Do You Really Need a Toner, Serum, and Essence?
Let’s be real: skincare got complicated. Fast.
Somewhere between 5-step Korean routines, ingredient stacking, and TikTok dermatologists, we all ended up with shelves full of serums, a mild sense of panic, and skin that still isn't happy.
So here's the question: do you actually need a toner, serum, and essence? Or are we just playing expensive mix-and-match on our faces?
Here’s the short answer: probably not.
Unless you’re dealing with a specific skin concern that calls for a targeted active (like prescription-level acne or hyperpigmentation), your skin doesn't need 9 steps. It needs support. Moisture. Balance. Rest.
Let’s break it down:
- Toners were originally made to rebalance the skin after using harsh cleansers. If your cleanser is gentle and pH-balanced (*hi, Revive Cleansing Milk*), you likely don’t need one at all.
- Serums can be useful, but also easy to overdo. If your skin is feeling dry, tight, or angry, a well-formulated lotion or oil might be more effective (and less risky).
- Essences are basically watery serums. Nice if you want them. Not necessary if you're already hydrating well elsewhere.
So what does your skin actually need?
1. A gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip (hello again, Revive Cleansing Milk)
2. A hydrating and nourishing step (think Balance Everyday Oil Blend or Rise Tremella Hydration Lotion)
3. SPF. Always. Forever. Please.
The Sensitiva Take
We’re not here to shame your shelf. But we are here to say: you don’t have to do the most to get glowing skin. You just need a few good products that love your skin back. And you need to use them consistently. That’s it.
TL;DR
Your routine doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. Most of the time, less really is more. Especially when your skin is stressed, sensitive, or just plain tired of the product parade.
