How to Simplify Your Skincare Routine for Real Glow and a Happy Skin Barrier

You’ve seen it.
You’ve cringed at it.
You’ve probably questioned your entire life while watching it.
I'm talking about the 20-year-olds on TikTok applying 15 layers of goo to achieve the kind of "glow" that could blind a pilot.

15 products. 1 face. Zero logic.
Or can we PLEASE revive a little old-school beauty — you know, natural texture, human expressions, actual pores?

My sense of humor...Sorry, not sorry.

The Madness Unpacked

25-Step Skincare Routine: An Extreme Sport

I might be slightly exaggerating but… let’s take a moment to really unpack what’s happening here. Now, let me be clear: I’m not here to throw shade, roast anyone, or shame your 47 serums if that’s your jam. If your skin, soul, and wallet are thriving on an elaborate ritual, then by all means — glow on, queen.

But just for fun (and maybe a tiny bit of sanity-checking), I grabbed a real-deal morning routine straight off TikTok — yes, 12 full products layered on before breakfast — and we’re going to walk through it together. Grab your coffee. You might need it.

Example Routine:

• Steam face (open the gates of hell, sure why not)
• Oil cleanse (okay, fine)
• Foam cleanser (because why not strip it all back?)
• Exfoliating toner pads (hello, sandpaper)
• Peptide serum (drink up, skin)
• TIOX anti-aging serum (more peptides, do your thing)
• Dark spot glow serum (stack it on)
• Collagen eye serum (yep, more layers)
• Triple lipid cream (ok, now we’re really getting into it)
• Tretinoin (bring in the heavy artillery)
• Collagen jelly cream (because... jelly now?)
• Vibrating wand to "penetrate" it all    (ummmmm)
• Lip cream (bonus points if it’s plated in gold)

Real talk:
Your skin isn't a bottomless pit.
At some point, this is no longer "self-care" — it's a hostage situation.  If you already spent 3 steps stripping your skin of everything good after a night's sleep, then i'm assuming 10 more creams would be needed?  

Can 15 Layers Actually HELP Your Skin?

The Science Behind Layering – Why Some Products Don’t Mix

Certain ingredients just don't get along. For example, Vitamin C and Tretinoin (Vitamin A) are both powerful, but when used together, they can cause irritation and reduce effectiveness. Vitamin C is acidic, and Tretinoin is a retinoid, which means they can destabilize each other when layered, leaving your skin irritated instead of glowing.

It’s not just these two. Preservatives, emulsifiers, and additives in skincare products can also cause issues when combined. Here’s why:

• Emulsifiers are used to mix oil and water-based ingredients in a product, but some can clog pores or trap dirt and bacteria on your skin, leading to breakouts.
• Preservatives like parabens (and some newer alternatives) keep products stable, but they can cause irritation and disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, especially when used repeatedly.
• Additives (such as thickening agents and artificial fragrances) might make your product feel nice, but they can also block your pores, irritate the skin, or interfere with the active ingredients, preventing them from absorbing properly.

Layering multiple products with these ingredients can create a chaotic skincare routine, often leading to more harm than good. Overloading your skin with conflicting ingredients can result in irritation, inflammation, and even barrier damage.

Science Tip:

Research has shown that layering too many ingredients can stress your skin and lead to negative effects. Studies published in journals like the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology emphasize that overuse of certain ingredients, especially those with incompatible properties, can disrupt your skin’s natural balance.

Read more about skincare layering here:  https://www.englishdermatology.com/layering-skincare-is-more-really-more-how-to-get-the-most-out-of-multiple-skincare-products/?

Or  https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2020/01/skincare?utm_source=

So, What Actually Works?

Glow Without the Gunk: Smart Skincare Basics

Here is what prompted this blog post: I got a little shocked when I saw a woman in her early 30s on insta who looked so plastic I genuinely thought she was wearing one of those clear face masks or was created by AI. When I realized that was her skin? Yeah, I was worried. Is this what we're supposed to look like now? Am I really supposed to find this attractive and make it my goal? Am I crazy for thinking this is absurd? What are teens girls going to start doing to their skins now to try and look like this?  I mean you name it I worried about it...

I’m sorry, but ladies, I do NOT want to look like I’m about to spill oil all over my friend’s shirt when I give him a hug. I do NOT want to look like I was dipped in glaze before heading out into the world, bouncing light off me like a mirror.  It’s absurd.  Can we please find a balance in life? A healthy glow means a healthy glow not a pound of butter on my face shine…

Okay, rant over.

Here’s a better plan — no clown routine required:

• Cleanse once ( possibly twice at night if you’re wearing makeup or SPF).
• A good toner to balance your skin and prep it for real results.
• One active — like Vitamin C or a hyaluronic acid/peptide serum (pick one, not the whole lab).    If you absolutely want both use 1 in the morning ( vit C ) and the other at night!
• A real moisturizer or a high-quality facial oil to seal it all in. (Hey, Little Black Dress, anyone? 😉)

Four steps/ Mayyyybe 5. Not a Broadway production.

Conclusion: Stop Abusing Your Face (Please)

Look, I completely understand the chase for flawless skin — believe me, as someone with rosacea and textured skin, finding the right balance took a lot of trial and even more error.
If you truly enjoy your 18-step skincare ritual, keep doing what makes you happy.
But if you're feeling overwhelmed (or if your skin is quietly begging for mercy), scaling back might be the kindest thing you can do for yourself.
Perfect skin isn’t real — but healthy, resilient skin absolutely is. And that’s more than enough.

Smart, minimal, high-quality ingredients  over 47 random TikTok serums any day.

So here's to smarter skincare, a happier skin barrier, and reclaiming a little peace ( and counter space) in the process. 

Stay radiant, stay real, until next time

 

Steph

The Luxe Edit