I’ve spent dumb amounts of money on skincare. Like, I don’t even want to add it up.
My bathroom drawer is where products go to die. Half-empty serums, face masks I used once, that $80 cream I was sure would fix my life. All of them just sitting there because I can’t bring myself to throw them out. Waste of money, meet guilt.
Here’s how it always went: I’d see everyone freaking out about some new thing. Buy it. Use it religiously. Wait for the miracle. Nothing. But I’d keep going because “maybe it just needs more time?” Spoiler: it didn’t. Now I’m broke and still breaking out.
So after years of this, here’s what actually matters:
Hot water, those scratchy brushes, the works. My face was just red and mad all the time. Now? Lukewarm water, hands, gentle cleanser. Done.
3. Sunscreen. Daily. No excuses. I know, I know. You’ve heard it. I ignored it too. Thought it was just for beach days or when I “remembered.” Now I’ve got sun spots to prove I was an idiot. If there’s daylight, you need SPF. Cloudy? SPF. Driving? SPF. Your future self will thank you.
4. Keep your hands off your face. I’m the worst at this. Feel a bump, immediately start poking it. But every time I pick, I regret it for a week. It gets redder, takes longer to heal, sometimes scars. Walk away. Seriously. Go wash a dish or something.
5. You don’t need 15 products. Morning: wash, moisturize, SPF. Night: wash, treat if you want, moisturize. That’s it.
I went through a phase where I bought a toner, essence, serum, ampoule, and two masks because some girl on TikTok had “glass skin.” Used them all at once. My skin freaked out and I had no idea why. Had to stop everything and start from zero. Now I test one new thing at a time and wait like 3 weeks. It’s slow. But at least I know what’s pissing my skin off.
6. Your skin changes, so your routine should too. The moisturizer I loved in December feels like Crisco in July. Hormones, stress, weather, whatever, it all messes with your skin. If something suddenly stings or stops working, believe it. Don’t keep using it just because you paid for it.
7. Your neck is part of your face. So are your hands. I babied my face and ignored my neck for years. Guess what’s aging faster now? Just take whatever’s left on your fingers and drag it down. Same with the backs of your hands. Takes two seconds.
8. The annoying advice is true. Sleep, water, less stress, not eating garbage 24/7, it does show up on your skin. I hate that it’s true. I still crush late-night fries. But when I’m running on 4 hours of sleep and iced coffee, my skin looks like it’s been through war. You don’t have to be perfect. Just don’t be shocked when your face reflects your bad week.
9. Stop comparing your skin to Instagram. Those “bare face” selfies? Lighting, angle, filter, maybe a little blur. Real skin has pores. It has texture. It breaks out sometimes. That’s normal. You’re not trying to win a beauty filter contest. You just want skin that doesn’t hurt or feel gross.
Here’s the whole thing: Quit chasing miracle products. Do the boring stuff every day.
That’s it. That’s the secret.
Rant officially over.