For decades, materialism and consumerism have led us to become accustomed to a more-is-more approach for just about everything. In terms of our skin, this approach has seen us over cleansing, over exfoliating, and piling on a plethora of different single purpose products in pursuit of the ultimate visage.

When you think back to simpler times, however, you notice that our ancestors never had such complicated routines, or products… you also realise that they didn’t seem to have the excess of skin problems that we see in society today.

So, it begs the question… Are these overloaded routines contributing to the increasing number of people with poor skin health that we’ve seen emerge in the last few decades?

Personally, as someone who has experienced the benefits of going on a skin-care diet and becoming a skin minimalist myself, I would have to say 100% yes!

"The more products and ingredients in your routine, the greater the chance of irritation, toxicity, redness, sensitivity, clogged pores, and inflamed skin”

A few years ago, well before the terms skin minimalist, Skinimalism, and skin-care diet were coined, I ditched my complicated and expensive routine because I just wasn’t seeing results.

I was doing everything the professionals told me to – I was using medicated cleansers, toners, vitamin C serums, retinols, and physical sunscreens, but would seldom be free from breakouts, red, inflamed, or irritated skin.

So, in line with the simpler paired back lifestyle I was already adopting in other aspects of my life, I went back to basics and started using just a natural cleanser and my Elixir as my all-in-one anti-aging moisturiser/serum.

And the results were amazing… so amazing that I would never switch back. Finally, after ditching my complicated routine and chemical laden products, I had achieved the healthy, blemish free, glowing, and youthful looking skin I had always sought.

Even now, a few years on, I frequently receive comments about how great my skin is and how young I look. 

What is Skinimalism?

Like minimalism in general, at a high-level skin minimalism (aka Skinimalism) is about keeping things simple using a less-is-more approach.

At a deeper level, it is also about freedom from the overwhelm, reclaiming time, and consuming less whilst focusing on the health and happiness of both ourselves and the environment in which we live.

What are the benefits?

Realising the benefits from a less-is-more approach, the Skinimalism trend is quickly gaining traction across the world with everyone from celebrities to aestheticians and dermatologists jumping on board. Let me explain why:

1. Healthy glowing skin

Sometimes, an over complicated routine laced with too many active ingredients and gadgets isn't what your complexion needs, and there are a growing number of Dermatologists who agree.

Dr. Justine Hextall, a UK based dermatologist says that “50% of those I see in my clinic have too complicated a regime that is actually damaging the skin barrier and unbalancing the natural acidic pH.”¹ Echoing this sentiment is New York dermatologist Dr. Cybele Fishman who believes “people do too much to their skin and often end up harming it with all the extra steps.”

Basically, dermatologists and aestheticians concur: the more products and ingredients in your routine, the greater the chance of irritation, toxicity, redness, sensitivity, clogged pores, and inflamed skin.

Moreover, constantly bombarding your skin with complicated routines, harsh products and toxic combinations of active ingredients can overwhelm your skin, weaken its natural defences, and increase your risk of developing much more serious skin conditions.

"Finally, after ditching my complicated routine and chemical laden products, I had achieved the healthy, blemish free, glowing, and youthful looking skin I had always sought"

2. Reclaim time

Less products to apply, means less time hogging the bathroom, and more time for you to spend on something else you’d rather be doing.

3. Save money

If you’re anything like I was, you’re probably spending a small fortune on all the single purpose products that make up your 10-step skincare routine.

Imagine all the money you could put towards something else if your routine consisted of just 2 or 3 quality products.

4. Cut out the clutter

No more cupboards full of half used, ineffective, and chemical laden single purpose skincare products. And no more heavy toiletry bags taking up precious luggage space when travelling.

Instead, you can enjoy the sense of space and luxury that having only 2-3 products offers you, your skin, your bathroom, and your suitcase.

5. Earth conscious consumption

By stripping your routine back to basics, you’re automatically consuming less and producing less waste – which alone are big wins for the environment.

But I dare say that, like me, once you understand how great it feels to be doing your part to help our planet, this one simple change could ignite a bigger change in you too.

Understanding how much of an impact I could personally make, and realising how great the natural world is, as well as the solutions it already offers us, is what led me to do that little bit extra.

As a result, I now seek out organic, sustainable, and plastic free products as much as possible and love feeling that I’m part of the change that we and this planet needs to thrive.

How do you become a skin minimalist and go on a skin-care diet?

Well before skin minimalism or skin-care diets were a thing, when I created Oasis Black, I did so with the goal to show people that getting back to basics and using just a few high quality, effective and all natural products is all you need to achieve and maintain healthy and youthful looking skin.

I also wanted a skincare routine that was so simple, it could effortlessly become a part of anyone’s daily regime.

Accordingly, I designed our daily skincare routine to entail just two simple steps – click here to learn what they are and how you can go on a skincare diet and start your journey to becoming a skin minimalist too.