Skincare is all the rage now.

The amount of brands popping up every single day is crazy.

More money is poured into influencer marketing, payday sales on major platforms, must must-have reels created by influencers with different products every week. Consumerism at its peak.

In all this noise, how do we create a minimal and simple skincare routine that keeps our skin healthy and glowing without going bankrupt? Let’s do a deep dive.

My Skin Problems

I grew up in a place with an amazing weather. Maybe genetics played a part too but I never had a teenage acne phase. But that doesn’t mean my skin was always problem-free.

I had sensitive skin since I can remember. I couldn’t use most of the commercial soaps. I would get random rashes out of nowhere.

I had dry skin for most of my childhood and teenage years until I figured out basic skincare like moisturizer and sunscreen.

Growing up my skincare was coconut oil and something for the lip during winters (We had harsh winters where I grew up). I have always been interested in becoming my own best version.

One day I stumbled upon an article in a newspaper mentioning sunscreen. With my small savings, I went to the local shop and got an available brand of sunscreen.

I started using it and within a few days, I could see the difference mainly because I have a warm undertone and I quickly get tanned.

Then eventually I got a moisturizer and sunscreen. This combo had saved my skin from the intense sun exposure I would get as an outdoorsy teenage girl.

But gradually I realized healthy skin doesn’t just come from the things you put on.

My skin problems had started even before I joined college. I think this has a lot to do with stress. The stress of the entrance, moving out of home for the first time lot of things.

I started having an eczema-like rash on my upper lid. It became red and very noticeable. The skin from that part is peeling fast.

Then it healed and another rash appeared on my chin. It got red and worse. I waited so long with it before seeing a doctor because my parents had not seen this since I moved to the hostel.

Finally, when I went to the doctor, he put me on a course of anti-fungal medication for a month and it slowly healed everything. Basically, my gut bacteria was out of balance and it showed on my skin.

Now I believe most of my health problems were triggered by my undiagnosed food intolerances, especially gluten. I used to get very frequent colds during my high school. Once I fixed my diet, it went away.

I still have a small discoloration on my chin because my skin got really damaged back then.

This was the major skin problem I had.

Figuring Out the Root Cause

After two or three years, it slowly started to appear again on my back when I moved back home for a semester break during my Master’s. And I started questioning, what is happening?

At this point, I was gluten-free and mostly dairy-free because I had figured out I have gluten intolerance and it had been causing me hormonal problems.

I started questioning what had changed from my habit. All I did differently was, I started having tea first thing in the morning.

It was dairy.

I had listened to a podcast episode on the connection between dairy and skin problems on Doctor’s Farmacy before. So I quickly connected the dots.

I’m not lactose intolerant. I still love a good cappuccino. I love coffee for the taste of it. But I can’t drink milk every single day. If I do that for a few days consistently, still affects my skin. I think stress is also a big factor. There was a fire in a garbage processing plant last year and the city was covered in fog for days, My skin started acting up. It also coincided with me starting my new job. So stress and pollution might have an influence.

Once I started getting my stipend for my Master’s, I had a little money to spend. I found Smytten through a random Google search. With Smytten you get sample products from premium brands by just paying shipping. After trying a bunch of products, I got an idea of what suits me. The first moisturizer that I really liked was from a brand called Soul Tree. It worked for me very well. My skin started glowing.

Eventually, Soul Tree was acquired and they ramped up the price of the products. So I had to ditch the brand and do my research to find things that suited me. That’s how I stepped into the world of skincare. By this time, I was reading and learning a lot about nutrition and listening to podcasts.

Gradually I realized healthy skin comes from a healthy body. Your gut microbiome, stress levels, lack of sleep, nutritional deficiencies, etc. play a major role in your journey to achieve healthy skin.

How I Healed My Skin

For me, whatever I eat reflects on my skin. Three major triggers for skin problems are dairy, sugar especially refined sugar, and additives like emulsifiers and artificial colors that go in packaged food.

We have lots and lots of skincare available now, but without fixing your foundation, nothing is going to work.

For me, I have to manage my stress through meditation, exercise, etc. I have to eat well low sugar, good fats, vegetables, and fruits. Support my gut. I make sure to eat prebiotic and probiotic foods. These are all foundational steps.

When it comes to skincare don’t overdo it. Don’t over-exfoliate. Use a good sunscreen. I had a phase where I thought sunscreen was not necessary and I got a sunspot.

Use a good face wash for your skin type, a moisturizer, sunscreen, and a lip balm. Build a simple routine. Clean your face well before going to bed. Fuel your body with good food, and practice healthy habits. If you are using actives, start with a small concentration. Use it for one or two days a week.

A lot of skin problems stem from issues like hormone imbalances, bad diet, microbiome imbalances, and things like that. Seek the help of a medical professional if you have a family history.

That is all I have to say about skincare. Don’t make it so complicated. Avoid fragrance if you have problematic skin. Stick to the basics. Design a balanced healthy lifestyle. Genetics loads the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

My Minimal Skincare Routine

In the morning, I wash my face with a hydrating face wash and apply a good lip balm and moisturizer.

In the evening I wash my face with a stronger face wash and apply a serum moisturizer and lip balm.

I have started using a small concentration (0.3%) of retinol once or twice a week now that I am over 25. Once a week or a fortnight, I use 2% salicylic acid and 5% niacinamide serum.

I always keep a clay mask in hand for days when I wear makeup for a long time, especially in humid environments. Using the mask at night unclogs my pores and prevents potential breakouts. I use snail mucin after the mask to soothe my skin on days like that.

This is all I do for skincare.

The products I use are:

• Dot & Key Ceramide face wash and moisturizer
• Laneige lip sleeping mask
• Minimalist salicylic acid face wash for night
• Cosrx snail mucin
• Minimalist sunscreen
• Sebamed lip balm
• Simple refreshing face wash
• Minimalist niacinamide, retinol and salicylic acid
• Plum green tea mask

Healthy skin comes from consistency not only in skincare routine but also in exercise, sleep, eating healthy, and self-care. Read my beginner’s guide to healthy eating next.