Skin minimalism: Women ditch complex skincare routines

Less is more. The idea is to provide the skin with what it needs, not what the market tells you it needs. The concept of skin minimalism is not new; the trend-driven overconsumption and accessibility to try endless products urges many women to ‘try it all.’ 

Frequent use of multiple products overwhelms the skin. It often leads to severe dryness, redness, inflammation, clogged pores, and contact dermatitis. Often leaving people confused about what works for them and what does not.

Let the skin breathe

Women today are paying more attention to product ingredients, healthy skin barrier, sun protection, and simple ingredients, known to work well for their skin, benefitting in the long run, Dr Sudheendra Udbalker, dermatologist, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru, says.  

Skin already endures several harsh conditions daily, and lathering it with multiple cosmetics and active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or retinol, without a clear purpose irritates the skin. Moreover, it quietly drains the pocket while showing little benefits. 

Dr Udbalker echoes this thought: “There is also a growing trend toward simplified skincare routines, where patients prefer fewer but scientifically proven products instead of using multiple products without guidance.”

The skincare market remains deeply cluttered, and social media only adds to the confusion, nudging consumers toward new routines before they have understood their own skin. A 10-step Korean skincare routine may promise glass-like results, but it does not deliver them equally.

Dr Latika Arya, founder and medical director of Dr Latika Arya Skin and Aesthetic Clinic, says that the majority of people are stepping away from following trends blindly. “They are more consistent in following a day and night time routine. Some are even conscious of using only mineral sunscreens, as they now prefer to apply the least amount of chemicals on their skin.” 

Skincare is also treated as a whole, not just focused on the face. People are more mindful of taking care of the entire body and treating pigmentation, keratosis pilaris, stretch marks, acne marks, tanning, rough skin, and dryness, Dr Arya says. 

Where to begin? 

Analyse the real needs of your skin. Each skin type requires cleansing, moisturising and protection against solar radiation (depending on the UV index). A 2023 review by the Biomedical Journal of Scientific and Technical Research, recommends using a quality product which is multifunctional, instead of doing the opposite. 

A simple CTM routine - cleansing, toning, moisturising your skin twice a day is highly recommended by experts. It does not irritate the skin and is not very time-consuming. This is a great routine for people who either do not have a lot of time to invest or are too lazy to do skincare daily.

One of the most common mistakes people would make was excessively using skincare products without understanding their skin type or needs, Dr Udbalker adds. “Over-exfoliation, frequent use of active ingredients, skipping sunscreen, self-medication with steroid creams, and inconsistent routines,” were major concerns observed by her. 

Social media influencers might follow multi-step routines since their work demands wearing full face makeup or trying different products. Hence, using extensive skincare routines may be justifiable for them. But an average person does not. Using simple ingredients, and applying them consistently is sometimes doing the most for your skin.