I’m Never Going Back To Overcomplicated Skincare Routines Again—Here’s Why

As a beauty editor, it’s definitely tempting to try every new skincare product that lands in my email inbox, on my Instagram home page, or recommended by fellow beauty enthusiasts and experts on other major social media platforms. Much of our content here at Who What Wear is focused on the discovery of many of these products because they absolutely deserve the recognition. Unfortunately, getting my hands on so many products (whether they’re a classic bestseller for a brand or a recent launch), can lead to majorly overcrowding my vanity. As we head into the warmer months, I think it’s about time I do some spring cleaning and simplify not just my collection of skincare products, but also my admittedly lengthy routine.

Skinimalism is the recent movement toward using fewer products, with a focus on the most basic skincare steps such as gently cleansing and moisturizing the skin followed by the application of SPF. “It’s all about getting back to basics and taking a more mindful approach to self-care,” begins beauty industry mogul, Priscila Fadul. “The industry has always encouraged us to live in a culture of nonstop novelty, but skincare doesn’t need to be complicated. Adding more steps to our routine doesn’t automatically mean better skin.” Rather than overcomplicating your skincare routine to combat specific skin concerns, Fadul recommends investing in effective high-quality products. “A minimalist routine is a great way to reduce waste, minimize the use of energy and do your part for the environment.” she continues. “So, if you’re tired of complicated skincare routines, give skinmalism a try!” 

Fadul, is a Latinx engineer and beauty insider from a family with over 50 years of experience in the beauty space. She highlights efficiency as a top priority for her; the key to marrying effectiveness and aesthetics. “After years of sifting through the noise and separating fact from fiction in the skincare industry, I realized that what truly matters is quality over quantity,” says Fadul. She founded her skincare brand, Lendava, with the goal of simplifying routines with high quality products and ingredients as well as make it easier for, “people to have healthy skin without sacrificing effectiveness of simplicity.” So what does it take to truly simplify your skincare routine? For one, investing in luxurious and effective products can mean majorly cutting down the product line up.

“The goal with Lendava is to offer skincare that is simple and pleasurable; savvy skincare with all the right priorities,” the beauty mogul explains. “We’re all about keeping things minimal and being objective. Our products are designed to optimize skin’s function, with carefully chosen ingredients that are backed by science—no fluff, just what works!” Lendava is also an example of how brands embracing the skinimalism movement have also made efforts to create formulas that are prioritizing transparency and, ethical practices, and eco-friendly production.

According to Fadul, the process of simplifying one’s skincare should be focused on ingredients with proven efficiency behind them like Vitamin A, B3, and C, peptides complex, and hyaluronic acid (don’t forget to do your research). “When it comes to your actual routine, start off with a gentle, soap-free cleanser, then apply your favorite products afterwards. And always, always remember to protect your skin from the sun – it’s the ultimate skincare sin to skip the SPF,” Fadul shares. If you’d like to dive into the world of chemical exfoliations or retinol treatments, she recommends limiting use to 2-3 times a week. For Fadaul, less is more when it comes to keeping your skin healthy.

To discover products from the brands we’ve been using to begin our skinimalism journey, keep reading.

Lendava’s clean beauty award-winning daily face cream is engineered for every skin type and has a formula that contains vitamin c, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to keep the skin looking and feeling balanced and healthy.

Like the brand’s Good Morning face cream, their Good Night offers an maximum-effect formula is brimming with a powerful antioxidant complex, hyaluronic acid, matrixyl 3000 peptides, and niacinamide for healthy-looking and refreshed skin.

This one is a soap-free everyday oil cleanser that gently removes makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils or causing irritation. It’s also formulated with skin-loving healthy oils and without surfactants.

Once you’ve got your skincare routine down, it’s time to start on the body. Lendava’s firming Body Care cream is made with a powerful blend of 1% retinol, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and shea butter,  to revitalize and tone the skin while also lessening the appearance of stretch marks and aging.

I’ve used this gentle, seaweed-infused gel cleanser for the past two years and couldn’t imagine ever using another. It removes impurities and excess oils from the skin’s surface while delivering mineral-rich hydration and exfoliation.

Bring on the glow! Osea’s Undaria Algae Body Oil went viral on TikTok last year thanks to its clinically proven ability to improve skin elasticity, deliver deep moisture, and visibly approve its appearance to be more toned and sculpted.

This lightweight, seaweed-powered barrier moisturizer is ultra-hydrating and smoothing using all-natural ingredients to create a barrier agains environmental pollutants. It also improves the elasticity of the skin while balancing its microbiota.

Here’s another product I use on a daily basis to keep my skin moisturized and glowing year-round. The Undaria Algae Body Butter addresses signs of aging with whipped shea butter, ceramides, and of course, the nutrient-rich Undaria seaweed the brand is known for.

When it comes to all things body, Nécessaire has got you covered with their line of ultra-hydrating products. Their Body Lotion, for example, is packed with skin-loving ingredients including facial-grade oils rich in niacinamide, Vitamin C/E, and peptides to nourish and strengthen the skin.

The brand’s body wash has earned itself a permanent spot in my shower (that’s how much I love it). Infused with niacinamide, glycerin, and narula oil, The Body Wash is a gel-oil hybird that’s non-striping, non-drying, and helps to balance and moisturize the skin.

A rich barrier treatment for the skin. Nécessaire’s The Body Cream is formulated with five essential ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin to heal dryness and sooth the skin while repairing its barrier. I love to use this one weekly as a barrier treatment mask.

Use this oner daily as a hyaluronic acid treatment for the skin. Its unique formula is filled with five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to keep your skin beyond moisturized. The best part? It’s completely hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.

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