Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much consumerism shapes the way we shop for skincare.

One viral social media video, a beautifully packaged product, or a must-have influencer recommendation, and suddenly, we feel like we need the next “better” thing.

I’ve been there many times… My skincare shelf slowly became cluttered with half-used cleansers, unopened serums, and moisturisers I forgot I even bought.

That’s when I decided to hit reset, to start my “empty product phase.”

I actually did this years ago and it worked. My skincare felt simpler, my shelf looked lighter, and I used products I truly liked.

But along the way, consumerism crept back in — social media trends, irresistible marketing, and endless must-try lists pulled me back into overbuying.

This time, I want to be more consistent and mindful. I want to slow down, focus on what I already have, and truly appreciate the products that work for me. Here’s where I’m starting:

CLEANSERS

Three different cleansers — each bought during my travels. This time, I’ll finish them one by one before buying anything new.

CLEANSING OILS & BALMS

I like to double cleanse and use cleansing oil. The Softymo cleansing oil is my latest addition, and I’ve finally finished the True to Skin cleansing balm, which I liked for its bubblegum scent.

MICELLAR WATER & TONER

In the mornings, I reach for micellar water for a quick refresh, and I alternate between Soap & Glory’s Clarifying Tonic and Muji’s Light Toning Water depending on my mood. Thinking back, my all-time favourites have been Clarins and L’Occitane — gentle and balanced.

MOISTURISERS

Five moisturisers, far too many for one face. It’s giving me anxiety just looking at them, but I’ve decided to return to basics. From now on, I’ll finish what I already own before letting anything new in.

FACE OILS & REPAIR SERUM

My skin has been loving oils. The Garden of Eden face oil remains one of my holy grails. As for the Safi Youth Gold repair serum, it hasn’t done much for me… and I’m honestly contemplating letting it go. Funny enough, my younger skin once thrived on Safi Rania Gold, but seasons change, and so does our skin.

SUNSCREEN

Out of the four I currently own, the Garden of Eden Day Cream SPF50++ is my absolute favourite, followed by Safi Youth Gold and Hatomugi. As for d’Alba, I bought it because TikTok told me to… and let’s just say, I could live without it.

EYE CREAM

My latest indulgence is Beauty of Joseon eye cream… But even with this, I’m keeping a promise to myself: no more new products until I finish what I have.

FACE MIST

Of the three, the Elixir Luminous Glow Mist is the one I reach for most. I still keep Boots Glow and d’Alba nearby, though honestly, I could live without the d’Alba… I never quite understood the hype.

TRAVEL KIT

And then, there’s my skincare travel kit — small, simple, and always ready. I never unpack it, I just grab and go whenever I need it.

Stepping into this empty product phase feels like reclaiming a little peace. So, here’s to using what I already own, loving what I choose to keep, and gently letting go of what no longer serves me.