The Cheater's Guide to Face-Washing

Your skin resolution: Wash your face every night before going to bed.

Why you’re tempted to quit: Because after a too-long day, we can’t collapse into bed fast enough.

Why keep going: It can help keep your complexion clear and skin tone even.

You promised yourself it would absolutely end with New Year’s Day—that moment of regret that sets in when you waking up with last night’s makeup smeared your face. But over-scheduled days and late nights create the perfect scenario for not removing your makeup before going to bed. And as Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, a dermatologist and co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery says, that can lead to breakouts and irritated skin, particularly for makeup wearers. “There are a lot of glands in the eyelids and eyelash line, and if coated in makeup all night they can get irritated and clogged, which leads to puffiness and redness around the eyes,” she says.

Related: Why you should stop using a washcloth

But here’s the hitch: many of us already know about the benefits of cleansing the skin, but after long days (which are most days), we fail to follow through. Here’s how to recommit to your skin-saving resolution: when feeling too tired or lazy to saddle up to the sink, let micellar water and a cotton pad do the work for you. These oil-in-water suspensions, which use chemical bonds to lift dirt and makeup and tone—can be used with a cotton pad, with no sink or splashing required. Sweep solution-soaked pads across your face and lips, then fold cotton rounds in half and lay them atop closed eyes. Let them soak for a minute before swiping away mascara and liner; formulations tend to be gentle enough to use all over the face. No matter how tired, a final thought before going to bed: the whole face cleansing process takes a minute or less. It’s a pretty fair shake, considering we spend a full 15 minutes or more putting makeup on, right?

NUXE Micellar Cleansing Water, $20, available at Nuxe.