A.U.
B.R.
C.A.
M.X.
C.H.
The Ultimate Guide to a Minimalist Skincare Routine
Skinimalism is currently trending in a big way, with this concept being all about embracing a minimalist skincare routine. It’s a step away from the long and complex K-beauty-inspired routines that people were previously obsessed with, and it’s a trend that dermatologists wholeheartedly back.
Skeptical about whether or not a minimalist routine would do your skin any good? Read on as Vine Vera explains the benefits that a simplified skincare routine could offer, along with tips on how to create your very own.
Why Go Minimalist With Your Skincare Routine?
You may be aware of the study that was carried out back in 2017 that found that a more advanced multi-step routine can sometimes be more beneficial than a simplified routine, particularly when dealing with wrinkles and dehydration. If this is the case, then why would you want to go minimalist with your routine?
Well, firstly, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to skincare. Sure, a longer routine may better suit some people but, for others, a minimalist routine provides all that the skin needs, especially if you’re strategic when putting your routine together. Plus, with a minimalist routine, you’ll also experience all of the following benefits:
A Focus on What Your Skin Actually Needs
Ever bought a product because of clever marketing or captivating packaging? When keeping your skincare routine minimalist, this doesn’t happen. Instead, you’ll need to focus on understanding exactly what your skin actually needs so that you’re able to cater to this with as few products as possible. This can really help to increase your knowledge of your skin, enabling you to take even better care of it in the future.
Less Product Buildup
While there’s no denying the benefit of a long skincare routine for some, others often end up with too much product buildup when they layer multiple products over their skin. This is most common among those with oily skin but it can happen to all skin types. The result of all of this buildup is congestion and clogged pores. This can quickly lead to inflammation, breakouts, and more. With a minimalist skincare routine, you’ll be applying far fewer products, saving you from product buildup.
Fewer Irritants for Your Skin to Deal With
With each skincare product you apply, you run the risk of exposing your skin to irritants. This means that the fewer products you use, the fewer irritants there’ll be to affect your skin. This is one of the reasons why minimalist routines have been embraced by those with sensitive skin. It can often be difficult to pinpoint the specific ingredients/products that have caused irritation, but this helps to do away with that problem.
Faster to Carry Out
Sometimes, at the end of a long day, the last thing you want to do is carry out your skincare routine, especially if this involves applying 10-15 products to your face. A minimalist skincare routine, on the other hand, takes far less time. With just three or so products to apply, you’ll be able to quickly whizz through your routine. Not only will this make your routine more convenient but it will also mean that you’re far more likely to stick to it consistently!
Cost-Effective
Another downside to a long skincare routine is how much money it can cost. Good skincare products often don’t come cheap! When your routine consists of 10-15 products, costs can really add up. Go with a minimalist skincare routine and you won’t need so many products, meaning that you won’t need to spend so much. Your bank account will thank you!
How to Create a Minimalist Skincare Routine
If longer skincare routines are all you know, then you’re probably wondering how to get started with a minimalist routine. Which products should you be using and which ones do you no longer need? Here’s everything you need to know:
Gather Together the Three Basics
Although you don’t need many products for a minimalist skincare routine, there are three essentials that you should be using each day:
A Cleanser
First and foremost, a cleanser. Keeping your skin clean is imperative if you want to maintain a healthy complexion. Allow any dirt, dead skin, excess sebum, or other impurities to linger on your skin and you’ll only end up with a variety of skin problems. Plus, your other skincare products won’t be able to work properly as all of those other substances will block them from penetrating your skin.
When choosing a cleanser, keep your skin type in mind. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you’ll need a gentle and moisturizing cleanser, just like the Vine Vera Resveratrol Cabernet Mousse Cleanser. This sulfate-free formula makes use of coconut-derived cleansing agents that have a conditioning effect on the complexion. The botanical extracts in this cleanser, such as aloe vera, lavender, chamomile, and calendula, will calm the feeling of irritation and inflammation while plant oils provide some extra hydration.
Meanwhile, if you have oily or combination skin, you’ll need a cleanser that’s slightly more powerful. This is where the Vine Vera Resveratrol Vitamin C Cleanser comes in. It will provide a thorough cleanse, particularly since it also contains a small amount of lactic acid. You’ll notice licorice root extract in this formula too. It’s a great ingredient to use if you’re struggling with the appearance of acne marks or other forms of hyperpigmentation.
A Moisturizer
The next must-have product in a minimalist skincare routine is a moisturizer. This is vital no matter your skin type. A moisturizer will not only provide your skin with some extra hydration but it will also create a seal over your skin’s surface to lock that moisture in and prevent it from evaporating away.
Again, the moisturizer that you use should be suitable for your skin type. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you’ll need a relatively thick moisturizer. The Vine Vera Resveratrol Cabernet High Potency Moisture Day Cream would be a good choice for the mornings. With shea butter, vitamins, resveratrol, and several antioxidants, it will keep your skin feeling soft and supple throughout the day. In the evenings, turn to the Vine Vera Resveratrol Cabernet High Potency Night Cream. Again, it contains shea butter but also boasts a long list of botanical extracts. It’ll have you waking up to a radiant glow!
What about those of you who have oily or combination skin? You need to be careful with the moisturizer you choose as anything too heavy will only clog up your pores and lead to acne breakouts. The Vine Vera Resveratrol Vitamin C Moisturizer is a lightweight cream that will hydrate your skin without weighing it down.
Sunscreen
The third essential in a minimalist skincare routine is sunscreen. In fact, many would argue that this is the most important product in any skincare routine. After all, the sun causes up to 80% of the visible signs of aging on the face, meaning wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging skin. Skin cancer is another major issue that accompanies sun exposure. If you want to keep your skin looking its best, sun protection is a must.
There are plenty of sunscreens out there to choose from but, if you’re hoping to keep your routine as minimalist as possible, you may want to consider an SPF moisturizer. This way, in the mornings, you won’t need to use your regular moisturizer as your SPF moisturizer will do the job of this as well as a sunscreen.
Vine Vera’s Resveratrol Cabernet Replenishing Moisture Cream SPF 30 is one such product. It contains a relatively simple ingredient list, combining its UV-blocking agents with aloe vera, green tea extract, resveratrol, and vitamins. Thanks to the addition of glycerin, it will also quickly hydrate and plump up the look of your skin, immediately giving it a smoother finish.
The SunDefense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 from the Bird Nest Collection is another option. It contains a unique ingredient called swiftlet nest extract. It’s renowned for its micro and macro nutrients that give it the ability to reduce the appearance of aging. It also has moisturizing properties and will leave your skin feeling more elastic.
Consider Your Skin’s Additional Needs
Now that you have your three essential products gathered together, you could potentially stop there and leave that as your minimalist routine. However, if you’re struggling with any specific visible skin concerns, you may want to add in an extra product that will help you to target these.
For example, if you’ve been noticing the appearance of crow’s feet, puffiness, or dark circles around your eyes, the Resveratrol Eye Collection Age Defying Eye Serum from Vine Vera might be a good addition to your routine. It’s full of potent ingredients that will leave your eye area looking smoother and brighter.
Many also choose to include a vitamin C serum, like the Vine Vera Resveratrol Vitamin C Serum, in their routines. Why? Because vitamin C is such a multipurpose ingredient. It helps to smooth away the look of wrinkles, tighten the appearance of sagging skin, fade the visibility of dark spots, boost skin hydration levels, and more!
Adjust When Needed
Once you’ve put your minimalist skincare routine together, it’s important to not get complacent. Don’t forget that your skin’s needs are almost constantly changing. In order to give your skin all that it needs, your routine needs to reflect this.
Whether it may be due to the changing seasons, fluctuating hormonal levels, the onset of aging, or anything else, keep a close eye on your skin so that you can keep adjusting your routine when needed.
Would a Minimalist Skincare Routine Be Right For You?
If your skincare routine currently features several different steps and products yet you’re still not seeing the results you were hoping for, it could be time to swap to a more minimalist routine. The same applies to anyone with skin that’s easily irritated – a minimalist routine could quickly help you to cut back on those sensitivities.
Even if you don’t fall under one of those categories, a minimalist routine could still be worth trying. It’s a great way to give your skin a break every once in a while, after which you can always return to a more complex routine if needed.
Click here to browse Vine Vera’s bestselling products for more skincare routine inspiration!
