The average number of beauty care occasions per week in France has decreased from 51.4 in 2013 to 42.6 in 2025, according to FEVAD. Routines are becoming lighter, formulations are evolving, and the actions that truly matter for facial skin are no longer the same as they were ten years ago. What are the parameters that distinguish an effective beauty routine from an accumulation of products without measurable effect?
Morning and evening beauty routine: comparison of actions by skin type
Not all skin types require the same actions or the same frequency. The table below summarizes the truly useful steps based on three common profiles.
| Action | Oily / Combination Skin | Dry Skin | Sensitive Skin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Cleansing | Gentle foaming gel (warm water) | Micellar water or thermal mist | Rinse with water only or no-rinse milk |
| Evening Cleansing | Double cleansing (oil + gel) | Makeup remover milk or balm | Alcohol-free micellar water |
| Serum | Niacinamide or salicylic acid | Hyaluronic acid | Aloe vera or bisabolol |
| Moisturizing Cream | Light, mattifying texture | Rich, re-lipidizing cream | Minimalist formula, fragrance-free |
| Sun Protection | Non-comedogenic fluid | Nourishing sunscreen | Mineral filter |
Several observations emerge from this breakdown. Oily skin can tolerate double cleansing in the evening, but overly aggressive cleansing in the morning stimulates sebum production. Dry skin benefits from minimal cleansing in the morning (sometimes just water is enough) to preserve the lipid film reformed overnight.
Sun protection appears in all three columns. It is the most documented action in dermatology for preventing skin aging, and the one that the majority of routines neglect outside of summer. If you are looking to deepen your knowledge about care suited to each profile, detailed resources are available on the Camille Un Point C’est Tout website with analyses by skin type.
Cosmetic actives and bio-based formulation: what is changing in your products
The cosmetic industry is undergoing a large-scale reformulation phase. The priority expressed by innovation players is the replacement of petrochemical molecules with bio-based alternatives, with an increasing demand for transparency regarding the manufacturing and sourcing of ingredients.
This movement has direct consequences on the texture and effectiveness of the products you apply every morning. Petroleum-derived emollients (liquid paraffin, cyclic silicones) are gradually being replaced by plant esters or fractionated oils. The sensation on the skin changes: less occlusive film, sometimes faster absorption, but also a slightly reduced shelf life.
Read the INCI list before buying
The INCI list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) remains the only reliable tool for assessing the actual composition of a product. Marketing terms (“clean,” “natural,” “non-toxic”) have no regulatory definition in Europe. In contrast, the INCI list is mandatory and standardized for all cosmetic products sold in the European Union.
- The first five ingredients represent the majority of the formula: if the active ingredient highlighted on the packaging appears at the end of the list, its concentration is negligible
- Sulfate surfactants (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are still present in many facial cleansers, even those labeled “gentle”: check their position in the list
- Broad-spectrum preservatives (phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazolinone) are gradually being replaced, but their substitutes are not always better tolerated by reactive skin
The most reliable approach is to test a product on a small area for several days before incorporating it into your daily routine.
Facial care and often overvalued actions: where to focus your time
The simplification of beauty routines observed since 2013 reflects a real change in behavior. The drop from more than 51 care occasions per week to less than 43 does not mean that the French neglect their skin. Superfluous actions are gradually being abandoned in favor of those with perceptible effects.
Makeup and care: two distinct logics
A common mistake is to consider makeup as care. A foundation enriched with hyaluronic acid contains too low an amount of active ingredient to have a measurable moisturizing effect. Makeup provides visual protection, while care acts on skin structure: mixing the two often leads to layering without benefit.
Makeup removal, on the other hand, is a true act of care. Residual makeup left on the skin overnight disrupts cell renewal and promotes pore blockage. The time invested in thorough makeup removal in the evening is worth more than adding an extra serum.
Hair and scalp: the forgotten action of the routine
The scalp is a direct extension of the facial skin, subjected to the same aggressions (pollution, UV, sebum). Spacing out shampoos is not enough to maintain a healthy scalp if the product used contains harsh sulfates or if the rinse water is very hard.
- A gentle sulfate-free shampoo, applied two to three times a week, is suitable for most hair types
- Rinsing with cold (or lukewarm) water closes the hair cuticles and limits the dull effect caused by hard water
- A leave-in treatment on the lengths is a better alternative to a weekly mask for fine hair
Daily sun protection: the beauty action with the best effort-result ratio
Sunscreen is the skincare product with the most documented effectiveness on skin aging. Applying sun protection every morning, even in winter or on cloudy days, significantly reduces the appearance of pigmentation spots and wrinkles.
The main barrier remains the texture. Mineral filters sometimes leave a white cast, while chemical filters can irritate sensitive skin. Recent formulations based on next-generation organic filters offer an acceptable compromise between tolerance and cosmetic finish.
Two minutes in the morning is enough to apply sun protection to the face and neck. Compared to the cumulative benefits over several years, it is the action with the best return on investment of any beauty routine. Rather than adding yet another serum or setting spray, dedicating this time to sun protection yields visible results in the medium term, without complicating your daily life.