Minimalist Skincare Routine Steps That Supplement The 3 Basic Steps
When building a minimalist skincare routine take into consideration your OWN skin concerns. Many people make a mistake of purchasing products they see people on the internet use. Keep in mind what skincare concerns you have and purchase products that will tackle that. You don’t need a million products for a ‘glass’ skin. The only basic skincare routine you need is…cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection. The rest mentioned below are a supplement to your basic minimalist skincare routine and most are not to be applied daily;
- Toner
- Exfoliate
- Acne spot treatment
- Serum
- Eye care
These are additional products that will also help your skin. Some brands produce each of these to tackle a specific skin concern.
1. Toner
Toners can be used to tackle a specific skincare concern depending on it’s ingredients. Personally, the only toner that has worked for me so far, had vitamin C and it brightened my skin and never caused any breakout. It was thicker than the lighter ones available on the market that are applied using cotton swabs. Unluckily, the brand discontinued the toner.
Choose a toner with ingredients that help your skincare concern and the ingredients are not found in the rest of the skincare products in your routine. Hence why people say that toners are unnecessary when building a minimalist skincare routine. Toners being lighter as compared to moisturizers are mostly beneficial to people with oily acne prone skin.
The other skin types can also use toners that target or supplement ingredients that will help their skin.
So toners vary…Below are types of toners available;
· Hydrating Toners: These toners are designed to add moisture to the skin and are ideal for dry or dehydrated skin.
· Exfoliating Toners: These contain ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) which gently exfoliate the skin. They are great for oily or acne-prone skin.
· Balancing Toners: These toners help to balance the skin’s natural oils and pH levels which are beneficial for combination or oily skin types.
· Calming or Soothing Toners: These toners are formulated with calming ingredients. Are excellent for sensitive or irritated skin.
· Astringent Toners: Astringents are more intense toners that can help to tighten pores and reduce oiliness. They often contain alcohol, which can be drying, so they are best used sparingly and are suited for very oily or acne-prone skin.
· Brightening Toners: These toners contain ingredients which can help to brighten the skin and even out skin tone. They are good for dull or uneven skin.
2. Spot Treatments
Spot treatments are targeted solutions designed to address individual pimples or small areas of breakouts, providing a more concentrated dose of active ingredients to reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and speed up healing.
Key Ingredients in Acne Spot Treatments
- Salicylic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Niacinamide
- Sulfur
- Tea Tree Oil
How to use them correctly
- Start Slowly: Always start with a lower concentration or frequency to allow your skin to adjust and minimize potential irritation.
- Use Sparingly: Spot treatments are potent, so apply only a small amount directly to the pimple. Avoid spreading it over large areas of skin to prevent dryness and irritation.
- Consistency Is Key: Regular use of spot treatments can help prevent and reduce acne breakouts. Incorporate them into your minimalist skincare routine as needed, based on your skin’s response.
- Moisturize: Acne treatments can be drying, so follow up with a good moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and maintain its barrier function.
- Sun Protection: Some acne treatments can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Always use sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from UV damage.
Choice the right ingredients and use them properly and you will achieve clear and healthy skin. Some spot/acne treatments though are a great addition to the minimalist skincare routine are not to be applied daily. And also these might also not be applicable to you if you do not have acne.
3. Exfoliate
Our skin naturally exfoliate on their own. And as our skin get older the process slows down hence an exfoliating products is required. Exfoliation is done twice a week at most. Products like these in a minimalist skincare routine are a nice addition since you don’t use them on a daily basis but you will achieve a glowy complexion.
Today we will discuss two types of exfoliators;
- Physical Exfoliator– these contain particles in them, coffee, sugar
- Chemical exfoliator– these contain acids that are suitable for the skin
In the past people used physical exfoliators, nowadays the skincare girls prefer chemical exfoliators being that they are gentler and penetrate into the skin pores to achieve the desired results.
Chemical exfoliators are;
AHAs- these are water soluble and work on the surface of the skin. Eg; glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid
BHAs- these are oil soluble and penetrate into the skin pores. Eg; Salicylic acid
You should use chemical exfoliators that are suitable for your skin. Salicylic acid is best for oily acne prone skin since it unclogs pores and removes acne causing sebum while AHAs are best for dry skin use
Physical exfoliators;
These contain granular particles that scrub dead skin cells away from the skin’s surface
They consist of;
- Scrubs
- Exfoliating brushes
- Exfoliating cloths
- Microdermabrasion tools
4. Serum
Serum contain active ingredients that tackle specific concerns on the skin or hydrate the skin. They treat various skin issues ie; hyperpigmentation, dullness, acne, fine lines. Since they have a lighter consistency, they are applied before moisturizers.
The types of face serums available on the market are;
- Hydrating serums
- Anti-aging serums
- Acne fighting serums
- Brightening serums
By the names, you already know their specific use and the issue they tackle and how you can incorporate them in your minimalist skincare routine.
Tips for using Serums
- Patch Test: Always perform a patch test when trying a new serum to ensure it doesn’t irritate your skin.
- Layering: If using multiple serums, apply the thinnest to thickest consistency. For example, use a hydrating serum before an oil-based serum.
- Follow with Moisturizer: After applying your serum, seal in the benefits with a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
- Sun Protection: Some serums, especially those with active ingredients like retinol or AHAs, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Always use sunscreen during the day.
- Consistency: For best results, use serums consistently as part of your daily minimalist skincare routine.
Since serums are specifically formulated for a certain skin concern, pick the correct one and check the concentration of the active ingredients. Use a concentration that will not irritate your skin. Apart from that, serums are one of the best inventions in the skincare community. If you love a minimalist skincare routine serums are great and I believe you will certainly find a great serum for your skin type.
5. Eye cream
Did you know that the eye area skin ages faster than the rest of the face. The eye area is delicate and it needs good maintenance.
Eye creams are skincare products specifically formulated for the eye area. They are used to combat fine lines/ wrinkles, dark circles, under eye bags, loose skin
When picking an eye cream look for;
- Antioxidants
- Retinol
- Peptides
- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacinamide
When picking an eye cream first understand what is bothering you about your under eye area then pick an eye cream that targets the specific concern.
The best way to apply it is to tap in your eye cream with a finger when applying
Types of eye creams in the market
· Anti-Aging Eye Creams:
· Brightening Eye Creams:
· Hydrating Eye Creams
· Depuffing Eye Creams
· Firming Eye Creams
· Sensitive Skin Eye Creams
Incorporate eye creams in your minimalist skincare routine and notice the tremendous effect on your skin. As you grow older eye cream are something you need to add in your routine.
Conclusion
The key to a successful minimalist skincare routine lies in choosing high-quality, targeted products that address your specific skin concerns without overwhelming your skin with unnecessary ingredients.
When building a minimalist skincare routine always counter check ingredients of each product. You wouldn’t to use too much of an ingredient all at once. Let’s say you have a toner that contains chemical exfoliating ingredients, you wouldn’t need an exfoliator again because you are already exfoliating with your toner.
This approach not only saves time and money but also reduces the risk of irritation and adverse reactions, making it ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin. As you streamline your minimalist skincare routine, remember that consistency and patience are crucial. Give your skin time to adjust and respond to the minimalist regimen, and you’ll likely see improvements in texture, clarity, and overall health.
Whether you’re a skincare novice or a seasoned enthusiast, a minimalist skincare routine can help you achieve your skin goals while keeping your regimen simple and sustainable. So, embrace the minimalist philosophy, and let your skin’s natural beauty shine through.
