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The Korean 10-step skin care method has been the trend for some time now. (You or your friends have most likely tried it.) But recently more and more women are scaling back their regimens in favor of minimalist skin care routines. There’s even a name for it: skinimalism.
If you’re accustomed to layering on serums, creams and oils and like the results, going the minimalist route can be a drastic change. And may not give you the same results as a multistep process. But there are plenty of benefits to trimming your products down to just the essentials. Like saving both time and your hard-earned money.
Read on for why you should consider a minimalist skin care routine.
Does a Minimalist Skin Care Routine Actually Work? Here’s the Breakdown.
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Choose multipurpose skin care products
A multistep routine is so named because of the number of products you have to use. But if you can find one product that serves more than one purpose, you just saved a step. Look for a cleanser that thoroughly cleanses your skin and removes makeup so you don’t have to double cleanse or use a glow tonic that combines a toner with exfoliation in one step. That just saved you a lot of time and money.
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Using too many products at once can be risky
Sometimes we tend to get so serious about our skin care that we forget to actually take care of our skin. With so many products in a multistep routine, finding the right combination can be tricky — and while you’re playing chemist, your skin suffers. Take it down a notch by nixing a few items and see if it works. (Check out our cheat sheet of skin care ingredients you should never mix.)
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Find the right balance
Getting to know your skin's needs is the most important part of setting up a beauty regimen. If three products are required to fully hydrate your skin, go ahead. But if one product gets the job done, don’t insist on using three more. A minimalist skin care routine means finding the right balance and identifying the products you really need.
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Cleanse, tone, moisturize
Even before the hype of multistep skin care routines, it was all about cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Think of these three steps as the foundation of your skin care routine. Master these and build upon them, adding products only when necessary.
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A minimalist skin care routine is more sustainable
A skin care routine needs consistency for optimal results. But spending 20 or more minutes twice a day on your skin is a tall order. Instead of rushing through a multistep routine, you are better off with a minimalist routine you can commit to regularly. Make every step count.
