Less But Better: The Only Skincare Products You Actually Need for Glowy, Balanced Skin
Note: This post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Full disclaimer below.
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If your skincare shelf looks more like a cluttered apothecary than a calm ritual space, this one’s for you.
Let’s set the record straight: you don’t need a 10-step routine to have radiant, healthy skin. In fact, most of us are doing too much — layering product over product, overwhelming our barrier, and chasing results that never come.
Over the years, I’ve seen the same thing again and again: exhausted women with over-treated, inflamed, or completely confused skin. And the solution is almost always the same…
👉 Do less. But do it better.
Why I Believe in a Less-Is-More Approach
My philosophy is deeply rooted in corneotherapy — a science-backed skincare perspective that focuses on protecting and supporting the stratum corneum, your skin's outermost layer.
Instead of attacking the skin with harsh actives or aggressive exfoliants, corneotherapy honors the skin’s natural intelligence. It’s about working with your skin, not against it — and that’s exactly what a minimalist approach is designed to do.
💪 The Core Four 👉 What Your Skin Actually Needs
Here’s what I consider non-negotiable for balanced, dewy skin:
1️⃣ - A NOURISHING OIL CLEANSER
Forget the foaming, stripping, surfactant-heavy stuff. A properly formulated oil cleanser binds to makeup, dirt, and debris without disturbing your skin’s delicate pH or microbiome.
Angie’s Pro Tip:
I love to turn my cleanse into a ritual. Massage your oil cleanser into your skin slowly (especially jaw and cheek tension zones), then remove with a 100% cotton or bamboo towel. Deep breaths included.🛒 Shop my favorite oil cleansers 👇
👉 Nourished Holistic Cleansing Oils
Gentle, nutrient-rich, and barrier-loving. Breaks down makeup and buildup without stripping your skin.👉 Living Libations Best Skin Ever Seabuckthorn
A cult-favorite oil cleanser and moisturizer in one. Loaded with plant oils that mimic your skin’s natural balance.
2️⃣ - A TRUE TONER (Not the Alcohol Bombs of the Past)
Facial mists/toners are often skipped or dismissed — but when made with high-quality ingredients, they’re one of the most underrated and impactful steps in your skincare flow.
A well-crafted mist should:
Hydrate and balance the skin
Prep the skin for better absorption of oils and serums
Set mineral makeup beautifully
Calm and refresh throughout the day
Angie’s Pro Tip:
I spritz my Balancing or Nourishing Mist into my palm, press it into my skin, this ensures I’m not wasteful and really drives the hydration into my skin, then mix a few more spritzes with my serum before applying. That’s dewy, healthy skin magic.🛒 Grab my favorite toners here 👇
👉 Nourished Holistic Facial Mists
Pure botanical hydration in every spritz. Soothes, balances pH, and preps your skin to glow.👉 100 % Pure Natural Toners, Mists & Essences
Refreshing and pH-balanced mists + herbal infusions. Perfect for every need.
3️⃣ - A SERUM OR BALM TO LOCK IT ALL IN
This is where you seal in the hydration from your toner and feed your skin nourishing actives and oils. A balm or serum makes your skin feel plush, supported, and moisturized, not greasy. Learn more about sealing in moisture here →
I always apply my oil blend to damp skin (thanks to my Mist), focusing on the face, neck, and décolleté. Over time, this combo has visibly improved texture, tone, and hydration — especially in the delicate neck area. Bonus: I mix my loose mineral foundation into my serum for a personalized tinted SPF. (Customize your coverage = major win.)
❣ FUN SKINCARE TRUTH ❣
Moisturizer, Simplified - most moisturizers are just oil + water — held together by emulsifiers, plus a few stabilizers and preservatives to keep them shelf-stable.
But if you're using clean, high-quality oils and a nourishing toner or hydrosol?
You can skip the additives and make a “fresh” moisturizer right in your hand (just like I do) 😘.
✨ Just mix a few drops of oil serum with a spritz or two of your facial mist, rub between your palms, and press it into your skin.
Boom — instant hydration + moisture, no emulsifiers needed.
This method lets you customize the ratio based on your skin's needs each day (more mist if you're dry, more oil if you're dehydrated or sensitive), and it's way more skin-barrier friendly.
🛒 Seal in your hydration with these beauties 👇
👉 Nourished Holistic Oil Serums
My favorite step — hydrating, protective, and full of barrier-repairing oils.
👉 Earthly’ s Beautiful Facial Oils
Packed with raw botanicals and designed to support deep cellular hydration and healing.
OH…AND…
Here’s another skincare truth 👇
What About Around the Eyes, You Ask?
As long as your serum is gentle and free of heavy essential oils, you can absolutely double it as your eye serum too.
No need for a separate product — just tap a tiny amount around the orbital bone and let the goodness sink in for that all-in-one glow.
4️⃣ - A SAFE SPF
I’m picky with SPF — but sun protection is essential. I recommend a mineral-based, non-toxic SPF that agrees with your skin (and your values). To dive deeper into safe sun practices and choosing the right SPF… 👉 Check out these two blog posts →
Sunscreen Smarts: Myths, Mistakes, What’s Toxic—and Choosing Clean, Safe Protection
My Approach to Sun Protection:
I love soaking in 10–20 minutes of morning sunshine for that natural Vitamin D boost — it does wonders for mood, hormones, and overall wellness. For everyday protection, I stick to hats and breathable clothing. But if I’m going to be outside for a longer stretch, my go-to is Sky & Sol Face & Body — it’s clean, effective, and doesn’t gunk up my skin. And as mentioned above, I have also been known to I mix my loose mineral foundation into my serum for a personalized tinted SPF. (Customize your coverage = major win.)
🛒 Find your favorite CLEAN sunscreens 👇
Why I Created My Minimalist Line
Too many women are stuck in the vicious cycle of try this, layer that, and buy more. I wanted to create a line that would:
✔️ Calm the chaos
✔️ Support skin health without guesswork
✔️ Give results with fewer steps and more intention
My Minimalist Nourishing & Balancing Line is built to give your skin what it actually needs — and nothing it doesn’t.
Want to Learn the Rituals Behind the Products?
I’m building something really special: Skin Fit Academy. It’s a membership portal designed to help you master techniques like facial massage, Gua Sha, reflexology, and skin nourishment rituals that support your glow from the inside out.
✨ Want early access + founding member pricing?
Join the waitlist by commenting “WAITLIST” below and I’ll keep you in the loop!
Final Thought
You don’t need more products. You need more intentionality.
Simplify. Support. Glow.
Your skin will thank you — and so will your nervous system.
🧾 References & Further Reading
Corneotherapy: The Science of Rebuilding Skin Barrier Function
https://www.dermaviduals.com/education/corneotherapy/International Association for Applied Corneotherapy (IAC)
https://corneotherapy.orgLambers H. et al. (2006). Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2006.00344.xRawlings AV, Harding CR. (2004). Moisturization and skin barrier function. Dermatologic Therapy.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04004.xNourished Holistic Blog Posts
The content provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or skincare concern.
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. Use of the information provided is at your own risk.
Skin Fit and Nourished Holistic make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We disclaim all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content. This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.