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I started my beauty journey as a skincare maximalist. As a teenager, my Cool Aunt took me to a mall in Queens where I got my face scanned and was handed a complete seven-step K-beauty routine<\/a>. I was in heaven. Over years of beauty experimentation and education, I eventually ballooned up to 10 or 12 steps, thanks to social media trends like double cleansing and slugging, promising to deliver glass skin<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the time, I was a proud skincare maximalist. I loved the ritual of my routine and the results. Whenever I was tempted by skinimalism or a product ran out, my attempts to pare down would inevitably lead to a breakout or a bout of dryness<\/a>. So, naturally, I remained a 10-step devotee.<\/p>\n With over a decade working in beauty under my belt, I\u2019ve seen products come and go, and I\u2019ve switched just as many in and out of my routine. But recently, as social media has made us more skincare-savvy and brands have accelerated innovation, I\u2019ve started introducing products into my routine that do multiple jobs without multiple steps.<\/p>\n Sound like an empty promise? I was skeptical, too. But I have finally been able to cut my beauty routine in half\u2014and my skin looks better than ever! Ahead, discover the beauty products that worked so well that they finally convinced a beauty maximalist to pare down.<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve always believed that if my cleanser wasn\u2019t working overtime, the rest of my skincare routine would be useless. After all, what\u2019s the point of layering skincare<\/a> on dirty skin? Ew. But double or triple cleansing twice a day actually had the opposite effect on my skin\u2014it stripped my skin\u2019s barrier. Powered by rice-powder enzymes, the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is gentle enough to use every day, but actually gets everything off\u2014including sunscreen. Plus the fact that it comes in a powder that activates with water means you\u2019re getting all product, no filler.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n The milky skin trend<\/a> has reached a fever pitch. Some entries were purely aesthetics. Most entries were hydrating essences which didn\u2019t stand out from the crowd. The EADEM Cashmere Peel Exfoliating Toner is the exception. More than just a toner, it\u2019s a gentle exfoliator that hydrates while it exfoliates to prevent barrier damage. No more tugging at your face with pure acid exfoliators. This silky formula uses AHAs to exfoliate, PHAs to tackle pigmentation, and a blend of rice water and oatmeal to soothe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n Years of skincare experimentation and education taught me to be ingredient-forward<\/a> in my routine, so Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid have always been the cornerstones of my morning routine. Enter: the DAMDAM Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid, which doesn\u2019t feel like skipping a step but rather gaining a holy grail. The satisfying texture doesn\u2019t stick or pill like many Vitamin C serums<\/a>, and it makes dull skin look instantly brighter. The second I put this serum on, I look instantly more awake.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n I used to Frankenstein together multiple serums to target dark spots, texture, and breakouts. Skin By Brownlee & Co.\u2019s Toned Brightening Serum has replaced all those serums with one powerful formula. It has all the good skincare Acids: Hyaluronic, Kojic, Mandelic, and Lactic, plus Niacinamide and other antioxidants. Packed with proven ingredients and developed by a skincare expert, it promotes smoother, healthier skin<\/a> for all skin tones<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n During a bout of skin sensitivity, I discovered this product and I haven\u2019t looked back. It\u2019s a jack of all trades. It deeply moisturizes skin, heals breakouts, prevents pigmentation, soothes stressed skin, and more. It\u2019s the ultimate drugstore skin hero<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n While some trendy lip balms actually make my lips drier or develop a grainy texture that gives me the ick, the MARA Sea Silk Lip Balm is a hydrating lip treatment that provides long and short term moisture. Made with algae, shea butter, and other hydrating botanicals, it heals cracked lips and goes on smooth under or over your lip combo.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n The ultimate 2-in-1 product. Many people don\u2019t apply or reapply sunscreen because of its texture or pigment. The Bask Sunscreen Serum solves both problems. Unlike when I try to multitask, this sunscreen does both things well: protect, and intensely hydrate\u2014a must for dry summer skin. Powered by glycerin, the non-comedogenic formula doesn\u2019t clog pores (another common sunscreen complaint) and its skin-first formula restores skin health while it works.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n Langa is a Los Angeles-based writer. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, British Vogue, Highsnobiety, Eyeswoon, Camille Styles, The Good Trade, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
\n ![\"Daily](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/minimalist-beauty-the-everygirl.jpg\")
<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\nDermalogica<\/div>\n\n
\n Daily Microfoliant <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n Shop Now <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n
\n ![\"Cashmere](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/minimalist-beauty-the-everygirl-2.jpg\")
<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\nEADEM<\/div>\n\n
\n Cashmere Peel <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n Shop Now <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n
\n ![\"Vitamin](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/minimalist-beauty-the-everygirl-3.jpg\")
<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\nDAMDAM<\/div>\n\n
\n Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n Shop Now <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n
\n ![\"Toned](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/minimalist-beauty-the-everygirl-4.jpg\")
<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\nSkin By Brownlee & Co.<\/div>\n\n
\n Toned Brightening Serum <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n Shop Now <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n
\n ![\"Cicaplast](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/minimalist-beauty-the-everygirl-5.jpg\")
<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\nLa Roche Posay<\/div>\n\n
\n Cicaplast Balm B5+ <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n Shop Now <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n
\n ![\"Sea](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/minimalist-beauty-the-everygirl-6.jpg\")
<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\nMARA<\/div>\n\n
\n Sea Silk Lip Balm <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n Shop Now <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n
\n ![\"](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/minimalist-beauty-the-everygirl-7.jpg\")
<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\nBask<\/div>\n\n
\n Mineral Sunscreen Serum SPF 30 <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n Shop Now <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n ![\"langa](\"https:\/\/media.theeverygirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/langa-headshot-480x480-1.jpeg\")
\n <\/div>\n\nABOUT THE AUTHOR<\/div>\n\nLanga Chinyoka, Contributing Writer<\/h3>\n