Your Guide to Building a Minimalist Skincare Routine

The core components of a minimalist skincare routine

For a minimalist, everyday skincare routine, you really only need to focus on three core products. 

Gentle Cleansing

Remove impurities and clear your skin with a gentle cleanser that upholds and protects the skin barrier. Cleansing is also important for promoting a smooth skin texture and exfoliating away any dead skin cells.

Moisturising

Moisturiser is key to balancing out the skin’s natural moisture barrier so the skin can protect itself from environmental aggressors and pollution. Two key ingredients to moisturising and hydrating the skin are humectants and ceramides. Humectants such as hyaluronic acid are a key to any minimalist skincare routine, as these will absorb and lock in moisture to keep your skin hydrated. Ceramides are lipids that make up the outer layer of skin, helping to protect the skin and strengthen the skin moisture barrier. 

Sun Protection

Sun protection is essential, regardless of skin type. Ensure an SPF 50+ sunscreen, applied twice daily to keep your skin protected from harmful UV rays.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. 

Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.

The extras: serums and active ingredients

If you’re after a simple, no-fuss routine, you really only need those three core components. But you can also add active ingredients and serums prior to moisturiser if you do have any skin concerns. Try to focus the routine on one major skin concern, or focus your routine on your specific skin type. 

At its simplest, active ingredients commonly used are:

• Hyaluronic acid: A key humectant that hydrates the skin and locks in moisture throughout the day.

• Vitamin C: For brightening dull skin and providing antibacterial properties. Leaves the skin feeling revitalised and radiant.

• Retinol: Promotes collagen production for improved skin texture and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

• Salicylic acid: A beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that gently exfoliates the skin to help with skin texture and blemish-prone skin.

• Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide strengthens the skin's moisture barrier and helps reduce visible dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Minimalist skincare routine by skin type

Identifying your skin type

If you’re unsure about your skin type there are a few quick ways you can test it at home.

Test 1

Around 30-45 minutes after cleansing and drying your face, check the feel of your skin for any visible tightness, flakiness or oiliness. 

Test 2

Use blotting paper to test for oil patterns. Pat specific parts of cleansed skin with blotting paper and wait for 30 minutes before checking the paper. This can help determine whether you have oily skin. 

Test 3

Lastly, assess the look of your skin post-wash without applying any additional skincare products for 40-45 minutes. The features of your skin can pinpoint what skin concerns to focus on. 

Factors affecting skin type

While genetics can be a large part of your skin type, other factors can include

• Age: The natural ageing process causes shifts in your skin needs.

• Climate: Air quality and weather can impact hydration levels and oil production in the skin.

• Humidity: Moisture in the air similarly affects your skin’s natural moisture barrier. 

• Hormones: Fluctuations and rapid changes to hormones may affect your skin’s moisture barrier.

Over time you may need to adjust your skincare routine with your changing skin.

Tips for every skin type

Now, regardless of your skin type, you should always keep in mind the three core components: cleanse, moisturise, protect. Here are a few other tips to choosing the right products for your type. 

Tips for dry skin

• Cleanse with a hydrating cleanser. Dry skin can also handle oil cleansers as a way to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier.

• Look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid that soaks up and locks in moisture.

• Exfoliate with a chemical exfoliator so as not to irritate the skin further. 

• Wash the face with warm rather than hot.

• Pat or blot skin dry with a towel, avoid rubbing the skin aggressively.

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Tips for oily skin

• Cleanse with a water-based cleanser like the Ceramides Oil-Free Foaming Cleanser, avoid oil-based cleansers and products. 

• Gentle exfoliation can help clear away dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause oily skin.

• Use gentle products, don’t over-wash the face or use harsh chemicals.

• Moisturise the face with a water-based moisturiser to prevent extra buildup of oil.

• Combat oiliness throughout the day by using blotting papers.

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Tips for normal skin

• Focus your routine on restoring balance instead of targeting specific skin concerns.

• Use a gentle cleanser morning and night.

• Hydrate and nourish the skin with hyaluronic acid.

• Support the skin’s natural nighttime renewal cycle with the Skin Renewing Night Cream.

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Tips for combination skin

• Double cleanse to target both skin dryness and excess oil around the T zone.

• Deeply moisturise with products containing humectants and ceramides, like the Ceramides Facial Moisturising Lotion. 

• Lactic acid and salicylic acid can help with blemishes and skin texture.

• Use toner to tighten pores to prevent oily skin.

• Consider exfoliating masks to address oiliness around the T-zone.

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Tips for sensitive skin

• If you don't already know what triggers your sensitive skin, it's good to start by identifying your skin's specific sensitivities to avoid triggers.

• Fragrance-free cleansers with essential, simple ingredients, such as the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, will cleanse without irritating sensitive skin. 

• Hydrate the skin with serums that include hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid.

• Avoid layering too many products at once to avoid skin irritation.

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Is it necessary to use different skincare products for the morning and night?

When it comes to the basics, you don’t need to add sunscreen to your nighttime routine. Otherwise most cleansers and moisturisers are suited for both day and night use. You might be told to opt for a night cream because they have extra hydrating properties which help reinforce the skin’s repair and restore function overnight, but you can also use your everyday moisturiser in lieu of this.

If you do use any active ingredients, it’s generally recommended to apply retinol creams and any salicylic acid serums at night, because they leave the skin more sensitive to UV rays.

How often should I change my skincare routine?

You might need to change your routine if you’ve started certain medications, during pregnancy, menopause, or if you go through any other dramatic hormonal shifts. Additionally, over time our skin and our skin’s needs will change, which usually means your skin will have different needs. Generally speaking though, you don’t need to regularly change your skincare routine unless you notice some reaction to your products or any changes in your skin’s behaviour.

Find your minimalist skincare routine with CeraVe

We keep it simple, with only essential ingredients developed with dermatologists. Shop CeraVe skincare now.

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