Why you don’t need a 10-step skincare routine

For years, the idea of the 10-step skincare routine has dominated the beauty conversation. Promoted as the ultimate path to perfect skin, it suggests that more products equal better results. In reality, skin rarely thrives on excess.

Healthy skin is not built through accumulation, but through understanding. Each product you apply should answer a specific need, not follow a trend.

Why more isn’t always better

Layering too many products can overwhelm the skin barrier, increase sensitivity, and make it harder to identify what truly works. When irritation appears, the routine becomes impossible to decode.

Skin responds best to clarity. Fewer products, carefully chosen, allow the skin to rebalance, strengthen, and function as it should.

Before applying any skincare products, it is essential to understand both your skin type and your skin condition. Only by identifying what your skin truly needs can you choose products that address your concerns with precision and intention.

What your skin actually needs

A functional skincare routine is built around essentials :

• Cleansing that respects the skin barrier : If your skin feels tight immediately after cleansing, your cleanser may be too harsh. Opt for a gentler formula with a comfortable texture and hydrating ingredients. Look for soothing and hydrating components such as hyaluronic acid, oat, panthenol, cucumber, squalane, or glycerin to cleanse effectively while preserving your skin’s natural barrier.
• Hydration adapted to your skin type and condition : One of the most common mistakes in skincare is confusing dehydration with dryness. Proper hydration should feel weightless and seamlessly absorbed. If your moisturizer leaves a sticky or greasy residue once it has settled, it is likely too rich for your skin type. Conversely, if the skin still feels tight after application, hydration is insufficient , consider introducing a hydrating serum or transitioning to a more nourishing texture.
• Targeted treatment only when necessary : When multiple skin concerns appear at once, focus on no more than two key priorities. Overloading the skin with numerous actives can disrupt its balance. A considered, minimal approach allows the skin to respond more effectively, and with greater resilience.
• Protection to preserve results : Protection takes different forms depending on whether it’s your morning or evening routine. In the AM, SPF shields the skin from sun damage while preserving the benefits of your skincare. At night, the focus shifts to reset and absorption, allowing your skin to fully benefit from treatments. To maximize results, complete your nighttime routine at least two hours before bed, otherwise your pillowcase may absorb more than your skin does.

The makeup artist perspective

From a professional point of view, skin that is well cared for doesn’t need much correction. Makeup applies more evenly, sits better on the skin, and lasts longer when the skincare underneath is coherent and restrained.

Allow your skincare to absorb fully, about 5 to 8 minutes, before applying makeup. This ensures your skin is balanced, hydrated, and ready, so products perform optimally and less is truly more.

The takeaway

You don’t need a 10-step routine. You need the right steps, chosen with intention, consistency, and respect for your skin. True luxury in skincare is not having more products, but knowing exactly why each one is there.

Continue your beauty journey

If this perspective resonates, Skin Before Makeup explores how to understand your skin, refine your routine, and build a beauty approach rooted in intention, skincare first, makeup refined. The guide also includes carefully selected, non-comedogenic recommendations tailored to each skin concern, ensuring every product supports your skin without compromise.