Health & Beauty: Truth About Skincare Products

Before I came across this TikTok, I always had this thought in my head: aren’t most skincare products basically the same, just in different consistencies? A toner is watery, a serum is thicker, and a moisturizer is creamier, but at the end of the day, they often promise the same thing, like “brightening” or “hydrating.” So what’s the point of layering them if they’re all tackling the same issue?

That’s why, when I first started my skincare routine, I never really stuck to a specific “brightening set” or “acne set.” Instead, I mixed products that targeted different skin problems I was having. I’d use a face wash that controlled oil, a toner that focused on acne, and a moisturizer that worked on brightening. For me, it made more sense because why would I want to use three different products all claiming to brighten my skin, when the formulas were probably just variations of the same thing?

Then came the TikTok video that confirmed everything I’d been thinking. It explained how these “skincare sets” are often more about marketing than actual necessity. Brands want us to believe we need the entire line, including cleanser, toner, serum, and cream, to see results. But really, you could be applying the same active ingredient over and over, just packaged differently.

I couldn’t agree more. Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. What matters is choosing products that actually target your skin’s different needs, not falling into the trap of buying whole sets that do the same thing in multiple forms.

At the end of the day, your skincare routine should be built for your skin, not a brand’s marketing strategy. Instead of buying into complete sets, look at your skin concerns one by one, like oily T-zone, acne, dryness, dullness, and pick products that address those specific issues. Your skin will thank you, your wallet will thank you, and you’ll realize skincare doesn’t have to be 10 steps to be effective.