10-step skincare routine no more: Skinimalism is in!
- Nandini Rohela
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Ditch the Drama, keep the Glow: welcome to the hassle-free era of 'skinimalism' for a radiant you!
Rewind a few years: skincare maximalists had cupboards filled with night creams, gua sha tools, ice globes, Dieux eye patches, and various face masks, all carefully tucked away. However, by 2026, the "less is more" ideologists started infiltrating TikTok and Instagram feeds, urging dedicated skincare enthusiasts to embrace simplicity. Instead of relying on numerous products, they advocated for fewer, higher-quality items, claiming this approach leads to a more radiant complexion. Skincare minimalism is the new trend.
The shift has been subtle and graceful– going from having a 45-minute nighttime routine to only having 6 - 7 steps. Simplicity has now become the key to a healthy and glowing skin rather than slathering twelve different products from various brands to achieve the ‘glazed doughnut look’.
For the chronically online girlies, an exhaustive 27-step skincare routine was the gospel till 2024, avenues for self-love and justifications for overconsumption, some might argue. ‘Retinol’ and ‘salicylic acid’ became buzzwords being flung around all over the social discourse.
The likes of Billie Eilish, Hailey Bieber, and Emily Ratajkowski have been extremely vocal about their love for having a dedicated time in the day for their respective skincare rituals. Never sleeping with makeup on, always lathering oneself with luxe skincare products, and being an advocate for going to bed with clear skin. These aren’t just afterthoughts– but a ritual they can’t skip.
So naturally, owing to the voyeuristic curiosity that we viewers possess, we had also given in to the trend. The new year has rekindled our connection with minimalism. It’s not only about having an elaborate skin care routine but also about scientifically backed and proven benefits and quality. It’s about choosing products that offer longevity and quality rather than complicated formulas.
The dermatological reality check
“Elaborate routines may look aspirational on social media, but the dermal reality is far less glamorous. The most common skin problems we now see are directly linked to excessive layering and inappropriate combinations of active ingredients,” says Dr. Jaishree Sharad, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over 25 years of experience in her field.
As a matter of fact, it is better to have just about 4-5 products and steps in your routine rather than a plethora of them, all meticulously kept on your dressing table, all the while you’re getting late for a meeting at 10 a.m. on a Monday. It’s simply just the better option for our skins (and our banks).
Another issue that emerges with a product-heavy routine is the mix of ingredients that don’t belong together. It’s like wearing 5 statement pieces at once: everything clashes and nothing gets to shine.
“This manifests not as 'purging' or 'detoxing,' as many patients assume, but as a true barrier injury. The resulting symptoms, sensitivity, burning, redness, tightness, stinging, and eczema-like flares are among the most common and significant consequences of today’s overly complex 10–20 step skincare routines”, she further adds.
“Many consumers unknowingly combine actives that should not be layered together, such as vitamin C with AHAs and retinoids, benzoyl peroxide with retinoids(tretinoin), or multiple exfoliants like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids. Ultimately, skin is a living biological organ, not a chemistry experiment; when overloaded with too many simultaneous actives, it responds with inflammation rather than improvement”, clarifies Dr. Sharad.
Do it less, do it right – a recession-proof routine
When asked how these ideas work in practice, Dr Sharad explains that a small set of foundational products is more than sufficient to support skin health across all skin types.
A gentle, fragrance-free cleanser removes impurities without disrupting the lipid barrier, while a ceramide-rich moisturiser helps restore essential lipids and reduce transepidermal water loss. A daily broad-spectrum sunscreen remains the most crucial step, protecting the skin from photoaging, inflammation, and pigmentary disorders.
“Depending on individual concerns, a single targeted active, such as a retinoid for ageing or acne, Azelaic acid for pigmentation or rosacea, vitamin C for antioxidant protection, can be added without overwhelming the barrier.”
This prescribed list for what an ideal skincare routine must contain makes one wonder: wallet-draining Korean products and opulent skincare tools are no longer the knight in shining armour for our skin. It’s our staple cleanser that we’ve probably been hearing about since we were 10.
A skincare routine where less finally feels enough
Audiences appeared overwhelmed and fatigued by oversaturated skincare markets and multi-step routines. Even those who follow maximised skincare routines will admit the products have cost them a lot without delivering much for their skin. “This is not an aesthetic trend; it is biological wisdom”, added Dr Sharad.
This style of minimal effort and lazy luxury arises from being exhausted by influencers who promote extensive skincare routines, whether it's after a night out with friends or early in the morning before heading to work.
No one wants to spend more than ₹5000 on all their skin essentials combined, especially in times like these, where even longer skirts are considered a recession indicator (yes, I know you’ve seen that reel). We want something uncomplicated in our serums and patches.
Skinimalism might just be every lazy girl’s renaissance, not because we’ve given up, but because we want our skin to be able to breathe while still looking radiant!