Social media has turned skincare into an aesthetic performance, trading healthy skin for filters, 12-step routines, and impossible "glass skin" standards. But stacking active ingredients and chasing poreless perfection is finally losing its appeal.
Real skin has pores, texture, and natural oil, and it’s time to ditch the exhausting, viral beauty hacks for a simple, barrier-first routine that actually works.
From achieving an impossibly glossy complexion to following lengthy, multi-step routines, skincare has become just as much about aesthetics and trends as it is about caring for our skin's health.
But as our understanding of skincare continues to evolve, some trends that once seemed like the ultimate beauty goals are slowly being left behind.
What looks appealing online is not always realistic or necessarily beneficial for your skin.
Here’s a look at some of the skincare trends we are saying goodbye to this year:
Glass skin
The glass-skin trend has been the centre of beauty conversations for years, with people chasing an ultra-smooth, poreless and almost reflective complexion.
While there is nothing wrong with wanting glowing skin, the problem with this trend is that it can create unrealistic expectations of what healthy skin should look like.
Real skin has texture. It has pores, fine lines, blemishes and the occasional breakout. These are completely normal and do not mean that your skincare routine is failing.
12-step skincare routines
More products do not automatically mean better skin. The popularity of 12-step routines made it seem as though achieving good skin requires an entire bathroom shelf filled with products.
However, layering multiple skincare products can sometimes lead to irritation, especially when several contain active ingredients that may not work well together.
A simple routine with products that serve a clear purpose can often be more effective and easier to maintain. Instead of constantly adding another product, focus on what your skin actually needs.
Over-exfoliating for smoother skin
Over-exfoliating has become a common skincare mistake for people chasing smoother and brighter-looking skin.
Constantly scrubbing your skin can leave it irritated, dry and sensitive.
Exfoliation can have a place in a skincare routine, but it does not need to be an everyday battle against every tiny bump or imperfection.
Oily skin does not need moisturiser
For years, people with oily or acne-prone skin were encouraged to avoid moisturiser because of the fear that it would make their skin produce even more oil.
Skipping moisturiser can leave the skin dehydrated and uncomfortable. Instead of avoiding it altogether, choose a lightweight formula that works for your skin type.
The goal is not to get rid of every trace of oil from your skin. Healthy skin needs balance, and maintaining a strong skin barrier should always be a priority.
Expensive products automatically work better
Luxury skincare can certainly be enjoyable, but an expensive product is not automatically more effective simply because it costs more. What matters is the formula, ingredients and whether the product is suitable for your individual skin needs.
There are plenty of affordable skincare products containing effective ingredients that can work just as well as more expensive options.
Furthermore, skincare is not about how much money you spend or how many products you own. It is about understanding your skin, choosing products that support it and finding a routine you can actually stick to.
Healthy skin does not have to look flawless, and a good routine does not have to be complicated.
kamogelo.makhura@nationalmg.co.za