There was a time when my skincare routine felt flawless. My skin was clear—no signs of dryness, acne, or hyperpigmentation. Most people would’ve been jealous because it was the kind of skin so many strive for. But despite how it looked on the outside, I wasn’t satisfied.
I became obsessed.
Even though my routine already included the essentials—cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen—I was convinced my skin could be even better. I added niacinamide, azelaic acid, an oil cleanser, and eventually, retinol from Paula’s Choice. At that point, I had everything. So what more could I possibly want?
Truth is, I was insecure about my pores and sebaceous filaments. I wanted that Korean glass skin look, and I went deep down the skincare rabbit hole trying to achieve it. I read post after post online about products that worked wonders for other people, and one product kept coming up: Differin Gel.
Even though I didn’t have acne, I convinced myself I needed it—if it worked for them, it would work for me too, right?
I started using Differin religiously. And instead of the flawless skin I hoped for, I broke out. Badly. I was so embarrassed, I didn’t even want to go outside.
Still, I kept using it for three months, hoping it would eventually pay off. It didn’t. My skin only started healing once I stopped using the product.
Looking back, I know what you’re thinking: Why would I use Differin when I didn’t even have acne?
Honestly, I thought it would make my skin even clearer. And let’s be real—going to a dermatologist felt unnecessary at the time… and expensive. Everything I needed was online, right? So I trusted the internet instead of my own skin. Big mistake.
But just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
Final Thoughts
This experience taught me that less really is more when it comes to skincare. Sometimes, in the pursuit of “perfect,” we end up doing more harm than good. If something is already working, there’s no need to fix it.
For more real skincare stories and advice, check out Dewfect—where I share my personal journey to help others simplify and perfect their skincare routine.
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