Inside Scoop: With Marie Kondo totally trending, we’re minimizing everything in our lives, especially our wellness routine. Here’s just one aspect, and why we think that the Minimalist Skincare Approach really works. 

This post was submitted by Sophia Smith, beauty and style blogger, an eco-lifestyle lover, graphic designer and a DIY enthusiast. .

When you walk into your favorite beauty store (or stumble upon an online one), you’ll be flooded with choices. And what seems like a dream-come-true at first often turns out to be a nightmare, since you spend hours perusing through countless shelves of different brands, and then you end up buying several extra items that were never on the list.

Meanwhile, what about all those goodies you already have on your bathroom shelves?

But, in the past month or so (especially with the release of Marie Kondo Netflix series), the idea of a minimalist lifestyle has been stealing the spotlight in many areas, from fashion and nutrition, all the way to our skincare, and for a few brilliant reasons.

However, thinking minimalist beauty thoughts doesn’t mean that you will relinquish all of your favourite products, on the contrary – it’s about finding the right balance between quality and quantity so that you, your skin and your wallet are happier with the outcome. And this is exactly why we think that the Minimalist Skincare approach is so effective!

THE TOP REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD THINK MINIMALISM WITH THE MINIMALIST SKINCARE APPROACH:

MINIMALISM IS SOOTHING

Also, with the minimalist skincare approach you have less stress and anxiety, which equals less cortisol, better sleep and a more beautiful complexion!

Since we already live in a world abundant with choices, chatter and chaos, introducing a more streamlined, seamless process wherever possible can only help reduce stress. We’re all coping with deadlines closing in, meal prepping for the week, a family lunch that is overdue, and amongst all that confusion, there’s no need to add to the noise with stressful self-care choices. After all, aren’t we supposed to enjoy our beauty and take pleasure in caring for ourselves?

Embracing simplicity in your beauty routine could be just a beginning to a more minimalist life. It will give you clarity, focus and most importantly, more time to devote to other, more important aspects of your life. A fussy self-care ritual is an oxymoron to begin with, so decluttering your beauty will actually be extremely beneficial for your overall mental wellbeing and ultimately, for your radiance.

SAVING HEALTH, TIME AND MONEY

Based on a survey conducted in the US in 2017, women apply an average of 16 skin care and beauty products every day – from cleansers, toners, moisturizers, all the way to various highlighters, lipsticks and bronzer, in New York, for instance, it sums into a lifetime bundle of $300,000. The term “essential” has been redefined to introduce many new steps that were once a thing of luxury.

However, when you take on the minimalist approach to skincare you cut down your product usage and stick to the actual basics to nourish your skin, you can cut costs, spend less time putting on and removing makeup, and stop overburdening your skin with unneeded creams and lotions. In time, this accumulation leads to various skin problems, toxic chemical buildup, acne, irritation, clogged pores, all of which can be prevented.

What’s your essential? Cleanse, nourish, protect!

Since all of us are different, the minimalist approach to skincare helps you define what essential and basic mean to YOU.

If you suffer from eczema, you most likely need to follow a strict set of guidelines with a few extra steps approved by your dermatologist, but also cutting out several of the traditional skincare gimmicks. If you’re prone to acne, using too much makeup may seem like a viable way to conceal your problem, but in the long-run, it can lead to more damage than good.

But what all minimalist routines have in common is that they focus on purpose and health, meaning that you should always opt for all-natural products with organic ingredients that won’t cause irritation. Luckily for us, an increasing number of brands are picking up on the rise of minimalism in beauty, and we now have more options for all sorts of skin preferences.

For example, brands such as Kora Organics offer a wide range of organic, healthy skin care products that fit well into a minimalist’s beauty routine – they even have a ready-to-go three-step program for different skin types that are suitable both for your morning and evening rituals. And if you prefer a multi-purpose approach, then products such as the Consonant Natural Foaming Face Wash will make your beauty regime even simpler, since they are designed to cleanse, tone and remove makeup all in a single go.

Add to that a sunscreen such as the Badger Damascus Rose, and your regime is complete. However, you can always mix and match different brands if your skin adapts easily, but a minimalist approach also means that you should stick to a tried and tested system instead of switching up your products too often.

Let your natural beauty shine

Another perk of the minimalist skincare approach is that going nude in terms of makeup, or just sticking to the bare necessities, means that you will learn to love your natural look even more and find new ways to accentuate your most stunning features.

The “wash, hydrate, protect” minimalist skin care trio for daily use will serve you as the ideal basis to nourish your skin, and then pick just a handful of details to embellish your look. Think: the timeless red lip (for instance, the Lotus Organic Lipstick can do the trick), a touch of Ilia Beauty Mascara and you’re good to go. Focus on fair-trade, cruelty- and chemical-free brands to make your minimalist rituals even more beautiful.

The weekly and monthly additions

Your daily routine shouldn’t prevent you from introducing other healthy steps to cherish your wonderful complexion – on the contrary!

The three-step plan is fine for every day, but you should also keep in mind that regular weekly exfoliation is needed to cleanse all the impurities and dead skin-cell build up. This will help your other products penetrate more easily and nourish your skin every day, while you will also prevent any beauty mishaps in the shape of blackheads, pimples and the like.

A step that is especially handy for high-maintenance skin types is adding an occasional facial mask to revitalize your complexion, provide your most sensitive areas with extra nourishment (your cleavage and neck included) and prevent premature signs of ageing and sun damage. The detox-perfect Kahina Giving Beauty Antioxidant Mask makes for an excellent choice when you need a deep cleanse, while you can go for something like Odacite Deep Hydration Masque that packs a stronger punch of moisture.

The bottom line

When you have the right foundation for your beauty, you can upgrade and update in accordance with your skin’s needs and make changes whenever you feel it’s necessary. As a movement that inspires self-love and self-care in its true form, minimalism is the best solution to our modern over-saturation with choices, and the best solution to an already busy life.

Make the most of what you stock on your bathroom shelves, stay playful to discover the wonders of DIY skincare recipes, and always focus on what truly matters – doing more good with less effort both for your health and beauty!

If you enjoyed reading this article, check out How to Make 2018 The Year Of Your Best Skin Ever, with simple tips and some of our favourite brands.

And if you want to take this minimalist skincare approach to the next level, let us help you create your own beauty products, such as scrubs and bath products. Download your At Home Spa Day here:

What’s your favourite minimalist skincare tip?

SOPHIA SMITH

Sophia Smith is beauty and style blogger, an eco-lifestyle lover, graphic designer and a DIY enthusiast. She is very passionate about natural skincare, minimalist wardrobe, yoga and mindful living. Sophia writes mostly about beauty-related topics in her articles. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Eco Warrior Princess, Viva Glam Magazine, How to Simplify and Carousel. You can find out more about her writing by following her on: Facebook & Twitter.