Have you ever stood in a drugstore, looking at seemingly endless rows of shelves and products, and felt overwhelmed by the abundance of choice? Or maybe you were watching yet another influencer cheerfully presenting their 15-step skincare routine, and it just did not feel relatable at all.
Perhaps you’re tired of wasting time, money, and mental energy on every flashy product out there meant to fix yet another “issue” you didn’t even know you had. You want to give up on intricate beauty regimens and embrace the simplicity.
Does that sound like you? Well, let me introduce you to skinimalism — one of the defining beauty trends of the last few years, called “a new glow-up” in Pinterest’s 2021 Trend Predictions Report.
Skinimalism is an antithesis of a typical beauty fad. Instead of asking you to purchase a new fantastic snail serum or a “must-have” face brush, it asks you to…slow down. It advocates for a simplified, “less is more” approach to skincare and makeup.
Golden Rules of Skinimalism
The main principles of skinimalism are as follows:
- Focus on the core basics of skincare, which are cleansing, moisturizing, and (very important!) sun protection.
- Encouraging the use of only essential beauty products, including makeup (we’re going for a natural look).
- Reading the labels and consciously picking the products free of unnecessary ingredients: preservatives, heavy fragrances, etc.
- Minimizing waste by purchasing cosmetics in more economical packaging and doing away with stockpiling and overbuying.
- Taking care of your skin from the inside too by maintaining a healthy diet, hydrating, getting enough sleep, and prioritizing your health and well-being.
If this appeals to you, you’re not the only one. More and more people have been stepping away from complicated beauty rituals and skincare fridges bursting with products. The COVID-19 pandemic seemed to reduce people’s spending on cosmetics. It included especially things like makeup, but also skincare.
According to a 2020 report by the market research firm Mantel, many customers began rethinking their beauty needs and consciously limiting nonessential expenses. A few years after the pandemic started, sales of beauty products are steadily rising, but the trend of minimalism, simplistic routines, and focus on quality over quantity is here to stay.
Dermatologists Praise Skinimalism
Experts report that many of their patients’ skin problems are a result of using too many ingredients, combining them incorrectly, or using new formulas every day. The skin is overloaded, has no time to breathe, and simply breaks down. Simplifying your routine might put less stress on your skin and alleviate issues like redness or irritation.
Another argument for the skinimalism trend is that there’s no sufficient scientific proof to justify buying that many products, especially costly ones. Over-the-counter cosmetics aren’t drugs, and as such they don’t need to undergo rigorous clinical trials and testing. Beauty companies don’t have to back up their marketing claims with medical research.
Higher Price = Better Results?
A study done by Consumer Reports, a non-profit organization doing independent product testing and market research, found that the price of a beauty product doesn’t make much difference. It tested wrinkle creams ranging in price from 38 to 335 dollars. As it turns out, one of the cheapest options was also the top performer in the study. On the other hand, the most expensive cream was among the least effective.
According to Dr. Charlotte Birnbaum, a board-certified dermatologist from New York, the difference between an expensive beauty product vs a cheap one is likely mainly packaging and marketing. Those things tend to hike up the price before anything else.
Another thing that might make a product pricey is proprietary ingredients. A proprietary ingredient makes that specific cream, serum, or moisturizer unique and supposedly more effective than its competitors. For example, it might change the formula to alter the product’s feel on the skin. However, those flashy ingredients don’t always guarantee great results, even if they make you feel luxurious.
How to Embrace Skinimalism
Identify Your Goals
Consider the unique needs of your skin and tailor your routine to them. Dermatologists tend to agree that all most people require is a gentle cleanser to remove impurities, a sunblock to protect skin from UV damage, and potentially a moisturizer. If you have specific skin conditions, adding one or two products that address them to your skincare routine might help.
What works for others might not work for you. Your friend’s skin might be happy with a splash of water in the morning and a cleanser in the evening, while you might need to cleanse properly twice a day and exfoliate once a week. Some of us will need more moisturizing, others — a specific treatment for sensitive spots. Listen to your skin and choose what’s best for yourself.
Go for Multi-Purpose Products
Why buy two different products, when you can achieve the same result with just one? You could use a moisturizer that doubles as sunblock, or a cleanser with extra exfoliating properties. This approach will make your routine more straightforward and reduce the clutter on the bathroom counter. It’s a win-win!
Quality over Quantity
Instead of spending money on a lot of products, invest in a few high-quality ones with proven effectiveness. Keep your head straight on your shoulders and don’t let yourself get charmed by pretty packaging or marketing tricks. Study the labels and focus on the results.
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
Let’s make it clear: you don’t need to get rid of all your beloved products to follow the rules of skinimalism. After all, we want to reduce waste, not add to it. If you already have some trusted gems in your cabinet, keep them! Don’t give away that fancy skincare tool if it brings you joy (even if you technically don’t need it). Skinimalism is not about denying yourself things, but assessing your true priorities and cutting out what’s needlessly expensive, time-consuming, or otherwise unnecessary.
Final Thoughts
In today’s world of overconsumption, constant social media buzz, and ever-changing beauty standards, skinimalism seems like an excellent philosophy to adopt. When you’re being sold things left and right and bombarded with exciting innovations every day, what’s the key to healthier skin, heavier wallet, and better overall well-being? Perhaps it’s to focus on the basics and let go of the rest.
Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Skin care on a budget. American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/skin-care-budget
Consumer Reports. (2007, January 1). Consumer reports tests wrinkle creams for first time. Product Reviews and Ratings — Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/media-room/press-releases/2007/01/consumer-reports-tests-wrinkle-creams-for-first-time/
Habig, J. (2021, September 21). We called it: the predictions Pinterest got right in 2021. Pinterest Predicts. https://business.pinterest.com/insights/the-trend-predictions-pinterest-got-right-2021/
Harrington, J. (2023, December 6). “Skinimalism” is continuing to trend in 2024. U.S. Dermatology Partners. https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/press-media/skinimalism-is-continuing-to-trend-in-2024/
Mintel Group Limited. (2020). US evolving ecommerce: Beauty Retailing (updated 2020). Mintel Store. https://store.mintel.com/report/us-evolving-ecommerce-beauty-retailing-market-report
Muenter, O. (2023, September 19). Is expensive skincare better? we asked dermatologists. Byrdie: confidence, community, and joy. https://www.byrdie.com/difference-between-expensive-and-affordable-skincare-4800708
Singer, N. (2007, January 4). The cosmetics restriction diet. https://dermatologycentral.typepad.com/resource/files/cosmetic_restriction.pdf
