Every morning, millions of people worldwide cleanse, tone, moisturize, and layer serums onto their faces. Walk into any store or scroll through any feed, and you'll be bombarded with beautifully packaged skincare products, glowing faces, and terms like “glass skin,” “slugging,” or “retinol stacking.”
It begs the question:
Is skincare just another beauty trend, or is it a modern-day necessity?
Let’s dig deeper.
Skincare as Fashion: The Aesthetic Side
Skincare has undeniably become cool.
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Packaging matters: Brands like Glossier, Drunk Elephant, and Fenty Skin didn’t just sell products—they sold a vibe.
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TikTok & trends: Viral routines like “morning glow-ups” or “nighttime resets” show that skincare isn’t just about results, it’s a whole aesthetic.
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Social capital: Knowing your hyaluronic acid from your niacinamide is practically a status symbol in some circles.
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Like fashion, skincare is expressive. People use it to show taste, lifestyle, and even values (cruelty-free, sustainable, minimalist, maximalist). Just as you might wear a designer jacket to project something outward, the same applies to a shelf full of curated serums.
Skincare as Necessity: The Health Side
But underneath the beauty is biology.
Our skin is the largest organ in the body and our first line of defense. Skincare helps:
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Protect from UV radiation, pollution, and bacteria
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Prevent premature aging, acne, hyperpigmentation, and chronic skin conditions
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Support skin’s natural function, hydration, and repair
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In this sense, skincare is closer to brushing your teeth than wearing lipstick—it’s about maintenance, prevention, and health.
Just as we wear sunscreen to prevent cancer, skincare products like moisturizers and antioxidants help prevent damage and irritation.
The Psychology of Skincare
There's also a powerful mental health component.
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The ritual of skincare provides structure and grounding.
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Touching your face with care can be a form of self-compassion.
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For those with skin conditions, proper skincare is critical for confidence and emotional well-being.
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What may look like vanity from the outside is, for many, self-care in the most literal sense.
So… Which Is It?
The truth is:
Skincare is both a fashion and a necessity.
Yes, it’s trendy. It can be performative, indulgent, even luxurious.
But it’s also deeply functional. It keeps us healthy, helps us heal, and makes us feel like ourselves.
And like anything else in life, it's about balance.
You don’t need a 12-step routine to take care of your skin. But you also shouldn’t feel guilty for enjoying the aesthetic, playful side of it.
Final Thoughts
In a world that moves fast and judges appearances quickly, skincare offers a rare blend of personal utility and public expression. Whether you’re into it for the glow, the science, or the spa-like moments of calm, it matters.
So the next time someone calls skincare “just a trend,” remind them:
Some trends are here to stay.
