u/hopeful_bird223

I keep seeing routines online that stack multiple actives, acids, scrubs, retinoids, sometimes all in the same week. It makes me wonder if we are slowly normalizing irritation and calling it ‘purging’ or ‘adjustment.’

I am curious where people draw the line. How do you actually tell the difference between a skin barrier that is genuinely improving versus one that is just being constantly pushed?

Have you ever realized your routine was too harsh only after things got worse, not better?

I used to think more products meant better skin, but the more acids, exfoliants, and serums I added, the more irritated and reactive my skin became. Now I mostly stick to cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Lately my skin seems to respond better to simple barrier supporting ingredients like shea butter, oat, glycerin, and botanical oils instead of constantly using strong actives.

Curious if anyone else in their 30s started getting better results from doing less instead of more?

I used to think more products meant better skin, but the more acids, exfoliants, and serums I added, the more irritated and reactive my skin became. Now I mostly stick to cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Lately my skin seems to respond better to simple barrier supporting ingredients like shea butter, oat, glycerin, and botanical oils instead of constantly using strong actives.

Curious if anyone else in their 30s started getting better results from doing less instead of more?

I used to think more products meant better skin, but the more acids, exfoliants, and serums I added, the more irritated and reactive my skin became. Now I mostly stick to cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Lately my skin seems to respond better to simple barrier supporting ingredients like shea butter, oat, glycerin, and botanical oils instead of constantly using strong actives.

Curious if anyone else in their 30s started getting better results from doing less instead of more?

Dry body skin honestly makes me feel just as uncomfortable as dry facial skin.

At first it helped my clogged pores, but after a while my skin just became irritated, tight, and somehow even oilier. I’m starting to think I damaged my barrier trying to “fix” everything too fast.