Trend & Tested: Skinimalism
Our Trend & Tested series is back. This time around we’ll be taking a look at a trend that burst onto the skincare scene in 2021 and continues to grow in popularity in 2022: skinimalism.
If you love a lengthy skincare routine but are looking to save time, you need to try this trend. It’s not just time you’re saving either, your skin will thank you for having a less overwhelming routine as too many active ingredients can cause sensitivity and a lack of results. My skincare regime is usually at least 8 steps long, but, like all of us, I may be running late or feeling a tad lazy which is why I am fascinated by the trend of skinimalism and I think you will be too…
What is Skinimalism?
Skinimalism is all about stripping it back to the basics, reducing the number of skincare products in your routine and using fewer harsh active ingredients. Basically, it’s the idea that less is more and by using less you will help to keep your skin healthy and nourished.
When to Try it?
The world of skincare can feel overwhelming with thousands of choices and products to choose from. Adopting skinimalism will reduce the number of products you need to research and purchase as well as shaving time off of your getting ready routine, making skincare simple. Being more selective of your products also allows you to focus on the health of your skin, choosing products specifically tailored to your concerns.
With fewer products used, your skin can either benefit from the change or it could mean embracing your skin’s natural texture and appearance – which is something I’m all about for this year. Anytime you change your skincare routine there is bound to be a teething period where your skin adjusts, but with dermatologists raving about benefits of skinimalism you don’t need to worry.
Putting Skinimalism to the Test
To put skinimalism to the test, I turned to Escentual’s beloved French Pharmacy skincare brands to create a 4-step routine, and as a result, shaved off 8 minutes a day from my beauty routine. This doesn’t sound like much, but when you do the math it saves you: 56 minutes a week, which equals 48 hours a year (2 whole days!).
Keep reading to find out how I switched my skincare routine to skinimalism and which products I used…
Step 1: Cleanse
Always an essential step, get yourself a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup and prep your skin to be fresh and clean. You can choose a cleanser that is specific to your skin type – French Pharmacy brand Avene has a range for every skin type, making it super easy to select your anything-but-basic products to be confident that your skin is getting the right support it needs.
My product choice:
For my combination-oily skin I’ve gone for the soothing soap-free Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel, the first step in blemish prevention and complexion balancing too.
Step 2: Skin Concern Product
This feels a bit like cheating in the skinimalism trend, but rather than using a number of serums and treatments that can overwhelm the skin, you use just one product; it could be a nourishing oil, serum or vitamin concentration – any hero ingredient that helps tackle your main skin concern.
For example, if you struggle with dullness you may want to try a vitamin C serum, whereas if dryness and dehydration is your main concern you may opt for a rich oil with hyaluronic acid.
My product choice:
For my skin’s current spotty flare-up, I’m using the Avene Cleanance Comedomed Anti-Blemishes Concentrate for its star ingredient of comedoclastin to regulate sebum production. This has become an instant favourite of mine, skinimalism routine or not, it’s worth the extra few seconds!
Step 3: Moisturise
Regardless of your skin type, moisturising is so important to hydrate your skin – hydrated skin is happy skin! A big mistake I made for a while was not moisturising my oily skin, but the fact that moisturiser has made it into the skinimalism routine shows how crucial it is.
My product choice:
There are so many incredible moisturisers in the French Pharmacy lineup to choose from, but I had to go with the cult classic: Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre. Lightweight but packed full of hydrating, soothing ingredients (hello hyaluronic acid and aloe vera), the moisturising concentrate doubles as the perfect makeup base to take skinimalism into your makeup routine too!
Step 4: SPF
A step to never be overlooked or forgotten about, SPF is critical in protecting your skin from sun damage – the sun can often be the cause of so many conditions that our skincare products are trying to correct; dark spots, wrinkles and redness can be kept at bay, helping to keep your routine minimal and keep your skin healthy.
My product choice:
Your SPF is another opportunity to tailor your product choice to your skin type and concern, so that you get the most out of your skinimalised routine. For this reason, the final step in my pared down routine is the antibacterial Pharmaceris S Medi Acne Protect Protection Cream SPF50+; it helps to prevent sun damage while mattifying my complexion and doesn’t leave it feeling greasy either.
Would I Recommend Trying Skinimalism?
Overall I really enjoyed having a simple skincare routine. The shorter routine is definitely something I’ll turn to when I’m pushed for time, but my skincare loving ways make it a tough habit to break. I’m not sure that I want to change it on a full time basis even if I do gain 2 whole days worth of time a year!
Over To You!
We’d love to hear what you think about skinimalism – will you be cutting down your skin care routine and jumping on the minimal trend or are you a multi-step lover like me? Let us know @Escentual.
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