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There was a time when a “good” skincare routine meant doing more. More steps, more actives, more serums layered in a very specific order. Cleanser, toner, essence, acid, serum (or three), eye cream, moisturizer, oil—and maybe a sleeping mask on top, just for good measure.

Somewhere along the way, taking care of our skin became a full-time job. And ironically, our skin may have been better off before all of it. If your complexion is suddenly feeling tight, reactive, bumpy, breaking out, or just generally off, the answer may not be another product. There’s a very good chance you’re simply doing too much.

Consider this your sign to edit.

The truth is, skin doesn’t need a 10-step routine to look good. It needs to be cleansed without being stripped, kept hydrated, protected from the sun and, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish, treated with a few well-chosen ingredients. Everything else should have to earn its spot on the bathroom shelf.

Actives are where things tend to get complicated. Retinoids, exfoliating acids, and vitamin C can all make a real difference, but piling them on isn’t going to give you better skin faster. Using too many—or using them too often—can compromise the skin barrier, which can show up as redness, dryness, sensitivity, and even breakouts. The natural response, of course, is to buy something new to fix it. And suddenly there are three more products in the rotation.

Instead, take stock of what’s already in the routine. If several products are essentially doing the same thing, start there. Three different exfoliators probably aren’t necessary. Four hydrating serums might be a touch excessive. And if a product’s purpose is hard to pinpoint beyond the fact that TikTok made it impossible to resist at 11 p.m., it might be time to retire it.

Morning can be as simple as a gentle cleanse—or, for some skin types, just a rinse—followed by moisturizer and SPF. At night, cleanse properly, use a treatment targeted to your biggest skin concern, and follow with moisturizer. And not every evening needs to be an “active” night. A few nights of cleanser and moisturizer may be exactly what your skin is asking for.

None of this means skincare has to become boring. Take it from a recovering skincare maximalist: there will always be room for the ridiculously expensive cream that somehow makes everything feel better, the face mist that lives permanently on the desk, or the mask that no one technically needs but delivers every single time. The goal isn’t to take the fun out of beauty—it’s simply to know what’s actually earning its place in the routine.

The difference is knowing which products are doing the work—and which ones are just taking up space.

Because when it comes to skincare, more products don’t necessarily mean better skin. Sometimes the best thing you can add to your routine is absolutely nothing.

Below, my current morning and nighttime lineup.

AM Staples

PM Staples

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Jin Soon Camellia Glow Renewing Peeling Balm Link!

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