When it comes to curating an effective and consistent skincare routine, sometimes less is more. Cleaning up your beauty clutter will help you realize the amount of money, time and shelf space you could have saved all these while, when all you need is just a few essential skincare products that works on you. After all, there is no longer a need for a 10-step skincare routine day and night.
However, with different sources of information available on skincare ingredients, regimens and treatments, it is often difficult to distinguish which ones are the best for our individual skin type. Combining the usage of too many products in a routine can cancel out the effectiveness too.
“I have patients who arrive at their initial consultation with a large bag full of products they either never use, sporadically or all at once. Because of that, they can’t tell which one is the problem and those that are actually working for them,” explains Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a top dermatologist in NYC.
There are solutions that don’t involve spending a fortune on skincare products or treatments. The most holistic skincare routine comes from within. For example, hives and itching may be a way your body warns you of a deeper issue such as an allergy or an autoimmune deficiency. While you learn to take good care of your skin, try to understand what your body is trying to tell you too.
Back to basics; Introduction of Skin Minimalism
A rise in the number of educational skincare influencers can be seen as consumers would prefer recommendations from a reputable source to save the hassle of trying all the different products personally, that cuts down on unnecessary purchases too. Influencers like dermatologists Drs. Hirsch and Dr. Idriss would often share their medical knowledge for free on Instagram.
Dr. Idriss said, “I think, like everything in life, once the pendulum swings one way it will swing back the other. Over the past few years, people have adopted a more-is-more mentality, and they needed to realize that it wasn’t doing more for their skin. I am relieved to see that people are finally focusing their skincare on the actual skin problems they have.”
In 2020, a Women’s Facial Skincare Consumer Report showed that 40% of facial skincare users were using their products more often in the past year. Cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliators, and masks were the categories that saw the biggest increase as more consumers started exploring self-care at home.
Building Your Minimalist Skincare Routine
We have curated some helpful tips for you to build the right minimalist skincare routine.
Before we continue, there are two most recommended skincare products that every dermatologist and esthetician would suggest for all skin types to use and we think you should know – Toner and SPF.
Celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau said, “After cleansing, you have a 60-second window to seal in moisture with a toner.” She added, “Everyone should apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every single day.”
You can incorporate add-ons to your skincare routine one by one, based on your specific skincare concerns. The key is to pay attention to your skin concerns and focus on one issue at a time, instead of following trends and trying to solve all of your problems simultaneously.
With skin minimalism taking over the era, there has been a 110% increase in searches for “homemade skincare” on Pinterest. Rather than mixing ingredients together that may be counterproductive, all your skin needs is a few effective products to be at it’s best.
So, how do you build a minimalist skincare that works?
- Choose a gentle cleanser that keeps the moisture locked-in
Most dermatologists would discourage the use of harsh and foaming cleansers, as it strips off your skin’s delicate barrier. Instead, you can cleanse with micellar water every morning and night. Made up of “micelles”, or lipid molecules, it acts as tiny magnets to help draw out impurities with just a few quick wipes.
You may consider Garnier’s new Micellar Rose Cleansing Water, which is infused with brightening rose water that helps to remove makeup, dirt and oil without the need to rub, making it perfect for sensitive skin types and it leaves your skin glowing.
- Introduce one active ingredient every 12 hours
Even though active ingredients play an important role in a good skincare routine, you may not be aware that some actives will produce a different result when it’s used at a different time of the day. Vitamin C is best used in the a.m, to brighten your complexion and improve pigmentation. It works to neutralise free radicals and produces collagen. At night, you can switch to a retinol to target fine lines and wrinkles.
- Don’t forget your sunscreen
The ultimate protection for your skin against premature ageing. According to the Cancer Council, UV rays above level 3 can affect skin and the blue light from your phone will affect your complexion too. You may apply a multipurpose cream with added SPF benefits.
- Always prioritize moisturizing
How do you choose the right moisturizer? It all depends on your skin type. If you have dry skin, go for a rich cream. If you have oily skin, opt for a lighter lotion, and for combination skin, you may want to use a mixture of both for a balance. Always check the products’ ingredient list and go for the simpler option.