The Skincare Edit: How to curate your own capsule skincare routine
Are you a skincare junkie? How many skincare products do you currently have in your stash? I recently took stock of mine and found that I currently have 20 in rotation. It’s a lot more than I’d like, but in my defense, it took some trial and error for me to find the ones I like best. I’m finishing these purchases, then plan to edit down to only keeping my HGs! My downsized shelf will be composed of just 10 key pieces; that may still seem like a lot for some but it’s the routine that works for my oily-acne prone skin type.
If you’ve heard of capsule wardrobes, my plan is to have the same for skincare. A capsule wardrobe is made up of essential items of clothing that (1) don’t go out of trend, (2) that work for your body type, and (3) that spark joy in your life. The same rules apply when you’re building a capsule skincare routine! If you’re looking to do a skincare edit to start the year right, here’s our sage advice.
Find your basics
These four basic steps are the building blocks of a good skincare routine - a cleanser, a moisturizer, an exfoliant, and a sun protection product.
Effectively cleaning off the day’s makeup, sweat, oils, dirt, and grime is important if you want to keep your skin clear. Stick to low pH cleansers to avoid damaging your skin barrier. If you use heavy duty or waterproof makeup, a dedicated makeup remover is a necessity. It can be in oil, balm, or bi-phase (a mix of oil and water) form as long as it effectively takes off all traces of makeup. We mean it - poor mascara removal can cause infections, lesions, and even lead to blindness.
If you’re still in the market, we have nifty guides to help you choose a moisturizer and an exfoliant that’s right for you. There are numerous options available now so while it can feel a bit overwhelming, it also means that you’re sure to find the right fit.
When building your core skincare regimen, keep in mind to shop for your skin type and skin concerns to get the most value for your money. Gel vs. cream moisturizer, physical vs. chemical exfoliant (or both!) - there’s no one correct answer that will work for all of us. Don’t just blindly purchase what’s trendy, what’s expensive, or what your favorite celebrity tells you. Tailor your routine for you and your skin will thank you for it!
Treat as needed
Brightening, moisturizing, oil-control, anti-acne or anti-aging skincare - we all need and want different things for our skin. What are your skincare issues? What are your skincare goals? These two questions should lead you into a more mindful and efficient skincare edit.
The word “actives” is often used in a lot of skincare discussions as the key thing to look for in your products. Simply put, actives are ingredients that are scientifically proven to change the structure of your skin at a cellular level. Ingredients - yes, not products. A few examples of actives are vitamin C, retinoids, niacinamide, salicylic acid, and AHA/BHA. Your basics can contain actives, but likely have them in too small doses than what’s required for the ingredient to work quickly or effectively.
Investing in products with a higher concentration of active ingredients may initially feel like a lot of money, but they pay off by truly maximizing your skincare efforts. Serums, essences, ampoules, toners, mists, and sometimes even sheet masks may contain an effective dose of actives, so they’re able to treat your skin issues faster than a basic skincare routine would. Using actives can also help you trash the maximalist idea of needing to use so many products to achieve great skin. Instead, focus on the ingredient and if it can help address your specific concern (e.g. BHA for clogged pores, niacinamide for brightening dull skin) then look for the active in a product that works for you.
Tea time: How many products do you currently have, and if you were to pick only the ones that are HG material, how many would you have left? Tell us about the products that will survive your skincare edit in the comments below!
Photography by Nicole Quindara
