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Today we need to talk about skin care minimalism, the KEY to healthy, youthful skin.

I see more and more people using a dozen skin care products each day only to be more frustrated their skin isn’t responding to anything.

Often, the more products you use, the less you are getting out of any of them!

The good news is this means you can focus on quality over quantity, save money, AND get better looking skin. I get compliments and questions about my skin everyday. People really think I must use tons of expensive products, but that’s not true!

I use a few chosen, science-based, good quality items and I rotate things. I try not to use more than 4-5 products at a time. This includes my face wash!

Let’s get more into this.

Skin Care Minimalism: The Secret to Healthy, Youthful Skin

Autumn is the perfect time to talk about skincare minimalism because many people are starting to get dryer skin, and it might tempt them to use more products to hydrate their skin. This can have the opposite effect, and cause your skin to be more dry and irritated.

We will learn more about why a few quality products work better than a dozen! 

Your skin will be healthier and hydrated this autumn and winter following these tips. Don’t forget to follow Chemistry Cachet on Instagram for more great videos and tips. 

Too Many Products Can Clog Pores and Irritate Skin

First, too many products can clog pores. Your skin can only take so much, so when you pile on too much product, it can cause blemishes and pimples due to clogged pores. Combining several active ingredients can also cause your skin to be irritated, red, and more sensitive. 

Applying multiple products can overwhelm your skin, making it difficult for it to effectively absorb and benefit from each product.

Disrupt Skin Barrier

Overuse of products can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function. This can lead to dryness and inflammation.

Many skincare products, particularly exfoliators and toners, contain ingredients that can strip the skin of its natural oils. Overusing these products can leave the skin feeling dry, tight, and more susceptible to irritation.

Some skincare products, like heavy moisturizers or oils, can create a barrier on the skin that prevents it from breathing. This can lead to disruption of the skin barrier leading to clogged pores, acne, and other skin problems.

Some Active Ingredients Don’t Work Well Together

Some ingredients may not work well together or could neutralize each other’s effects. 

For instance, overusing exfoliating acids (AHA’s and BHA’s) and retinoids together can strip the skin of its natural oils and make it more susceptible to irritation. If you need to use both of these ingredients, it is best to use one form in the morning, and the other at night. 

Using strong antioxidants together can react and actually make the products lose their efficacy. This would be the case if you are using the pure forms of the ingredient.

For instance, if you use the pure form of Vitamin C and niacinamide together, it reacts to form nicotinamide. This compound is safe, but doesn’t do much for your skin. This would be a reason why I don’t suggest you try to make your own skin products which  has been come a popular idea recently. This is not only dangerous, but mixing ingredients can lead to them not working at all.

But don’t worry! You can still safely use a product formulated with vitamin C and one with niacinamide  due to the correct proportions. Formulation is the key.

More Product Use Can Lead To Allergic Reactions or Contact Dermatitis

When it comes down to it, the biggest issue with using too many skin care products is you increase your chancee of allergic reactions or contact dermatitis. The more products you use, the higher the risk of allergic reactions or contact dermatitis from one or more ingredients.

Unnecessary Expensive

A complex routine with too many products can be time-consuming and expensive. Simplifying your routine can be more cost-effective and efficient. You might see influencers online with 20 products they are using at night, but that is expensive and actually unnecessary.

So, What Products Do You Really Need?

I share my product recommendations all the time. As a chemist, I truly believe in several good quality, properly formulated items to get healthy and youthful skin.

Simplify your routine this fall, and invest in high-quality skincare products for transformative results. Switch to the products I recommend, and you will be blown away by your results. Here is what people say:

And here are the products I recommend to readers, friends, and family that are completely transforming their skin.

Face Wash

We all need a face wash to use at the end of a day to remove makeup, dirt, grime, and make sure your skin is clean for the application of your products. I use this foaming micellar face wash (use discount code alexisroch when you checkout) due to the calming, gentle ingredients that also removes makeup.

Vitamin C Serum

When it comes to a serum, I believe a vitamin C serum is the way to go. Especially one that is formulated with several ingredients to hydrate, brighten, boost collagen production, and more. I always use this vitamin c serum (discount code alexisroch) because it is truly the best there is. It doubles as anti-aging and brightening serum while also working with your SPF to protect your skin from the sun. If you only use one serum, this is the one!

Targeted Serums

Targeted Serums focus on more specific skincare needs. If you want to plump your skin or need deep hydration, you can go with a hyaluronic acid serum. You can also use a retinol serum for advanced anti-aging treatments, or the safe planted-based alternative Bakuchiol (discount code is alexisroch at checkout). 

Other targeted serums I have used are the Matrixyl 3000 serum and the Argireline Serum. 

I always use a firming serum like this one (discount code alexisroch) which pairs well with all other skincare items.

Don’t forget to use your eye products which I consider a more target treatment since it doesn’t go all over your face. I am currently use this under eye cream (code alexisroch … I have used it since 2022), and I have also been trying out this under eye balm. 

Moisturizer

After using a few serums, toping with a moisturizer is important. Depending on your skin care needs, Good Science Beauty has four face creams for whatever your specific concern is. They have a firming cream (my personal favorite), hydrating cream, purifying cream, and a brightening cream. Don’t forget to use chemistrycachet30 at checkout for any of their products. These perfectly formulated science-based creams absorb well and work quickly to transform your skin. It not only moisturizers, but treats your skin issues.

Repair Cream

Don’t forget in the fall and winter months, you skin might need an additional repair cream. I use this ultra-repair cream (code alexisroch) on top of my nightly skincare to help repair the skin barrier.

Additional products

It’s you can use every few days include this overnight plumping facial (code alexisroch), these beauty wipes, a face scrub, under eye patches, or a quick morning face mask. You can check out this recent “skin care products tested by a chemist” to see additional products I have used and liked (or didn’t like). 

Morning Skin Care

Don’t forget to use a mineral SPF (discount code alexisroch) in the morning. This is a non-negotiable for me every morning, so make sure to include it on top of your last skin care item in the morning. Usually on top of your moisturizer. 

To Summarize

Minimize your skin care products to achieve better, healthier skin and save time and money! You can use a face wash, Vitamin C serum, targeted serum, face cream, and barrier cream each evening to really take care of your skin. Alternative things like face masks, exfoliators, face wipes, and anything else you like to use to make sure your skin does not get overwhelmed.

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