procedures.

Compared with other ways of supplementing NAD — such as clinic injections requiring appointments and travel, or oral supplements which should be discussed with a doctor before starting — the topical serum format is a non-invasive option and the most accessible entry point.

Recommending NADORA for Those Who Want It Done in One Step

For readers looking for a serum that delivers on the “one step and done” idea, NADORA is a high-quality Thai skincare brand that developed its NAD Serum around an all-in-one concept — closely aligned with the philosophy we’ve laid out in this column.

NADORA’s NAD Serum clearly states its key ingredients along with concentrations: Niacinamide 8%, which helps fade dark spots; Tranexamic Acid 2%, which helps brighten the skin and improve texture; Sunflower Sprout Extract, which further nourishes the skin; and the brand’s proprietary REJUVENAD™ technology, which helps slow down age-related signs of skin aging.

What makes it particularly well suited to those short on time is its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that leaves no sticky residue — meaning no long wait before the next step, or before going straight to bed if you’re applying it at night.

In terms of packaging, NADORA offers options to suit different needs: a single 5ml sachet (x1) at 99 baht, ideal for trying before committing or carrying with you, and a 6-sachet box (x6) at 590 baht for regular users seeking better long-term value.

An Important Warning From Our Desk: Buy Only From Official Stores

Although this column is about making life easier, there’s one thing our desk strongly advises against being “lazy” about: verifying where you’re buying from.

Counterfeit issues tend to affect highly popular products, and the risk isn’t limited to wasting money — it extends to safety concerns for your skin, because consumers have no way of knowing what’s actually in a product that hasn’t gone through proper manufacturing processes.

So for NADORA products, purchase only through the brand’s Official Store. The safest approach is to visit the brand’s official website first, then click through to the store links listed there, rather than searching for the product name directly on e-commerce platforms — since search results may include sellers who aren’t officially authorized.

If you come across a seller offering a suspiciously low price, or have any doubts about a product’s authenticity, contact the brand through its official channels to confirm before buying. Spending a few extra minutes on this step is well worth it compared to risking a product of unknown origin.

A Final Word From the Editorial Desk

Skincare doesn’t have to be a half-hour burden every night, and admitting you don’t have the time or energy for a lengthy routine is nothing to be embarrassed about. What matters more is finding a balance you can realistically sustain over the long term.

For readers looking for a product that shortens the routine without compromising on skincare, an all-in-one NAD Serum is worth considering. And if you’re interested in NADORA’s, don’t forget to verify and purchase only through the brand’s official stores.

Review product information and official sales channels for NADORA’s NAD Serum at NADORA NAD Serum