Minimalism is an art that I'm gradually incorporating into my lifestyle. Appreciating the beauty in less. The art of seeing things for what they are and not what they are portrayed to be. The art of appreciating simplicity. If there's one notion that has affected my achieving minimalism, it is the notion of 'You Only Live Once'. Most times, when I'm faced with making choices or buying products I know that would probably be useful to me once and I can do without it, I'm torn between trading the fleeting happiness that comes with purchasing that thing and life when I won't need whatever it is again. Sometimes, I go ahead to choose that thing and bask in it's aftermath even when it might be unnecessary.

Facial skincare is one aspect of my life that I began sometime earlier this year. When I wanted to get into it, the kind that involved layering more than one product on the face, I resorted to dermatologists on social media. I got to know about so many products, from serums to sunscreens to toners to moisturizers to eye creams and even facemasks. Products completely different from what my mom introduced to me - Vaseline.

I didn't know so many products could be used on the skin at a time till I got on skincaretok and view how people would sit for about thirty minutes to an hour, layering product after product. The whole concept fascinated me.

I'm not a cream enthusiast. Vaseline was the only thing I and my siblings used on our skins when we were younger. As I grew, I only used it occasionally. Probably when I had somewhere extremely important to be at or when I had first impressions to make. I have very oily skin so even when I don't apply anything, my skin doesn't appear white or extremely dry.

When I made up my mind to start with the whole skincare journey, it wasn't so easy. I talked to a friend of mine who was well versed in the world and she advised I meet a dermatologist and let them know what it is that I want. I did that, shared my budget with her and she recommended basics.

She recommended a cleanser, a salicylic acid facial serum because I have acne prone skin, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. During one of our sessions, she advised that the best thing to do for myself is to hydrate as well as possible.

Drinking so much water wasn't something I liked doing because the frequent urine sessions is something I detest. But to achieve a healthy skin, a healthy liver, a healthy kidney, a healthy spinal cord, I had to sacrifice for the greater good. Hydration also, is one thing I had to get used to in my skincare journey, and now, drinking about 250cl a day seems almost normal.

It wasn't really easy to get that, that works perfectly for my skin. I have an overly sensitive skin and when it comes in contact with anything wrong, the breakouts are worse than what I usually have. Makes them even harder to treat.

After several changes, I've found the one that works well for my skin. Where others complained it made them dark, I didn't experience that.

The moisturizer and the sunscreen are the only products I use daily on my face and for my body, I'm still sticking to Vaseline. For the rest, I use them only at night, 2 to 3 times a week. Facemasks also are one of the things I work with to keep my skin moisturized. I use them 2 to 3 times a week as well. The nights where I take my time and do everything in my routine, I tagged them skincare nights. They are days I look forward to during the week.

I haven't seen a reason to change these products since they seem to be doing the job at the moment. Will definitely stick to them for a while. I want to believe I'm still a minimalist where skincare is concerned or maybe not.

This is my response to this week's KISS prompt. My stance on skincare minimalism. Do check out the prompt. You're welcome to participate.

Thanks for reading.