This post was reviewed and updated by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods on July 21, 2026.
A confession: I'm not a beauty product person.
It's a strange thing to admit as the founder of a skincare company. Shouldn't I be the one testing every new serum, chasing every trend, filling my shelves with the latest "must-have" ingredient? The truth is, I've never been drawn to it. Skincare, makeup, haircare—none of it has ever held my interest as a hobby.
That's not to say I don't enjoy the occasional indulgence. I'll wear makeup for a special occasion, and I won't turn down a spa day with friends. But I've never chased the latest technique or fallen for the promise of a trendy new ingredient. Probiotics, CBD, the ever-expanding list of "next big things"—I'll admit, much of it leaves me skeptical.
What I do believe in is simplicity. A small number of ingredients with real, proven efficacy (vitamin C, niacinamide, ceramides) used consistently, will do more for your skin than a crowded shelf of products ever could. In fact, more is often the enemy of better: layering too many actives and unnecessary steps is a common cause of irritation and sensitized skin, not a solution to it.
The idea that healthy skin requires an ever-growing routine—or that aging is a battle to be fought with more products—simply isn't true.
Instead, consider embracing a more minimal approach. What follows are five reasons a simplified skincare routine may be the most effective one you'll ever have.
1. Minimal routines work better.
Your skin wasn’t designed to be overloaded with ingredients and products—especially active ingredients. Instead, there are only a few active ingredients that can be beneficial if you’re struggling with skin issues (mild breakouts, uneven skin tone or dehydration). Ingredients like vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, fruit acids and ceramides are effective, but they should only be used once a day and in the right product.
Formulation is why skincare brands exist, so it’s our responsibility to help the consumer use these ingredients at the right time of day, in the safest way possible. One of my biggest problems with the skincare industry is when brands carelessly throw amazing ingredients into serums, toners, eye cream or even sunscreen. The overuse of these actives is not only completely unnecessary, it can lead to major irritation.
Instead, let’s be concise. Finding a product line that responsibly uses a good mix of the right active ingredients—without overlapping them with multiple products—is the way to go. One thoughtfully formulated serum in the morning and one at night is more than enough! At Otto Skin Goods, we use a system called single note formulating. Each product is a stand-alone product, meaning it contains active ingredients that aren’t found in any other product we make. We also formulate our products with the right active ingredients in the best type of product (cleanser, serum, face oil) and at the right time of day or night.
Discovering the least amount of active ingredients you need to help keep your skin healthy and glowing allows those ingredients to work better.
2. There’s less risk of sensitizing your skin
Repeatedly using the same ingredients, especially potentially allergenic botanical ingredients, can lead to allergic reactions and irritation. Overloading can lead to sensitization, which can present as red, painful, rough, itchy skin that’s frustrating and unsightly. Remember: less is more—especially when it comes to botanical ingredients.
Over the last few years, clean beauty has become more sought after. Because of this, skincare brands have started to over utilize botanical extracts. One of my biggest complaints is when brands have a “signature” or “proprietary” blend that they use in every product in their skin care line. This is anything but helpful, and often leads to irritation. Specifically, flowering extracts are some of the most highly allergenic skincare ingredients. Applying them on the skin multiple times a day in a variety of products could eventually lead to an allergic reaction.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking botanical ingredients. In fact, they can be a great way to enhance active ingredients—but only if utilized correctly. Look for products that contain fewer than five botanical ingredients per product, and avoid flowering extracts in the compositae family (ragweed family), like arnica, burdock, calendula, chamomile, echinacea, geranium, goldenrod, dandelion, sunflower, tansy and yarrow.
3. It’s better for the environment
Using fewer skincare products is not only better for your skin; it’s also better for the environment. These days, skincare brands are encouraged to be more sustainable, and one of the best ways to support this is to encourage minimalism. Fewer products means less packaging, less shipments and decreased waste, overall. Empowering you to use healthy, multitasking skincare staples allows you to focus on the very best packaging options—from recyclable glass, post-consumer recycled paper products and shipping materials. It also allows you to focus on obtaining the very best sustainably sourced raw ingredients. Not to mention, simple formulations lead to less shipping expenses to create the products in the first place.
4. Healthy skin goes beyond great skincare
Practicing a shorter, more efficient skincare routine leaves more time to focus on other healthy practices that improve our skin’s health. Eating a healthy diet, getting more sleep, exercising and sun protection are just a few ways to get healthy, glowing skin from the inside out. A low-maintenance skincare routine helps you keep your priorities in balance and allows for more time to focus on other aspects of a healthy life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many skincare products should I actually be using?
For most people, a simple routine of a cleanser, one targeted serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen is enough to see meaningful results. The goal isn't to eliminate active ingredients; it's to use fewer of them, more thoughtfully, so each one can do its job without competing for space on your skin.
Is it bad to use active ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide every day?
Not at all. These ingredients are effective precisely because they're well-studied and reliable. The issue arises when several actives are layered together across multiple products, which increases the likelihood of irritation. Using one well-formulated product per active, once a day, is typically sufficient.
What does "single note formulating" mean?
It's an approach where each product is built around its own set of active ingredients, rather than duplicating the same actives across a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. This makes it easier to control how much of any one ingredient your skin is actually receiving.
Are botanical or "clean" ingredients always safe?
Not necessarily. Some botanical extracts, particularly those in the compositae (ragweed) family (like chamomile, calendula, and arnica) are common allergens. A product with a shorter, more deliberate list of botanical ingredients is generally a safer bet than one marketed as "all-natural" with a long ingredient list.
Do I need a toner?
For most skin types, no. Many toners were formulated to address problems, like stripped skin or clogged pores, caused by outdated cleansing methods. With a modern, well-formulated cleanser, an additional toning step is often unnecessary.
Can a minimal routine still address specific concerns like breakouts or uneven tone?
Yes. The right single active ingredient, used consistently, is often more effective for these concerns than a stack of products each targeting the same issue. Consistency and correct formulation matter more than quantity.
Is a simpler skincare routine really better for the environment?
Yes. Using fewer products means less overall packaging, fewer shipments, and reduced manufacturing waste. It also allows brands to invest more thoughtfully in sustainable packaging and ingredient sourcing, rather than spreading those resources across dozens of products.
Does a minimal routine mean I'll see slower results?
Not necessarily. Skin often responds better to fewer, well-chosen active ingredients than to an overloaded routine, since irritation from product overload can undo the benefits of the actives themselves. Less can be more effective.
