If you’re fed up of 10-step routines, it’s time to embrace multi-hyphenate skincare
It’s likely you know someone in your life that is a multi-hyphenate (or hell, you might even be one yourself). A multi-hyphenate is the sort of person that we all strive to be. They’re the sort of person that has multiple eggs in their basket at all times and seem to juggle all of their hustles seamlessly. Think: CEO-Mother-Candlestick Maker, Ad Exec-Podcaster-DJ or even Doctor-Pilates Instructor-Novelist. And so, despite idolising multi-hyphenate lifestyles and careers, why is it that when it comes to our skincare routines, the thought of anything being mutli-hyphenate makes us shudder?
If you were to compare your current day skincare line-up to one of 10 years ago, there’s likely some serious differences, and not only in the products themselves. You see, the skincare routines of yesteryear were simple affairs, following a three-step routine of cleanse, tone and moisturise, consisting of products that contained a blend of ingredients to deliver pretty bog-standard results.
Fast forward to now, and the average person’s skincare arsenal couldn’t be further away from such simplicity. We have first cleansers, seconds cleansers, essences, mists, serums, oils, balms and lotions – you name it, we’ve got it. And who can blame us? With huge advances in cosmeceutical research and the rise of social media, the average beauty shopper knows more about the ins and outs of skincare than ever before.
In essence, we’ve become much less concerned with the actual products we’re buying and much more concerned with what’s in them. No longer relying solely on the information on the packaging, from salicylic acid to retinol, we want to know exactly what ingredients are doing what for our skin. Because of this, we have seen a massive rise in the number of ingredient-led products on the market (and in our routines).
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Take for example, DECIEM’s The Ordinary. Still one of the best-selling beauty brands worldwide, The Ordinary was the first skincare brand to take an ingredient-led approach; selling us small bottles of highly concentrated ingredients, formulated to be layered or used alone, at a super-affordable price. And it totally changed the game.
While the DECIEM effect has proved game-changing for so many and encouraged wide-scale education (and nobody can complain about that), there is something to be said for the confusion that has arisen amongst those that aren’t as committed to their skincare routines.
For starters, it’s worth noting that not everybody knows (or wants to know) what certain ingredients do, and that’s totally OK. Then, we move onto the fact that, more so than ever, time is of the essence, and not all of us can be bothered to apply 10+ products to our faces every morning and evening. And finally, it seems as though the events of the past year have got many of us totally re-evaluating our routines.
In December last year, John Lewis announced that it predicted the beauty mantra of 2021 to be ‘buy fewer, buy better’. Throughout 2020, the retailer saw customers spending an average of 6.2% more per beauty item. Experts put the increase down to people wanting to buy more responsibly, streamline their routines and subsequently minimise excess consumption.
And the good news is, we’re starting to see a shift in the types of products out there to cater our changing desires. Introducing: multi-hyphenate skincare. So much more than the old-school multi-taskers we’re used to, multi-hyphenate skincare products work their hardest. They aim to streamline our routines without compromising results. From moisturisers and serums to cleansers and peels, multi-hyphenate products are here to make your skincare routine a hell of a lot easier.
So, if you’re totally over your complex regimen, these are the multi-hyphenate skincare products to put on your radar, whatever your skin’s wants and needs.
Best for congested skin
Pai Skincare Carbon Star Detoxifying Overnight Face Oil, £39, Look Fantastic
Oil might not seem like the best way to combat congestion, but this clever stuff contains antibacterial black cumin seed oil, as well as vegetable charcoal to help get sebum production under control. As a whole, it aids in tackling minor breakouts, delivers hydration and nourishment and offers antioxidant benefits. Just apply post-cleanse in the evening (if you do like to use a retinol, apply that first) and hop straight into bed.
Best for everything
Dermalogica Smart Response Serum, £130, John Lewis
Yes, the price tag makes us weep, but the technology in this serum could well be the future of skincare. Essentially, it works by detecting upset in the skin and delivering in the areas it needs it, responding to dehydration, poorly organised collagen, overproduction of melanin and inflammation to leave skin hydrated, smooth, even in tone and soothed. Apply morning and night after cleansing and follow with SPF in the AM.
Best for stressed skin
Allies of Skin Multi Nutrient & Dioic Renewing Cream, £95, Cult Beauty
Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, oiliness, pigmentation or just a lacklustre complexion, this moisturiser has you covered. With dioic acid to help brighten, probiotics to help hydrate and balance the skin, cica to nourish and a whopping 14 antioxidants to help provide protection against premature ageing, you really need nothing else. Just apply all over post-cleanse and your skin will be glowing all day long.
Best for resurfacing
Kate Somerville Kateceuticals Resurfacing Overnight Peel, £76, Cult Beauty
If you prefer chemical exfoliants to physical ones, this overnight peel ticks all of the boxes in one go. Containing glycolic acid, retinol, niacinamide and vitamin E, it evens out skin tone, minimises pigmentation, reduces the appearance of pores and fights general dullness, all while providing antioxidant protection. Use twice a week in the evening, straight after cleansing and you’re done – leaving no need for retinol or glycolic acid elsewhere in your routine!
Best for everyday hydration
U Beauty Super Smart Hydrator, £65, Cult Beauty
Whatever your skin type, we all need moisture in some form. This seriously impressive lotion contains long-chain hyaluronic acid for optimum hydration and nourishing oils to boost glow. On top of that, it contains peptides and antioxidants to help protect skin from environmental damage. It was formulated to be your all-in-one moisturiser, and it really delivers. It’s spenny considering how much you get in the bottle, but a little goes a very long way.
Best for dull skin
Omorovicza Gentle Buffing Gelle, £62, Cult Beauty
Trying to strike a balance with at-home acid treatments can be tricky – go in too hard and too often and you’ll likely be faced with red, sore skin that becomes irritated when you cleanse. This exfoliating face wash can be used once a week as a gentle polishing treatment that also delivers hyaluronic acid and boosts glow while it works. It’s the perfect does-it-all exfoliant.
