The Skinny on Skinimalism

If you’ve not heard of skinimalism, well, have we got good news for you, girlfriend. This trend – which focuses on a minimal, no-makeup makeup look – is back with a vengeance. Nobody has time for annoying 10-step skincare routines and piling on three inches of war paint anymore. (Plus, can you imagine the amount of chemicals clogging your pores day and night?)

Now, it’s about taking your skin back to the basics (hence the term “skinimalism”), like flaunting that glow and highlighting your best features with fewer but better quality products. Less is more these days – unless you’re RuPaul. If you’re thinking of decluttering your dressing table and Marie Kondo-ing your face (and some say body!) with the no-makeup look, here are some of our favourite products from Sephora to help you get started.

PSA: Gifted Acai And Sea Buckthorn Vitamin C Glow Oil, $58

PSA stands for Purposeful Skincare by Allies. Your allies in this case come in the form of vitamin C (a whopping five percent!), vitamin E, acai oil and sea buckthorn oil. Like all PSA products, this super nourishing oil is also free of nasties like silicones, sulphates and alcohol, so it’s safe for use 24/7.

Glow Recipe: Glass Skin 2.0 Redefined Kit, $105

Glow Recipe’s bestselling trio has garnered rave reviews since it was launched, and it might be all you need to take on the skinimalism trend. Dew Drops primes and highlights, the Pineapple-C Bright Serum brightens and hydrates while the Pink Juice Moisturizer – yep, you guessed it – moisturises.

Dear Dahlia: Blooming Edition Endless Radiance Glow Illuminator, $62

This highlighter has light-reflecting pigments that blend seamlessly onto the skin to give it an ethereal glow, while the patented dahlia flower extract, organic sweet almond oil, and shea butter will nourish and protect it. Translation: more beauty for your buck!

Alpha H: Beauty Sleep Power Peel with 0.5% Retinol, $136

Whether it’s exfoliating, hydrating or soothing your skin, this sleep-in mask does all the work while you relax. Beneath the simple packaging is a potent combination of botanicals, powerful acids, as well as Chronodyn, an extract of a pseudo algae, so you can max out on that glow.

Frank Body: Smoothing AHA Body Lotion, $20

This non-sticky body lotion is made with lactic and glycolic acids to simultaneously obliterate dead skin and clear breakouts. Paired with hydrating oils and nourishing mango seed butter, it’s going to make your skin as soft as a baby’s bum.

Rare Beauty: Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer, $32

We love Selena Gomez’s beauty brand for its lightweight formulas. Her concealer has a medium buildable coverage that is airy, hydrating and – most importantly – sweat resistant so you can hide what you want (except that personality!).

Shop these products and more at sephora.sg.

Read this if you need a good facial in Singapore!

This article first appeared in the October 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

Louisa Lim

Former journalist Louisa has been living in Singapore with her husband and two boys for the past five years. She loves adventure travel (Trans-Siberian Express, anyone?), bath bombs and game nights. She hopes to work with minority communities in remote locations one day but is currently writing about fashion and beauty to fund her online shopping addiction.