The new trend is fewer and safer products
Excessive use of care products, often chemical, negatively affects our skin barrier and overall health. A 2022 study across 27 European countries, involving 44,689 participants, revealed that a remarkable 43.35% of Europeans experienced one or more skin disorders in the previous year. Fungal infections, acne, and atopic dermatitis or eczema top the list. For this reason, dermatologists welcome 'skinimalism'—the 2024 trend.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that skincare product chemicals are easily absorbed into the skin and can accumulate in the body, potentially leading to harmful consequences. These synthetic ingredients disrupt the skin barrier and cause inflammatory reactions and irritation, resulting in conditions like itching, flaking, red and dry skin, or even acne or eczema. Earlier this year, experts warned about a TikTok trend among teenagers promoting excessive skincare, which carries its own consequences.
Protect your skin barrier
Excessive use of serums, toners, eye creams, or day and night creams can damage the teenage skin. It messes with the skin barrier. Not a good idea for teenagers, nor for adults. The microbiome, a fine layer on the skin consisting of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, plays an essential role in maintaining our health. That layer protects us against acne, foot fungi, vaginal infections, and various other skin ailments.
The composition of that skin barrier varies from person to person and is influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, hormones, and environment. When this natural protection is insufficient, a skincare routine can provide relief. Provided that it is adapted to your skin type and consists of safe (read: free from aggressive chemicals) products. Synthetic products kill the invading, 'bad' bacteria but also eliminate the 'good' bacteria on the microbiome.
Natural cosmetics are not the holy grail
Natural cosmetics are a safe and effective alternative. Made from high-quality, natural ingredients such as vegetable oils and herbal extracts these products offer a gentle, non-toxic approach to skincare. Moreover, natural cosmetics are often produced with respect for the environment, with minimal impact on ecosystems and animal welfare. But even natural cosmetics are not the holy grail. Layering active ingredients can overwhelm our skin's natural barrier. Overdoing skincare may disrupt its balance, especially when using the wrong ingredients in the wrong places. For instance, I do not advocate for the use of essential oils in facial skincare.
Skinimalism for more balance
Balance is the keyword here. Skinimalism dispenses with a twelve-step program for your skin and goes back to basics. Three or four simple steps; not too much, not too little. Because when it comes to our skin, less is indeed more. In theory, we don't need anything at all. Our skin can exfoliate, cleanse and hydrate itself but the way we live nowadays (sleep, stress, nutrition, air pollution...) puts pressure on our skin barrier.
With nourist we specifically target the reactive, sensitive skin that quickly suffers from irritation, redness, inflammations, pimples. Our products aim to restore the skin barrier and remove that sensitivity. We let customers take a Skin Quiz first and then recommend a suitable combination of a cleanser, moisturizer, and serum. That's it. Our reviews don't lie. Customers testify that they are finally rid of acne, dry skin, redness... it is proof that natural cosmetics and skinimalism work.
