Unpopular opinion: The cult of hydration is making us forget what healthy skin actually looks like
I was at a casual get-together last weekend, and instead of the usual chatter about sports or movies, the entire conversation pivoted to discussing the merits of hyaluronic acid versus snail mucin. It hit me that skincare has shifted from a private routine to a public performance, almost like a new form of social currency. I've noticed friends now casually drop brand names like they're discussing fine wine, and there's this unspoken pressure to have a 'shelfie' worth showing off. What's wild is that it's not just in my friend group; I see it at coffee shops, on public transit, even overheard two strangers debating chemical exfoliants in line at the grocery store. It feels like we're in an arms race for perfect skin, but half the time, I wonder if we're just chasing trends rather than listening to our own skin. Personally, I've had to scale back after my own overzealous routine left me with a red, irritated mess, so maybe there's a lesson in moderation. Has anyone else seen this skincare chatter become ubiquitous, or am I just hanging out with the wrong crowd? Let's discuss how this culture shift is affecting our actual skin health versus our social lives.