With that in mind, this year I decided to make a change. Not only did I want to declutter some of the products I never used, but I also wanted to make sure that I was only using things that really and truly\u00a0worked<\/em> for my individual skin concerns. As I get older\u2014I’m approaching my 44th birthday in January\u2014I really want to continue to achieve the poreless,<\/span> dewy, acne-free skin of my youth. And contrary to what you might think, the best way to do this is actually by using fewer products with better consistency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEmbracing a minimalist approach to skincare can prove remarkably effective for individuals seeking a simpler, healthier, and more radiant complexion,\u201d says Natalie Aguilar<\/a>, a dermatological nurse and celebrity aesthetician at Dr. Kami Parsa\u2019s Beverly Hills office<\/a>. \u201cYour routine is simple yet effective\u2014none of the ingredients overlap, and your products are clean.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n So, about 10 months ago, I cut my skin-care routine down majorly\u2014from a whopping 19 steps to a far more manageable six\u2014and can honestly say my complexion has never looked better. It’s hydrated, smooth, and plump; my pores are nonexistent; and I rarely (if ever) break out. This experiment has been going so well, I don’t even really need professional facials anymore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBy simplifying one\u2019s skin-care routine, a person can minimize the potential for adverse reactions and sensitivities,\u201d says Aguilar. \u201cThe philosophy of less is more in skin-care underscores the idea that a select few, carefully chosen products can often deliver more potent and harmonious results than an extensive array of formulations that may counteract each other\u2019s benefits.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Jenette Serrins, founder of <\/span>Being in LA<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Jenette Skincare<\/span><\/a>, agrees. \u201cThe more products you pile on, the more likely you are to be exposed to an ingredient that may be harmful or simply not good for your skin type,\u201d she says. \u201cWith fewer products, you\u2019re automatically minimizing your risk of skin irritation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ll always love skincare, but the moral of this story is that the less I do, the better my skin looks. If you\u2019ve been curious about cutting down your skincare routine in favor of what works\u2014well, here\u2019s what I\u2019ve been doing, and how to copy it. (You\u2019re welcome.)<\/span><\/p>\n Any derm will tell you that a good cleanse is the most important first step in a skin-care routine, as it whisks away pore-clogging dirt and debris and provides a clean canvas for you to apply the rest of your products on top of.<\/p>\n I wash my face once a day, at the start of my shower routine (pro tip: use lukewarm water instead of scalding hot to avoid drying out your skin).<\/p>\n1. Cleanse<\/h2>\n