A few weeks ago a reader asked me if I would consider writing about minimalist beauty routines because there are so many confusing products on the market. The request was humorous as I’m one of the least qualified people to talk about the best or most “minimal” beauty products. However, the request intrigued me and as I pondered my response, a few things became clear.
We should focus on internal beauty. Most of us are never going to look like a model or celebrity, no matter how many products we purchase and use (or have sitting in a drawer, just in case). What makes someone beautiful, handsome, or attractive is, in large part, being comfortable in their own skin. Confidence. Happiness. Joy. These qualities make our eyes sparkle and smiles shine far brighter than any arsenal of products. Pursuing a life of meaning and purpose ignites our internal fire and makes us the most attractive version of ourselves. Additionally, taking care of our physical bodies will help us look our best. If we eat well, exercise, sleep, and limit our exposure to toxins, our skin will be more vibrant and energy levels optimized. These recommendations are not gender specific — true attractiveness radiates from the inside out.
We all have things that make us beautiful and unique. Embrace and celebrate those characteristics, even if they’re not considered traditionally attractive. I have an enormous smile and an equally substantial vein running right down the middle of my forehead. My skin has more moles than I can count, laugh-lines, and now, slowly-developing wrinkles. Unless I get some sort of plastic surgery, all of those things will remain and become more pronounced with time. I’m okay with that. These characteristics make me, me. Imperfect. Flawed. Beautiful. Human. Embracing our unique attractiveness and cultivating confidence will help us tune-out the incessant messaging from the fashion and beauty industries which profit from our insecurities.
Of course, most of us have some type of grooming routine and use personal care products — shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream, toothpaste, deodorant… The average adult in the U.S. uses nine different personal care products everyday and because companies are allowed to do so, many of those products are full of toxic chemicals. The Environmental Working Group has a great site called Skin Deep where you can find information on personal care products and investigate their safety. In addition to the direct effect of putting hundreds of chemicals onto our skin (our largest organ) everyday, research suggests that our skin has a microbiome that may get disrupted by constant exposure to the chemicals, preservatives, and antimicrobials found in many of our personal care products. Indeed, our skin, hair, and bodies are healthiest when free of chemical inputs. With some research, anyone can curate a small lineup of non-toxic personal care products that work well for them.
Looking good has little to do with the products we use, and everything to do with how we feel and how we choose to live our lives.