Skinamalism: The Four Must-Have Items in Your Skincare Routine

The Skinamalism Movement

This skincare trend is one we are excited it about because it encourages showing off the natural texture of skin and tapering down on skincare products by choosing the best ones for you. This fosters a more positive attitude to the normal changes in skin both as you go through hormonal shifts and the various seasons of life.

Underneath the Surface

Something we often reiterate on this blog is that what shows up on your skin is often a reflection of what is going on underneath the surface. A great way to start reducing the number of your skincare products is by addressing the underlying needs of your skin through adequate nourishment and hydration.

In general, whether your concerns are a chronic skin condition such as acne or eczema, or you are looking to eat for graceful aging, the best style of eating incorporates foods high in anti-oxidants and low in inflammatory properties. Stay hydrated throughout the day with water, and cutting down on caffeinated, alcoholic or high sugar beverages which can dehydrate the skin and increase inflammation.

Skin-Care Must Haves:

The goal is to make sure that all of your skincare products work for your skin type as well as the season of life that you are in. Skincare products should be non-comedogenic, meaning that they do not block pores and cause comedones such as blackheads or whiteheads. It may be wise to assess the cleanliness of your products on the Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep” database to see if there are any chemicals which act as hormone disruptors and live in the body for longer than intended.

Cleanse

It is important you find a cleanser which works for your skin, whether it be sensitive, dry, or acne-prone. It is equally important to ensure that this cleanser is not overly drying and will still leave your skin feeling hydrated. If you have acne-prone skin, look for a gel or liquid-based cleanser versus cream cleansers. Additionally, it would be helpful to find ingredients which can help with oil-balancing and bacteria reduction. Cleansing should happen a maximum of twice per day, as over-cleansing can actually cause further drying of the skin and an imbalance in the skin’s natural microbiome. Also, remember to pat dry versus rubbing your face dry with a towel. This not only helps retain moisture from the water but prevents unnecessary microdamage from rubbing with a towel.

Treat

This step refers to whichever treatment your skin requires the most, whether it be exfoliation, extra hydration, pore cleansing, reduction of hyperpigmentation or structural skin support. Find a product which you can use daily or a few times per week to support the natural glow of your skin. This may look like a serum, repair gel or face mask. For example, vitamin C is a protective antioxidant for the skin which promotes brightening and lightening of dark spots while helping to strengthen collagen and maintain elasticity of the skin. Those with dry skin may opt for a hydrating serum to lock in moisture and prevent the skin from becoming dry throughout the day, especially if exposed to daily fluctuations in temperature such as during the winter and summer from heating and cooling systems.

Moisturize

Moisturizing is something that is helpful to seal in all the wonderful treatments you have just given your skin in terms of cleaning and treating. This is especially important for those with dry or sensitive skin types. It helps to create a layer of protection from the environmental elements such as harsh wind, temperatures, and pollution. Moisturizing daily after washing can help bring balance to the skin.

Sun-Care

This is arguably the most important step of any skincare routine, regardless of the time of year. Sun-care is important to protect skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can cause hyperpigmentation and damage to the structural components of the skin. UV radiation damages the elastin and collagen in skin, leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, if you are using a treatment which may leave the skin sensitive to the sun, such as essential oils or an acid, sun care is imperative for protection. Look for sunscreens which have a mineral component as their UV-protection agent, such as zinc oxide. Mineral sunscreens work well because they protect from the full spectrum of ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB), while chemical sunscreens only protect from UVB. Additionally, they are more gentle on sensitive skin. Their UV-protecting agents, such as oxybenzone have a higher allergen capacity, and can cause skin reactions and exacerbate chronic skin conditions such as acne.

There is much to consider in the realm of skin care, especially with targeted ads and new products coming out every day. It can all be very confusing, so in order to taper down your skincare cupboard make sure to focus on what is important. Find products which work for you and that your skin loves. Feel free to contact us via the chat if you have any questions about our products and if they would be right for you.

By: Dr. Arlene Dubier ND

References:

1. Klonizakis, M., Grammatikopoulou, M.G., Theororidis, X., Milner, M., Liu, Y. & Chourdakis, M. (2019). Effects of long-versus short-term exposure to the Mediterranean diet on skin microvascular function and quality of life of healthy adults in Greece and the UK, Nutrients. 11(10), 2487
2. Gold, M., Ablon, G., Andriessen, A., Bucay, V., Goldberg, D., Green, J., Hooper, D., Mandy, S., Nestor, M. & Ortiz, A. (2019). A cohort study using a facial cleansing brush with acne cleansing brush head and a gal cleanser in subjects with mild-to-moderate acne and acne-prone skin, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 18(11), 1140-1145.
3. Choi, J., Lew, V. & Kimball, A. (2006). A single-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the effect of face washing on acne vulgaris, Pediatric Dermatology. 23(5), 421-427.
4. Farris, P. (2006). Topical vitamin C: a useful agent for treating photoaging and other dermatologic conditions, Dermatologic Surgery. 31(s1), 814-818.
5. Papakonstantinou, E., Roth, M., Karakiulakis, G. (2012). Hyaluronic acid: a key molecule in skin aging, Dermato-Endocrinology. 4(3), 253-258.
6. Lan, C. (2019). Effects and interactions of increased environmental temperature and UV radiation on photoaging and photocarcinogenesis of the skin, Experimental Dermatology. 28(s1), 23-27.
7. Solish, N., Humphrey, S., Waller, B., Vanderveen, S. (2020). Photoprotection with mineral-based sunscreens, Dermatologic Surgery, 46(12), 1508-1513