The Emergence of Comprehensive Skincare Routines

Less than a decade ago, my social media feeds were flooded with makeup routines, product reviews, and look tutorials. Now, in the era of TikTok and Instagram, the spotlight has shifted to comprehensive–and sometimes expensive–skincare routines that have dominated the beauty industry and social media. From multi-step routines to “get ready with me” videos, these trends reflect a growing emphasis on self-care and skin health. While these skin regimens may be trendy and aesthetically pleasing, this shift in focus highlights a deeper shift in consumer priorities–nurturing and protecting our skin as a foundational aspect of beauty. Skincare has reshaped the beauty industry, going beyond the surface and embracing the need for health and wellness practices. In this new beauty era, skincare has become the canvas that lays the foundation, and makeup has become the art that enhances what is already beautiful.

What was once a bar of soap and a washcloth, skincare has developed into a multi-step process with a scope of different products, including serums, toners, creams, masks, SPF, and more. The most shocking part is that every product serves its purpose and benefits for the skin. While makeup used to be seen as a means to hide parts of the face we didn’t want to be shown, skincare has shifted the dynamic as it has become more about improving the skin than masking it. Skincare brands have also become extremely popular due to the combined rise in popularity in social media and thorough skincare routines. Household names like Glow Recipe, The Ordinary, Drunk Elephant, La Roche-Posay, and Dr. Jart have become widely sought-after brands, garnering significant media attention. More affordable skincare and drugstore brands like CeraVe, Neutrogena, and Aveeno have also gained popularity and proven that you don’t have to break the bank to achieve healthy skin. Viral trends have also contributed to skincare's increased influence on the public. Trends like doing your skincare on an airplane, slugging, glass skin, and the 30-step skincare routine have stormed the social media beauty industry and taken over the content of popular beauty bloggers and TikTokers. Sunscreens, specifically tinted ones, have also notably grown in popularity and completely replaced face makeup products for some. Celebrities, in addition to companies, have been prominent influencers regarding skincare practices. Public figures like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Selena Gomez have made their audiences follow in their footsteps with their step-by-step routines for perfect, youthful skin.

While comprehensive skincare routines may attract people due to their customizability and visually appealing and stimulating nature, a routine that works for your skin offers benefits beyond aesthetics and trends. Whether one product or a combination of several, using products tailored to your skin can help with discoloration, redness, wrinkles, and acne and reduce or protect from sun damage. However, using more products than your skin can accommodate solely based on trendiness instead of effectiveness, which is a downside and a risk of following the craze. Using an overload of products or ones that clash with your skin type can inversely harm your skin rather than shield it. This can lead to breakouts, irritation, or blotchiness and cause damage to your skin.

I used to experiment with different skincare products, high-end and drugstore, because I thought an abundance of products were necessary to achieve the skin I wanted. Upon incorporating a multitude of products into my daily skincare regimen, I came to the disappointing realization that this was only making my skin worse. I learned the hard way that a simple 2-step skincare routine was the best for my skin as it has provided me with the best results. A face wash in the shower followed by a face moisturizer right after the shower has shown to be more effective, healthy, and nourishing for my specific skin type. The Cetaphil face wash and CeraVe daily moisturizer have done wonders for my skin. This is not to say that this will work for everyone, just that it’s important to not follow what’s trendy and understand that what you see online may not provide the same outcome for you.

Skincare has revitalized and shifted how we define beauty. Now a carefully curated routine, it signifies a broader transformation in the beauty realm. It is no longer about covering up or concealing aspects of our appearance we deem imperfect; it is about celebrating natural beauty, embracing imperfections and that we are all different, and feeling comfortable and confident in our skin. The transition from just cleanliness to self-care has proven that it is not just a surface-level commitment but an investment into the well-being and vitality of your skin. While social media will continue to capitalize on maximalist trends, the heart and soul of skincare will remain the same. This trend isn’t just skin-deep; “foundation” has gained a second meaning in beauty.