Skinminimalism: Doing More With Less in Modern Beauty

In this episode, we're exploring the rising trend of skinminimalism: the art and science of streamlining your skincare without sacrificing performance. To help break it down, we're joined by Mark Broussard, founder of Desert in Bloom Lab—a formulation and manufacturing expert who's built a career helping brands create high-performing, science-forward products with purpose.Together, we explore:What skinminimalism really means for consumers and brandsThe difference between functional ingredients and "label decoration"Why multi-functional actives and purified plant extracts are keyHow minimalist routines are reshaping product portfoliosAnd what it takes to approach formulation with a "less is more" mindsetKey Takeaways:• Skin Minimalism = Smarter Skincare: It's about fewer ingredients, fewer products, and fewer steps—without sacrificing performance.• The 1% Line Trick: Learning to read ingredient lists helps spot label decoration and identify what's actually doing the work.• Functional vs. Fluff: Functional ingredients like niacinamide and retinol alternatives should be used at optimal concentrations—not just for marketing.• Keep It Simple: A basic, effective routine includes a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. That’s it for most skin types.• Layering Caution: Using too many products from different brands can lead to sensitivity and ingredient conflicts.• Product Portfolios Need Streamlining: Brands should evaluate performance and cut portfolio bloat before launching more products.• Formulators Need Restraint: Focus on gold-standard ingredients and avoid ingredient overload.• Less Can Be More Effective: Overuse of actives (e.g. 12% niacinamide) may cause irritation or harm skin instead of helping it.