Before You Buy Another Skincare Product, Audit What You Already Have
There is always another skincare product to buy.
Another serum.
Another exfoliant.
Another moisturizer.
Another product somebody on social media says you absolutely need.
But before you add one more bottle to your bathroom counter, I want you to do something different.
Stop shopping for a minute and look at what you already own.
After more than 25 years of working with clients, I've seen plenty of skincare routines that were built one recommendation at a time.
A cleanser recommended by a friend.
A serum from TikTok.
A moisturizer an influencer loves.
An exfoliant somebody said would change everything.
Eventually, you have a collection of products—but not necessarily a skincare routine.
That's an important difference.
The Bathroom Counter Audit
Gather the skincare products you're currently using.
Yes, all of them.
Now pick them up one at a time and ask yourself these four questions:
1. What does this product do?
You don't need to understand cosmetic chemistry, but you should know the basic purpose of the product.
Is it cleansing? Moisturizing? Exfoliating? Addressing a particular concern? Protecting your skin?
If you don't know what a product is supposed to accomplish, that's worth noticing.
2. Why am I using it?
This is different from asking what the product does.
Why is it in YOUR routine?
Did you choose it to address a specific concern?
Or are you using it because someone told you that everyone needs one?
Your friend's favorite product may be wonderful.
For your friend.
That doesn't automatically mean it belongs in your routine.
3. How often am I supposed to use it?
This is where I see a lot of confusion.
Having the right product doesn't necessarily mean you're using it correctly.
Some products may be intended for daily use. Others may not be.
And using more of something—or using it more frequently—doesn't automatically produce better results.
Too many products, when not reccommended as part of a skincare routine by a professional can irritate the skin. So if you'not sure, keep your skincare routines simple.
4. What am I expecting it to accomplish?
This may be my favorite question.
What are you waiting for this product to do?
If you can't answer that, why is it taking up valuable real estate on your bathroom counter?
Every product doesn't have to perform miracles.
But you should understand why it's part of your routine.
Now Look at Everything Together
Once you've gone through each product individually, step back and look at the entire collection.
Ask yourself:
Do I understand this routine?
Do several products seem to be doing the same thing?
Am I constantly adding something new?
Did different people recommend different pieces of this routine?
Am I actually using these products consistently?
And here's the big one:
Does this routine make sense to me?
Because you can own some very good skincare products and still have a routine that doesn't make sense.
That's when you might hear me asking:
“Who told you to use your products this way?” 😂
Don't Automatically Throw Everything Away
The purpose of this exercise isn't to send you running to the trash can.
And it definitely isn't to give you an excuse to replace everything with another shopping spree.
It's simply to get you thinking differently.
Instead of asking:
“What should I buy next?”
Start asking:
“Do I understand what I'm already using?”
That's a much better place to begin.
Your Weekend Assignment
Before Monday, spend 10 minutes with your bathroom counter.
Go through your products.
Ask the four questions.
And pay attention to where you get stuck.
Because over the next several weeks, we're going to have some interesting conversations about skincare routines, cleansing, products, popular advice—and some of the things we've all been told about taking care of our skin.
And I have a feeling you're going to hear me asking one question quite a bit:
WHO TOLD YOU? 👀
Vonetta
Healthy and radiant skin is the best foundation.
