THE POWER OF A MINIMALIST SKINCARE ROUTINE

Published: June 28, 2023

Less is more when it comes to finding the perfect skin care routine. By sticking to your tried and true skincare products, you’ll not only boast the benefit of amazing skin but you’ll make your life a whole lot easier. It may take some trial and error to form a minimalist skin care routine since you’ll have to find the best high-quality products for your skin type.

But trust us when we say it is absolutely worth the effort. Minimalism in skincare offers plenty of benefits, with healthy dewy skin being one of them. Keep reading to find out why skinimalism is a method of self-care and the steps you need to take to get started.

"The skin is a self-regulating organ. The excess of products can create confusion and alternate the metabolism of the skin. Selecting few products rich in ingredients requested by the skin is the best strategy."

Monica Poli, [ comfort zone ] Skin Science and Technologies Manager

Benefits of a Minimalist Skincare Routine

Many people have been leaning into a minimalist lifestyle in recent years as a method to reduce waste and live with intention. Minimalist lifestyle choices certainly can (and should) be applied to your skin care routine as well. A minimalist skincare routine involves using a few key products and sticking to only them. With so many different product options on the market, it may seem counterintuitive to use minimalism with your skincare but it can actually be an effective route. Some benefits of a minimalist skincare routine are listed below.

Time-Saving

There is no shortage of skincare products to choose from. This can make it easy to get wrapped up in a lengthy and complicated skincare routine. But when you only use a few products, it will make your skincare routine inherently easier.

Cost-Effective

A minimalist skincare routine is cost-effective since you’ll only be purchasing a few high-quality products that will do an incredible job of helping you achieve your desired skin. By investing in premium skincare you’ll end up spending less than you would in the long run if you were continually having to replace lower-quality products that don’t get the job done as well.

Less Product Clutter

Many of us know the struggle of having tons of different skin care and beauty products cluttering up our countertops and shelves. Less products equals less clutter so by subscribing to a minimalist skincare routine, you can expect your bathroom to remain more organized than before.

Fewer Potential Skin Irritants

If you have a sensitive skin type then you may already have tried the minimalism route to skincare in an effort to support your skin health. The fewer products you use, the less you’ll be exposing your skin to irritating ingredients. Using too many products can definitely cause skin issues like breakouts, blemishes, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation. Not to mention, it’s difficult to pinpoint which ingredients cause a reaction when you’re using a bunch of different ones every day.

Easier To Stick To

When you have a busy schedule (as most of us do) it can be challenging to stick to healthy habits like taking care of your skin. Using fewer products makes for a simpler routine so that you can actually be consistent. Remember, the small habits that you actually perform daily are the ones that can have the biggest impact on your life.

How to Create a Minimalist Skincare Routine

It may seem daunting to create a minimalist skincare routine, especially if you’re currently using a whole plethora of different products every day. But once you take the steps to reach a minimalist approach, you’ll be grateful that you did. It definitely takes some trial and error to find the products that work best for you so below we’re sharing the steps you’ll need to get started.

Assess Your Skincare Needs

You’ll first have to take some time to figure out what your skin type is in order to determine what products will best serve your skin needs. Some of the most common skin types include:

Acne-Prone/Oily Skin: If your skin tends to be greasy and shiny at the end of the day and you have a hard time keeping breakouts at bay, then you probably have acne-prone or oily skin.
Sensitive Skin: Sensitive skin is that which is irritated easily and tends to experience redness and itchiness.
Dry Skin: Dry skin is likely to become flakey dry and peel.
Combination Skin: If you’re having a hard time figuring out your skin type since more than one skin type sounds like yours, then you probably have combination skin. Combination skin can be oily in some areas and dry in other areas.

Choose Multi-Purpose Products

In order to avoid having to use a bunch of different products, look for products that serve multiple purposes. For example, you could get a moisturizer that also has SPF for sun protection or a cleansing balm that helps to moisturize and exfoliate all at once. Look for products with active ingredients like vitamin C and other antioxidants to ensure that you’re nourishing your skin as much as possible with each product.

Simplify Your Routine Steps

Understanding the essential steps in a skincare routine can make it easier to narrow down which products you need to use daily. In general, your skincare routine should include the following steps:

Cleanse. This is the act of actually washing your skin. You’ll want to find a high-quality cleanser that gets your skin clean without drying it out too much.
Use a toner. Toner works to help further cleanse the skin, exfoliate, and also add some moisturizing properties.
Moisturize. It is important to always follow cleansing with moisturizer, in order to prevent the skin from drying out.
Apply sun protection. A daily sunscreen is one of the most important ways to prevent signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.

These steps could be considered the “bare bones” of a skincare routine but you could also add in steps like an occasional mask, serums, or exfoliators as well. The key with a minimalist skincare routine is to focus on only using a few products on a daily basis, but you may have additional products that you use on occasion when needed.

Stick to a Consistent Routine

Once you’ve found your perfect skincare routine, you should make it a point to stick with it. Only using three or four products can make it easier to be consistent and really see the benefits of taking good care of your skin.

It is typically recommended that a skincare routine be performed in the morning and at night every day but you can adjust these parameters as needed. For example, if you have dryer skin you may have to moisturize an extra time during the day or if you have more oily skin, you may benefit from using toner an extra time to help cleanse away some of the oils.

Adjust as Needed

Keep in mind that your skin’s needs will change over time and you have to be willing to make changes as needed. Pay attention to how your skin tolerates certain products and never be afraid to swap a product for a different one when you feel like change is necessary. A big part of minimalism is intention. This means paying attention to what works for you and what doesn’t and making changes when necessary.

Must-have Products for a Minimalist Skincare Routine

If you want to make a minimalist skincare routine work for you then you have to select the best products that work for your skin type. By finding products that really work for you, you’ll eliminate the need to have tons of products since what you do use will be working well.

Cleanser

An effective yet gentle cleanser is the foundation of any skincare routine. Choose one that is made from high-quality and natural ingredients so that you can keep your skin clean without letting it get too dried out. The Essential Face Wash by Comfort Zone is a versatile everyday cleanser that works for most skin types.

Moisturizer

After you wash your skin you should always follow with a moisturizer. Face lotions come in many forms and it may take some time to find the best one for you. The Hydramemory Rich Sorbet Cream has a brightening and hydrating formula which is ideal for those who struggle with dryer skin.

Sunscreen

One of the most common causes of premature aging is sun damage. It is important to use a daily sunscreen even on days when you aren’t heading to the beach. Your skin gets exposed to the sun even when you’re just driving to and from work and using a daily sunscreen helps to prevent skin damage over time. To maintain minimalism while also protecting your skin well, you could look for a face cream that also contains SPF.

Serum

Skin serums are a great way to improve skin health and give you a youthful and glowing complexion. Look for a skin serum that contains niacinamide or vitamin C to help boost skin health and provide anti-aging benefits. It’s also good to use an HA booster.

Tips for Maintaining a Minimalist Skincare Routine

The great thing about a minimalist skincare routine is that it can be easier to stick to since it is based on simplicity. Some steps you can follow to help maintain your minimalist skin care routine include:

Focus on consistency. Using the same products every day is one of the best ways to achieve healthy skin.
Keep it simple. Focus on what your skin type needs and try your best to use only those products.
Choose high-quality products. High-quality skincare products make all the difference in a minimalist skincare routine. When the products are made well you only need a few to achieve skin health.
Listen to your skin. Pay attention to how your skin reacts and adjust products as needed.
Protect your skin. Using a good moisturizer and sunscreen on your skin helps to create a skin barrier to protect your skin from harmful sun rays and air pollution.

Common Misconceptions About Minimalist Skincare

A minimalist skincare routine is about more than just using less. Common misconceptions about minimalist skincare include:

Minimalist Skincare is Just About Using Fewer Products

Even though using fewer products is a key factor in minimalist skincare routines, it is not the only part of it. You also want to focus on using high-quality products and intentionally selecting the best products for your skin type.

Minimalist Skincare is Only for People with Perfect Skin

You don’t have to have perfect skin to have a minimalist skincare routine. In fact, choosing a minimalist routine may be exactly what your skin needs to reach optimal health.

Minimalist Skincare Doesn't Provide Enough Benefits

Even when using fewer products, a minimalist skincare routine can still provide plenty of benefits.

You Don't Need to Use Sunscreen in a Minimalist Skincare Routine

Sun protection is essential for healthy skin. Even if you want to maintain a minimalist skincare routine, you should still use daily sunscreen.

Embrace Minimalism in Your Skincare Routine

At the end of the day, minimalism is a great way to clear some of the clutter out of your life and choose a more intentional approach. Incorporating minimalism into your skincare routine can help you achieve beautiful skin by using only the best products and nothing else.