Watch any beauty influencer’s YouTube tutorials, and you’ll quickly learn how many products go into any daily makeup style. However, you might prefer the clean-girl aesthetic if you’re more of a minimalist. Learn more about how to create a comprehensive skin care routine that supports your well-being and budget.
What is the clean-girl aesthetic?
The clean-girl aesthetic is a social media trend emphasizing natural beauty through minimalist skin care, makeup and fashion choices. It’s so popular that influencers are suing each other to get credit for naming the trend. No matter who started it, the look can be a helpful change of pace for anyone looking to upgrade their beauty routine.
Benefits of minimalism in skin care
Following a more minimalist skin care routine can have more than one benefit. It depends on what that regimen looks like for you in the long term. If you’re using only a handful of beauty products for your daily style, you’ll likely:
- Save money by avoiding costly shopping trips to restock numerous products
- Reduce the time you spend in front of the mirror every day
- Understand how your skin responds to specific products by only using a few at a time
Whether you want to learn how certain products affect your skin or make your mornings more manageable, the clean-girl aesthetic could be a good fit for you. Before you know how to craft your own routine, you must spend time reflecting on your skin’s current situation.
Steps to starting a cleaner beauty routine
Make your beauty regimen cleaner by considering what you do every day. If you understand what isn’t serving your skin’s best interest, you can identify a better path forward for your new aesthetic.
1. Reflect on what you already do
Which products do you use daily and which are most important to you? Someone with dry skin might prioritize a specific moisturizer compared to someone who needs a powerful cleanser for their oily skin. Determine what benefits your skin’s health most so you can understand what you’ll likely keep.
2. Check your current skin care products
Some people start a clean-girl aesthetic by using more Earth-friendly ingredients. You might prefer to do the same or at least ensure that your products have ingredients you’re comfortable using.
You can also check the labels for protective additions like a sunscreen protection factor (SPF) rating. The clean-girl aesthetic prioritizes nourishing and protecting your natural skin barrier. Shielding your face from ultraviolet (UV) light is part of that. As long as you’re using a lotion with a rating of 15 SPF or higher, you’re using a product worth your skin’s time.
3. Note your typical skin care schedule
Reflect on how often you complete your beauty regimen. Is a clean-girl facial routine something you’ll implement every day? How much time can you devote to it? Understanding your preferences is crucial to crafting the right schedule for you.
The ultimate clean-girl aesthetic skin care routine
Create a clean-girl aesthetic skin care routine by trying simpler habits. Once you get the foundational steps down, you’ll see and feel a notable difference in how your skin looks.
1. Wash with a gentle cleanser
Cleansing your skin washes away impurities gathered since the last time you washed your face. It’s a crucial step in cleaning your skin, so start your new beauty regimen with a gentle cleanser. Vanicream makes one free of fragrances, dyes and preservatives, so your face gets only the best care. You won’t strip away crucial natural oils simply to start each day with a fresh face.
2. Balance your skin with a toner
Once your skin is clean, apply a toner. It evens your skin tone with natural ingredients, so you don’t deal with irritation, redness or seemingly random dry patches. Tree to Tub’s toner uses Earth-friendly ingredients like witch hazel and avoids alcohol, so it’s safe for sensitive skin. Spritz the product across your face and give it time to dry so it can work its magic.
3. Apply a brightening serum
An even skin tone is essential to achieve a glowing look. The next step is using a serum to look brighter without makeup. Vitamin C rejuvenates naturally, which is why so many skin care fans love serums like the one from Mad Hippie. Its active vegan ingredients aid your skin’s healing abilities so it can recover from sun damage and irritation. Pat the product across your face and neck to prevent early aging while achieving a radiant appearance.
4. Moisturize and protect against the sun
Protect your fresh face before leaving home by applying an SPF lotion over your serum. You’ll shield it from UV rays that create long-term damage if you use a daily lotion like the vegan formula from Pacifica. The cruelty-free moisturizer adds extra moisture to your skin with hyaluronic acid, while the SPF-30 rating becomes a barrier against sunshine. You’ll have soft, elastic and protected skin without the greasy sheen left behind by typical sunscreen products.
5. Use a lip moisturizer, too
Don’t forget that your lips are part of any comprehensive skin care routine. If you don’t add them to your clean aesthetic, you’ll have a dewy complexion and chapped lips. Prevent that from happening with a peony-tinted moisturizer from Burt’s Bees. It soothes dry lips with beeswax and natural oils from sources like sunflowers and peppermint.
You’ll get a natural pink undertone to your lips without applying traditional lipstick, which can give you an extra boost of confidence. Carry the to-go stick in your purse and reapply whenever you feel its natural protection wear away throughout your day.
Support your skin with improved beauty habits
Developing a clean-girl aesthetic skin care routine isn’t difficult. Think about how much time you want to spend on your skin daily. Once you know how long your routine should last, you can narrow down the minimalist products that will protect your face while giving you that trendy, natural glow you want.