What is Skinimalism? Why is it a trend now?

Skinimalism or skin minimalism is the latest trend taking over the beauty zeitgeist.

 But this is not your average beauty trend. It does not mean you plucking your eyebrows or coloring your hair with a different color. This trend is about "less is more". Buying less, wearing less, and using less. And it has the approval of experts as this trend is even backed by dermatologists. It is essentially all about loving the skin you’re in and let that be the focus rather than hiding behind layers of makeup. It’s a philosophy of skincare that adopts a minimal approach by letting your skin shine through.

Skinimalism isn’t about creating angle-perfect, airbrushed, or retouched skin, but it doesn’t mean sacrificing a glowing and healthy-looking complexion either. It’s focused on simplicity and beneficial ingredients and habits, and quality over quantity.

There are many ways to apply skinimalism to your skincare. You can use fewer products or formulas depending on your skincare needs. Let's say, one skinimalist routine might involve using a gentle, exfoliating cleanser that contains AHA or BHA to sweep away dead skin cells and impurities from the skin. This is followed by a targeted treatment to address your specific skin needs; for instance, you might apply a toner with salicylic acid to clear up acne and blackheads. Treatment is followed by protection, in the form of a moisturizer and sunscreen. 

Skinamalism, too, can extend beyond basic skincare. Instead of putting a full face of makeup involving foundation, concealer, contouring, highlighting, and a host of other products, skinimalists embrace natural and “no makeup” looks that enhance their features, rather than cover up perceived flaws and imperfections.

Most skin types will benefit from this; however, it is great for troublesome or acne-prone skin. Many people don’t realize that the products we use can cause the skin to get itself in a vicious cycle. Certain ingredients in many skin care products such as moisturizers and toners are notorious for clogging pores and causing breakouts. Some products can also cause excess oil production which can also be the culprit for acne. If someone is struggling with troublesome skin, eliminating products can help to get to the root cause of the skin issues.

Complicated regimens, especially when they include the wrong products, can damage the skin and disrupt its pH balance. This can leave it susceptible to a host of ailments, including redness, dryness, and acne. With a less complex routine and more focus on using the most beneficial products and ingredients, it can be easier to achieve healthy skin.

Though some may not be able to stand a day without using makeup, it is totally fine. You can still practice skinimalism by applying lightweight formulas. To get that second-skin finish, you have to use lightweight bases like tinted moisturizers, skin tints, tinted sunscreens, or priming moisturizers. For the rest of the makeup, you can try a neutral-colored eyeshadow, cream blush, and a tinted lip balm.

Becoming a skincare minimalist doesn’t mean never touching your face again. No matter how simple or elaborate your routine is, it has to have four steps to be effective: cleanse, treat, moisturize, protect. Skinimalism, in general, only means "use what your skin needs at the moment". So the real question there is, "is the best skincare routine minimal, maximal, or somewhere in between?" The answer is, it always depends on you, and your skin.

So regardless of how you want to apply the skinimalism trend to your skincare, at the end of the day, having healthy skin is what really matters, and if you believe that you need to finally put attention to your skin, you can always visit OC Facial Care Center for consultation. Our beauty professionals are always ready to provide medically safe recommendations for you.