WHAT IS SKINIFICATION? BENEFITS, TYPES, DRAWBACKS AND MORE

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rosmy Barrios - July 29, 2024

The beauty industry is constantly evolving, with new trends and techniques emerging every year. One of the latest trends to take the beauty world by storm is skinification. This refers to treating the skin on your face, body, and scalp with the same care and attention as you would your facial skin. It also extends to the way we approach our hair, nails, and oral health.

In this article, we will explore the rise of skinification in beauty and its impact on the industry. Benefits, drawbacks, types of skinification, and cosmetic products are all included in the discussion below.

What Is Skinification?

Originally a marketing term, skinification is now used to describe a current skincare trend that adopts a holistic approach. It is an attitude that challenges one to look beyond the face and to combine overall beauty with well-being.^[1]

Skinification is about treating the whole body with the same level of care that we give facial skin. Traditionally, skincare routines have focused solely on the face, neglecting other areas of the body. Most moisturizers, sunscreens, anti-aging serums, and products used to be aimed at the skin on the face as well. With the rise of skinification, people are paying more attention to their entire body. This includes the scalp, nails, hair, and even oral health^[2].

Skinification and health also highlight the intimate relationship between the skin and almost all other areas of the body. If any part of your body is not well, the skin in the area will almost always show for it.

The skinification of body and skin has propelled cosmetic lines designed for all parts of the body. These contain a wealth of active ingredients previously reserved solely for the face. It has become clear that these ingredients can directly benefit hair, nails, and more. They also nourish the surrounding skin, which indirectly improves other parts of the body as well.

Benefits of Skinification

The benefits of skinification are numerous:

• Well-Rounded Skincare: By treating all areas of the skin attentively, you can achieve a more balanced complexion. This is because the skin on your body and scalp is just as important as the skin on your face.
• Prevents Skin Issues: Neglecting areas other than the face can lead to skin dryness, irritation, and even premature aging. A better level of care also means minimizing wrinkles, scars, and pigmentation from occurring on the body.
• Emphasizes Healthy Living: It allows for a more holistic approach to beauty and personal care. You can boost your confidence and general well-being by attending to all aspects of health. including diet, physical activity, and mental health.
• Lessens Ageism: It can help to break down ageism in the beauty industry.  People of all ages are advised to take care of their skin and accept their natural beauty.
• Improves Comfort and Confidence: Beauty treatments can help increase self-confidence and make you feel more comfortable in your own body. ^[3] Skinification goes even further by combining beauty with health to provide even better results.

Drawbacks of Skinification

While skinification has many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider.

• Over-treating the Skin: Irritation and damage to the skin barrier can result from overusing cosmetics or due to the active ingredients present in them. ^[4]
• Excessive Consumption and Waste: With treating all areas of the skin, there is a higher demand for beauty products. This can lead to overconsumption and unnecessary waste.
• Unrealistic Beauty Standards: The need for multiple treatments might emphasize unrealistic beauty standards or expectations. It is important to promote inclusivity and embrace diverse beauty standards to foster a positive body image for everyone.
• Not Necessarily Cost-Effective: This new approach might cause people to look for multiple treatment options and incur unnecessary costs.

It is crucial to be aware of the items you use and how they affect the environment.

Different Types of Skinification

Keeping skin in the game now extends to many other facets of health and beauty. Dental hygiene, the hair and scalp, and the fragrances we use are all important for improving our overall complexions.

Skinification applies to each of these in the following ways:

Oral Care: Oral care is an often overlooked aspect of a radiant complexion. Adopting the skinification of oral care can greatly benefit the health of your skin, mouth, and teeth.^[5] This includes products that protect and enhance the circulation of the skin and mouth. By incorporating oral care into your skinification routine, you can achieve a more radiant and healthy complexion.

Hair and Scalp: Head hair is only as healthy as the skin or scalp from which it grows, making it just as important to nourish.^[6] The skinification of hair and scalp involves products specifically designed for scalp care, such as scalp scrubs and hair masks . This can help to promote healthy hair growth and maintain a healthy scalp.^[7]

Nails: This holistic trend also extends to nail care. Like hair, looking after the nails cannot be achieved without caring for the surrounding skin. Similarly, nail health influences skin health as nails collect dirt or germs and contact the rest of the skin daily. Skinification of nail care involves using products that protect the skin and nails, enhancing the health of one another.

Perfume: Skinification of perfume refers to approaching your perfume as a part of your skincare routine. Perfume and deodorants contain many active ingredients that can block pores, cause skin reactions, and more. Consumers now opt for perfumes, deodorants, and scented lotions that are gentle, nourishing, and hydrating for the skin.

Sun Care: Sun protection has recently gained traction as a general beauty practice. The skinification of sun care involves using sunscreen not just on your face but also on your body, scalp, and even your hair. ^[8] This can help to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and prevent premature aging.

Skinification of Beauty Products

The rise of skinification has also led to a shift in the beauty industry, with more products being developed to cater to this trend. Here are some of the ways skinification has influenced the development of beauty products:

Active Ingredients Trends

With the focus on treating all areas of the skin, there has been an increase in the number of active ingredients in beauty products. These ingredients , such as hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid, are usually known for their skin-nourishing properties.. They are now being incorporated into products for the body, scalp, and hair.

Hybrid Products

Hybrid products are becoming increasingly popular in the beauty industry, offering multiple benefits to different skin areas.

These make use of active ingredients that would ordinarily have been found exclusively in facial skincare cosmetics. Nowadays, we see vitamins, anti-aging serums, and cutting-edge delivery systems in all cosmetic products.

Here are a few examples:

• Skin-healthy makeup. Makeup  is now being fortified with extra ingredients to enhance skin health. This enhances its concealing effects (blurs wrinkles and pores), reduces the risk of acne, and helps combat potential carcinogens.
• Toothpaste and Mouthwashes. Ingredients that soothe skin irritation are also used in toothpaste and mouthwashes to improve the health of the gums. Improved gum circulation and health enhance the skin of the lips and cheeks as well.^[9]
• Teeth Whitening Agents are now making use of natural ingredients and complex formulas that resemble skincare products. Activated charcoal, clays, and more can now be found in these products, further enhancing overall oral and skin health.
• Shampoos and Conditioners now offer revitalizing nutrients and anti-aging serums that vastly improve delivery to the scalp. These prevent hair loss, improve hair health, and contribute to keeping the skin well-hydrated (even the skin on the face and neck).
• Shampoo Bars have been popularized and can double up as luxurious whole-body skin moisturizers.
• All-purpose Face-Masks for nails, hair, and scalp are being used more often for their global skin benefits. This helps to exfoliate the skin, scalp, and nails, unclog pores, improve circulation, and increase nutrient delivery and benefits.

These products save time and money, also promoting the idea of equal whole-body skin treatment.

Advancements in Cosmetic Procedures and Technology

Skinification has also influenced the development of cosmetic procedures and technology. Treatments such as scalp microneedling and laser hair stimulation are now being marketed as part of a skinification routine. These improve the health of the skin underneath the hair and stimulate it, thus promoting hair growth.

The Layers of Skinification: Skincare, Treatments and Healthy Living

At its core, skinification is about treating all areas of the skin with the same level of care.

This means several things:

• Developing a daily skincare routine for all external parts of the body, including hair, scalp, nails, and teeth.
• Opting for cutting-edge products and treatments that improve the health and beauty of each part.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Skinification is not a one-size-fits-all approach. There are different layers to this trend, and it is up to each individual to decide how far they want to take it.

Here is a breakdown of skinification as we know it so far:

Skincare Basics Beyond the Face

 An ordinary skincare routine consists of daily cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing for the best results.^[10] For skinification, these simple practices can be extended to form a full body care routine, applied to:

• Hands and feet to improve the health of nails.
• Scalps to improve hair health.
• The whole body to improve overall complexion and lessen blemishes.

Sun Protection: Like skin, hair also benefits from sun protection.^[11]  This is a common fact these days for women who dye their hair. Sunshine can affect the new color, causing it to lighten and fade at a faster rate. Uncolored hair also often lightens naturally in summer and darkens in Winter. The quality of hair also suffers if overly exposed to UV or heat, as well as if the scalp gets sunburnt.

Clean Cosmetics: Choosing cosmetics that are gentle on the skin is crucial for the skinification process to succeed. Make sure to check the ingredients and opt for clean beauty options.

Holistic Approach to Skincare

Skinification promotes a holistic approach to health and beauty that emphasizes skin care beyond the face. It recognizes that the health of our skin is influenced by various lifestyle factors, such as:

• A Healthy Diet that provides necessary nutrients and skin nourishment.
• Regular Exercise improves blood circulation.
• Quality Sleep that aids in cell regeneration.
• Stress Management to lessen the chances of stress-induced inflammation and breakouts.

In terms of cosmetics, these can be seen as the ultimate skinification alternatives. By incorporating these into our daily lives, skinification encourages a comprehensive approach that covers all internal and external factors.

Oral Skincare Supplements: A study suggests that natural peptides usually added to anti-aging serums, may improve skin health when ingested. These include collagen, ceramide, and hyaluronan. They may similarly enhance oral hygiene products as well. Extra research is still required to confirm the extra-skin benefits of peptides and more.

Skinification Treatments

Several treatments have recently expanded their repertoire towards hair, scalp, and nails, as reviewed below.

Home Skin Care Cosmetic Treatments are now fortified with skincare ingredients that benefit the hair, scalp, and nails. They consist of serums, ampules, boosters, masks, and other similar topical treatments.

These products provide added hydration, nourishment, and targeted care in several ways:

• Hair Masks enriched with ingredients like argan oil or coconut oil can deeply moisturize and repair damaged strands. These coat the hair shaft, sealing in moisture and nourishing the scalp.
• Hair Serums can help repair and protect the hair shaft, working the scalp to promote healthy and shiny hair. They comprise cutting-edge delivery systems that allow for ultimate scalp penetration and conditioning.
• Scalp Treatments containing skin-sensitive tea tree oil or salicylic acid help exfoliate the scalp, remove dead skin cells, and unclog hair follicles. There are also specialized scalp ampules that contain specially formulated peptides. All these treatments promote a healthier scalp environment, aiding scalp health, lowering dandruff, and supporting hair growth.
• Nail Treatments, such as boosters, often contain nourishing ingredients like vitamin E or keratin. These can help strengthen nails, prevent breakage, and promote nail growth. They work by delivering essential nutrients to the nail bed, improving its overall health and resilience.

Chemical Peels and Exfoliants are now able to target the hair, scalp, and nails as well. Peeling off the top layer of skin works for all parts of the body. It removes dead skin and unclogs the pores and hair shafts. This enhances circulation, improves absorption of other nourishing ingredients, and smooths the skin.

Acids and enzymes used in chemical peels are now known to benefit the hair, nails and overall complexion. These consist of beta-hydroxy acids, such as salicylic acid and alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid.^[12]

Skin Injectables are becoming popular in skinification for hair and nail health. Some examples include:

• Hyaluronic acid injections for scalp hydration
• Biotin injections for strengthening nails
• Collagen injections for promoting hair growth

These injectables can help improve the overall health and appearance of hair and nails, enhancing the skinification process.

Cosmetic Procedures

Skinification has also revolutionized cosmetic procedures in the beauty industry. It has succeeded at integrating various skin-centric techniques and ingredients in popular cosmetic procedures, offering deeper improvements.

One of the key treatments that has been impacted by skinification is microneedling.

Microneedling makes use of tiny needles that puncture the skin to create micro-injuries. This stimulates skin repair, collagen production, and rejuvenation. ^[13] Microneedling now includes topical active substances like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and peptides due to the skinification approach. They further enhance the skin's healing process, promote cellular turnover, and improve the overall texture and radiance of the skin.

Botox and Dermal Fillers are widely used to minimize wrinkles and fine lines. With the skinification trend, practitioners now combine these treatments with skincare ingredients with other anti-ageing injectables, like hyaluronic acid and peptides.^[14] This combination not only provides the desired aesthetic results but also nourishes the skin, improving its health and vitality.

Laser Treatments, another popular cosmetic procedure, have also embraced skinification. Laser treatments address a number of skin issues, including uneven texture, pigmentation, and acne scars. Incorporating skin-sensitive ingredients like vitamin C or retinol into laser therapy has sped up the skin's healing process and improved the outcome.

Light Therapy, which uses different wavelengths of light to address specific skin concerns, has also adopted the skinification approach. Many with skin conditions use light therapy to treat their condition. For some, it also improves hair loss, especially when associated with a skin disorder.

Cosmetic Surgeries: Skinification has begun to infiltrate cosmetic surgeries like facelifts and blepharoplasty to greatly enhance the outcome. Surgeons now recommend skincare routines with nourishing ingredients to support the skin's healing process. These also reduce the risk of complications.

When to See a Cosmetic Specialist

When deciding how to best integrate skinification into your cosmetic routines, it is imperative that you speak with a skilled practitioner. This is especially important if you need to have a cosmetic procedure.

A skilled expert can evaluate your skin, create an optimal skinification skincare plan, and ensure your safety. They can also tell you what to expect and the possible risks of any treatment. By seeking professional guidance, you can achieve the desired results while prioritizing your well-being.

The Future of Skinification

The skinification trend shows no signs of slowing down, and it is likely to continue to evolve in the future. Here are some potential developments we may see in the world of skinification:

Skinimalism

Skinimalism combats one of the drawbacks of skinification.^[15] It is another trend that refers to using fewer products and embracing a more natural approach to skincare. This is where the future of skinification is headed. Futuristic cosmetics will be 'skinimal,' targeting all aspects of skin, hair, and nail care with high-quality, clean products.

Advancements in Cosmetic Procedures and Technology

As technology improves, we might find new cosmetic treatments and items that drastically enhance skinification and improve personalized skincare. For example, we could have skincare plans customized to our DNA or custom-made beauty products created with artificial intelligence.

Conclusion

The rise of skinification in beauty has had a profound impact, promoting a more holistic approach to skincare. By treating all areas of the skin with the same level of care, we can achieve a more balanced and healthy complexion. However, it is important to be mindful of the potential drawbacks and to find a balance that works for you.

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