I used to be a skincare girlie — the one with multiple skincare products lined up neatly on the shelf, a dedicated five-step routine, and unwavering consistency with every single regimen.
To me, self-care was synonymous with skincare. In other words, my commitment to skincare was proof that I was taking care of myself. I poured a significant portion of my finances into it — constantly browsing for the “best” products, always trying to upgrade my shelf. Did it make sense to me at the time? Absolutely.
But then reality dawned on me: there is such a thing as excess skincare.
I began to notice something troubling. My skin didn’t actually get better. It got lighter, yes — but not healthier. I became more prone to hyperpigmentation, and my skin barrier slowly began to break down. Yet, no matter how much skincare I did, I never truly felt confident in the state of my skin.
Over time, though, I learned to tone down my obsession. And now — more than ever — I feel genuinely confident in my own skin. And yes, I’m even more proud of my melanin.
My self-image started to improve the moment I stopped examining my pores under a magnifying mirror and tracking the progress of every dark spot like it was a full-time job. That shift? It was liberating.
Today, my bathroom shelf is nearly bare. You’ll only find a few essentials — just the basics. Fewer actives. Less obsession. I didn’t abandon skincare completely, but I stopped treating it like a religion. I quit chasing “glass skin.” I stopped fearing dark spots. I allowed my skin — and myself — to just breathe.
And in doing so, I found something unexpected: peace. Here are some reasons I stopped taking skincare so seriously.
The Obsession with Skincare Is Never-Ending
Somewhere along the way, I realized just how much the skincare industry thrives on insecurity.
What began as a basic hygiene practice has morphed into a billion-dollar machine that keeps spinning because we’re made to feel like there’s always something to fix. Something to fade. Something to smooth or tighten.
And the biggest targets? Women.Why not? We’re the ones told that our beauty is conditional — that it needs maintenance. That it must always be “worked on.”
Black Skin Factors
Let’s be honest: most mainstream skincare products aren’t even formulated with melanin-rich skin in mind. From clinical trials to product marketing, Black skin is often an afterthought — if it’s considered at all.
And for many of us, our skincare obsession isn’t just about beauty; it’s rooted in history. Colonial hangovers told us that lighter was better. That smooth, blemish-free skin was more acceptable. That we had to work extra hard to “refine” what we naturally had.
So when I pulled back from overdoing skincare, I wasn’t just detoxing my face. I was detoxing my mind.
I had to remind myself:
Black skin is not a flaw.
It’s not “too tough.”
It’s not “dull.”
And it doesn’t need to be fixed. I
It needs care — not correction.
The Double-Edged Sword of Skincare
Obsession with skincare is like a double-edged sword. While you think it’s helping — fading the hyperpigmentation, clearing the acne, tightening the pores — it may also be silently weakening your skin.
Think about it: layering product after product, most of which are loaded with chemicals you can’t even pronounce, let alone trace the origin of. All in the name of skincare.
I’m not anti-skincare. Skincare is not bad. But when it becomes excessive, 10-step routines, multiple actives layered day and night, it can do more harm than good.
From personal experience, I found that overusing products made my skin more sensitive to the sun. My skin became photosensitive, more prone to breakouts, and lost the natural resilience that Black skin should have — that strength and thickness that’s meant to protect us.
Obsession leads to endless experimentation. One day it’s a new serum. The next day, it’s a stronger acid. You’re constantly chasing the next fix. And in the process, your skin gets confused, overwhelmed, and damaged.
In the end, it’s not just your skin that suffers. Your confidence does too.
What I Do Now
These days, my skincare routine takes less than five minutes.
I cleanse.I hydrate. I moisturize. I wear sunscreen. That’s it.
No more jumping on every new trend. No more chasing miracles.
And guess what? My skin is fine.
More importantly, my mind is lighter. I’m no longer waking up and checking the mirror like it’s a report card. I don’t evaluate my self-worth based on how even my complexion looks. I’m not spiraling over one little breakout. I’m just living. And I like it that way.
Like I said, I haven’ t abandoned skincare. I’ve simply ended the obsession. I no longer chase what the industry says is “perfect.” I’ve learned to stick to what works for me — and keep it simple.
