Have you heard of skip-care? A trend amongst Korean millennials for finding multi-functional products which cover all bases for a more streamlined approach to skincare, it hails from Seoul (which, it has to be said, was the origin of the laborious 12-step skincare regimes that gave us this problem in the first place). As Korean brand AmorePacific told Byrdie, “skip-care is a skincare method that allows you to identify the essential ingredients for your skin and avoid the use of unnecessary products for a simpler, yet proper, skincare routine”.
Indeed, US brand Drunk Elephant has just landed in the UK, incorporating products that can be mixed together and applied in one go rather than carefully layered. And cult brand Augustinus Bader is the antithesis to multi-product regimens, with the entire brand focused upon one product: The Cream. One British Vogue beauty editor even found the answer to her skincare issues was giving up all products but one, swapping a Korean-style multi-step regime for Dr Frances Prenna Jones’s Formula 2006 and nothing else.
Is a more pared-back regime the future? In the same way that digital detoxes are necessary to give our poor brains a break from the constant influx of news, views and social media posts, is a simpler skincare regime the solution to the rise in adult acne, rosacea and other skin complaints? Do we need to Marie Kondo – yes, her name is a verb now – our bathroom cabinets?
Something tells us that the world isn’t ready to say goodbye to high-tech serums, bespoke peptide boosters and antioxidant pre-serums just yet – after all, we all belong to different skincare tribes, some of which use these products as their very foundation – but for the beauty minimalists among you, things could be about to get a little simpler. See six great skip-care essentials below.
J.One
Straight out of South Korea, J.One’s Jelly Pack acts as an antioxidant serum, super-hydrator and primer in one, creating a smooth and soft complexion that stays moisturised all day long. Created by Korean actress Jiwon Ha, who was determined to speed up her morning regime, it grips onto make-up to make it stay put for longer.
Jelly Pack, HK$330. Available at Cultbeauty.co.uk.
Lixir
Rather than using separate hydrators for different areas, Lixir’s Universal Emulsion is a moisturiser-serum hybrid for your face, eyes, lips, neck, décolleté and hands. Use it day and night – it absorbs instantly so make-up application can follow right away.
Universal Emulsion, HK$300. Available at Cultbeauty.co.uk.
Sunday Riley
A mask, exfoliator and serum in one, Sunday Riley’s Good Genes uses glycolic acid to renew the skin’s surface as well as prickly pear extract to calm the complexion. Use it alone for maximum impact, applied straight after cleansing.
Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment, HK$708. Available at net-a-porter.com.
Allies Of Skin
The entire premise of Allies of Skin is to demystify skincare and treat acne-prone complexions efficiently and simply, and the 1A All-Day Mask is the ultimate does-it-all product. With hyaluronic acid, peptides, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories it is designed to be worn alone, protecting skin against environmental aggressors as well as repairing damage, boosting moisture and soothing irritation.
1A All-Day Mask, HK$815. Available at Cultbeauty.co.uk.
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury’s Overnight Bronze And Glow Mask allows you to tan at the same time as treating your skin, with nourishing blackcurrant seed oil and soothing oat kernel extract as well as natural tanning pigments for a natural-looking glow.
Overnight Bronze And Glow Mask, HK$318. Available at net-a-porter.com.
Alpha-H
A perfect everyday all-rounder, Alpha-H’s Daily Essential Moisturiser balances and hydrates as well as leaving skin matt and prepped for make-up, so you won’t need a primer on top. It also features SPF 50 protection, leaving skin ready for the day ahead in one easy step.
Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50, HK$300. Available at Cultbeauty.co.uk.
Originally published on British Vogue.
Editor
LISA NIVEN-PHILLIPS
