Age Is Just a Number, But How Many Serums Are We Supposed to Use?

BEAUTY

Victoria Guillou

11/4/2024

© Colonne / Pinterest

There’s a fine line between self-care and a science experiment. For years, we’ve been told that the key to eternal youth lies in the latest serum, promising to banish wrinkles, brighten dull skin, and erase the evidence of every sleepless night and ex we’d rather forget. But here’s the question—how many serums are we supposed to use before we actually feel young enough?

The Great Anti-Aging Expedition: When Did This Get So Complicated?

It starts off innocent enough. A dab of moisturizer, a hint of SPF. But as time passes, suddenly we’re up to our elbows in creams, serums, and little dropper bottles that cost more than last month’s electric bill. The beauty industry loves to tell us that age is "just a number"—but our medicine cabinets seem to suggest otherwise. It’s not just skincare, it’s a full-time commitment. And with each new serum added to our routine, we cross our fingers and hope it’ll deliver that youthful glow we left back in our twenties.

Serum Psychology 101: Are We Actually Buying Youth?

So, what exactly are we signing up for with all these serums? Serums promise to deliver highly concentrated ingredients straight to our skin, targeting everything from dullness to those little lines we claim don’t bother us (even though they totally do). And sure, maybe that vitamin C serum brightens and that retinol smooths, but let’s be honest: we’re also hoping to wake up looking like we haven’t aged a day since the era of skinny jeans and lip gloss.

At the heart of it, these serums become more than just a skincare step. They’re like a magic spell, a little ritual that says, “Here’s to staying young.” We may say we’re “aging gracefully,” but we’re still reaching for that next miracle serum hoping for a touch of time-travel magic.

So, How Many Serums Does It Take?

Now, here’s the rub: even dermatologists agree that we’re probably doing too much. A good skincare routine doesn’t have to be a 10-step obstacle course. Most experts suggest a routine that’s simple yet effective: a cleanser, a moisturizer, sunscreen (always), and maybe one or two targeted serums that suit your skin’s needs. But the trick here isn’t just picking out products; it’s choosing which ones bring out our best glow without sending our skin into overload. For some, that means a dose of brightening vitamin C in the morning. For others, it’s a retinol at night, smoothing out fine lines like an eraser on a pencil. And for all of us, sunscreen that’s as non-negotiable as our morning coffee.

Embracing the “Less is More” (Without Letting Go of the Fun)

So maybe it’s time we take a cue from Marie Kondo and ask ourselves: “Does this serum bring me joy?” It’s not about throwing in the towel on looking fabulous; it’s about making skincare fun and freeing rather than exhausting. After all, aren’t those little laugh lines and sun-kissed freckles the proof of a life well-lived? A beauty routine should be an act of self-love, not a desperate sprint toward the fountain of youth. Because if age really is just a number, maybe it’s time we stop letting that number tell us what to put on our face.