French women may be famous for a ‘quality over quantity’ approach to skincare and Korean women have their 12-step routines down to a T, but Scandi and Nordic women’s take on skincare is all about minimalism, prioritising a holistic, wellness-based approach to skincare, using fewer, high-quality products.
There’s something about Scandi skincare that massively appeals to me—after all, when it comes to skincare, I’m a big believer that less is more. Rather than buying into short-lived trends and being dictated by the latest launches, Scandi skincare focuses on the essential steps—cleansing, hydrating, and protecting the skin—it’s a classic approach, but still feels cool and modern. Similarly to the French skincare approach, the goal of Scandi skincare is to achieve a natural, healthy glow rather than relying on makeup to mask skin.
What’s more, the Scandi approach to skincare extends beyond just topical products, additionally encompassing a focus on general wellbeing, hydration, healthy eating, good sleep hygiene and stress management.
When it comes to products, Scandi skincare heavily draws inspiration from the natural landscapes of Scandinavia, often incorporating natural and locally-sourced ingredients like cloudberry and glacier water. There’s also an impressive focus on transparency and sustainability from Scandi skincare brands.
What is Scandi skincare? “Scandi skincare is minimalist innovation inspired by nature. It’s about simplicity that delivers—products that fit into real lives and truly work,” says Josefin Landgard , co-founder of Swedish skincare brand Mantle .
According to Landgard , Scandi and Nordic skincare is all about efficacy and quality. “It reflects generations of adaptation and resilience in the north. Here, quality isn’t optional, but essential. With up to 70% of people experiencing dry or sensitive skin, every formula must be effective, nourishing, and smart. At Mantle, we merge Scandinavian minimalism with skincare innovation. Every product is developed and tested in our Northern Swedish lab and designed to perform in extreme climates.”
“Scandinavia is the most equal region in the world. Scandinavian women have a long history of purposeful lives close to nature, where work, family, and passions coexist.” she adds. This is the foundation of Mantle’s brand philosophy: Life first, skin second. “Yes, we want (or more so: need! ) high-performing formulas to shield and strengthen our skin from freezing winters and intense midnight sun, but don’t spend hours in front of the mirror,” she adds. “Instead, we want a minimalist routine that does the work so we can go out into the world, confident and comfortable. Life first, skin second.”
What ingredients are used in Scandi skincare? “Scandi beauty is all about maximum efficiency with minimal effort—think sustainably sourced, biomimetic ingredients that nourish, strengthen, and protect,” says Landgard . “We use skin-strengthening essentials like ceramides, oat oil, and shea butter , paired with modern actives like pre- and postbiotics, centella, and lactobionic acid. One standout is jellyfish mucin—historically valued for its wound-healing properties and now shown to hydrate skin up to three times more efficiently than hyaluronic acid . It’s a great example of turning an ecological challenge (jellyfish overpopulation due to rising ocean temps) into natural skincare innovation.”
How to carry out a Scandi skincare routine 1. Cleanser Instead of using harsh cleansers and relying upon multiple cleansing steps, the Scandi and Nordic approach to cleansing is very simple. Scandi cleansers are typically cream or milky formulas which remove makeup and impurities without drying out or irritating skin.
MANTLE
The Magic Milk Microbiome-Balancing Cream Cleanser
This gentle cream cleanser contains nourishing ingredients like oat and squalane as well as prebiotics to help calm and balance skin.
Lumene
Nordic Hydra [lähde] Oat Milk Oil Cleanser
Also drawing upon the soothing benefits of oat, this lightweight cleaning milk utilises an innovative oil-in-water formula which helps to breakdown even stubborn makeup, melting it away and leaving skin feeling soft and moisturised.
This gel-to-milk cleanser works well for all skin types—it’s refreshing and effective (even waterproof mascara doesn’t stand a chance), but still super gentle.
2. Serum Rather than layering multiple serums, the minimalistic Scandi and Nordic approach means that skincare routines rarely feature more than one. Instead, Scandi women must choose carefully, selecting serums that prioritise their main skincare concerns or have multitasking benefits in order to address more than one.
Nordic brand Bioeffect was developed by Icelandic scientists. The brand’s hero ingredient is a plant-based replica of our skin’s naturally occurring EGF (epidermal growth factor), which it infuses into every formula to boost hydration, fight fine lines and improve skin texture. This bestselling Bioeffect EGF serum contains it in a potent dose and is a favourite among the Who What Wear UK team.
Verso is a popular Swedish skincare brand which heroes Retinol 8, an ingredient eight times more effective than regular retinol. This serum is designed to address dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by ageing, sun exposure, and breakouts.
Ole Henriksen
Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum
Danish-born Ole Henriksen launched his eponymous skincare brand over 40 years ago and the Danish skincare brand has since become a household favourite worldwide. This skin-brightening antioxidant serum is one of the brand’s bestsellers—it has benefits for every skin type.
3. Moisturiser “With skin constantly exposed to our extreme climate with harsh winds and freezing winters, there’s a deep focus on strengthening and balancing the skin barrier,” says Landgard . “A compromised skin barrier or imbalanced skin will never tolerate actives and, more importantly, it won’t feel good or look great.”
Since Scandi skin is often up against some harsh climates, moisturiser is a key product in any Scandi or Nordic skincare routine. Formulas are simple but effective, and focus on hydrating and nourishing the skin by strengthening the skin barrier.
MANTLE
The Barrier Cream Skin-Barrier Strengthening Moisturiser
This rich, buttery formula is exactly what dry post-winter skin needs. Ceramides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid, inulin, and Mantle’s mBarrier™ Complex combine to nourish and repair.
Lumene
Nordic Hydra Lähde Water Gel
While this formula has a light gel texture (perfect for oilier skin types), it still packs a punch of hydration. Alongside hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, it contains organic Nordic birch sap and pure Arctic spring water.
This water-based cream feels instantly cooling and refreshing. It absorbs quickly and is hydrating enough for both day and nighttime use (it works perfectly under makeup, too).
4. Sunscreen Scandi women know that sunscreen is the most essential step in any skincare routine, no matter where you are in the world. SPF protects skin from UV exposure which causes irreparable damage including sunburn, premature skin ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer. No routine is complete without it.
Ole Henriksen
Banana Bright Mineral Sunscreen SPF30
This mineral sunscreen is boosted with vitamin C, so is perfect for protecting skin prone to uneven tone, dark spots, and pigmention.
Lumene
Nordic C Valo Brightening Day Fluid SPF 30
Ideal for those who like a lightweight, residue-free sunscreen, this hydrating formula is enhanced with vitamin C-rich wild Arctic cloudberry to brighten the skin.
Woods Copenhagen
Facial Sunscreen SPF50
Fragrance-free and non-sticky, this option offers an ideal SPF50 protection, but still feels lightweight and is formulated to prevent pore-clogging and congestion.
