Your skin doesn't need 12 steps to glow - it needs you to stop overwhelming it. This is the story of how I went from skincare obsession to skin confidence by doing less, not more.

As your big sister in wellness, I'm here to share a truth the beauty industry doesn't want you to know: that expensive routine might actually be making your skin worse.

My skincare wake-up call:For years, I was trapped in the cycle of "maybe the next serum will fix it." My bathroom looked like Sephora exploded, but instead of the promised glow, I got irritation, breakouts, and reactive skin that seemed to hate everything I put on it.

The turning point? I finally stopped obsessing and stripped everything back. The results shocked me.

Why less is actually more for your skin:🔸 Your skin barrier is more important than any expensive serum🔸 Constantly switching products creates stress and irritation🔸 Over-using actives (acids, retinols) can damage your protective barrier🔸 Your skin knows how to repair itself when you stop overwhelming it🔸 Consistency beats intensity every single time

What actually works (my simple routine now):

• Morning: Gentle cleanser, moisturizer, SPF
• Evening: Gentle cleanser, moisturizer
• Weekly: One gentle treatment (if needed)

That's it. No 10-step routine, no cabinet full of serums, no constant product switching.

How to do your own routine reset:Strip back to the basics for 2-4 weeks: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen. Give your skin time to breathe and repair. Then, if you want to add something back, introduce one product at a time and wait at least 2 weeks to see how your skin responds.

The real glow-up secrets:Remember, glowing skin starts from the inside too. Hydration, nutrition, stress management, and sleep matter more than any product you can buy. Your skin is your body's largest organ, and it reflects your overall health.

What I wish I knew earlier:

• Your skin doesn't need to be "fixed" - it needs to be supported
• Marketing creates problems that don't exist
• Simple routines are sustainable routines
• Healthy skin looks different on everyone
• Confidence is the best glow-up

Stop letting the beauty industry make you feel like your natural skin isn't good enough. Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is trust your skin and give it space to do what it does best - heal and protect you.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by skincare routines or guilty about not following 10-step regimens, you're not alone. Drop a 🌸 below if this resonates with you!

Connect with me:📸 Instagram: @bykarinnafranco🧵 Threads: @bykarinnafranco🎵 TikTok: @bykarinnafranco📺 YouTube: @bykarinnafranco

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