the skincare hype and the 10 step daily ritual that nobody asked for.

The Skincare Hype and the 45-Minute Routine Nobody Asked For

Every time I open Instagram or TikTok lately, it feels like I’m being pulled into a skincare vortex. There’s always someone — usually glowing with already perfect skin — telling me I must try this peptide-infused serum or that sculpting tool that “completely transformed” their jawline. The latest? A 45-minute nighttime skincare routine that involves facial massage, five layers of product, and something called a cryo stick.

And all I can think is: who has 45 minutes? And more importantly — why do we need 45 minutes?

The Pressure to Perfect

There’s something quietly exhausting about the way skincare is being marketed right now. Social media has turned self-care into performance, and skincare into an elaborate production. You're not just cleansing anymore — you're double cleansing. You're not just moisturising — you're layering toner, essence, serum, retinol, oil, then cream. And maybe slugging on top for good measure.

Let’s not forget the constant pressure to “anti-age,” lift sagging skin, prevent fine lines before they even appear. I’ve seen girls in their early twenties talk about losing collagen. It’s no wonder we’re all tired — not just from the routines themselves, but from trying to keep up with an industry that profits from making us feel like our natural face is a problem to solve.

Skincare Is Not a Magic Wand

Here’s the thing: skincare is lovely. It can feel grounding, nourishing, and supportive. But it’s not magic. No product can truly lift sagging skin, eliminate wrinkles overnight, or reverse time. And when brands or influencers say otherwise, they’re usually selling you a fantasy — not results.

Real skin has pores. It has texture. It changes with the weather, with hormones, with stress. That’s not failure — that’s biology.

What Your Skin Actually Needs

Most skin doesn’t need 10 steps. What it really needs is consistency, hydration, gentle ingredients, and for you to stop attacking it every evening. A few good-quality products can go a long way. And sometimes, less is genuinely more.

Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. Cleansing, moisturising, and protecting your skin from the sun — those are the real MVPs. Everything else? Nice extras, not essentials.

Listen to Your Skin, Not the Noise

Skincare should be about supporting your skin — not fighting it. You don’t need to fix what isn’t broken. You don’t need to follow routines designed for someone else’s skin type, age, or lifestyle. And you definitely don’t need to spend 45 minutes every day applying products you don’t enjoy or even understand.

Final Thoughts

If you love your routine and it brings you joy — amazing. Keep doing what works for you. But if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like your skin is failing you because it doesn’t look like a filter — give yourself a break.

The truth is: your skin doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful. It just needs to be yours.