I’m sharing #Shortlist in my life as part of a Shortlist sponsored series for Socialstars™.
Shortlist Skincare: Final Thoughts
For the past two months I have been using Shortlist Serum and Cream, an innovative duo that provides comprehensive care for damaged and aging skin. Many of you were curious about the idea of using just two products [sans cleanser], and after trialing the system for a while I’m ready to share my final update.
For the past few months I’ve been talking about my struggles with hyper-pigmentation and the products I was using to address the discolorations. Shortlist Serum and Cream helped simplify my routine and delivered great results. I did take breaks from the system now and then, and sometimes incorporated additional products, but for the most part I stuck with the dual-cleansing method, and relied on this duo for my daily care.
In case you need a refresher, Shortlist is a new premium beauty brand that embraces the less is more approach to skincare. These highly effective, zero filler formulations are free from parabens, sulfates, colorants, fragrances, and mineral oil. Two currently available products – serum and cream – contain only 11 and 9 ingredients in total, respectively. All active molecules were carefully chosen to work in tandem with one another and provide maximum benefits for the skin.
Shortlist Serum ($34 for 30 ml) is the first step in this simplistic routine, that better prepares the skin for the retinoid treatment. It helps keep the skin hydrated and improves the appearance of dark spots with the blend of time-tested active ingredients Niacinamide, Glycerin, and Hyaluronic Acid. The serum has a runny, milky consistency, and spreads over the skin evenly and easily. You really don’t need much to cover your entire face and neck!
After the very first use the serum helps repair dry and damaged skin, and over time the skin cells are more energized, giving your complexion a beautiful youthful glow.
Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Tapioca Starch, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.
Top to Bottom: Shortlist Serum, Cream
Shortlist Cream ($34 for 48 g) is a gentle treatment with Pro-retinol that helps address hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles, while keeping the skin hydrated and improving elasticity. It has a gel-cream consistency and feels very comforting on the skin. Like the serum, it spreads evenly and easily. I especially love using this cream overnight and wake up with soft and glowing complexion.
This formulation contains a mild form of Vitamin A that rejuvenates the skin by increasing surface cell turnover after the first use. With consistent use, the cream can help noticeably improve the appearance and depth of fine lines and wrinkles. Just be sure to remember to use SPF during the day. Retinoids can make the skin more sensitive to UV rays, which can undo all the progress if you accidentally get a sunburn.
Ingredients: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinyl Propionate (Vitamin A), Ceteraryl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid.
BOTTOM LINE:
This is a lovely quick routine that I kept coming back to again and again. It’s very easy to follow even for a complete skincare beginner, or really anyone who wants to keep their skin in good shape with no-nonsense products that work. After trying Shortlist Serum and Cream for a couple of months, I did notice that my skin feels a lot more hydrated and looks plump and youthful. I normally take good care of my skin, so it’s kind of hard to build up on that, but this duo managed to do it by effectively increasing the level of hydration and helping the cells retain that water for longer periods of time.
In the olden days my routine could easily consist of as many as 15 different steps. Frankly, Shortlist Serum and Cream get the job done just as well. I will gladly recommend them for any beauty minimalists out there, or busy moms that want to make sure their routine is quick and effective, and just anybody else who would like to simplify their beauty ritual and free more time for other things in life.
In short, skincare minimalism totally works if you do it right.
Visit shortlistbeauty.com to learn more about these products and the brand’s mission.
How many products do you use in your daily beauty routine? Would you like to try Shortlist Serum and Cream? Let me know in the comments below!
I love your photos, just saying. I’m a skincare minimalist so this sounds great
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind words! Yes, this duo is ideal for a no-fuss, effective minimal routine that won’t cost an arm and a leg 🙂
I like the ingredients that this duo have and they hit some of my key problems. I’m a skincare maximalist, but I certainly would recommend them to the minimalists that I know, and they are the majority!
So am I Allison, for me skincare is the fun part of the day when I get to play around with my potions like an alchemist. Although I am no longer using 15+ products like I did during my k-beauty phase 🙂
As much as I would love the full skincare routine, I just don’t have the time or budget to use all the things I want. This duo sounds like a great alternative to give my skin the benefits it needs easily and at an affordable price.
That is absolutely understandable! Skincare can be so overwhelming, and we need more brands like Shortlist that make only a few products that are clear in what they do, are affordable for an average woman, and work well with each other.
I’m about simplified skincare. This brand sounds promising
I’ve been trying to pare mine down too lately. Definitely no longer aiming for the 10+ step approach, that’s for sure, although I still use at least 2-3 different products to cleanse (balm/oil, something foaming, + micellar water for the eyes).
I like to keep it simple. Soap, water, gentle cleanser, then a moisturizer. I’m not too fancy. 🙂
I always say, as long as the routine works for you, then it’s the best possible routine 🙂 My grandma used soap and Vaseilne until the day she passed and she was perfectly happy with that.
I don’t think that most women use the amount of products that beauty bloggers do so having a great simplified system is wonderful. These products would be perfect for my two busy DIL’s.
You’re right, in the US and Europe they certainly don’t. Although many Asian women can shame most Western beauty bloggers with the number of lotions they apply to their skin daily, haha 🙂 Of course, beauty products are also a lot more affordable in those markets.
I would love to give these a try. While I have a fairly complex routine, I love having a plan for lazy nights.
My daily skincare routine is a lot. Cleanser, toner, multiple serums, retinol, eye cream, oils, moisturizer. It’s actually time consuming. These sound really nice but I’m not sure if I could give up my crazy routine!
These seem great, but not for me.
I love the simple, no-nonscense approach here! I’ll have to look into this brand for sure!
The cream has ingredients that work really well with my skin!