A common piece of advice in skincare content: "Fewer products, better skin." Is it true, or just a reaction to discredit the skincare industry?

The Truth Behind the "Less Is More" Claim

Skincare is a chemical process; actives interact with each other. Someone who uses 8 different serums every morning:

— May experience product residue buildup. Some emollients and occlusives can hinder the absorption of subsequent products.
— May encounter active ingredient clashes. Example: retinol + AHA + BHA on the same night = severe irritation.
— May experience barrier damage. Too many actives = barrier overstress.

In this context, "less is more" is true. Focus, use what's necessary, remove unnecessary layers.

The Misconception of the "Less Is More" Claim

The mistake made by taking the same advice to another extreme: the "I just wash my face with water" stoicism. This isn't skincare; it's a deficiency.

Scientifically, it's correct that the skin's basic needs must be met. These are:

1. Cleansing — removal of sebum, dead cells, and environmental pollutants.
2. Barrier support — moisture and lipid balance.
3. Sunscreen — photoaging is 80% caused by UV exposure.

If you have a specific skin concern (acne, dark spots, fine lines), you can add a targeted active for these.

Minimum Effective Routine: 4-5 Products

1. Cleanser
2. (Optional: toner)
3. An active serum
4. Moisturizer
5. Sunscreen

Conclusion

"Less is more" is true when used correctly. But don't translate "less" as "nothing." Knowing what you're doing for your skin and why you're doing it is much more important than the number of products.

That's why at Maxel JU, we've prepared 8 different curated sets. Each set contains 4-6 products; neither too many nor too few. A complete program focused on a specific skin concern.