I am one of those people who have long thought that a good skincare routine must necessarily be sophisticated. Cleanser, serum, exfoliant, retinol, moisturizer, SPF… After seeing multi-step routines on social media, I ended up considering all of these products as essential. However, my skin didn’t necessarily need all that.
The turning point came when I started to wonder if some of my products weren’t precisely responsible for part of my problems. So I decided to do something that seemed almost inconceivable: stop my routine. And, against all odds, I found that my skin could live very well with a lot less products.
I felt like I was doing whatever it took to have beautiful skin.
At first, I obviously didn’t think my routine was the problem. On the contrary. I thought I was taking care of my skin properly. Like many people passionate about beauty, I had gradually added products based on my concerns: imperfections, texture, redness, hydration, signs of aging…
But the more products I added, the more complicated my skin seemed to manage. Redness, small imperfections, tight areas: I sometimes had the impression of having to add another treatment to resolve the problem caused by the previous treatment.
It was finally by drastically reducing my routine that I started to see a difference. Several similar testimonials exist on Reddit: some users explain that they have noticed less oily, less red or less prone to blemishes after removing some of their products. In one particularly popular testimonial, one person even says they abandoned their routine for several months and noticed significantly fewer spots.
The result surprised me: my skin seemed calmer
What surprised me the most was not that my skin became perfect overnight. It’s more that she seemed… less disturbed. I had less of this feeling of having to constantly correct something.
And that’s probably where the experience gets interesting. Because “stopping skincare” should not necessarily be understood as “stopping doing anything at all”. A minimalist routine can still maintain fundamentals such as gentle cleansing, hydration and sun protection.
The American Academy of Dermatology also reminds us that a very long routine is not necessarily synonymous with a better routine. She recommends in particular favoring a simple and consistent base, with gentle cleansing, hydration and sun protection, and emphasizes that multiplying products can encourage irritation.
What if the problem ultimately came from asset accumulation?
This is probably the most interesting part of my experience. For a long time, I had associated active ingredients with automatic improvement of my skin. Retinol, exfoliating acids, vitamin C… The more I used, the more serious I felt about my routine.
However, an asset is not necessarily bad in itself. The problem may come from the frequency, the concentration, the combination of several products or simply the fact that it does not correspond to the skin of the person using it.
Dermatologists point out: retinoids can be very effective, particularly against acne and certain signs of aging, but they can also cause irritation. If sensitivity occurs, it may be necessary to adjust the frequency or formulation with the help of a dermatologist.
Exfoliation deserves the same caution. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, improper exfoliation can increase redness or encourage acne breakouts. The frequency must therefore be adapted to the skin type and the method used.
Finally, I understood that “less” could sometimes be more
I wouldn’t say today that everyone should stop their skincare. This would also be far too simplistic a conclusion based on a personal testimony.
What this experience taught me above all is that a routine does not need to be long to be relevant. If a product consistently causes redness, tightness, or discomfort, the reflex may not be to immediately add another product to “repair” the damage.
Today, I prefer a routine that my skin tolerates well over a bathroom full of products I use because TikTok convinced me they were essential.
And above all, I keep one thing in mind: beautiful skin is not necessarily skin on which we apply the most products.
FAQs
Can too much skincare damage the skin?
Yes. Excessive use of products, especially exfoliating or anti-aging active ingredients, can cause irritation, dryness and redness in some people.
Can we completely stop the assets?
It depends on the skin’s needs. Active ingredients are not essential for everyone, but certain dermatological treatments may be necessary for certain problems.
What is the minimum skincare routine?
A simple routine can include a gentle cleanser, a suitable moisturizer and daily sun protection.
Can retinol irritate the skin?
Yes. Retinoids can cause irritation, especially when starting out or when used too frequently.
How do I know if my routine is too aggressive?
Redness, burning, tightness, peeling or persistent discomfort may be signs that the routine is not suitable. If there is a significant or persistent problem, it is best to consult a dermatologist.
Testimonial source: Reddit, r/SkincareAddiction and r/30PlusSkinCare.
