The 4-Step Nordic Skincare Routine for a Natural Glow: Minimalist Beauty Secrets from Scandinavia
Forget the 15-step Korean skincare—Nordic skincare is here to stay. Defined by a minimalistic, simple, and natural approach, the “Scandi” skincare philosophy focuses on the essentials. Despite facing some of the world’s harshest climates, people in Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland achieve healthy, glowing skin by sticking to the basics.
Discover how to save time and money while achieving radiant skin by doing it like they do it in the north. Here, we guide you on how to find Nordic skincare products, what ingredients to look for, and our top sustainable brand picks to get you started!
Nordic Beauty Secrets: The 4-Step Skincare Routine
1. All-Round Health
Before the beauty routine even begins, Nordic people know that beauty comes from within. For the same reason, you tend to see lighter, more natural makeup looks there, too, as the focus tends to be on overall skin health.
Key practices in Nordic skincare include a nutrient-rich diet filled with antioxidant-packed berries and whole grains, regular temperature exposure through activities like sauna and cold plunges, and plenty of time spent in nature. These elements together build a strong foundation for glowing, resilient skin.
One unique aspect of Nordic skincare is the focus on exposure to natural bacteria found in forest environments. Interacting with the soil introduces the skin to healthy microbes, supporting a balanced microbiome and strengthening the skin barrier. For those without easy access to forests, Finnish scientists have recently developed an innovative extract that can mimic these benefits in skincare products!
If you’re looking to incorporate this forest-inspired approach into your routine, check out this article.
2. Cleanse
Mousse, gel, or oil? Take your picking! Cleansing before applying moisturizers and serums ensures the skin can soak up all the good ingredients. Since it is common for Nordics to have dry skin, you’ll easily find cleansers that leave your face feeling not only clean but also refreshed and soft.
For dry or sensitive skin, oil cleansers are often a favorite, as they gently lift away impurities without stripping away natural oils. These cleansers are especially effective at removing makeup and sunscreen. Gel cleansers, on the other hand, offer a refreshing, lightweight option, great for combination or slightly oily skin types.
Hydrating ingredients like glycerin, oat extracts, and Nordic botanicals like birch sap or sea buckthorn are great ingredients to look for.
3. Hydrate
The air gets cold and dry in the Nordic winter and can be harsh on your skin, to say the least. That’s why heavy-duty moisturizers and hydrating creams are popular. Thick formulas infused with powerful ingredients such as hyaluronic acid help Nordic skin stay protected and supple even in the icy winds.
Ingredients like cloudberry, sea buckthorn, and birch sap add antioxidant and soothing benefits, helping to keep skin soft, supple, and resilient against harsh weather. For added protection, many moisturizers also include squalane or shea butter, which lock in moisture and create a shield against dryness.
Just like with cleansers, there is a wide selection of moisturizer formulas, from thick creams to liquid hydrating serums so you can find what works best for your skin.
4. Protect
Even if the sun is neither very strong nor out for many months in the north, the Nordics know the importance of protecting your skin against environmental factors nonetheless. And, did you know? When the snow is covering the ground, the white surface reflects the UV rays from the sun and can actually make you burn even in the winter, especially on high altitudes! So a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is necessary in your simplistic beauty routine.
Another way to protect your skin, especially in urban environments, is by using serums that guard against environmental pollution. Look for skincare products with Arctic berries like bilberry and sea buckthorn, which are highly effective in providing antioxidant protection.
It’s really as simple as cleansing, moisturizing, protecting, and nurturing your overall well-being for beauty from within. It doesn’t need to be more complicated!
Adopting the wisdom of Nordic beauty saves your money, benefits your skin health, and prepares you for any weather conditions of the year. Start small, stay consistent, and let your natural beauty shine through!