How Doomscrolling Saved My Skin

4 months ago I had no idea how to use an exfoliator. Now, I use an exfoliator, a brightening serum, sunscreen, and Rhode Glazing Milk. That's just some of it. It's the best decision I've made, not just because it's improved my skin, but because it's helped me slow down and do something that makes me feel like I'm doing something for me every day.

I had a baby two years ago and everything about my body and my skin changed. After the newborn fog lifted, I was able to step back and do something about it. I usually start with new clothes, but that felt like too much effort, too much money, too many decisions. Skincare for some reason felt easier. Also, I look at my face every day, so doing something to make me feel better about it felt like the best place to start.

I was nap-trapped a lot in those early months, and I'd pass the time scrolling TikTok — mindless, but time I could put to better use. So that's what I did. Baby asleep on my chest, phone in hand, scrolling skincare reviews became my new routine. The doomscroll officially became my research time.

I didn't know what a toner was before this. Now I use one every day, along with the serums, the sunscreen, the night cream. This is my me-time ritual now. I can take my time when I have it, or do the whole thing in two minutes flat when I don't. Somewhere in the last four months, my skin started looking different in the best way.

I genuinely can't tell you which single product is responsible. I use all of them, every day, and that's kind of the point. It was never about finding the one miracle step. It was about showing up for two minutes, twice a day, without deciding this has to be perfect or permanent.

Your first routine doesn't have to be your forever routine. You're not marrying it. You're just starting.

One honest caveat: I wish it didn't cost what it costs. It does. That's real, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise.

But this was never really about the products. It's two minutes of taking care of yourself, on a day when two minutes might be all you've got.

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Products pictured: Caudalíe Vinoperfect Dark Spot Moisturizer, Brightening Serum, and Glycolic Night Cream; Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Serum; Thayers pH Balancing Cleanser and Hydrating Milky Toner; Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Gel Cream. Shop on Amazon