What you need to know about ‘Skinimallism’ and how it can help you achieve your skin goals

Skinimalism (Skin + minimalism) is a new trend that helps you achieve your skin goals using just the required number of products that are necessary for building a regimen. The popularity of ingredients that are changing with trends tempts consumers to buy more and more products as an add-on to their skincare routine. The result is using excessive products, unconsciously, and more than that is required to tackle skin issues.

"The concept of skin minimalism involves using bare minimum skin-friendly ingredients that help address most skin concerns. It focuses on using skincare that is less irritating but helps achieve multiple benefits in one use. It encourages the use of multifunctional products," says Dr Akanksha Sanghvi, aesthetic dermatologist and founder of Oprava Aesthetics.

Sanghvi further explains, "The premise of skin minimalism is difficult to understand especially for skincare enthusiasts as it is hard to resist the temptation to bring in and stack on a new skincare product that has been trending currently. However, overuse of active ingredients and mixing skin care products without guidance can lead to increased skin sensitivity, redness, peeling, purging, and lots more. Additionally, skin minimalism entails treating your skin with kindness. It entails recognising your skin's requirements and utilising regular items with caution. Skin simplicity helps you to appreciate and care for your skin."

Sanghvi breaks down the popularity of skin minimalism, and shares tips on how to treat your skin with tenderness.

What would you recommend as a routine that complies with skin minimalism?
Sanghvi: Here's how to treat your skin with some treatment, love, and care:

1. Use multi-action products
Multi-action products are products that help treat multiple skin conditions in one bottle. For example, using AHA/BHA-based products with hydrating elements and botanical extracts that help treat open pores, and blemishes at the same time improve skin texture. Or use a vitamin C-based product that also contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for reducing acne inflammation, pigmentation, and acne marks as well as hydrate the skin.

2. Start with a basic routine
It is important to not overcomplicate your skin regime especially when you are treating multiple skin concerns. For example, not every skin needs a 10-step routine. Keep a simple regime of pH-balanced cleanser, a good moisturiser rich in anti-oxidants, a night serum rich in multi-peptides or vitamins, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

3. Use focused skin care
Focused skincare stands for first identifying your primary skin concern. A skin care product that targets this primary concern must be used to achieve your principal skin goal. It is about treating skin flaws step by step and embracing the remaining skin flaws while you treat your primary skin goal.

4. Choose one ingredient for skin care
Confused about how to start and what to treat? Choose one ingredient that helps you achieve treating major skin concerns at a go. For instance, choose hyaluronic acid to treat dry skin, fine lines, and skin elasticity, or choose azelaic acid to treat acne, acne blemishes, pigmentation, and clogged pores.

5. Use sustainable, eco-friendly vegan skincare
Skin minimalism for some is also the use of cruelty-free, vegan skincare that is meant to be sustainable for both skin and the environment. Most people are aware of how the beauty industry can impact the environment as well as overall health. Certain harmful chemicals and preservative or fragrance-based products are now a big "no-no" and are linked with dermatitis, endocrine diseases, and malignancies. The use of natural-based ingredients and vegan skincare hence also forms a small segment of skin minimalism.

How does skin minimalism help?
Sanghvi: There are seven important ways in which skin minimalism proves helpful:

1. It is safer on the skin.

2. Individuals are more compliant with an easier skin regime.

3. It is cost-effective.

4. It is nature-friendly.

5. Reduces chances of skin reactions, dermatitis, etc.

6. It eliminates the use of unnecessary products and chemicals.

7. It improves the quality of your skincare over quantity.

Which products that can be considered as a part of the skin minimalism regime?
Sanghvi: There are six key products that can be used under the skin minimalism routine:

1. Natural ingredient-based toners such as - tea tree oil, grape water, and rice water.

2. Treatment-based toners- AHA, BHA toners.

3. Moisturisers with Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C.

4. Serums with multi-peptides, vitamins, and botanical extracts.

5. Natural extract essence rich in mulberry, licorice root, and arbutin.

6. Repairing creams rich in ceramides, moringa oil, and niacinamide.

How does application of the skin minimalism regime differ according to skin types?
Sanghvi: We always have to keep in consideration the diverse skin types before adapting any routine.

1. Dry skin
Individuals with dry skin tend to have increased fine lines and a tendency to have skin sensitivity. The choice of products for individuals with these skin issues must include a moisturiser with repairing and anti-aging properties. For example, using a single product like a ceramide-based cream with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and bakuchiol every night can help address all concerns in one go.

2. Oily skin
Oily skin with open pores, with mild acne, are common issues seen in individuals with high sebum production. Using a toner rich in AHA, BHA, willow bark and niacinamide can help regulate sebum production as well as reduce the size of large pores. A retinol-based serum can also help such skin types.

3. Mature skin
Mature skin has increased fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, and dull complexion. Serums containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and retinol are great all-in-one solution to tackle signs of aging.

4. Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin tends to react to most products, preservatives, and fragrances which do more damage than good. They tend to have rosacea, dermatitis, or tendencies to photosensitivity due to their poor barrier functions. pH-balanced cleansers and barrier moisturisers containing chamomile, jojoba, centella, squalene, and gotu kola are safe and great treatment options for sensitive skin individuals looking to try out the skin minimalism approach.

What role can skin cycling play in skin minimalism?
Sanghvi: When it comes to showing your skin some kindness, skin cycling is a great way to start for beginners. Most individuals don't know how to layer skin actives in the right order and tend to use too many actives in one application over the other, causing a damaged epidermal barrier and increased sensitivity and breakouts. Skin Cycling allows you to strategically cycle your activities over the week with rest days in between. Skin cycling allows you to divide your skincare into exfoliators, toners, moisturisers, serums, and essence.

Traditional skin cycling suggests using an exfoliator one night, and retinol the second night with two rest days following it, after which the cycle is repeated. We advise skin cycling according to the skin types and concerns and we form a regime for our patients that allow them to use a moisturiser and a toner mist along with retinol on treatment nights in addition to barrier creams and intense hydrating essence on recovery nights. Skin cycling allows your skin to treat and heal at the same time which helps to get maximum benefits with the least amount of side effects or irritation.

Also Read: Frizz-free monsoon: Expert haircare guide to prevent dullness during monsoon