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When you start to become minimalist in one area of your life it’s not long before you start seeking to live more intentionally in other areas too. And if there’s an area that has become increasingly minimalist for me it’s my skincare routine.
Over the years I’ve shelled out hundreds (if not thousands) of pounds on skincare products. I spent most of my 20s searching out the perfect products that would help my breakout prone skin. Products marketed as the must have solution wound up cluttering my bathroom. I tried serums and moisturisers, oils and masks. I’d read blogs and magazines and even books on skincare. Always hoping I’d find the perfect solution and the perfect skincare routine.
Searching for the one
I don’t know quite when I started this quest for the perfect skincare routine. I remember my mum introducing me to skincare products as a teenager: cleanse, tone, moisturise. Simple. She took me to Boots and bought me three products for less than a fiver and I was sorted (amazingly Boots still sell those exact same products).
I don’t really remember buying many skincare products until I got to university. My housemate was a huge fan of Clinique and filled our bathroom with her skincare products and I felt the pressure to up my skincare game. I discovered the luxury skincare counters in Liverpool’s department stores and that was the start of a rather expensive battle against my skin.
In my early 20s I really shouldn’t have been worrying about lines or wrinkles or piling on loads of products. Yet I totally bought into the idea that I was taking care of my skin for later years. I realise now that the more products I used the worse my skin became. And so began the cycle for the quest for the next product.
It was only really when I became pregnant at the age of 31 that I called a halt to buying products. Certain skincare products shouldn’t be used in pregnancy including retinoids and salicylic acid (as well as a whole bunch of other chemicals that aren’t really the type of thing I would want on my skin anyway). So I ditched many of the products I was using. But I still had plenty of products left in my bathroom so I saw it as an opportunity to use up what I had.
Understanding my skin
In coming off hormonal contraceptive and tracking my cycles to get pregnant I’d been curious to see how my skin would react. For the first time in my life I was able to make a link between my breakouts and my cycle. Suddenly I was able to predict which weeks in my cycle where my skin would be terrible. It was liberating. I realised that in throwing all these products on my skin without really understanding the underlying cause of my breakouts I was probably doing more harm than good.
In the constant tiredness of pregnancy I found I no longer had the desire to spend time on a complex skincare routine. So I stripped it right back. I was interested to see if making my skincare regime completely minimalist would make a difference.
Instead of five or so different products I started just using a simple facial cleansing soap to wash my face every evening. I even skipped moisturising most nights, occasionally opting for a little facial oil if I felt like I needed it. It was a total change and part of me worried that I was going to be drying out my skin from using just soap and water. But actually it worked.
Creating a minimalist skincare regime
Over recent months I seen references to the term “skinimalism” (icky right?) which is an amalgamation on skincare minimalism. But despite the slightly weird trending label it actually works.
Over the last 18 months I’ve been using a minimalist skincare regime and my skin has never looked better.
Originally I stripped out almost all products, using only the brilliant Bourn Beautiful Naturals Face-off Oil Cleansing Wash and a hot flannel each evening (and just a flannel and hot water each morning). Since becoming a mum I rarely wear make up but I find this gorgeous smelling facial oil a really relaxing way to end the day that works for my skin. It was something I could manage even after the longest of days looking after baby R.
But as the weather started to turn colder I felt like I might need something more for my skin to combat the combination of drying from central heating and the freezing Pennine weather. I’d heard good things about Balmonds but I’d never tried any of their products and was really excited when they sent me a sample of their Skin Salvation.
But I wanted to make sure I had thoroughly put this sample through it’s paces before I posted about it on here. And I can definitely say it’s exceeded my expectations! A rule for my minimalist skincare regime is that if a product is going to earn its place in my bathroom it needs to be a real workhorse product and this little pot of green goodness really is just that.
If my skin is dry I’ll grab the Skin Salvation. If R is looking a little red in her nappy? Grab the Skin Salvation. It feels like there’s nothing this product isn’t great for. I’ve used this as a night cream, lip balm, nappy barrier cream, eczema cream and pretty much anything else you can think of. It’s become a firm favourite.
Plus it lasts forever – a little goes a really long way. I was sent a 30ml pot back in November and there’s still about a third left 5 months later despite using it every day.
How I use Skin Salvation
So what is Skin Salvation? The original Balmonds product, it is an oil-based moisturiser made with beeswax to lock in moisture. It’s suitable for babies from six weeks, all skin types and can be used anywhere on the body. The natural ingredients reduce the risk of skin irritation and is suitable for people who may be prone to eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and other dry skin conditions (but note, it contains nettle which can cause a reaction for some).
I was worried it might be a bit heavy for use as a moisturiser (Balmonds actually recommend their Daily Moisturising Cream for every day use as a moisturiser) but I actually found that once I warmed a little by rubbing it in my fingers, it could be used as a moisturiser without any issues. I now use it most days as well as as a spot treatment for patches of dry skin.
I’ve used it for my eczema as well, in fact it’s replaced my long-time favourite Diprobase cream as my go-to product for eczema flare ups. I find that rubbing in a little Skin Salvation is just what I need to relive the itchiness that drives me crazy (if you have suffered from eczema you’ll know exactly what I mean). Whilst Skin Salvation does have a slight scent it’s not unpleasant and doesn’t cause a reaction in the way that so many scented products often do.
Why adopt a minimalist skincare regime
So I’m not a skincare expert, I can only speak from experience. And my experience is that a minimalist skincare regime really works. Despite using only two main products my skin has honestly never looked better. Plus when I’m exhausted after a day of working and being a mum, not only can I make the couple minutes for my routine but I actually really enjoy it.
There’s something wonderfully soothing about washing off the day with a hot cloth before bed and following it up with the lovely softness of Skin Salvation that makes me feel ready for sleep – although whether I get a decent night’s rest is in the hands of the toddler sleep gods!
Save this minimalist skincare regime for later:
