Hi minimalist!

Yes, this is the guide you have been looking for that will cut down the time, effort and money of taking care of your skin. This blog post is especially informative if you are a minimalist, are trying to downsize on products or just want a more simple skincare routine. 

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a 6+ step skincare routine to achieve beautiful skin. This can be done with less, and you can upkeep your beautiful skin with a strict and consistent skincare regimen. 

Read on and find out how you can simplify your skincare routine. 

1. Cleanse.

This step is non-negotiable when it comes to your skincare. It is imperative for the health of your skin to cleanse away all the debris, makeup and pollutants from your skin at night. 

The type of cleanser you choose depends on your skin type, skin condition, location and your preference. 

If you have oily skin and live somewhere humid, you might find foam cleansers to be to your liking. Foam cleansers strip your skin from any products, so you’d ideally use them at nighttime. 

For those with dry skin, it is important to not overly strip your skin, as it can make your dry skin worse over time. Instead, you should opt for a hydrating cleanser that gently cleanses your skin. 

If you want a cleanser that does more than just clean your face, you can get an exfoliating cleanser. I prefer chemical exfoliators over physical exfoliators because they are less likely to cause micro-tears on your skin. 

Look for cleansers that contain AHA’s or BHA’s, these are types of exfoliants that can help maintain youthful skin. Just remember to not exfoliate your skin every day, as these are strong chemicals that can cause sensitivity if used incorrectly.  Instead, stick to exfoliating 2-3 times per week. 

And If you wear makeup, you can either double cleanse with your normal face wash or use an oil-based cleanser that can help break down stubborn makeup and impurities. 

In some cases, you don’t need to wash your face with a cleanser in the morning. However, this all depends on the skincare products you used the night before. For example, if you put on any product with retinol at night, this should be washed off with a cleanser the next day.  

2. Serum 

Now, you may have noticed that I skipped toner. That is because toner is not essential for an effective and basic skincare routine. Instead, you should find a quality serum that targets your skin issues. 

And if you did not know, a serum is a skincare product that has a concentration of specific skincare ingredients that targets specific skin issues. This is essentially what a toner is, the only difference is that toners also balance the ph of your skin. However, there are existing serums that do the same thing that toners do and more. 

The type of toner you use depends on your skin type. So, if you have oily skin with hyperpigmentation, your nighttime and daytime serum may have two completely different functions. 

For nighttime, a serum with Retinol or Vitamin C will help you even out your skin tone, help balance the oils on your skin and give you an all-over glow. 

Whilst for daytime, you may want to skip the harsher serums and opt for a serum with niacinamide. This is Vitamin E, a highly effective ingredient for combating acne scars. 

On the other hand, if you have dry skin, you will want to be careful with serums that contain Salicylic acid. This is an acne-fighting ingredient that can be extremely drying. Instead, opt for a hydrating serum that contains hyaluronic acid. 

3. Moisturise 

Serums can be expensive, so to lock everything into your skin, you should always end your skincare routine with a quality moisturiser. The good thing about moisturisers is that if you use good serums before this step, you don’t need to fuss over which moisturiser you use. 

The type of moisturiser you use most definitely depends on your preference for texture. Whether you prefer light, heavy, scent-free or moisturisers with SPF, there is something on the market for you. 

For night time you may want to use a heavier moisturiser if you have dry skin. To make it more beneficial, you can use a moisturiser that contains ingredients that will benefit your skin. Such as hyaluronic acid, retinol or Vitamin E. 

If you have oily skin, a moisturiser with acne-fighting ingredients may be more to your liking. But you can also use moisturisers with hydrating ingredients that can help balance the oils on your skin. 

For a daytime skincare routine, any cream that you enjoy is good enough. just top it off with sunscreen. Or choose a moisturiser that contains SPF. 

1. Sunscreen 

This has to be the most important step of your skincare. You’ll find that all dermatologists emphasise the importance of using sunscreen to maintain the integrity and health of your skin. You should be aiming to use sunscreen with at least SPF 30. 

If you find that you do not like how heavy your skin feels after you moisturise and apply sunscreen, you can skip moisturiser. An alternative is to use a moisturiser that already has SPF 30. 

If you are of a darker complexion, thankfully, there are options for you that do not leave a white cast.  I always read the reviews before I purchase sunscreen to make sure it is invisible on all skin tones. 

And that’s it! Yes, only 4 steps to an effective skincare routine. 

This routine is simple, but it’s important to tailor it to your skin type. If you have dry skin, you may need a richer moisturizer. If you have oily skin, you may need to use a stronger cleanser. And if you have sensitive skin, you may need to be careful with the products you use and how often you use them.

But no matter what your skin type is, this simple skincare routine will help you achieve healthy, glowing skin even as a minimalist. And isn’t that what we all want?

Love,