Is a Moisturizer All You Need in a Good Skincare Routine?
Image: Insider Beauty Buzz
I think it’s safe to say, people are done with over-the-top, 12+ product skincare routines and are ready to take it down a notch. It’s happening people. I know I’m ready to back off and my skin will be happier too. But if you downsize, then you might wonder, what do I truly need in my routine? Is a moisturizer enough?
The short answer: all you need is a good cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Period. End-of-story.
But you can keep it simple, while adding actives to your routine too. I just make sure to choose moisturizers that prioritize the actives. What do I mean by that? To simplify, there are usually three types of moisturizers:
Super hydrating (and sometimes thick) moisturizers that protect and lock in moisture
Lighter, hydrating moisturizers for those with oily, acne-prone skin
Moisturizers with textures between the first two that contain lots of actives
If you’re curious what I mean by actives, I’m talking about the treatment ingredients we often hear about. Think words like brightening, antioxidants, firming, exfoliating. These types of products contain ingredients that “treat” your skin and some brands prioritize the actives in their creams and moisturizers.
One brand I’ve been using is called Good Science Beauty. They caught my attention because their product range is still fairly small and they launched with treatment creams and a gentle exfoliator. They also utilize their proprietary delivery mechanism called Good Silicon+™ to deliver active ingredients more effectively into the skin. Silica (not to be confused with silicon–a completely different ingredient) is a natural mineral found in the human body and in the earth’s crust. The version used in Good Science Beauty is positively charged, while our skin is negatively charged, so it creates a reaction similar to magnets. Opposites attract!
Good Science Beauty took silicon, which on its own is a skin nourishing ingredient, and put tiny pockets filled with two active ingredients in it. Those ingredients boost each other and treat your skin accordingly. It’s all really nerdy and genius because it means you get to use a cream that does way more for your skin than just moisturize it.
The one I’ve been using the most is 004-Br: Skin Brightening Cream because it gives your skin a glow and evens the tone. The actives within the silicon+ are glutathione, a major antioxidant, and melatonin, to increase absorption. There’s also niacinamide, one of my favorite vitamins to calm the skin, and two forms of vitamin C (one of my favorite skin-brightening ingredients).
I’ve been switching between that one and the 003-Hy: Hydrating Face Cream since my skin tends to be really dry. The other formulations deal with acne and firmness.
My super simple routine looks something like this:
MORNING:
Step 1: Cleanse (or just rinse)
Step 2: Apply cream with brightening actives
Step 3: Sunscreen
NIGHT:
Step 1: Oil/balm or micellar first cleanse
Step 2: Gel cleanser for second cleanse
Step 2: Apply cream with hydrating and nourishing ingredients
As you can see, it really only consists of three products in each routine and it tends to only take about five minutes. It’s a short, sweet, and simple skincare routine that is also very effective thanks to the treatment creams.
I tend to add a few more steps once in a while, but this is the base most people should start at before they add on. If you’re new to skincare, it’s important to take baby steps, so you don’t freak your skin out. Trust me. It happens quickly and easily. It’s not fun to deal with irritated skin.
If you have any questions about your skincare routine, feel free to find me on Instagram: @susanyara or join our private Facebook group called Beauty Questions Answered by MIXED MAKEUP.
