Do you ever feel overwhelmed with skincare? There are so many products available, ingredients to use, and brands to try out. Sometimes, it may feel difficult to pick out what exactly you need especially on a budget. And in my experience, I hated that I would feel a sense of dissatisfaction if I didn’t have ALL the shiny, pretty products I saw influencers use in my skincare cabinet.
So, I’ve decided to deinfluence my skincare routine. If you want to as well, here is my less is more, simple skincare routine.
Scroll down to the end of the page to see the products I use in my daily skincare routine. Otherwise, keep reading to learn why a simple routine might be best for you.
To start, I will first share a few reasons below about why you should make the swap for a less is more skincare routine. Of course, everyone is different – some may enjoy a multi-step skincare routine as their time to themselves. But, if you have been feeling like paring down lately, here are some good points to consider.
Why Should I Have A Simple Skincare Routine?
What are the benefits of a simple skincare routine? Let’s begin with the advantages of “skinmalism”:
Affordability
Remember when “shelfies” were a big deal? I am glad that we have come a long way since then. Seeing other people with a full shelf of serums, bottles, and tools makes you feel like you need to have it all to have pretty skin. You might feel dismayed that you can’t spend a ton of money on all those products too.
While there are a lot of cheaper skincare brands out there, having multiple steps and products in your skincare routine can add up. This might not be realistic for those on a budget, or young people.
Not to mention that a lot of the popular products or fads on social media are made up of more luxe brands. I have found that it is possible to have a routine that is minimal and inexpensive, but effective.
Less Waste
Going back to the “shelfie” – not only does it signify a lot of money spent on skincare, it also represents a lot of waste.
If you have tons and tons of products in your arsenal, it is probably unlikely that you can use it all up by its allotted expiration date. If you have 5 different bottles of moisturizer that need to be used within 6 months, it might be super hard to incorporate them into your everyday life.
This leads to a lot of half used items that end up in the landfill.
Keeping up with having a fully stocked skincare cabinet might lead you to not feel satisfied with what you already have. The feeling of needing more and more contributes to a cycle of consumerism.
Avoid that by sticking with “skinmalism”. It is great for the earth and for not feeling guilty about throwing out products you never used.
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Less Ingredient Interactions
As I said before, sometimes skincare can be confusing. There are a lot of “actives” and ingredients that you can use for various skin issues. Not only is it tricky trying to figure out what exactly the item needs to be used for, but you also have to make sure you aren’t going to have an interaction with another product you have in your routine.
Mixing ingredients that shouldn’t be mixed obviously could lead to irritation of the skin or damage.
Sticking to a simple skincare routine, usually with one “active” is a surefire way to make sure you won’t have product interactions. It might also be less harsh on the skin.
Definition of active: An active is the ingredient in a product addressing whatever skin concern it’s meant to target. – Self Magazine
Examples: vitamin a, vitamin c, kojic acid, AHAs, retinoids, etc.
Time
Sometimes, people don’t have a lot of time in the mornings or at night for a long winded skincare routine. A quick wash, application of serum, and moisturize might be a better fit in your busy lifestyle. You don’t have to work so hard for pretty skin!
My Deinfluenced Simple Skincare Routine
So, here is my less is more, simple skincare routine!
Click through for products, as well as some thoughts on each and why I have chosen them.
Face Wash
Sometimes, it is handy to have a micellar water or wipes on hand to get the bulk of your makeup off. I do this occasionally, but often I would rather reach for my face wash. I personally don’t put much emphasis on my face wash. I go for either of these simple CeraVe face washes mostly because of the lather.
I am a heavy foundation/makeup wearer, and I want something that will really clean my face. It easily breaks down makeup, and I find I don’t have to use a cotton pad/micellar water to get everything off. I hate when other facewashes feel like you have to use a TON to really remove the makeup.
This is a staple piece in my routine, and it also comes in other varieties – which means there has got to be one suitable for you!
Serum
On to the next step! After washing, I will sometimes apply hyaluronic acid (HA) to my damp face. It absorbs better this way! HA is a great option for lots of different skin types. It helps keep skin plump and hydrated, as well as combats acne. I will use this since I am using tretinoin and can use all the extra moisture I can get in my skin.
Tretinoin Prescription
This is the crown jewel in my skincare routine! It works so well to get my textured and scarred skin looking clear and glowy. As soon as I stopped breastfeeding, I knew I wanted to start my skincare routine over and focus on using this product. You can only get this through a doctor’s RX, because it is a pretty strong product. But, it works better and faster than any vitamin c serum or retinol I’ve used in the past. I was able to get a prescription for my tretinoin through Nurx.com and it was affordable with my insurance ~ $30.
You definitely can’t be pregnant or nursing while using this – doctors won’t prescribe it to you if you are. I used Vitamin C serum instead while pregnant.
Moisturizer
Back to CeraVe – I’ve been using this moisturizer since I was on Accutane almost 12 years ago. It really gives your skin the feeling of completely quenching any dryness. You’ll never have dry flaky skin again! I also have kicked things up a notch and use the heavier face cream during the winter/while on tret.
Rosehip Oil
I love rose hip oil so much! I use it after applying moisturizer to lock everything in. Rosehip is another great regenerative oil. It helps keep the skin hydrated and can help acne. I also believe it has helped get rid of my blackheads. In the past, I’ve used all 3 of the rosehip oils listed above. The Pai option is my favorite, and I do believe it gives the best results. But, the other options are more affordable and do still moisturize the skin and make it look glowy.
Lip Mask
I have to finish with something on my lips as my lips get so dry overnight.
Read More: I Still Have Dry Lips From Accutane … 12 Years Later
Everything I’ve share so far is what I use a night. For the mornings, I usually just stick with face wash, moisturizer and sunscreen.
Miscellaneous
Sunscreen, The Ordinary Peeling Mask, Face Roller
These products are what I decided to stick with, and I’m loving it. I feel much better with less steps and products in my routine, and I don’t have to worry about interactions, or trying out a billion different skincare brands.
I hope you enjoy and let me know if you are into a simpler skincare routine these days too!
Best, Mia
This content is for informational purposes only, and what has worked for me personally based on my own opinions. I am not a professional/medical doctor, and you should always consult your doctor or dermatologist on what will work best for you. The information presented here is not legitimate, official advice from a professional. If you choose to rely on any information from this blog, you do so at your own risk. Please refer to the “Blog Disclaimer” tab in the menu bar to read more information and the official disclaimer statement.
