How unlearning popular skincare routines and separating myth from fact leads to better skin

I have spent a good part of my life glued to a glam chair. It’s part and parcel of me being an entrepreneur, an actor, and a producer. Early call times, late pack-ups, lights flashing right in your face, and constant makeup going on and coming off. It is all glamorous, yes, but it’s also humbling. There’s no hiding from your skin there. It is incredibly honest. No filters or any shortcuts can ever help. In my honest opinion, the glam chair has been one of my biggest skincare teachers. When I started in the industry more than a decade ago, I didn’t think twice when I bought products. I hopped onto trends and figured more products meant better skin. But along the way, after talking to dermatologists and formulators, and just being curious on my own, I started asking questions that I should’ve asked way before: “What makes this ingredient so special?” “Why does my skin react differently on different days?” “Why do some products just feel right while others don’t?” Slowly, I began to unlearn. And unlearning these very common skincare myths didn’t just change my routine, it changed how I treated and understood my skin.

Myth #1: More products = better skin

There was a time when my skincare shelf looked...intense. Multiple serums, those glorified 9-10 step regimes, and a tiring routine that honestly felt like homework. My belief was that effort by default equated to results. But in the glam chair, prep is actually uncomplicated. As sets are time sensitive zones, it becomes difficult to have an elaborate regime. The priority becomes what the skin needs in that particular moment.

I always follow the hydrate, treat, and protect routine. And the skin actually responds beautifully. That’s when I realised that skincare doesn’t need to be complex to be effective. In fact, when it’s simplified correctly, it often works better. Fusing ingredients into one formula can help you derive better results without chaos and much more clarity.

Myth #2: If it tingles or burns, it’s working

I used to believe that skincare had to sting to work. When there’s a little burn, it’s doing something, right? But the harsh studio lights mirrored the truth. Instead of glowing, my skin was irritated and inflamed. Makeup was sitting on red, patchy skin instead of blending in. This helped me understand the importance of gentle skincare. It becomes important that it must work with your skin barrier, instead of against it.

When you incorporate multiple products with no right formulation, it worsens the very problem it is trying to solve. So, the right and effective formulas can go a long way to deliver visible results. When I switched to gentler products, my skin improved. Now, I only search for formulas that feel gentle and soothing; not compromising on results. After all, achieving radiant skin shouldn’t be about pushing through the sting and burn—it’s about listening to your skin and being gentle so it thrives.

Myth #3: Different skin, one routine

Being on set with people of different skin types and concerns taught me something important. Skin is personal. Climate, stress, lifestyle... everything shows up on different people differently. And, skincare isn’t meant to follow a universal routine or be the same for everyone. That’s why skincare needs to be flexible and intuitive. Your routine should adapt to your life and not feel like an added responsibility. I appreciate products that not only work on their own but also when layered.

What changed during my 30s? A shift happened. My curiosity led me to invest in understanding my skin better. Earlier, I relied on the experts around me, but now, I realised the importance of self learning. I was keen to learn more about ingredients and formulations. Then, Covid happened. No shoots, no glam chairs, no constant makeup. It was me and my skin, every single day. It gave me time to listen and take responsibility for my skin, making skincare more preventative and less reactive. I became more curious and started researching and learning about ingredients, especially natural ones. I truly believe nature, backed by scientific research, has so much to offer. I’d literally order individual ingredients, study their benefits, and understand how they feel and work when combined with other ingredients. That’s also when my belief in simple skincare became even stronger.

Skin needn’t be overwhelmed. It needs consistency, nourishment, and ingredients that make sense together. This is what the glam chair ultimately taught me. It stripped skincare down to its basics: Preparation, balance, and performance. It taught me to respect the skin barrier and build simple routines to follow. Today, I believe in the power of well-researched, thoughtfully made formulas to make skincare feel less intimidating and more doable. Because consistency comes from simplicity.

Unlearning these myths transformed my entire approach to skincare. And one thing I’ve learnt during this process is that good skin isn’t about doing more; it is about what works for your skin—and letting good formulations do the heavy lifting.

Kriti Sanon is a National Film Award-winning actor, alongside being the co-founder and Chief Customer Officer of skincare brand Hyphen. 

Lead image: Shutterstock 

This article first appeared in Cosmopolitan India's January-February 2026 print edition.

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