When it comes to many things in life, less is more. We have entered an era where people are encouraged to seek simplicity and find joy in the mundane. Whether it is food, décor, clothing, or beauty routine, “the simpler, the better” living is the latest trend. But that does not mean that you should give up everything you own.
The bric-a-brac nesting on your bedside table, the loud and colorful prints hanging in your closet, the assortment of make-up and skin care products you purchased because it went viral on Youtube or TikTok – to live a “less is more” life. You can do it without resulting to drastic measures! Because let us admit it, going full detox on one aspect of your life can be (quite ironically) costly. So let me help by giving tips on how to do it without breaking the bank.
For now, we will focus on doing a beauty routine detox. You might wonder, “Of all things, why choose a beauty routine?”. A beauty routine is a very personal process that is unique to everyone. A person does it to make themselves feel and look better – self-care at its finest. And what better way to start a detox than focusing first on one thing we all enjoy doing, right?
I have prepared a list of four simple steps that you can follow to detox your beauty routine:
Assess your personal needs.
Are you an independent career woman who has little to no time to spend for a quick facial cleanse? Are you a beauty junkie who spends all your time binge-watching beauty and skincare-related content (and then trying them on later)? Or are you a busy working mom who enjoys a simple two- or three-step beauty routine before going to bed at night?
Each person has different personal preferences and needs. Still, when it comes to detoxifying our beauty routines, everyone should take advantage of the many benefits of using fewer products and putting fewer ingredients on their hair and skin. To make a beauty regimen more minimalistic, you should start by assessing your personal needs. Take note of the word “needs” because we want to prioritize the basics and not just anything on-trend. The best thing to do is to start with a simple, foolproof routine that works – cleanse, moisturize, and protect. And from that, you can then add other products that your skin needs, like a brightening serum, a light toner, or an exfoliant.
There is no need to try and incorporate many products that will not be used or neglected at some point. Stick with the basics and use them religiously for better results.
Know your ingredients.
In the past, when we bought products, we relied on the manufacturer of the products to tell us what it does, and often, manufacturers would make big claims to increase the sales of their products. Chances are, these products would never live up to those claims, but it did not matter as long as still but them. The game has changed these days, as people can quickly look up product ingredients using the Internet. We can do online research – call it due diligence – to find out what the benefits of a particular ingredient are. Or we can read about or watch other people’s reviews and experiences on using a product.
To detox your beauty routine, you should be able to identify key ingredients – their benefits and harms included. Some potentially damaging ingredients found (and you should avoid) on hair and skin care products are parabens, triclosan, propylene glycol, sulfates, petrochemicals, sodium lauryl sulfate, formaldehyde, and phthalates.
A pro tip: one great way to check if your favorite products are safe is by going to the EWG.org website. They have comprehensive user guides on focus areas like personal care products, toxic chemicals, etc.
Stay away from synthetic fragrances.
Let’s be honest - it is tough to avoid synthetic fragrances because they are a component of almost every commercially available beauty product. But remember, manufacturers use synthetic fragrances to cover the smell of harsh chemicals in the ingredients list. These fragrances can contain toxins and dubious chemicals that can cause skin irritation or even allergic reactions, especially for those who have sensitive skin.
So as much as possible, do not be tricked by those “sweet” and “relaxing” smells and opt for fragrance-free skincare and beauty products instead.
Choose natural and organic products.
You should start soon if you have not yet switched to natural and organic products. The ingredients used in organic skin care products are at the same standards as organic food, meaning they do not contain toxic chemicals, pesticides, or fertilizers that can harm the skin and body. Organic products are environmentally friendly and ethically sourced, from the ingredients list to the recyclable or biodegradable packaging, so you can rest assured that what you use positively impacts the planet.
So, the next time you go out shopping, you should look for products with plant extracts and naturally derived ingredients like jojoba oils, argan oil, and extracts from fruits and vegetables.
A Final Word of Advice
Going full detox on your beauty routine is something you should consider doing step-by-step to make sure you can commit to it fully. It is a major lifestyle change, so it is best to be prepared mentally and physically. You do not have to rush it all in one day, only to lose steam after a couple of days and regress to your previous lifestyle. Do it slowly but surely! Choose your products carefully, and if you have any doubts about which product/ingredient is good or bad, there are plenty of resources on the Internet that can guide you.
Less is more, and less is best. Good luck!