Have you heard of “skinimalism?” It’s a new term, brought to us by Generation Z, that describes a stripped-down skincare routine. Rather than having a cabinet full of products, skinimalism encourages people to use the bare minimum. By reducing the number of products to between 3 and 5, the goal is to achieve glowing skin with only the necessities. Additionally, skinimalism aims to help people embrace their skin rather than hide it under layers of makeup.
Now that you know what skinimalism is, you may be wondering how to follow this trend. Below you’ll find tips on embracing skinimalism, so you can start loving your skin — and your low-hassle beauty routine — more.
1. Keep It Simple
When it comes to minimalism, a good rule of thumb is to focus on three steps. The first is cleansing. It’s important to have a cleanser that can effectively rid your skin of dirt, makeup, and other things that cause oil and bacteria build-up.
The next step is hydration. Whether it’s a water-based moisturizer or an emollient-rich cream, you want a product that can hydrate your skin and help it retain moisture.
The third is protection, which means using sunscreen. As you probably already know, the sun can seriously damage your skin. And that damage typically shows itself in dark spots, discoloration, wrinkles, fine lines, and so on. You don’t want that, right? So make sure you apply sunscreen.
If you have a specific skin concern, you might need to add a fourth step: treatment. For example, let’s say you have developed sun spots and are seeking an effective anti-aging treatment. You may want to incorporate retinol into your routine to help fade those signs of aging.
2. Find Your Reason
The only way to stick with something is to figure out why you’re doing it in the first place. The same applies to skinimalism. So ask yourself: Why am I doing this? Maybe you’re tired of a beauty routine that takes an hour but doesn’t yield extraordinary results. Or perhaps you’re tired of spending so much of your monthly income on skincare products.
Research shows that the average U.S. woman spends almost $4,000 a year on beauty products and services. Yes, you read that right! Think of how much money you could save if you cut your beauty expenditures in half and only used a few products to achieve your glow. That’s enough motivation to adopt skinimalism — especially with today’s inflation.
Regardless of the reason, make sure you have something motivating you, so you can stick with it. Perfecting skinimalism takes time, and it’s essential to be patient and remain focused on your why.
3. Focus on Your Skin Type
Spoiler alert: You don’t need every product that’s advertised on social media. It’s important to remember that influencers get paid for highlighting certain products. And while that’s not to say those products are ineffective, you shouldn’t rush out to buy them — especially without researching them.
The key to skinimalism is finding products that work specifically for your skin type. Do you have dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin? Knowing your skin type will help guide you on what products you need and which ones to avoid.
Having a good idea of your skin type will keep you from wasting money on products that don’t work. For example, you may think you need to use a lightweight moisturizer. But if you have dry skin, you probably need to use a heavier, more hydrating product to get the desired results.
4. Find Multipurpose Products
When you’re trying to reduce your beauty product arsenal, look for skincare products that are multipurpose. Whether it’s a cleanser that doubles as an overnight mask or a moisturizer that contains sunscreen, you can get more bang for your buck.
Keep in mind, you still want to ensure you’re using products that work for your skin. Returning to the example above, just because a cleanser doubles as an overnight mask doesn’t mean it’s for you.
This is especially true if you don’t need an overnight mask or the ingredients aren’t ideal for your skin type. To perfect skinimalism, it’s crucial that you only use combination products that will benefit your skin.
In addition to skincare products, there are also multipurpose tools. For example, a skincare wand might feature red-light therapy, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, along with microcurrent/low vibrations. The latter capability tones facial muscles and decreases puffiness. Such a device could offer everything you need to maintain smooth and radiant skin.
Saying Goodbye to Overconsumption
We live in a world where it’s easier than ever to buy things. Whether it’s clothes, food, or skincare products, all you have to do is click a button, and it’s delivered. While this can be a blessing, it’s also a curse. That’s because companies continuously roll out “the latest” products in the hope that we’ll keep buying — and we do. But this overconsumption can lead to financial, environmental, and even psychological issues.
The goal of skinimalism is to tune out all the noise and stop buying skincare products you don’t need simply because they are available. Rather, this trend encourages you to use the products you absolutely require and eliminate those you don’t. Before long, you’ll be loving your skin for its natural beauty.
