If you’ve stepped foot in a Sephora recently, odds are you’ve witnessed tweens and teens flooding the skincare aisles and filling up baskets to the brim. “I saw this one on TikTok,” a seemingly no-older-than-12-year-old girl says to a friend as they purchase bottles of serums designed to smooth their mother’s and grandmother’s lines. The beauty marketplace has transformed into a social haven, and teens have moved away from buying lip gloss and face wash and are now purchasing potent, anti-aging formulas that could be doing far more harm than good.

And it’s not just the under-18 crowd. Between TikTok Shop, skinfluencers, and the endless stream of celebrity beauty launches, we’re all being encouraged to add another cream, exfoliant, or treatment to our routines. And for those of us dealing with acne, that temptation can be especially strong—when you’re trying to clear persistent breakouts, it’s easy to convince yourself that every buzzy ingredient might finally be the one that finally works. But piling on too many active ingredients can backfire, irritating your skin and compromising the very barrier that helps keep your complexion balanced and healthy.

“Consumers are more educated and enthusiastic about skincare than ever before, which is awesome, but there’s also this constant pursuit of the latest and greatest ingredient or product,” says Stephanie Criscione, licensed aesthetician and senior director of education and clinic at Face Reality. “Somewhere along the way, we’ve started equating more products and stronger ingredients with better results.”

Your skin barrier is responsible for retaining moisture and helping protect your complexion from external irritants. When it’s compromised, the skin can become dry, tight, red, and unusually sensitive. For people with acne-prone skin, that irritation can exacerbate breakouts, especially when the products meant to treat blemishes are also contributing to irritation.

So how do you know when your skincare routine has crossed the line from helping your acne to potentially making it worse? And if you’ve already gone a little too far with the actives, how do you repair your skin barrier while still managing breakouts? I spoke with skincare professionals about the signs of a damaged skin barrier, the acne treatments to be mindful of, and how to build a routine that supports both clearer skin and a healthy complexion.

Can you be overdoing your acne skincare routine?

Yes, one of the biggest misconceptions in skincare is that more steps are better. In reality, even well-researched ingredients have limits, and using too many at once can overwhelm your skin. This is especially important when you’re treating acne, since many of the ingredients commonly used to address breakouts can also cause irritation when they’re overused or combined incorrectly.

“Typically, this goes for certain AHAs like glycolic acid, retinoids, and benzoyl peroxide, which can all be phenomenal ingredients used to effectively treat acne,” says Samantha Susca, NYC-based licensed aesthetician and founder of Refinery4. “But there is a fine line between proper usage and misuse.”

And it’s not just about how many products you’re using. The way skincare is marketed can also make it difficult to separate what your skin actually needs from what brands want you to buy. “There are certain brands that I am noticing with a ton of great marketing, but that are actually being over-marketed to certain clients who are not being taught how to use certain ingredients properly, and they’re causing more damage,” she says.

Celebrity-founded brands can add another layer to that confusion, especially when consumers assume a product alone can recreate a celebrity’s complexion. Susca says there’s a lot more that goes into maintaining that skin than what’s inside the A-lister-promoted bottle.

“Using a product that a celebrity is selling is not going to give you their skin,” she explains. “What you’re not seeing or getting in that bottle is the tens—if not hundreds—of thousands of dollars of on-call dermatologists’ and aestheticians’ work, prescriptions, lasers, peels, and more.”

This is particularly relevant for younger consumers, who may be reaching for products designed to address concerns they haven’t yet developed. Susca says she’s seeing strong ingredients like retinoids used frequently on teen and preteen skin. While acne treatments can be appropriate for younger patients who need them, a complicated routine filled with multiple active ingredients isn’t necessarily the best way to get breakouts under control. The right treatment depends on the individual’s skin and should be introduced thoughtfully, with professional guidance when needed.

How can you tell if your skin barrier is compromised?

Your skin will usually let you know when something isn’t working. “It may not show an effect on the skin barrier immediately, but after a few days, your face may start to feel tight, itchy, uncomfortable, and sometimes red,” Susca explains. “These are signs of an impaired skin barrier, which is something that can take weeks to months of repair and reregulation.”

Breakouts can also become harder to manage when your skin is irritated. A compromised barrier doesn’t automatically cause acne, but the inflammation and sensitivity that come with barrier disruption can exacerbate existing blemishes. “Even someone with acne or oily skin can become dehydrated when the barrier isn’t functioning properly,” Criscione explains. You might also notice that products you previously tolerated, including your usual acne treatments, suddenly sting or leave your skin feeling flaky or uncomfortable.

How do you repair a compromised skin barrier?

If your skin is feeling irritated, it is not the time to introduce more steps. Susca says to “remove all actives and keep the same simple routine morning and night,” so your skin can begin to readjust.

For anyone managing acne, yes, this can feel counterintuitive. Taking a break from exfoliants or acne treatments might make you nervous about triggering more breakouts, but continuing to apply products that are irritating your skin will make the situation harder to manage.

Karan Lal, MD, double-board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist, suggests paring things back to a few essentials. “I recommend a simplified routine built around a few evidence-based ingredients,” he says. “A gentle cleanser helps remove excess oil without stripping the skin, a noncomedogenic moisturizer containing ceramides, glycerin, or other humectants will support barrier function, and sunscreen is essential, because many acne treatments increase sensitivity and post-inflammatory pigmentation can be exacerbated by UV exposure.”

How long it takes your skin to recover depends on how irritated it is. Susca notes that repairing a compromised skin barrier can take weeks to months, so don’t expect your complexion to bounce back overnight. If you’re experiencing persistent irritation, painful inflammation, or breakouts that aren’t improving, consult a dermatologist. They can help determine whether you’re dealing with acne, irritation from your products, or both, and recommend a treatment plan that addresses the underlying concerns.

Once your skin has settled after a few weeks or months, you can consider reintroducing treatments one at a time. For people using retinoids to manage acne, Dr. Lal recommends starting slowly. “Topical retinoids should be introduced gradually; you can begin with two or three nights per week and increase frequency as tolerated.”

He also recommends being strategic with other acne treatments, rather than layering multiple formulas just because each one targets a different concern. “Benzoyl peroxide can be used strategically, and lower concentrations or short-contact formulations may be useful for sensitive skin,” he explains. “Azelaic acid is another excellent option because it has anti-inflammatory, comedolytic, and pigment-reducing properties.”

What should your skincare routine look like as you age?

There’s no milestone birthday when you suddenly need a more involved routine. Your skin type, concerns, and tolerance should determine which ingredients you use. And if you’re dealing with acne, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to keep adding stronger treatments as you get older. The goal is to find an approach that addresses breakouts while keeping your skin barrier in good shape, but if you want a simple guideline, keep reading for what our experts recommend.

Teens

Teenagers should be the age group keeping it the simplest. “Generally, teens need only to cleanse, moisturize, and apply SPF in the day time,” Susca explains. “Sometimes a weekly or biweekly exfoliant may be appropriate,” specifically if they’re dealing with acne.

Criscione agrees. “In your teens, the focus is mostly on establishing healthy habits, gentle cleansing, daily sunscreen, and managing acne if it’s an issue.”

If teens are dealing with persistent breakouts, a dermatologist can help determine which acne treatments are appropriate for their specific skin’s needs. You definitely don’t need to introduce a full lineup of exfoliating acids and serums.

20s

Criscione says this decade “is really about prevention, protecting against UV damage, and introducing targeted ingredients when needed to address specific concerns.” This is where you can start to get into exfoliating formulas and protective serums.

Susca suggests building on a basic routine with an AHA, such as glycolic or lactic acid, or a BHA, like salicylic acid, along with an antioxidant serum such as vitamin C.

30s

Into your 30s, Susca says “a retinol and eye cream can be added in as well,” and recommends preventative treatments like microdermabrasion and microcurrent.

Criscione notes that hormonal changes can bring new skin concerns during this time. “By your 30s, you may start noticing differences in skin texture, pigmentation, or fine lines, so ingredients like retinoids and antioxidants can be helpful,” she says.

Acne can also continue into adulthood or appear for the first time during this decade. If you’re experiencing recurring breakouts, especially if your skin is also becoming drier or more sensitive, it’s worth revisiting your routine rather than automatically reaching for stronger exfoliants. A dermatologist can help you find acne treatments that address breakouts while accounting for your skin’s changing needs.

40s+

As your skin changes with age, hydration and barrier support may become bigger priorities. Criscione says, “In your 40s, 50s, and beyond, hormonal changes can influence hydration, barrier function, and skin elasticity, making moisture retention and barrier support increasingly important.”

And if you’re still managing acne, getting older doesn’t mean you have to give up effective treatments. “As skin becomes drier and more sensitive with age, the goal is not to eliminate effective acne treatment, it is to deliver that treatment in a way the skin can tolerate,” Dr. Lal says. “For patients in their 40s and beyond, the skin may be drier or more sensitive, so I may recommend a lower-strength retinoid, less frequent application, or a more supportive moisturizing regimen.” This may include richer night creams or barrier creams for added hydration.

Final thoughts

If you’re dealing with acne, it’s tempting to keep adding products in the hope that one more active ingredient will finally clear your skin. But overusing exfoliants, retinoids, and acne treatments can compromise your skin barrier, leaving your complexion irritated and making existing breakouts harder to manage. Plus, it’s always important to check for noncomedogenic ingredients in your products if you’re acne-prone.

Pay attention to how your skin responds to formulas, especially if new blemishes appear alongside tightness, redness, or sensitivity. The goal is to find a regimen that treats your acne while supporting your skin barrier, because clearer skin shouldn’t have to come at the expense of a healthy complexion.

Meet the experts:

• Samantha Susca is a New York City–based licensed aesthetician and founder of Refinery4.

• Stephanie Criscione is a licensed aesthetician and the senior director of education and clinic at Face Reality.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things skincare and has dealt with acne for the last five years. For this story, she consulted acne experts for all their insight on skin barrier damage and how your skincare routine can impact acne.

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The post Is Your Skincare Routine Breaking You Out? Here’s How to Tell If You’ve Compromised Your Skin Barrier appeared first on Best oLive.

Summer skincare can get a bit confusing. The moment the weather changes, skin starts behaving differently – more oil, more sweat, the occasional breakout – and most of us instinctively try to “fix” it. We wash our face more often, switch to stronger products, or stop using moisturiser altogether because everything already feels greasy.

But what’s often missing is that these quick fixes can quietly weaken the skin over time.

A lot of this comes down to the skin barrier. It’s the outer layer of your skin that holds everything together, keeps moisture in, protects from environmental stress, and helps maintain balance. And in summer, this barrier is already working overtime.

Especially now, when summers are harsher and nights don’t cool down as much, the skin doesn’t really get a break. Add to that the constant back-and-forth between outdoor heat, pollution, and indoor air-conditioning, and it’s not surprising that skin starts feeling off, sometimes oily, sometimes dry, sometimes just more sensitive than usual.

In this kind of environment, a few everyday habits can do more damage than we realise:

Over-cleansing

Washing the face multiple times a day can feel refreshing, especially in humid weather. But frequent cleansing – particularly with strong or foaming face washes – can strip away the skin’s natural lipids. These lipids are essential for maintaining the barrier. Once disrupted, the skin often responds by producing even more oil, creating a cycle that’s hard to manage. A gentler approach, using mild cleansers with ingredients like aloe, neem, or tulsi, can help remove impurities without disturbing the skin’s balance.

Skipping moisturiser

One of the most common misconceptions is that oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser in summer. In reality, oil and hydration are not the same. Heat, sun exposure, and air-conditioning can all reduce the skin’s water content, even if it appears greasy. Skipping moisturiser can weaken the barrier over time, making the skin more prone to irritation. Lightweight, water-based hydration, such as gels or formulations with cucumber or fruit extracts, can help replenish moisture without feeling heavy.

Over-exfoliating

There’s also this urge in summer to constantly “clean” the skin – get rid of tan, dullness, clogged pores. Exfoliation helps, but only to a point.

When it becomes too frequent or too harsh, it can thin out the skin barrier and make your skin more reactive, especially in the sun. That’s when you start noticing redness or that slight stinging feeling.

Gentler exfoliation works better in the long run. Even traditional formats like ubtan, when used mildly, tend to be less disruptive and still effective.

Environmental stress

Summer isn’t just heat. It’s heat, UV exposure, dust, pollution, and then suddenly cold, dry air indoors. Your skin is constantly adjusting.

This kind of back-and-forth can be tiring for the skin barrier. Sometimes what helps is not doing more, but just adding a bit of calm back into the routine – ingredients that cool, soothe, and don’t overwork the skin.

Using unsuitable products

Products that work well in cooler months may not be ideal for summer. Heavy creams can feel occlusive in humid weather, while overly drying formulations can strip the skin further. Summer calls for lighter, breathable textures that allow the skin to function comfortably. There’s also a growing preference for fresher, more thoughtfully processed formulations that retain ingredient efficacy while being gentle enough for frequent use.

The larger shift

A common thread across these habits is the tendency to overcorrect. Summer skincare is often approached with the goal of controlling oil, removing tan, or managing sweat. But healthy skin doesn’t come from constant stripping or aggressive treatments. It comes from balance.

When the skin barrier is intact, the skin is better equipped to regulate itself—whether that’s oil production, hydration, or sensitivity. This is where skincare routines are gradually evolving. There’s a shift towards approaches that are simpler, more consistent, and better aligned with both the climate and the skin’s natural functioning.

In many ways, summer skincare is less about doing more and more about doing it right. Small changes like choosing gentler cleansers, not skipping hydration, or being mindful of over-exfoliation can go a long way in protecting the skin barrier. Because once that barrier is strong, everything else tends to fall into place.

(Swagatika Das is the CEO & Co-Founder, Nat Habit)

The post Think You’re Beating The Heat? Oily, Sticky, Breaking Out? Your Summer Routine Might Be The Problem appeared first on Best oLive.

For most people, the glowing, flawless skin of celebrities often feels like something unattainable. In K-pop, BTS are especially known for their consistently radiant appearance, whether on stage or on screen. What makes it even more striking is that despite their packed schedules, constant travel, performances and frequent makeup, their skin still looks smooth, healthy and well cared for. Now, isn’t that something to die for?

Well, if you wish to achieve the goal of a flawless glowing skin exactly like the BTS boys hand on. We are here with all the inside secrets of the Bangtan Boys.

When it comes to BTS, keeping the fans’ choices in mind, V aka Taehyung is undoubtedly one of the most handsome boys in the group and when it comes to his skincare regime, he is very particular about maintaining gorgeous skin.

On various occasions, Taehyung has been quite vocal about having breakouts and didn’t shy away from talking about them. So, you must be wondering how he maintains such bright glowing skin, despite his acne-prone skin! Good news, we know his secret skincare tip and here you go.

Just as he gives his all during performances, the “Christmas Tree” singer puts equal effort into caring for his skin offstage. A key part of his routine is proper cleansing, which he considers essential. He often opts for a foaming cleanser but has also stressed the importance of choosing a gentle, nourishing formula suited to one’s skin type. According to him, cleansing at least twice a day helps keep the skin clear, balanced and free from blemishes.

Next, V uses a toner that serves as a second cleanse to take off any remnants of makeup from the skin. And the BTS boy is very particular about this as well. Earlier he had shared that his dermatologist suggested using a cotton pad instead of his fingers for the toner and he follows it dedicatedly. V had also asked his fans not to be aggressive on skin, rather to be gentle to cleanse areas that have a higher chance of having leftover makeup, like under eyes.

Following this, the BTS member uses a hydrating and nourishing face moisturiser to give himself a good facial massage that helps in proper blood circulation and ensures the softness in the skin. V also makes sure to moisturize his ears when he applies the moisturiser, which is usually missed by commoners. He also applies an extra dollop of cream before going to bed to keep his skin hydrated overnight. As per his skin care regime, he also takes proper care of his hands and uses hand cream to massage the gaps between his fingers and applies it on to his cuticles.

After finishing the rest of his routine, V makes sure to take care of his lips as well by applying a generous layer of lip balm to keep them soft and hydrated. He has even shared his own tip for application—dabbing a small amount onto a finger and spreading it evenly across the lips, similar to how toothpaste is applied to a toothbrush.

As South Korea is known to have the world’s most advanced and effective Korean skin care lines, Koreans have a wide range of brand options to choose from. Talking about V, he prefers to use Zeroid, which stands for Zero Steroid. Zeroid is a top-selling Korean skin care brand which started in Korean hospitals. It’s known as the #1 Dermocosmetic in Korea.

Though his skin care routine is pretty much this, one thing that Taehyung suggests the most is to drink tons of water and stay hydrated. Lack of water can result in dull, dehydrated skin.

The post BTS’ V Proves Less Is More—His Minimal Skincare Routine Is Breaking the Internet! appeared first on Best oLive.