In 2024, the author found themselves overwhelmed by their 22-step skincare routine, filled with various serums, treatments, and ingredients. However, after realizing that their skin was becoming more reactive and prone to blemishes, they decided to simplify their regimen to focus on the essentials. By following the advice of dermatologists to only use a cleanser, serum, face cream, and SPF, they noticed significant improvements in their skin. By reducing potentially irritating products, their skin balanced its natural oils, leading to softer, plumper skin with fewer blemishes and less oiliness.
The author’s simplified five-step skincare routine begins with using micellar water in the morning and a gentle foaming cleansing oil at night to remove makeup and impurities. They then incorporate toners and essences, such as Lancôme’s Absolue L’Extrait Elixir and Ilia’s Base Face Milk, to balance their skin’s pH and boost hydration levels. In the morning, they use a vitamin C serum, like SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF, to brighten their skin and reduce oil production. At night, they swap to retinol creams, such as Olehenriksen’s Dewtopia and Medik8’s Crystal Retinal, to address blemishes and fine lines.
Moisturizing is a crucial step in the author’s routine, with products like Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Cooling Gel and Irene Forte Hibiscus Night Cream sealing in the benefits of earlier steps. Finally, sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of their routine, with preferences for SPF 50+ creams like Chanel’s UV Essentiel and La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid. The author emphasizes the importance of finding products that work for their skin and contribute to its overall health. By adhering to a streamlined routine with essential steps, they have experienced consistent care and improved skin health over time.
The author’s skincare journey highlights the benefits of simplifying a beauty regimen and focusing on quality over quantity. By reducing the number of harsh ingredients they were using, their skin was able to balance its natural oils and improve hydration levels. Dermatologists recommend focusing on cleansing, serum, moisturizer, and SPF as the key components of a skincare routine. By allowing the skin time to recover and minimizing potentially irritating products, one can achieve healthier, softer, and more balanced skin.
The author’s specific product recommendations provide insight into their personal skincare preferences and the types of formulations that work best for them. From micellar water to retinol creams, each product serves a purpose in their routine to address specific concerns like oiliness, blemishes, and fine lines. The emphasis on hydration and protection from the sun underscores the importance of basic skincare principles in maintaining healthy skin. By finding products that suit their skin type and individual needs, the author has achieved a simplified routine that promotes consistent care and long-term improvements in skin health.
