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What is Skinimalism?

Of all the trending buzzwords we’ve come up with, “skinimalism” is one that many are embracing. But what is skinimalism? Coined by editors at Pinterest, it emphasizes the “less is more” philosophy when it comes to skincare products and routines. Suddenly, customers are celebrating their natural skin with all of its quirks. The trend toward simpler skincare and minimalist makeup are here.

Why Skinimalism?

There’s no doubt that before the pandemic, ten-step routines and product layering were real things. When the pandemic hit, a combination of events changed the game for those of us who were sequestered at home for a period of time. Suddenly, using a plethora of products seemed excessive. Having to wear masks translated into a reduction in the use of lipsticks and foundation. Specific skincare issues like maskne and redness became the focus of attention. And who doesn’t want to same time and money on their skincare routine? The question now is whether skinimalism is here to stay. We may not know the answer until later this year. If you’d like to embrace skinimalism, keep reading.

How To Embrace Skinimalism

For those who are looking to simplify their skincare routine, we have a few ideas;

Re-assess your skincare needs – There is no one-size-fits-all approach. It depends upon your current lifestyle. Are you experiencing more stress or increased irritation? Are there too many confusing steps or ingredients that you don’t know anything about? Or is your skincare routine just too expensive or too complicated? It’s important to know what you really need and what you don’t.

Start with the basics – We know that we need to cleanse, moisturize and protect. Once you have the basics down, a spot treatment can address any skin issues. Keeping it simple will allow you to see if your products are causing irritation or allergic reactions.

Use multipurpose products – this is also trending, and it makes sense if you’re looking to simplify. Multipurpose moisturizers like our All Purpose Body Balms or our All Purpose Dry Oil soften and nurture head to toe. Our 3-in-1 bar soaps contain glycerin and castor oil, and are suitable for cleansing, shaving and shampooing. Other products can include shampoo/conditioner combos, tinted moisturizers and serum foundations. You are bound to find the product combination that works for you.

Embrace your natural skin – when Grammy winner Alicia Keys went make-up free, it was the beginning of a move towards a more natural look and heightened self-acceptance. Today, countless people choose not to hide their freckles, moles, wrinkles or gray hair. Cosmetics have also become lighter and more natural-looking. As a result, the emphasis is more on targeted skincare products that enhance and protect. If you need to, consult with a dermatologist in order to get troublesome skin conditions under control. They can also suggest products to use, particularly if you have infections or very sensitive skin.

Whether you choose to embrace skinimalism or not, it’s a trend that may have a long future as consumers move towards more natural looks.

Why We Don’t Use Palm Oil in Our Products

The Palm Oil controversary continues and shows no sign of letting up. Why is this raw ingredient so controversial, and what, if anything, can the consumer do about it? It may help to point out the history of palm oil and its growth in popularity over the years. Only then will it become clear why we don’t want to use palm oil.

History of Palm Oil

Elaeis guineensis, or the African Oil Palm, is one of the most common and prolific raw materials grown today. It has been around for thousands of years. Originating in Africa, where it is a common cooking oil, it is now grown throughout Southeast Asia and South America. During the Industrial Revolution, it was used as a lubricant. Both palm fruit oil and palm kernel oil are high in saturated fat (49% and 81%, respectively), which makes it a popular shelf-stable ingredient in processed foods. It is also relatively low in cost. In fact, palm oil is found in everything from baked goods to personal care products to gasoline and biofuels. As a result, palm oil plantations have exploded in growth over the past ten years.

Because it does not contain trans fats, its use exploded after trans fats were declared unhealthy by the Food and Drug Administration. However, there is some controversy over whether palm oil is a healthier substitute for trans fats in our diets. After all, palm oil is high in saturated fat, which is implicated in higher LDL and triglyceride levels than, say, polyunsaturated oils like olive oil.

Environmental Impact of Palm Oil

Oil palms are grown by the thousands as a monocrop. As with any such operation, large quantities of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides are often used, which leaves an indelible mark on air, water, soil and farmers’ health. Another serious problem has to do with deforestation. The world’s rainforest are hosts to hundreds of animal species that rely on them for their survival. The rampant deforestation taking place in places like Indonesia (the largest producer), Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra threaten keystone species like the Orangutan. They are now at risk for total extinction. This should not be. Rainforest destruction also results in an increase in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere through clear-cutting and burning. We need our rainforests to sequester CO2 and to contribute to biodiversity and habitats for many endangered species.

Can We Eliminate Palm Oil?

This would be a challenge because palm oil and its by-products are everywhere. It is easier to find palm oil in processed foods than in cleaning products or personal care products, because its byproducts have many names. Many product labels will not list palm oil specifically, but will list an ingredient by its chemical, or INCI, name. For example, Stearic acid, a common skincare ingredient, is derived from palm oil. Some beauty bars and cosmetics may list sodium palmate, which is another name for saponified palm oil. Squalene and some tocopherols, also common in skincare products, may be derived from palm oil. The curious consumer would have to contact the manufacturer to find out if palm oil byproducts are being used. One way to do it is with the help of the Codecheck Food & Cosmetics Scanner app, available on iTunes and Google Play.
At WEBA Natural Products, we have made every effort to source sustainable raw materials that do not contain palm oil. Our bar soaps are one of the few manufactured in the United States that are free of palm oil and palm kernel oil. Luckily, there are alternative raw materials available that are sourced from olive, sunflower and coconut oils instead of palm oil. These ingredients may cost more, but we believe that saving our precious rainforests more than makes up for the added cost. We believe that our consumers will think so, too.

References:
Grist article on palm oil and rainforests
Saynotopalmoil.com information
Wikipedia information about palm oil
FDA page on the use of palm oil
Harvard Health Letter article on palm oil

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Embracing Skinimalism