This post was reviewed and updated by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods on August 24, 2026.

One of our main pillars at Otto Skin Goods is this: Skin health is only achieved with minimal products and ingredients. When you only use what your skin actually needs, it will reach its full potential simply and more naturally.

When you a) overload your skin with layers of similar ingredients, b) overuse active ingredients and c) reapply lip balm until your skin barrier is nowhere to be seen, you create an unhealthy skincare dependence—it no longer knows how to function properly on its own without the help of skincare products. On top of that, unnecessary products like sleeping masks, essences, double-cleansing, primer, and makeup are often a waste of your time and money.

Interested? Here’s how to embrace a “less is more” skincare routine…

1. Stop overdoing it with active ingredients.

…especially exfoliating ingredients. Start by laying out all of your skincare products. See if any overlap with similar active ingredients: retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, etc. The goal is to use active ingredients only once a day in one single product. The only exceptions are for niacinamide, vitamin C and ceramides, which can be used morning and night—but that’s it.

Exfoliating ingredients should be used even less. If you have normal to slightly oily or acne-prone skin, it’s okay to use gentle exfoliating ingredients daily, like fruit acids, azelaic acid or gluconolactone—but even those should only be used two to three times a week for sensitive skin types. Stronger acids like lactic, glycolic and salicylic acid should be used no more than two to three times per week for normal skin, but possibly more frequently if you’re struggling with breakouts. If you’re prone to acne and want to use acids daily, I recommend a rinse-off product like a glycolic or salicylic acid cleanser. That way, the acids aren’t sitting on your skin for long periods of time.

Here’s a quick guide as to what actives you really need based on skin type:

• Sensitive, dry or rosacea-prone skin: niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, plant-based antioxidants/vitamin C, and peptides (use exfoliating fruit acids, azelaic acid, and gluconolactone occasionally)
• Normal to balanced skin with occasional breakout: niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, plant-based antioxidants/vitamin C, peptides, fruit acids, and gluconolactone
• Oily to acne-prone skin: all of the above, including retinol and/or more regular use of  stronger exfoliating acids, like glycolic, lactic or salicylic

2. Cut your skincare routine back to two minutes or less.

…this might be slightly longer if you add makeup to the mix in the AM—but skincare products alone should take two minutes, max.

Here are a few tips to cut back on your skincare routine:

• Cleanse only at night: I’m not a fan of over-cleansing. In the morning, simply splash your face with warm water. If you wear makeup, remove it with olive or avocado oil. No need to use a cleansing balm followed by a foaming cleanser. It’s just too much.
• Eliminate unnecessary products: I’m talking mists and essence (I hate this entire category of skincare…there’s absolutely no point to it). I’m also not a huge fan of masks—especially sleeping masks. A serum will do!
• Change your products with the season: Do this instead of adding more. For example, swap out a lightweight face oil for a heavier one or switch to a moisturizer in the winter. If you must use both a face oil and moisturizer, add a few drops of the oil to the moisturizer to save yourself a step.
• Use your hands: Facial cleansing devices, and even brushes for makeup, aren’t my favorite. Not only do they take longer to use—you have to clean and maintain them, too. Instead, just use your hands, but don’t forget to give them a quick wash before you get started. It’ll eliminate unnecessary bacteria transferred to your face and might even prevent breakouts.

3. Purge frequently.

Want to commit to skin minimalism for the long haul? You have to keep up on it. That means frequently getting rid of what you don’t need so you’re not tempted to go back to your old ways. For one, make sure you keep track of dates and throw out any expired products. A quick rule of thumb is to toss anything you don’t actually touch after one year of opening (i.e products with droppers or pumps) and six months for anything you have to dip your fingers into, like moisturizer or eye cream. Products you keep in the shower, like a body scrub, might have less of a shelf life if water gets into the product.

Another pro tip? Purge products that don’t work for you. If you don’t see a difference in three months—or worse, the product causes irritation or sensitivity—let it go. Keeping them around because they’re expensive might make you feel better in the short term, but it’s not helping your skin. Not to mention, it takes up space from finding a product that actually makes a difference.

Lastly, get rid of seasonal products after the season is over. That includes the spray sunscreen you took to the beach last summer. If you have a moisturizer you only use during the winter months or a favorite shade of lipstick you only wear during the month of February, chances are it will expire before it’s time to use it again. This also goes for changing up your foundation or eye makeup from winter to summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main idea behind a "less is more" skincare routine?

The philosophy is that skin achieves its best health with minimal products and ingredients. Overloading your skin with too many similar actives, overusing active ingredients, or overusing things like lip balm can create a dependence where skin forgets how to function on its own.

How many active ingredients should I use per day?

Generally, stick to one active ingredient once a day per product. The exceptions are niacinamide, vitamin C, and ceramides, which can be used both morning and night.

How often should I use exfoliating acids?

It depends on your skin type and the acid strength:

• Gentle exfoliants (fruit acids, azelaic acid, gluconolactone): daily is fine for normal-to-oily or acne-prone skin, but 2–3 times a week for sensitive skin.
• Stronger acids (lactic, glycolic, salicylic): no more than 2–3 times a week for normal skin, though acne-prone skin may tolerate more frequent use.

If you want daily acid use and have acne-prone skin, a rinse-off product (like a glycolic or salicylic cleanser) is recommended so the acid isn't left sitting on the skin.

Which actives are recommended for my skin type?

• Sensitive, dry, or rosacea-prone skin: niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, plant-based antioxidants/vitamin C, and peptides (with occasional gentle exfoliating acids).
• Normal/balanced skin with occasional breakouts: the above, plus fruit acids and gluconolactone.
• Oily/acne-prone skin: all of the above, plus retinol and/or more regular use of stronger acids.

How long should a skincare routine take?

Two minutes or less (a bit longer in the morning if you're also applying makeup).

Do I need to cleanse twice a day?

No, cleansing at night is often enough. In the morning, a splash of warm water should suffice. If you wear makeup, remove it with an oil like olive or avocado oil instead of a multi-step cleanse.

Are mists, essences, and sleeping masks necessary?

No, these are considered unnecessary extras. A serum is enough, and mists/essences don't have any real purpose.

Should I use a face oil and a moisturizer?

You can, but instead of layering both separately, consider adding a few drops of face oil into your moisturizer to save a step. It's best to switch products with the seasons rather than adding more products.

Are facial cleansing devices or brushes recommended?

No, we recommend using clean hands instead, since devices take longer to use and require their own cleaning and maintenance.

How often should I purge my skincare products?

Regularly. Guidelines include:

• Toss dropper/pump products after 1 year of opening.
• Toss jar/tub products (like moisturizer or eye cream) after 6 months.
• Get rid of anything that hasn't shown results after 3 months of use, or anything causing irritation.
• Discard seasonal products (like spray sunscreen) once the season ends.