Maybe you first spotted them on social media. Or during the after-holiday sales. Or maybe even (gasp!) on your BFF. Whatever the reason, you fell instantly, madly in love—even though they weren’t quite right for you.

We don’t blame you for swooning over their looks, their popularity or their big promises. But just like any unhealthy relationship, crushing on the wrong products or practices only leads to trouble: rough patches, irritation and the inevitable break(up)outs.

Ready to fall for your face care again? Our experts are here to help you find the skin love you’ve been looking for.

Break up with: Over-the-top skincare routines

“More doesn’t always mean better,” shares dermatologist and Erly co-founder Dr. Hallie McDonald.

In fact, a study by Northwestern Medicine found that the more complex your routine is, “the more at risk you are for developing lifelong skin allergies,” Dr. McDonald says.

The bottom line? When you pile on too many products, you’re basically setting yourself up for splotchy, breakout-prone skin.

Learn to love: Streamlined routines

Derms can confirm: Sticking to a simple ritual with fewer steps and ingredients is the gateway to a gorgeous glow. “All that’s needed is two to three products in the morning and two to three at night,” dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian assures us.

Start out with a pore de-clogging cleanser with PHAs (a modern, more gentle acid exfoliator similar to the AHAs you might be used to). It clears away dirt and oil without stripping (you want to look fi re–not feel like you’re on fire, IYKYK). Follow your cleanse with a hydration boost. A good moisturizer not only smooths and softens but also calms stressed-out skin for a clearer, cushier complexion (and add an SPF in the a.m., please).

Try: Saint Crewe Water Whip, $42, saintcrewe.com

Break up with: Using aggressive actives

Part of the reason piling on so many products causes irritation is that, well, some of them contain ingredients (or “actives”) that can be legit irritating. Take retinoids, for example. Please hear this from our derms: You don’t need to be using them until your 20s.

“Prescription-strength retinoids—or even over-the-counter retinol—can be too harsh for younger skin. That leads to dryness, flaking and redness,” explains Dr. McDonald.

Learn to love: One-and-done formulas

Instead of loading up on acids, Dr. Nazarian recommends using a vitamin-packed serum to protect against free-radical damage and keep your skin healthy. There are plenty of formulas with nourishing ingredients that will do more for your complexion than harsh actives ever could.

Look for serums with antioxidants like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid to leave you with a dewy glow.

Try: Erly Daily Dew Illuminating Serum, $38, itserly.com

Break up with: UV chasing

No ifs, ands or buts—tanning is one of skincare’s cardinal sins. “Whether you’re burning or bronzing, your skin is being injured,” says Dr. McDonald. “There’s no such thing as a ‘safe’ tan,” she explains, noting that “a tan is literally a sign your skin is trying to protect itself from damage.”

Learn to love: Seamless self-tans

The safest glow is one you get from a bottle, not from the sun. And lucky for us, self-tanners have come a long way from the streaky formulas of the past.

Want a golden boost without the commitment? We love a wash-off cream that levels up your look temporarily, minus the self-tanner stress (streaking, orange hands, etc.).

Need something with more staying power? Go for a 360-degree spray that gives even those hard-to-reach spots a (safe) sunkissed finish.

Try: Lux Unfiltered N°10 Blurring Body Glow, $28, sephora.com

Break up with: Pimple popping

Yes, the instinct to pummel a new bump into oblivion is strong, but we’ve all learned the hard way that picking and popping only makes things worse. Go ahead and keep watching those oddly satisfying videos, but remember: Your own face is strictly off-limits.

Learn to love: A blemish-busting tool-kit…and some patience

Zits happen, and when they do, the best thing to remember is proceed with caution—and with an arsenal of complexion cures.

Stick to your gentle cleansing and moisturizing routine, then add a spot treatment with proven ingredients like salicylic acid, willow bark, sulfur or niacinamide.

Dr. Nazarian is also a big fan of pimple patches: Not only do they physically prevent you from picking, but the hydrocolloid material helps to draw out excess oil and reduce a pimple’s size, appearance and redness within hours.

Try: Innbeauty Project Pimple Paste Overnight Blemish Spot Treatment, $19, sephora.com

Break up with: Trusting TikTok advice

When influencers encourage experimenting with new-to-you products, tools and treatments, things can get a li’l dicey, warns Dr. Nazarian: “Putting your trust in someone who has zero formal skin education isn’t a really great idea.” Remember, just because someone sounds confi dent doesn’t mean they know what they’re actually talking about.

Learn to love: Qualified creators

Stick with experts who have proper credentials, such as board-certified derms (three on our feed: @drwhitneybowe, @dermdoctor and @dermbeautydoc). Not only do they serve up trustworthy content, but you’ll learn a lot along the way. Then you and your skin can finally live happily ever after.

Try a fave from their feeds: Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Vanilla Vibezzz, $36, sephora.com

Hey, girl! Just to let you know, this originally ran in our February/March 2026 Issue. Read our print mag for *free* today when you click HERE!

Check out more beauty recs here:
💕 Here’s your next GRWM inspo, courtesy of our fave pop girlies
💕 Winter beauty habits your face will thank you for
💕 How to beat dry skin this winter

Top and slider image: @mayas.png
Body images: @hanababajic, @includinglife, @emmaredcay, @briannesikorski, @hasnaa.bct