AIBU to feel overwhelmed by skincare routines becoming another pressure?

I don’t see anything like this as I don’t engage with any similar posts, so they’re not shown to me.
If I did see them, I’d just ignore. I have no inclination to do 10 things to my face each day, even if a random internet person told me to!!!

You don't look "rubbish", you look like a normal, healthy woman. Rather than a fake, plastic Barbie doll who is indistinguishable from all the other sad wannabes.

This must depend upon where you live.

I work full-time outside the home, no home office, big work place, very mixed age wise and different levels of qualifications etc. so not a homogeneous group and of course I'm also out and about, have older teenagers and young adult kids who all have friends in and out... and I really don't see this over groomed look that much. It's maybe 5% of the women I see, and the ones who don't have fake nails and fake eyelashes and noticeable makeup always look better. Of course some people look as though they haven't showered and brushed their hair and that's not what anyone is going for and might suggest someone who is overwhelmed with life atm but the middle ground of clean and tidy always looks better than fake nails and fake eyelashes and very obvious daytime make-up.

I don't see any of this and not aware of the obsession. Just pointing it out to help, hard to be aware that algorithms are targeting you.
I do notice more clothes shops units been replaced with cosmetic type ones guess easier sell a jar cream as don't need multiple sizes. The fashion industry under pressure to move away from fast fashion turning to cosmetics could be an easy way.
I find the best way to avoid worry about ageing is not to be looking in or have a mirror 😄

It's easy, OP. I don't see any of this stuff on social media, because I don't follow any of these types of accounts. So go through the list and unfollow the lot of them.
Plus, have the confidence to know that you're an individual, you can look however you like and you don't need to follow trends. Just wash your face with soap in the shower and forget the rest of it - you'll be happier, have more time for yourself and save a load of money!

I went and got a facial from a skin specialist, and talked to her at length about what I actually needed for my own skin concerns.

I buy good quality products and my skin has improved ten fold. I also feel much more confident and wear less make up as a result.

I get all the collagen adverts. Women over 40 perimenopause gut health. Just fuck off already lol

I never get the skincare ads because I don’t engage in them. I will skip a reel if they are doing their face while talking about something else. “Get ready with me”. Ugh no thanks! I wash my face with water, don’t even moisturise. My skin is fine, do t think I even have wrinkles yet. Think if all the time and money I have saved!

I am guilty of obsessing over my post pregnancy gut though. Saggy loose skin. The algorithm has worked that out and I get all the fitness adverts for schemes to help me shift it

This trend has been around for years.

Skincare routines have always been a thing and the whole ten step routine was not meant for people to do 10 steps every day.

I cannot just put water on my face and call it a day nor use whatever soap because my skin is sensitive and dry. I only do 3-4 steps and my skincare routine takes <5 minutes a day.

I cleanse with moisturising micellar water, spray and pat in moisturising toner, sometimes moisturiser with ceramides (depends on the weather) and a high spf non-drying sunscreen. If I have spots, I add using a serum with aha, pha, and bha until they are gone and then back to my usual routine. Once a week, I may use an exfoliating gel.

It’s really about you doing what is personally right for you and your skin.

A routine can be just washing and putting spf on your face daily, whatever works for your skin.

You don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.. entirely your choice.

YABU if it makes you feel overwhelmed. I love watching skincare routines on TikTok, however my own routine involves slapping one moisturiser on my face after my evening shower and calling it a day. I definitely don’t feel pressure to adhere to some 7-product regimen.

YANBU to think it is unnecessary nonsense. YABU to allow it to make you feel pressured to join in.

Let people do what they want to do with their own time and money.

No one is forcing you down the same path.

I use cleanser toner serum moisturiser morning and night. I used chat gpt to ask for recommendations based on my skin. The recommendations were very good and my skin feels great

Perhaps overwhelmed was an unfortunate choice of word then? Inundated might have given a better description. It sounded as if the volume of posts/adverts was affecting you.

Outside of forums, I don't use social media.

I started doing a skincare routine about a year ago when I was in the car playing with the mirrors with my son and realised how dog-awful I looked. And I got a style because I wasn't looking after my face properly.

I have a 5-7 step routine now, quite relaxing and low pressure. My skin hasn't had a revolution, but I look a lot better.

I've never been a "social pressure" person. I find that social pressure is amplified by social media, but people who respond to social pressure will find some way to find that pressure and influence.

I completely disagree with this. I've had a manicure maybe twice, same for a facial. I paint my own, short nails in bright colours. I've never ever once touched my eyebrows or used an eyelash curler. People think I look good, way younger than my years if that matters. I think women who do all that look rubbish personally. I use tinted moisturiser, a bit of powder and a lip tint. Mascara on a night out. Clarins flash balm twice a day. That's it.

That really. I like skincare. Doing a routine with a podcast on is relaxing to me. My skin looks a lot better with tret so I keep using it and I use SPF as I burn easily. But I like trying new products

I think that women who do conform by doing all those things don't look 'better' than those who don't, they just look like women who do all those things.

I'm 63 I've never had a skin care routine. I wash my face with water in the shower and occasionally use a facial scrub when I remember. I used a moisturizer a few times a week. I'm blessed with fabulous skin so I'm lucky I suppose

Or you could just ignore it? My skin routine involves SPF during the day and then washing it off at night. Maybe some moisturiser in the winter months. I haven’t died yet 🤷‍♀️

Just to add it's a problem with your algorithms. My social media is full of gardening and literary books.

I'm in my late 40s and take no notice of what the internet tells me, it works wonders.

Drink plenty of water.
Get enough sleep.
Smile.
Slap on some basic moisteriser, or suncream.

Honestly, I have far more interesting things to do than mess about with gloop like serums.

FWIW I am frequently told I look good for my age. I run a successful client facing small business. Nobody has ever cancelled an appointment because of my lack of makeup and gloop. I really believe nobody actually cares what other people put on their face.

My advice would be to step away from social media if you find it stressful.

I don't see it as the same thing as weight. The pressure to be thin and a certain body type is multifaceted and comes at us from all sorts of directions. Our moral worth can be interpreted from our size (by some, at least).

Glass skin is a trend. Skincare is a business. If I don't moisturise, I don't think anyone thinks I'm lazy or gluttonous.

I live rurally and work in IT, so in fairness I could be totally oblivious to any pressures to achieve perfect skin because it's not happening to me.

I spend plenty of time online and I love skincare so I'm probably on the receiving end of the same algorithm. I do see, and try, products that talk about improving imperfections, but I don't feel that's a loaded statement or that I should feel ashamed for my skin.

Since I started putting together a proper skincare routine a year ago my relationship with myself has improved immeasurably. The products are about nourishing, brightening, improving, and it's the first time I feel I've spent time in front of a mirror looking at myself and taking care of myself. Previously yeah I'd apply make up in front of a mirror but I'd be trying to cover up my face.

I feel like skincare has helped me accept and really like myself and my own skin. Whether that's the products or just taking the time to sit and look in the mirror and choose products to soothe, nourish, etc. That little gremlin in the back of my head that talks shit about me doesn't get a word in.