ROMANTICIZING MY ROUTINE
Because my dating life isn’t giving
By Ashey, a serial skincare lover
Like walking away from people who were bad for their skin (and their cortisol levels). My dating life? Let’s just say it’s under review. But my skin? Glowing. Dewy. Slightly obsessed with herself. I used to think self-care was something you did after the chaos. Now it’s my baseline. My version of romance isn’t roses : it’s a glowy skin routine with Korean skincare-inspired steps, a jelly-textured cleanser that feels like water on silk, and three minutes of eye contact with myself in the mirror. Because let’s be real: the only “situationship” I want right now is between my moisturizer and my barrier.
It started with textures. Then it became a standard.
At first, it was curiosity. A jelly cleanser that felt cool, light, a little addictive. The kind of texture you use once and think, okay, I get it now. That bounce? It was a water-based gel formula : designed to cleanse without stripping, especially in summer when skin is already more reactive. It made me want to double cleanse even when I hadn’t worn makeup, just for the feeling lol.
I wasn’t planning to make skincare a thing. I just wanted something that felt nice after a long day.
But that soft, fresh texture shifted something. I started craving that same feeling of clarity, not just on my skin, but in how I ended my day.
No chaos. No rushing. Just three steps that made me feel a little more held.
My routine became the only thing I didn’t second-guess.
I learned quickly that overdoing it never worked for me. My skin doesn’t like friction, in exfoliants or relationships.
So I built a minimalist routine around what worked:
→ A light essence with fermented ingredients to calm redness and support my microbiome
→ A serum with niacinamide (not 10%, just enough to balance)
→ A barrier cream that feels weightless but leaves my skin feeling protected, like sleep in a jar
It wasn’t about having the most products. It was about having the right ones, and giving them space to do their thing.
I found balance where I wasn’t even looking.
I stopped looking for glow in validation. I stopped needing someone to text back to feel good about my reflection.
And without even realizing it, my skin (like my mindset, lol) started to balance itself.
I learned to read it.
When it’s dry, I listen.
When it’s red, I slow down.
When it’s happy, I let it be.
I’ve had a lot of inconsistent love stories. My skin isn’t one of them anymore.
It’s not a self-care moment. It’s my baseline.
The internet turned skincare into a spectacle. Shelfies. Product stacks. 9-step routines before bed.
But for me? It’s simpler than that. A water-based cleanser. A few drops of right actives. A light cream that seals everything in without smothering it. That’s it.
My routine isn’t just super glamour. It’s grounded.
And in a way, that’s more romantic than anything I’ve had this year.
I’m not glowing because I’m healed. I’m glowing because I’m consistent.
The truth is, my dating life isn’t giving right now. But my skin is !
Not because I’ve found the one, but because I’ve stopped waiting.
For people to show up. For things to align. For someone to make it feel like enough.
My skincare routine shows up for me.
Even when I’m tired. Even when I’m off. Especially when I need a reminder that showing up, gently, daily, is more powerful than chasing perfect.
A little tip : Healthy skin doesn’t come from trying 10 products at once, it comes from supporting your barrier over time.