By Iolee Anagnostopoulou

Call me a skinimalist, but I never understood the 11-product routine. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a true skincare advocate and firmly believe that we all need to care for our skin health daily. But often, I just don’t have the extra time or energy for the all-inclusive ritual. 

Besides, dermatologists have been preaching for years that less is actually more. Applying fewer products ensures better absorption, and overworking your skin with a multitude of products can lead to severe damage.  

Enter ‘skip-care’ or ‘skin fasting‘, the latest K-beauty trend. Its goal: To save you time and money by simplifying your skincare routine. Perfect for busy lifestyles, skip-care is all about going back to basics without sacrificing results: 

  • Stick to a few overachieving essentials. 
  • Replace unnecessary products with hybrid alternatives that offer a multitude of benefits. 
  • Tailor your morning and evening routine according to your skin’s needs instead of diligently following a strict regimen. 
  • Switch things up with crafty tricks at no extra cost.  

Unsurprisingly, most dermatologists agree that the basic, three-step ‘cleanse, tone, moisturise’ routine works for most people. Those with skin issues that require special care may add an additional product—like facial oil for dry skin or salicylic acid wash for acne.    

Let’s skip to the good part and get you started on your own skip-care routine: 

Morning/Evening Skip-Care Routine

Always think about protection in the morning and restoration in the evening. Let’s face it, mornings can be rough with so much to do before heading out. This simple skip-care routine will do wonders for your skin’s texture and complexion in just 5-7 minutes. 

It will give you that much-needed glow and help your makeup apply better, saving you time from the mirror! Tweak it up for the evening, and you get that deep restorative action to rejuvenate your skin. At night, it’s essential to thoroughly wash away all makeup and debris from the day and boost your skin repair with the help of rebuilding ingredients.

Cleanser

Since you’ll be washing your face in the evening, it’s ok to just rinse it with water on those rushed mornings. But if you can spare the extra minute, use a foam cleanser to cleanse the pores, especially if your skin is oily. Opt for a slightly acidic cleanser to balance your skin’s pH, as those that are too alkaline can prevent your skin from healing itself.

In the evening, it’s best to use nourishing facial cleansing oil—like jojoba oil and olive oil—to effectively remove sunscreen and makeup without irritation. 

Toner

Choose a multi-tasking toner that hydrates and nourishes your skin while preparing it to absorb the moisturiser that follows. You’ll get excellent results from a toner infused with hyaluronic acid. It deeply restores the skin’s moisture and balances the pH level, leading to a softer and smoother texture over time. Even better, it’s suitable for all skin types, from sensitive to oily. 

For youthful skin, opt for a toner with antioxidant-rich ingredients like tea tree extract or eggplant extract and a blend of fruit acids (AHA). They will gently remove dead skin cells and promote cell renewal, leaving your face as radiant as ever.  

Moisturiser And Eye Cream

Whatever your skin type, moisturising after cleansing is a must. And in the world of skip-care, you can use the same moisturiser in your morning and evening routine. That makes it essential to choose a product with several beneficial ingredients based on your skin’s needs: retinol for anti-ageing, vitamin C for brightening, hyaluronic acid for hydration, etc. Look for a non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly into the skin.

Applying eye cream before your moisturiser at night will further strengthen that delicate part of your skin and prevent signs of ageing. All-star ingredients include retinol, caffeine, peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and snail secretion.

Bonus hack: For deeper hydration, skip moisturiser and eye cream altogether—mix one pump of serum with one pump of facial oil instead. Unlike most moisturisers, this potent mixture doesn’t contain water, which tends to absorb into the skin first, leaving little space for active ingredients to really penetrate.

Sunscreen    

Sunscreen should be an inseparable part of your morning routine, even on cloudy days. SPF will protect your skin from UV ray damage and prevent premature ageing. Remember to apply mineral sunscreen after moisturiser and chemical sunscreen before moisturiser. 

If you struggle with acne or other skin issues, gel sunscreen may be your best option. It’s also perfect for those busy mornings as it absorbs quickly into the skin.

And voila! Three to four steps are all you need to maintain healthy skin, and you can just slightly tweak them depending on your skin type. So hop on the skip-care train and enjoy those few extra minutes in bed (or watching Netflix)!

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