Do You Really Need a 10-Step Skincare Routine? 

If you spend time on Instagram or YouTube, you’ve already seen the skincare buffet. The shelf of cleansers, serums, toners, ampoules, sleeping masks, face mists, tools, and other holy grails. Thanks to social media, what was once simply washing your face and moisturizing it has now evolved into a dedicated 10-step skin care routine. After all, who doesn’t want the Korean glass skin? 

But do you know there’s no such thing as ‘glass skin’? It only means smooth, dewy, and hydrated. The rest on social media is filtered and angles. Other things that social media has led us to believe are the daily application of sunscreen and an elaborate skincare routine. But does that really make a difference? Well, the former one does. The latter? Let’s check out if you really need 10 fancy products to have good skin. What a 10-step routine actually is, what it can do well, where it can go wrong, and what you truly need for healthy skin.

What Does A 10-Step Routine Include?

The traditional 10-step skin frame workout includes the following. However, you might not use the same order or even skip any of them. Still, it’s consuming!

1. Oil cleanser: to dissolve oil-based residue.
2. Foam cleanser: to clean sweat and water-based dirt.
3. Exfoliation: removes dead skin cells.
4. Toner: for hydration and balances the skin’s pH level.
5. Essence: preps skin to better absorb serums and moisturizers.
6. Serum/ ampoule: targeted activators for specific goals like hydration, skin brightening, anti-aging, or treating acne. 
7. Sheet mask: a weekly chore to address dullness and restore a glowing complexion. 
8. Eye cream: to target dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines around the eyes.
9. Moisturizer: to lock in moisture and create a barrier against dust and pollution. 
10. Sunscreen: A non-negotiable, as it protects skin from UV rays and prevents premature aging. 

Thinking it’s too much to do in a day? Well, it is just the beginning. Some people might make it a 12 or even 15-step process by adding multiple serums, facial oils, or tools. 

But is it really worth it to do this every single day? Do the chemicals cause any harm? What if it turns out to be allergic to you? 

Benefits of a Detailed Skin Care Routine

When built thoughtfully and according to your skin type, a multi-step routine can benefit you heavily with:

Better Cleansing 

Given that you use gentle products, double cleansing can really help you wash off the remnants, especially if you wear heavy sunscreen or makeup, or live in a humid, polluted environment.

Hydration

If you have dry or tight skin, toner, essence, serum, and moisturizer can provide hydration and reduce flaking. 

Targeted Treatment

The targeted step in this routine allows you to treat a specific goal like acne, dullness, fine lines, or pigmentation. When the right product is used correctly, it can improve skin quality. 

Consistency

If you are consistent, skincare is relaxing. If your skin is tolerating the routine and keeps it healthy, it’s a win.

Does it Have Any Side Effects?

The videos online will show you the glass skin after following a 10-step routine. However, what they miss is that it can also mean more risk. Here’s how it can affect you:

Skin Irritation

Did you ever feel a burning sensation while applying a product or when sweating? That’s because too many activities might disrupt the barrier, causing redness, sensitivity, and aching acne.

Dehydration

Your skin barrier is your natural defence layer. When you don’t use the right solution on it, the skin loses water and becomes reactive. Any harsh ingredients in these steps can make it worse.

Chemical Interactions

All of the serms, tubes, and bottles contain chemicals. In that case, there’s a huge possibility that some ingredients don’t play nicely when layered. For instance, a strong acid in your treatment serum can cause a reaction if paired with the wrong solution.

Breakouts

In some scenarios, heavy layering can increase acne flares, especially in hot and polluted climates. Suffocating your skin under too many layers can cause redness, breakouts, and irritation. 

Convenience 

A 10-step routine is inconvenient for some as it takes time & energy, is expensive, and difficult to maintain. Additionally, choosing the right product can be overwhelming. But what you can’t compromise is a well-formulated SPF.

Is It Good For You?

Now that you know the pros and cons, what do you think? Is it good for you? Should you build an expensive routine or not? Well, it depends on your skin, your goals, and how you build the routine. 

What works well for an influencer might go wrong for you. Here’s an honest answer that can save your time, money, and effort.

A 10-step routine is beneficial if:

• Your products are gentle and free some any harsh chemicals.
• They are hydrating and fragrance-free.
• You’re not exfoliating daily.
• Your skin feels light and comfortable with heavy layering.
• You’re consistent with sunscreen

But you probably don’t need it if:

• You have sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema, or a history of irritation.
• You’re using prescription products.
• You’re dealing with barrier damage, like burning, peeling, or sudden sensitivity
• You’re new to skincare
• You don’t know what triggers your skin

What this really means is that a routine should be functional, not performative. Skin doesn’t reward effort points. It responds to the right ingredients, used at the right frequency, with enough time to work.

In short, your skin care routine should be functional, not stacked. Minimal can be good for you.

Healthy Tips To Take Care Of Your Skin

Let’s end with the practical stuff that actually moves the needle. We all have seen countless videos. But your skin goals can not be achieved by another’s perspective. You need to build your own life routine that will take care of your skin. Undoubtedly, these will help you achieve your skin goals.

• Forget Trends: Build your routine around your skin type. To be more precise, use lightweight products if you have oily skin, creamy solutions if you have dry skin, and balanced tubes in case of combination skin type. Also, avoid harsh scrubs and acids if you are sensitive.
• Don’t Over-Exfoliate: Check if your skin demands exfoliation once a week or not at all. Overdoing it can cause stinging and breakouts.
• Hygiene: It is imperative to keep your skin clean and hygienic. Sweating, dust, and pollution can harm your face more than you think. Use a natural option like hypochlorous acid spray without any layer to deal with irritation or post-workout breakouts.
• NEVER Skip Sunscreen: Skipping sunscreen is like taking two steps back. Os, invest in a good sunscreen. Apply enough and reapply when outdoors.
• Planning: Plan your skin treatment. Pick one goal at a time. For instance, deal with acne first, followed by pigmentation and dullness, respectively. Combining them all will treat none.
• Lifestyle: All of these steps are a waste of money and time if your lifestyle is not right. Instead, keep them minimal and focus on a healthy life. Eat well, sleep well, stay active, avoid smoking/ alcohol, and avoid consistent sun exposure.

When to See A dermatologist

While the market is flooded with formulas that can treat your skin well. You might need to see a dermatologist in some cases. A short consultation can save you months of trial-and-error. See a dermat if:

• acne or scars that don’t improve in months
• constant rash, burning, or peeling
• sudden changes in pigmentation
• Allergic reaction from any drugstore product
• eczema flares that keep returning