First came the 10-step routines and then came the awareness of the havoc that an unrelenting barrage of active ingredients can wreak on your skin barrier. With skincare savants increasingly looking for newer ways to allow the skin time to breathe, it comes as no surprise that the spirit of skin minimalism has gripped the larger consumer psyche. And the newest skincare trend of 2023 wants you to consider further paring back your routine to half with skin streaming—here’s what you need to know.
What is skin streaming?
For Dr Madhuri Agarwal, skin streaming is the latest evolution of a wider consumer sentiment of skin minimalism. Having wised up to the perils of layering endless active ingredients on the face, she believes that the skin streaming trend is evocative of a larger mindset shift. “As the newest proponent of skin minimalism, this trend involves minimising the layers applied to the face in a typical skincare routine because skin streaming advocates the use of fewer products with multiple active ingredients to target various skin concerns,” she explains.
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How your skin will start changing after you try skin streaming
The benefits of skin streaming are manifold, and prime among them are cutting back on time as well as needless clutter in your skincare routine. “When you make the switch to skin streaming, the most significant payoff you will notice is in your consistency—with fewer products in your skincare routine, you are less likely to be lazy about layering products. As a consequence, your skin barrier will have the chance to repair and heal after the onslaught of endless active ingredients in recent years. Your skin will also start feeling less reactive and prone to inflammation as multiple layers of products with different pH levels can heighten the chances of irritation,” she adds.
How to make the switch to skin streaming
If the notion of using fewer products for better results sounds tempting, the good news is that making the switch to skin streaming requires a few basic steps. For starters, Dr Agarwal recommends looking carefully at your skin to identify your skin type and its specific concerns. Next, strip back your multi-step skincare routine to the essentials of cleansing, exfoliation, moisturising and sunscreen. “Choosing products with multiple ingredients will help you get a one-stop solution to the skin concerns you have identified. However, it is advisable to adopt some patience as results can take time to unfold, from anywhere between three to six months,” says the Mumbai-based dermatologist.
Precautions to observe with skin streaming
While less is always more in the skincare realm, Dr Agarwal recommends checking in with a certified dermatologist to ensure that the multi-ingredient products you are opting for are suitable for your skin type—variations can occur with climate, age and skin types. “It is always a good idea to do a patch test for any new product before starting it. At the end of the day, whether you are opting for multiple layers or minimum products, remember that regular, consistent use will give you the benefits that you desire,” she signs off.
