Breaking Free from Your Skincare Addiction

Liah Yoo, frustrated with her search for perfect skin, realized she wasn't alone in this unrealistic pursuit. Filters and viral trends have created an obsession with flawless, poreless skin.

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Trends such as "dolphin skin," "glass skin," and "glazed donut skin" set unrealistic expectations that skin should be smooth, poreless, glowy, and glossy.

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Influencers and social media have convinced people that they need an elaborate skincare routine for perfect skin.

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These trends have led children between 9 and 13 years old to seek dermatologists for cosmetic consultations.

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To counter this, Yoo founded KraveBeauty, simplifying skincare routines and promoting achievable results without excessive product use. In an industry overproducing skincare items, Liah advocates for a slower, more sustainable approach.

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You don't need to start a company to simplify your routine. There are easy steps you can take to streamline your skincare.

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Skip Trends and Unfollow Influencers

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Marketers know we're more likely to trust Instagram influencers and YouTube product recommendations, and they leverage this trust. A skincare tutorial from someone we admire might lead us to brands and products that we don’t need or don't suit our skin. It's best to take this advice with a grain of salt. If it becomes overwhelming, don't hesitate to unfollow these influencers so you can scroll without the constant temptation to buy.

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Also read: 8 Sustainable Skincare Brands You Should Know About

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Simplify Your Routine

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To simplify your current routine, try using just the bare basics for a few weeks: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Skip serums, toners, and face masks. Yoo suggests that if your routine has more than five steps, pare it down to three. This allows you to see how your skin responds and if there are any improvements you’d like to make. From there, you can curate your routine based on your own skin, not the trends. It's better to understand your skin's needs rather than constantly overwhelming it with unnecessary products.

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And before you add any new products to the mix, ask yourself this:

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• Does another product in my current skincare routine already do the same job as this product?
• Am I reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards?
• Is this bringing me joy, or am I just doing it for social acceptance?
• How is this affecting my self-esteem and the self-esteem of others?

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Use Online Communities Judiciously

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When seeking skincare advice, look for dermatologists and aestheticians who provide realistic, evidence-based content rather than following fleeting trends. Online communities can offer support and information, but use them judiciously. Keep in mind that advice shared in these forums often stems from personal experiences, which may not apply to your specific situation. If you engage with these communities, focus on gathering general information or asking specific questions instead of relying on them for comprehensive skincare guidance.

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