With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at a simple yet effective minimalist morning skincare routine featuring three key products. I will go through how they work, their benefits, and how they perform in a streamlined routine.
1. BLACK RICE Hyaluronic Toner—Alcohol & Fragrance-Free
After using a gentle cleanser in the morning to remove excess oil and impurities, the next step is to apply toner. Many consider toners optional, but it is one of the best types of products you can add to your skincare routine. I will explain why as we go through the haruharu BLACK RICE Hyaluronic Toner.
Most of Haruharu Wonder's skincare products feature the brand's star ingredient: fermented black rice, and this ingredient is at the heart of this toner. A unique fermentation process is used, along with a special technology called Ultra Deep Technology, to deliver ingredients where they're needed in the skin for optimal performance.
Thanks to its runny, lightweight consistency, the toner applies lightly on the skin without any traces of stickiness or heavy feeling. This allows oily skin to receive the hydration it needs without becoming overly greasy. Dry skin types can also benefit from it, as it aids in restoring moisture lost due to transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which happens when there's insufficient oil to retain hydration. With its gentle, alcohol-free and fragrance-free formulation, it is also an excellent option for sensitive skin.
However, this toner is not solely focused on hydration; it also has antioxidant and soothing properties thanks to the combination of black rice, ginseng, and Chinese skullcap.
The BLACK RICE Hyaluronic Toner serves an additional purpose: skin prep. It helps the skin absorb the following skincare products more effectively. From personal experience, not only does the skin texture improve instantly, but all the following products sit better on the skin when applied over toner.
2. CENTELLA Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream
You might be wondering—what about serum? Well, we are already receiving hydration, antioxidants, and calming benefits from the toner. Adhering to the skinimalism concept, if you prefer to simplify your morning routine, you can go straight to moisturizer. You can save any additional treatments for your evening routine when your skin has more time to repair itself.
Now let's jump to the CENTELLA Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream review. This versatile cream offers anti-aging, soothing, and hydrating benefits. The formula contains a 5 Peptide Complex designed to enhance firmness, while squalane and ceramide, which are emollients, assist in retaining moisture and strengthening the skin barrier. The inclusion of caffeine can provide the skin with a temporarily brighter, more revitalized look. That is something we can all appreciate in the morning. And of course, it also contains Centella Asiatica, which we all love for its calming properties.
Beyond its benefits, the texture itself stands out in this formula. It’s creamy yet lightweight, making it a fantastic option for combination and dry skin, particularly during winter. Upon initial application, the cream may feel rich, but what caught me off guard is that it doesn’t feel heavy or sticky at all. It’s very comfortable on the skin and the finish is extremely smooth. Once again, it’s fragrance-free, which is ideal for sensitive skin as well.
3. BLACK RICE Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
To complete this minimalist morning routine, the last and most important step is applying sunscreen. Regardless of how basic your routine may be, protecting your skin from the sun is non-negotiable. The BLACK RICE Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ makes this step effortless with its lightweight, non-greasy texture that layers seamlessly over other skincare products.
In the mornings, I typically apply sunscreen right away, assuming that putting a cream beneath it would make my skin feel greasy. However, to my surprise, the sunscreen blends perfectly over the CENTELLA Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream since both products have an exceptionally smooth consistency without any stickiness. Thanks to this smooth finish, they also work beautifully under makeup. Now that winter is here, this combination performs even more effectively than just sunscreen on its own, as it aids in keeping my skin moisturized for a longer period.
Even if the sunscreen solely included its organic (chemical) UV filters, I would still view it as completely acceptable. After all, we’ve already packed in plenty of beneficial ingredients with the toner and moisturizer. However, this sunscreen takes it a notch higher, incorporating a mixture of calming plant extracts, black rice extract, and one of my all-time favorite ingredients: niacinamide.
In addition, all the filters in this formula are new-generation. This means they’re not only photostable but also key to the sunscreen’s cosmetically elegant feel. The consistency is very smooth and spreads beautifully on the skin.
Honestly, after toner, this might be my favorite consistency in a product. I actually look forward to applying it every morning. As you might have guessed, there is no alcohol or fragrance included in this product either. Moreover, there’s no white cast, so deeper skin tones can use it with no issues, and it doesn’t cause any eye watering.
Why Skinimalism Is Ideal for Sensitive Skin
Those with sensitive skin normally opt for a minimalistic skincare routine to minimize the risk of irritation. Applying an excessive number of products or active ingredients to the skin can disturb its balance, resulting in redness, dryness, or breakouts. This is where skinimalism shines.
As I mentioned earlier, skinimalism is more about making thoughtful product choices that offer multiple benefits.
And this routine is not only suitable for this particular skin type because of its simplicity, but the products here are multifunctional and also designed with sensitive skin in mind, leaving out alcohol and fragrance, which are often the main culprits for aggravating this skin type further.
Final Thoughts on Skinimalism: Less But Better
Skinimalism is not about sticking to a strict number of skincare steps. It is about discovering what suits your skin best. For some, that could mean using just three products, while others might require five, and that’s perfectly fine. However, I believe we can all agree that most of us don’t require a 10-step skincare routine.
It’s also a great approach for beginners, allowing you to keep it simple and only incorporate additional products if your skin really needs them. Furthermore, when your skin is particularly sensitive, whether due to changes in the weather or an overload of active ingredients, a minimal routine can aid in quicker recovery of your skin’s protective barrier.
And we can’t overlook the convenience! Packing for travel becomes much simpler when you don’t have to bring half of your bathroom along. Don’t you all agree?
Have you experimented with a minimalist skincare routine, or are you thinking about simplifying your current one?
Embracing Skinimalism: A Minimalist Approach to Skincare
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at a simple yet effective minimalist morning skincare routine featuring three key products. I will go through how they work, their benefits, and how they perform in a streamlined routine.
1. BLACK RICE Hyaluronic Toner—Alcohol & Fragrance-Free
After using a gentle cleanser in the morning to remove excess oil and impurities, the next step is to apply toner. Many consider toners optional, but it is one of the best types of products you can add to your skincare routine. I will explain why as we go through the haruharu BLACK RICE Hyaluronic Toner.
Most of Haruharu Wonder's skincare products feature the brand's star ingredient: fermented black rice, and this ingredient is at the heart of this toner. A unique fermentation process is used, along with a special technology called Ultra Deep Technology, to deliver ingredients where they're needed in the skin for optimal performance.
Thanks to its runny, lightweight consistency, the toner applies lightly on the skin without any traces of stickiness or heavy feeling. This allows oily skin to receive the hydration it needs without becoming overly greasy. Dry skin types can also benefit from it, as it aids in restoring moisture lost due to transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which happens when there's insufficient oil to retain hydration. With its gentle, alcohol-free and fragrance-free formulation, it is also an excellent option for sensitive skin.
However, this toner is not solely focused on hydration; it also has antioxidant and soothing properties thanks to the combination of black rice, ginseng, and Chinese skullcap.
The BLACK RICE Hyaluronic Toner serves an additional purpose: skin prep. It helps the skin absorb the following skincare products more effectively. From personal experience, not only does the skin texture improve instantly, but all the following products sit better on the skin when applied over toner.
2. CENTELLA Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream
You might be wondering—what about serum? Well, we are already receiving hydration, antioxidants, and calming benefits from the toner. Adhering to the skinimalism concept, if you prefer to simplify your morning routine, you can go straight to moisturizer. You can save any additional treatments for your evening routine when your skin has more time to repair itself.
Now let's jump to the CENTELLA Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream review. This versatile cream offers anti-aging, soothing, and hydrating benefits. The formula contains a 5 Peptide Complex designed to enhance firmness, while squalane and ceramide, which are emollients, assist in retaining moisture and strengthening the skin barrier. The inclusion of caffeine can provide the skin with a temporarily brighter, more revitalized look. That is something we can all appreciate in the morning. And of course, it also contains Centella Asiatica, which we all love for its calming properties.
Beyond its benefits, the texture itself stands out in this formula. It’s creamy yet lightweight, making it a fantastic option for combination and dry skin, particularly during winter. Upon initial application, the cream may feel rich, but what caught me off guard is that it doesn’t feel heavy or sticky at all. It’s very comfortable on the skin and the finish is extremely smooth. Once again, it’s fragrance-free, which is ideal for sensitive skin as well.
3. BLACK RICE Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
To complete this minimalist morning routine, the last and most important step is applying sunscreen. Regardless of how basic your routine may be, protecting your skin from the sun is non-negotiable. The BLACK RICE Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ makes this step effortless with its lightweight, non-greasy texture that layers seamlessly over other skincare products.
In the mornings, I typically apply sunscreen right away, assuming that putting a cream beneath it would make my skin feel greasy. However, to my surprise, the sunscreen blends perfectly over the CENTELLA Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream since both products have an exceptionally smooth consistency without any stickiness. Thanks to this smooth finish, they also work beautifully under makeup. Now that winter is here, this combination performs even more effectively than just sunscreen on its own, as it aids in keeping my skin moisturized for a longer period.
Even if the sunscreen solely included its organic (chemical) UV filters, I would still view it as completely acceptable. After all, we’ve already packed in plenty of beneficial ingredients with the toner and moisturizer. However, this sunscreen takes it a notch higher, incorporating a mixture of calming plant extracts, black rice extract, and one of my all-time favorite ingredients: niacinamide.
In addition, all the filters in this formula are new-generation. This means they’re not only photostable but also key to the sunscreen’s cosmetically elegant feel. The consistency is very smooth and spreads beautifully on the skin.
Honestly, after toner, this might be my favorite consistency in a product. I actually look forward to applying it every morning. As you might have guessed, there is no alcohol or fragrance included in this product either. Moreover, there’s no white cast, so deeper skin tones can use it with no issues, and it doesn’t cause any eye watering.
Why Skinimalism Is Ideal for Sensitive Skin
Those with sensitive skin normally opt for a minimalistic skincare routine to minimize the risk of irritation. Applying an excessive number of products or active ingredients to the skin can disturb its balance, resulting in redness, dryness, or breakouts. This is where skinimalism shines.
As I mentioned earlier, skinimalism is more about making thoughtful product choices that offer multiple benefits.
And this routine is not only suitable for this particular skin type because of its simplicity, but the products here are multifunctional and also designed with sensitive skin in mind, leaving out alcohol and fragrance, which are often the main culprits for aggravating this skin type further.
Final Thoughts on Skinimalism: Less But Better
Skinimalism is not about sticking to a strict number of skincare steps. It is about discovering what suits your skin best. For some, that could mean using just three products, while others might require five, and that’s perfectly fine. However, I believe we can all agree that most of us don’t require a 10-step skincare routine.
It’s also a great approach for beginners, allowing you to keep it simple and only incorporate additional products if your skin really needs them. Furthermore, when your skin is particularly sensitive, whether due to changes in the weather or an overload of active ingredients, a minimal routine can aid in quicker recovery of your skin’s protective barrier.
And we can’t overlook the convenience! Packing for travel becomes much simpler when you don’t have to bring half of your bathroom along. Don’t you all agree?
Have you experimented with a minimalist skincare routine, or are you thinking about simplifying your current one?