Have you heard of ‘skinimalism’?
It is a new beauty trend that is extremely popular.
Here’s more about what it means and why you might want to use it as part of your personal care routine.
What is skinimalism?
You’ve probably heard of minimalism in beauty. Minimalism is the new word for that.
It describes a trend that encourages individuals to simplify their skincare routine, emphasizing the idea that ‘less is more’.
If you’re like most of us and care about our skin and appearance, you probably have a lot of products in your bathroom or bedroom cabinets. You try this product and that product. This one works pretty well, that one not so well, but you keep an eye on it, maybe if you only use it occasionally…
Then you hear about a new product that promises to make you look younger, so spend your money and give it a try. You may have wondered about new advanced ingredients such as certain peptides and natural extracts. Before you know it, products are coming out of your ears and you no longer know when to use what and in what order.
Skinimalism is the answer to this kind of beauty overload. The pendulum has swung the other way for several reasons, not only related to personal care, but also to caring for the planet.
Photo by RDNE Stockproject via Pexels.
Why we need skinimalism today
If you think about the way we’ve been doing things – buying more and more products and letting them pile up in our homes and on our skin – you can see how this can cause the following negative effects.
Too many products cause skin problems
We used to think that the more products we could apply to our skin to make it look younger, the better.
Now we know that’s not the case. Dermatologists have said, “Hey, enough is enough. More is not necessarily better.”
The truth is that overuse can cause several skin care problems, including the following:
- Sensitivity
- Redness
- Dryness and flaking
- Outbreaks
- Irritation
- Inflammation
If you notice any of these problems on your skin, you may be using too many products.
Too many products are bad for the planet
According to the Environmental Services company Clean Hubpackaging waste is the biggest challenge facing the beauty industry. The country produces at least 120 billion pieces of packaging every year, and 95 percent of that packaging is thrown away.
Much of that packaging consists of non-recyclable plastic, which can end up in our waterways and have a negative impact on nature.
Too many products are bad for your wallet!
As you probably already know, most high-end beauty products aren’t cheap. Even if you stick to low-quality brands that typically cost less, these costs can add up if you buy a lot of them.
You can do your skin, the planet and your wallet a big favor by using fewer products. The key is to choose the ones that give you the most bang for your buck.
How to embrace skinimalism: 7 decluttering tips
If you want to tone down your skincare routine, try these tips.
1. Start laying everything out.
Get out all your beauty and skin care products so you can get a good look at them. This gives you a realistic idea of how many products you have and which ones really help your skin (or not).
2. Throw away the junk.
Look for things you know need to go. This could include products that have expired, such as mascara you’ve had for more than three months, eyeshadow you’ve had for more than six months, and foundations you’ve had for more than a year.
Keep in mind that old makeup can contain germs and bacteria that you don’t want to leave on your skin. Check for an expiration date. If there is none, check the smell, texture and consistency. When one of these is out, it goes away.
Also think about products you have not used in the past three months. These products are not part of your routine and probably won’t be in the future, so you can safely get rid of them. If they are unopened, you may be able to give them away to someone who wants them.
Throw away empty or nearly empty bottles, stubby eye pencils, and the like. Clean your shelves with a disinfectant wipe so they are ready to be filled again.
3. Set aside your top products.
You know that one. These are the products you can’t live without. They have remained constant in your routine no matter what other products you have tried. Set them aside in the ‘keep’ pile.
4. Examine your tools.
Brushes and other cosmetic tools last longer than products, but that doesn’t mean they last forever. If the bristles are falling out or the applicators are bent or misshapen, it’s time to replace them. Whatever you have, clean them with mild dish soap and water and let them dry.
5. Create categories.
Now look at your remaining products. To figure out what to remove and what to replace, create categories and place the products within them.
Examples of useful categories include:
- Cleaning agents
- Toners
- Moisturizers
- Serums
- Masks
- Exfoliating agents
- Makeup removers
- Think about it
See which ones have a lot of products and which ones have less. Tackle those who have a lot first. For many of us, that means moisturizers and serums. Most likely you won’t need more than one of each. If you think so, you are using the wrong product.
Look at the ingredients list of each product. (If it’s not listed on the product itself, look it up online.) To make a skincare routine work, you want to use high-quality products with safe ingredients that are good for your skin.
6. Create a “throw away” category.
Use your common sense and start throwing out products from each category. For example, if you have five serums and you know one of them gave you your breakthrough, put it in the throwaway category. You might have hoped that it would work better in the future, but in most cases, if a product doesn’t suit your skin, it’s not likely to change later.
If you have two toners and aren’t sure which one to keep, check the ingredients. If they both look good, test them the next time you wash your face. Keep the one that makes your face feel the best. If your skin feels tight or dry afterwards, this is not the toner for you. You want something that leaves your skin feeling soft and supple.
Follow a similar process for any range of products you’re unsure about, gradually returning your routine to the high-performing products that keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
7. Go shopping!
Now for the fun part!
Identify the gaps in your skin care routine. What products are you missing after going through this decluttering process? Mark these as products you need to buy.
Or maybe you have products that work “well” in every category, but you’re not getting the results you want on your skin. Maybe those products need to be replaced?
Your goal is to narrow it down until you only have the following key items:
- Cleaner
- Toner
- Moisturizer
Then carefully choose the additional products you think you need. This could be a make-up remover, an exfoliating product, an anti-aging serum or a mask. Think carefully about what your skin needs before you go shopping.
Do you suffer from redness and sensitivity? Do you suffer from dehydration and flaking? Do you see more wrinkles and want to fade them away?
Write down your top concerns and then try to find products that will address those concerns in as few steps as possible.
CV Skinlabs is the ultimate brand for skin imalism!
At CV Skinlabs we have four multifunctional products that perfectly match the skinimalism trend. It’s about using fewer high-quality products to get the results we want. We use scientifically proven ingredients necessary to treat and transform the skin.
Regardless of your skin type or age, you can use our products from head to toe! Here’s just a glimpse of how you can multitask with each of these. In addition, all our products are carefully packaged, so our bottles are recyclable and our boxes are degradable.
Rescue and relief spray
Use this as a refreshing toner after cleansing, as a cooling aftershave, as a refreshing and hydrating afternoon mist, or to cool down a red spot, like when your psoriasis or rosacea is flaring up.
Soothing moisture
This product works beautifully as a facial moisturizer as it helps tame inflammation and heal the skin barrier while leaving a radiant glow. You can also use it to moisturize an irritated scalp, as a leave-on mask, and as a makeup primer.
Body repair lotion
Ultra-soothing and fast-absorbing, this deeply hydrating lotion repairs and soothes dry, inflamed skin while instantly restoring radiance. Use it as an all-over body lotion, as well as to soothe dermatitis and eczema flare-ups, soothe radiation burns, soothe irritation from cosmetic procedures and after shaving or waxing.
Restorative skin balm
Try this miracle cure balm to instantly soothe chapped lips and severely dry skin. It is also great for softening scars, moisturizing cuticles, helping wounds heal, and relieving dryness and itching around psoriasis and dermatitis patches.
Have you tried the skinimalist approach to skin care?
Featured image courtesy of Roman Odintsov via Pexels.
