When the seasons shift from frigid winter weather to balmy spring and summer, it’s officially time to tuck your cable knits away, break out a sparkling floral EDP, and yep—lighten your makeup load with a simple skincare routine. Also known as “skinimalism,” the goal of a minimalist skincare approach is to streamline your beauty process by using fewer products while making sure that the products you prioritize are highly effective and efficient.
Think lightweight foundations—like CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40—that even out your complexion, lend a healthy glow, and protect with SPF all at once. Skinimalism also includes brows that are more natural-looking versus painstakingly manicured, and embraces multitasking skincare products that save you time immediately and in the long run.
What Does Skinimalism Mean?
A combo of “skin” and “minimalism,” skinimalism is all about taking complicated beauty regimens and whittling them down into a simple skincare routine that delivers everything you need with none of the extra noise. This pared-down ethos is the opposite of a demanding 12-step regimen, and is also distanced from heavy-handed “glam” makeup that isn't necessarily convenient for everyday wear.
One thing skinimalism is not is a basic skincare routine. It’s simplified, yes, but it’s also a more intentional regimen that maximizes your time, prioritizes products that matter to you, and embraces a natural makeup look.
4 Benefits of Skinimalism
- Saves time: Because a minimal skincare routine streamlines your existing regimen, you’ll find it tends to save you time both morning and evening.
- Easier on your wallet: Using fewer products means you'll spend less money. Your wallet is already doing a happy dance.
- More eco-friendly: One of our favorite benefits of this simple skincare trend is that it helps reduce consumption and waste. It’s a small step toward a more sustainable lifestyle that anyone can take.
- Gorgeous, happy skin: Don’t mistake easy skincare routines for being less effective. Multitasking skincare products can ensure your skin feels hydrated, nourished, and healthy. In some cases, less is considered more in terms of skin health since layering too many products can potentially lead to irritation.
Tips for Starting a Minimalist Beauty Routine
Like the idea of simplifying your current regimen and embracing the skinimalist philosophy? Keep these tips in mind as you figure out which products to keep, toss, and purchase.
Pare Down Your Current Regimen
Take stock of your existing skincare routine and identify the products you don’t really need and those you can’t live without. At the core of every essential skincare routine are three key products:
- Cleanser: Washing your face in the morning and evening can help keep skin looking bright and clear. It’s also crucial for washing away dirt, makeup, and skincare residue.
- Moisturizer: Regardless of skin type, your skin requires daily hydration. Find a moisturizer that works for your complexion that you get excited about using.
- Sunscreen: Consider SPF the ultimate hero when it comes to anti-aging and skin protection. Daily application is a must, and using foundation with built-in SPF—such as CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40—can help save you time.
Another way to simplify your current regimen is to incorporate multitasking products. This might look like a cleanser that doubles as a makeup remover and face mask—such as Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm—or a lip balm that adds a flush of color while nourishing your lips, like Je Ne Sais Quoi Hydrating Lip Balm Treatment.
Customize With Care
From here, you can branch out and incorporate a few additional simple skincare products and makeup that’ll benefit your unique complexion. Maybe it’s a blemish-fighting serum such as Bye Bye Breakout Salicylic Acid Acne Serum, or a retinol—like Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream—that visibly moisturizes and nourishes while tackling signs of aging.
Be Consistent
Adopting an easy skincare routine doesn’t mean you can forego your morning and evening regimen on a whim. Consistency is a keystone of any effective skincare routine and ensures you’ll see results over time. Keep at it!
Our Best Products for Skinimalists
Ready to hop aboard the skinimalist beauty trend train? By its very nature, it’s an easy train to catch! To help you get a headstart, we’ve rounded up our favorite minimalist beauty and skincare that lend themselves to simpler routines.
CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40
IT’S THE FIRST 90% SKINCARE CC+ FOR AN INSTANT HEALTHY GLOW + BRIGHTER SKIN IN 4 WEEKS!*
CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40
If you do choose to wear foundation, our top skinimalist choice is CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40. Perfect for achieving a no-makeup makeup look, this lightweight, medium-coverage foundation is a 90% skincare CC+ cream. The formula features an impressive roundup of skin-loving ingredients—including 2% niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and green tea extract. This creates an instantly glowy, even-looking complexion and helps skin look healthier over time.
Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Hydrating Moisturizer
IT’S THE SKIN-TRANSFORMING SUPER CREAM THAT DOES IT ALL!
Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Hydrating Moisturizer
When we say that this super moisturizer works overtime for your skin, we mean it. Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Hydrating Moisturizer is formulated to deliver up to 48 hours of hydration, but that’s only the beginning. It also helps reduce the look of fine lines, visibly evens skin tone, improves the appearance of pores, and makes skin appear more plump and bright.
Even better, it doubles as a makeup primer for your foundation (should you wish to use one) and you can even use it as your nighttime moisturizer. Basically, it’s the perfect skin product for streamlining your beauty process from beginning to end.
Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer + Serum
INSTANT MEDIUM COVERAGE + CLINICALLY FADES DARK SPOTS*
Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer + Serum
If you’re already concealing dark spots, the skinimalist philosophy tells you that you might as well use a product that doubles as a skincare treatment. Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer + Serum is a “skincealer” that delivers instant medium coverage and 24 hours of hydration while visibly improving the look of bare skin. The formula features our Super Bright Serum, which is a powerhouse trio of 2% niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine.
Brow Power Filler Eyebrow Gel
IT'S YOUR BROWS BUT FULLER!
Brow Power Filler Eyebrow Gel
Full, fluffy, natural-looking brows are really having a moment right now thanks to the broader skinimalist movement. For that au naturel look, try swiping on Brow Power Filler Eyebrow Gel. Instead of creating a chiseled, "drawn-on" look, this innovative tinted brow gel creates a fuller-looking, more groomed brow via hair-like fibers that are applied with a micro-flocked tip. It also delivers up to 16 hours of wear.
Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick
IT'S YOUR SINGLE SWIPE SUPER SHADOW!
Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks
How does one swipe of eyeshadow before heading out of the house sound to you? Available in 12 beautiful, blendable shades, IT Cosmetics' new Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks are a minimalist's dream come true. The formula glides onto your lids with zero tugging or creasing.
Je Ne Sais Quoi Hydrating Lip Balm Treatment
IT TRANSFORMS YOUR LIPS!
Je Ne Sais Quoi Hydrating Lip Balm Treatment
Achieve both a hydrated lip and a pretty flush of natural color via Je Ne Sais Quoi Hydrating Lip Balm Treatment. Not only is it infused with nourishing butters and oils, but it also features our proprietary Vitality Lip Flush Technology™ that reacts with the warmth of your lips to create a truly bespoke pop of color.
Hello Lashes+ Volumizing Mascara with Lash Serum
SAY HELLO TO YOUR CARING LASH TRANSFORMATION!
Hello Lashes+ Volumizing Mascara with Lash Serum
A little touch of mascara can go a long way—especially when you're creating an otherwise all-natural makeup look. As its name implies, Hello Lashes+ Volumizing Mascara with Lash Serum multitasks for you by making your lashes look more voluminous while simultaneously nourishing via lash-loving biotin, argan oil, and jojoba oil. (Psst! If you prefer a waterproof formula, try the Superhero Volumizing Waterproof Mascara instead. It offers super volume, length, and stretch along with 24 hours of waterproof wear.)
Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream
GOODBYE WRINKLES + HELLO RESULTS!
Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream
For a multitasking nighttime cream, look no further than Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream. Developed with the IT Cosmetics Advisory Board of plastic surgeons and dermatologists, this formula combines the powerful anti-aging benefits of retinol with ingredients that help soothe and hydrate your skin. It even contains niacinamide, an ingredient to help reduce environmental damage while minimizing the look of dark spots and discoloration.
Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
BYE BYE MAKEUP. HELLO HYDRATED SKIN!
Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
Washing your face can sometimes feel like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover is a treat you’ll look forward to using, partly because of the silky texture and partly because it feels like magic to watch all the day’s grime go down the drain. Plus, you can even leave it on your face for five to 10 minutes for a deeply hydrating mask moment.
The beauty of the skinimalism trend is that there are no rigid rules you must conform to. At the end of the day, you get to define what your skincare and makeup process looks like. Don’t sweat it too much, and have fun with these hero beauty products we’ve highlighted above.
For more makeup tips, read through this tutorial on how to brighten and enhance your eyes in four easy steps.
