We’re all about pampering our skin, but between the medieval-looking facial gadgets and neverending serums, essences, and facial mists, when is too much, well, too much? I mean, do you really need so many skin care products, or can your complexion thrive on less?

If you, too, find yourself debating whether there’s such a thing as too much skincare, then you’ve come to the right place. 

So do you really need so many skin care products? Fellow lazy babes, rejoice.🥳 We’re here to explain why less really is more when it comes to your complexion. 

What’s “skinimalism,” and why does it work? 

There’s a reason everyone seems to be on a minimalist kick lately (and it isn’t just a byproduct of the current economic climate or plain old laziness). This less-is-more lifestyle philosophy is actually beneficial AF for your mental health. But can this same approach help perk up our skin, too?

Ever been so exhausted that you just half-assed your routine — only to wake up wondering, “wait… why does my skin look better when I don't use all my skincare?” It turns out there may be something too a pared-down approach.

Skinimalism (or skin minimalism) takes that same minimalistic idea and applies it to skincare. Not only does it save time, money, and the planet, but our skin loves it. Fewer products and fewer harsh ingredients mean fewer chances of skin wigging out. 

Wait — does that mean you should give your skin a break from skincare altogether? Not necessarily. Although you don’t really need so many skincare products, there are a few staples you should always keep on deck.  

How many things should you have in your skincare routine?

Do you really need a face serum for every single part of your face? Is double-cleansing an absolute must? And WTF am I supposed to do with this micro-needling derma device, err, I mean roller? 

While the ultimate lazy power move would be to say “f*ck it” and chuck all our skincare into the trash, that isn’t quite what I mean by less is more. But you can cut your routine in half and achieve glowy, youthful skin with less time and minimal effort.

Holy Grail Skincare Products You Should Keep

Okay, okay… if it isn’t better to use no products on your face, which ones are worth taking up space on your bathroom shelf? 

Short answer: it depends.

The products you do use depend on your individual skin goals, and seeing as how we’re all different — it varies per person. That being said, the core of our skincare consists of a few non-negotiables relevant to pretty much all of us. 

In other words, you don’t really need so many skincare products, but none isn’t the right solution either. Curious to know what the 3 most important skin care products are, according to derms? Let’s get into it.

1) Cleanser

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that when it comes to skincare, cleansers are a must for keeping skin happy, healthy, and radiant. Not doing so could lead to build-up, irritation, blemishes, and premature aging. No, thanks! 

But as of late, facial cleansing has gotten a major revamp thanks to the era of double-cleansing (washing your face with an oil-based cleanser followed by a creamy one). The problem with this (besides having to spend time and money on two cleansers) is that incorporating the wrong ones could strip your skin dry, leaving it more in distress than before. Yikes. 

If only we could double-cleanse without having to bother with separate products.

Enter: The game-changing One & Done Oil Cleanser from embody. Pulling major double-duty, this cleanser starts as a luscious oil cleanser and lathers into a milky emollient infusing delicious hydration back into your skin. 

Double-cleansing? I think we’ll swipe left.  

2) Moisturizer

Is moisturizer really necessary? Despite some dubious claims on the internet, most experts agree that it’s vital for optimal skin health. 

What makes moisturizer so essential? Here’s how it supports your skin:

• Helps your complexion retain water (which is especially important post-cleanse)
• It reduces your chances of extreme dryness and oiliness (both extremes can be harmful)
• Builds up your natural skin barrier function (your complexion’s first line of defense against infections, toxicity, and allergens)
• Reduces fine lines and makes skin look smoother, softer, and younger
• Some can even promote wound healing

That being said, overdoing it on moisturizer isn’t great, either. Over-moisturizing could leave your face feeling oily and potentially lead to skin blemishes and breakouts. 

My tip? Find a moisturizer you love and stay loyal to it. When you get the itch to deviate or layer on those samples you got at the Sephora check-out line, ask yourself: do you really need so many skin care products for hydration? 

I think we know the answer, bestie.

3) Sunscreen

Pop quiz: Do you know what the most important skin care product is? 

Did you guess SPF? Ding, ding, ding! 

That’s right — if you’re only rocking sunscreen at the pool or in the summer, you’re doing your skin a major injustice, sis. The truth is that the sun’s rays can do a lot more damage than an innocent little sunburn. They decrease elasticity (hello, premature aging), disrupt our skin’s ability to repair itself naturally, and increase our chances of developing skin cancer. 

But SPF doesn’t just protect skin from sun exposure. Similar to antioxidants, SPF also protects your skin cells against free radicals like pollution, oxidative stress, and blue light exposure. 

So in your quest to figure out, “what skincare do I really need?” — this is one protective staple you don’t want to be caught without.

*Bonus: Ingestible Skincare

You don’t really need so many skincare products in a world where ingestible skincare exists. 

We know that what we eat impacts how our body looks and behaves. Our skin is no different. So why not harness that idea to support our skin from within?

Take topical retinol, for instance. It boosts skin cell production, unclogs pores, promotes collagen, and plumps up your skin, making you look more youthful and glowy AF. However, it usually comes at the price of skin getting worse before it gets better. 😓

Skin-supporting supplements like The Retinol Gummy from embody are clinically proven to give your skin a retinol-induced glow-up sans the typical “retinol burn.” 

A tasty AF gummy that replaces skincare products and bypasses a potential skin wig-out? Sold!

Declutter Your Skin Care with embody.

We’re so accustomed to multistep skincare routines that make us layer product after product. The idea that less could actually be more beneficial for our skin almost seems counterintuitive. But as you can see, it might just be all in our heads (sort of like my imaginary love affair with Rip Wheeler). 

So do you really need so many skin care products? We say no. 

It’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo and hit reset on that skincare routine. You might be surprised by how a skinimalist regimen sparks joy in your complexion. 

Need a little more inspo to get in on the life-changing magic of going skinimalist? Your official skincare bestie, embody, has got your back.