I gave up on the complicated ten step routine for something easier

Getting lost in the mountain of products

I remember sitting in my bathroom late at night, staring at a row of bottles that cost me nearly 400,000 won in total. There were toners, serums, ampoules, and creams that all promised to fix things I didn’t even know were wrong with my skin. It started as a way to fix some minor dryness, but somehow it turned into a thirty-minute labor every single night. I felt like I was working a second job just to wash my face. Watching videos of people doing these elaborate rituals made me feel like I was doing it wrong if I didn’t have at least five different layers on my face before bed.

The shift to home tech

Then I started seeing these little devices pop up everywhere. I dropped by a pop-up store at Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong recently to check out some of these new home care tools. The whole setup was designed to make you feel like you were getting professional results without having to leave your house. It felt slick and professional, but standing there holding a LED wand that costs around 300,000 won, I started wondering if I was just trading one type of clutter for another. Is having a machine on my vanity really easier than just splashing water and slapping on some lotion? The salesperson talked about how these devices open up pores or help absorption, but I just kept thinking about where I would store the charging cable in my already packed drawer.

The reality of the morning rush

Honestly, most mornings I just don’t have time for a science experiment. I find myself reaching for the most basic moisturizer I have. Some experts say consistency is the only thing that actually works, regardless of how many gadgets you own. I keep reading that even on cloudy days, sunscreen is non-negotiable. I try to stick to that, but half the time I’m already running late for the bus and I end up skipping the fancy serums anyway. It’s funny how the more I try to optimize my routine, the more I feel like I’m just spending money to feel slightly less anxious about aging.

Trying to find a middle ground

I’ve started pairing down. I use one decent serum and maybe a simple cream. I haven’t tossed the expensive gadgets yet, but they mostly just sit there collecting dust next to my skincare stash. I keep thinking maybe I’ll use them on the weekend when I have a spare hour, but usually, I just end up sleeping in instead. Maybe the trick isn’t finding the perfect combination of products but just accepting that my skin is fine without the extra effort. Or maybe I’m just lazy. I’m still not sure if the people swearing by these complex routines are actually seeing different results or if they just like the process of it all.

A lingering sense of doubt

Sometimes I see a new product and I get that itch to try it again. It’s hard to ignore the marketing, especially when they show these perfect, glowing results. I wonder if I’m missing out on something by keeping it simple. Yet, every time I simplify, my skin actually feels a bit more comfortable, less irritated by the constant layering. It’s a strange feeling, being told you need more but realizing you’re better off with less. I might try one of those new water-based mists next, but I’m trying to stop myself from buying a whole new set. We’ll see how long that lasts.