As cosmetic companies continue to market pricey products that promise to minimize wrinkles or banish acne, dermatologists across America are banding together to advocate skincare minimalism that could cut costs and irritation for patients.

The back-to-basics skincare movement involves three simple steps: soap, sunscreen, and a product that is customized to specific skincare needs.

Ditch the Pricey Products

Furthermore, doctors agree that pricey doesn't always mean better, citing the lack of scientific evidence. Dermatologists recommend their patients use fewer and less costly products to get more bang for their buck.

“A $200 cream may have better perfume or packaging, but as far as it moisturizing your skin better than a $10 cream, it probably won't,” said Dr. William P. Coleman III, vice president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Last month, Consumer Reports released the findings of a wrinkle cream study, which concluded that there is no link between the price and effectiveness of a skincare product. Researchers tested nine brands of anti-wrinkle lotions for a duration of 12 weeks and found that none of the creams minimized wrinkles by over 10 percent—a number “barely visible to the naked eye.”

Skincare Restriction Diet

The skincare restriction diet is more about practicality and less about marketing ploys. It doesn't involve exotic ingredients found on tropical lands specially handpicked by islanders.

Rather, patients on the skincare diet should wash their face with soap or other mild cleanser to remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria, and follow up with a sunscreen to prevent sun damage. Those who have problem skin such as pimples, large pores, or wrinkles can add no more than two inexpensive products that are tailored to their special needs.

“People who see wrinkles around their eyes are going to reach for an eye cream. Someone who looks in the mirror and sees large pores may want to use a cleanser with salicylic acid, which can reduce clogged pores,” said Dr. Diane C. Madfes, clinical instructor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The Bottom Line

Give the skincare restriction diet a go to save money. “My New Year's beauty resolution for patients is: cut down on skincare products and cut your skincare budget,” said assistant professor of dermatology at the School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Sarah Boyce Sawyer. “Cut down on those $100 potions.”