Let’s stop pretending self-care means buying more things.
Skincare has turned into consumerism with better lighting new launches every week, longer routines, louder promises. And somehow we’re meant to believe that if we’re not layering five serums, we’re “not taking care of ourselves properly.”
But no one has the time for that. And more importantly, your skin doesn’t need it.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean constantly adding more. It means knowing when to stop. When you strip skincare back to the basics, it becomes easier, calmer, and something you can actually keep up with.
Good skin isn’t about how many products you use.
It’s about a few simple things, done consistently.
Why Doing Less Actually Works
Our skin is smart and wants to be balanced. When we throw a million products at it, especially strong ones, it gets overwhelmed. That’s when irritation, breakouts, redness, and that mysterious “why does my face hate me?” feelings show up.
A lot of “skincare problems” aren’t skin problems at all, they’re routine problems. Too many steps, too many actives, too much pressure. When you simplify, your skin often settles down on its own. Sometimes the fix isn’t adding something new it’s cutting out.
A simpler routine helps because it:
- Gives your skin space to recover
- Protects your skin barrier instead of fighting it
- Makes skincare doable on normal, exhausting days
- Helps you actually notice what works and what doesn’t
Doing less isn’t giving up.
It’s choosing not to fight your own face.
The Only Four Things Your Skin Really Needs
Forget the charts. Forget the trends. You need four jobs covered. That’s all.
1. Wash Your Face (Gently, Please)
This is not a punishment.
You want a cleanser that removes the day without leaving your skin feeling tight, squeaky, or vaguely offended.
If your face feels like it needs immediate rescue after cleansing, that cleanser is doing too much.
Real life version:
Wash your face at night. In the morning, a splash of water is usually fine. You’re not dirty—you slept.
2. One Extra Step (Only If You Want)
This is optional. Truly.
If there’s one thing that bugs you—redness, dullness, breakouts—this is where a serum can help. But one concern, one product. Not a personality overhaul.
And if even that feels like too much right now? Skip it. Your skin will survive. I promise.
3. Moisturize Like You Mean It
This is the step you don’t skip.
Moisturizer keeps your skin calm, comfortable, and functioning like it’s supposed to. Oily skin still needs it. Tired skin especially needs it.
Think of it as putting on a hoodie for your face.
Apply it morning and night. Bonus points if your skin is still slightly damp.
4. Sunscreen (Yes, Even When You’re Over It)
I know. Everyone says this. That’s because it matters.
Sunscreen prevents most of the stuff people later try to fix with expensive products—wrinkles, dark spots, redness, texture.
Find one you don’t hate. That’s the best sunscreen.
Wear it every morning. Even if you’re indoors. Even if it’s cloudy. Even if you’re tired.
This step does more than almost anything else.
What This Looks Like When You’re Exhausted
At Night (aka the “I Cannot Be Bothered” Routine):
- Wash your face
- Put on moisturizer
- Go to bed
That’s it. You did skincare.
In the Morning (aka the “I’m Already Late” Routine):
- Splash water on your face
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- Leave the house like a protected, responsible adult
No 10 steps. No guilt. No dramatic music.
Things That Will Make This Harder Than It Needs to Be
Try not to:
- Constantly switch products
- Stack a bunch of strong actives
- Exfoliate like you’re mad at your skin
- Expect overnight miracles
Skin likes patience. It hates chaos.
When will you see the Results?
Not tomorrow. And that’s okay.
What you’ll notice first is that your skin feels calmer. Less reactive. Less dramatic.
Then, over time, it starts to look better too. More even. More comfortable. More like itself.
That’s the goal, not perfection. Stability.
How to Actually Stick With This
- Keep your products where you can see them
- Attach skincare to something you already do (brushing teeth, making coffee)
- Miss a day? Whatever. Just do it tomorrow
- Pay attention to how your skin feels it’s very honest
Your skin doesn’t know how many products you own. It only knows what you do consistently.
Wash your face. Moisturize. Wear sunscreen.Close the app. Go to sleep.
That’s skincare.