Are You Skincare Smart or Just Chronically Online?

We need to talk. Not about your 15-step skincare routine (which, respect), but about how you got there. Did you really need that ₹1160 snail mucin essence, or did a glow-y TikToker say it “changed their skin and their life”?

Yep. Been there. Bought that. Still confused.

Welcome to the golden age of skincare… and algorithm-fueled impulse buying.

Let’s face it: we’re all a little chronically online. We scroll past dewy influencers with glass skin and a bathroom shelf that looks like a Sephora stockroom and suddenly we need niacinamide, a gua sha, and an LED face mask. Immediately.

Why? Because the ad was aesthetic. Because the creator had good vibes. Because the product looked like something your skin should want. But did we stop to ask, “Does this even make sense for my skin?” or did we just go, “Omg this packaging is cute, take my money”?

Social media skincare culture has become less about skin types and more about FOMO.

There’s nothing wrong with trying new things, but buying a retinol serum just because a 19-year-old influencer said it “feels like Botox in a bottle” is wild, especially when you’re 21, have zero wrinkles, and your skin barrier is begging for mercy.

We’re being sold vibes, not science.

It’s not just influencers either, brands have mastered the art of digital seduction. They know we’ll pause for pastel packaging, “clean girl” energy, and phrases like “dermatologist-approved” (even if the dermatologist was their uncle Steve with a Wi-Fi connection).

Here’s the kicker: half of us don’t even know what our skin type is, but we own serums for every skin concern under the sun. Breakouts? Serum. Dullness? Serum. Mercury in retrograde? Probably needs a serum.

So, how do you know if you’re skincare smart… or just a little too online?

Ask yourself:

• Do you know what each product actually does, or do you just like the way it looks on your shelf?

• Are you patch testing before slathering things on, or are you playing Skincare Roulette?

• Have you checked if two actives can be used together, or are you wondering why your face is suddenly red and mad?

Being skincare smart doesn’t mean you need a degree in cosmetic chemistry. It means being intentional, curious, and maybe…..just maybe, spending less time panic-buying every “holy grail” from your FYP.

Because here’s the truth: your skin doesn’t care how viral a product is. It cares about consistency, gentle ingredients, hydration, and sunscreen (yes, even on cloudy days, bestie).

So next time you’re mid-scroll and that glow-y ad comes up, ask yourself: Is this my skin talking… or just the algorithm?

Stay curious. Read the ingredients. And stop buying things just because they look cute next to your jade roller.

Because skincare isn’t a trend. It’s a long-term relationship, with your face. And that deserves a little more intention, and a little less influencer-fueled chaos.