Skincare Trends: The Buzzwords You’ve Seen Are Not New

Skincare Trends: Buzzwords, Gimmicks, and What They Really Mean

I told you so.....

I have a love-hate relationship with social media. One of the things I loathe—and love— is how quickly a trend can explode. Someone comes up with a catchy name, and suddenly it’s “the next big thing.” In skincare, this couldn’t be more obvious.

Take the latest buzzwords: skin cycling, skin twinning, skin streaming, reverse routine, skinimalism, neurocosmetics, exosome skincare, ABC skincare, biome-balance skincare… the list goes on. People are posting routines, hashtags are trending, and everyone’s convinced they’ve discovered the next big thing!

Here’s the truth: none of this is new. Not by a long shot. This is exactly what I’ve been telling you every single visit. It’s about knowing your skin, your hormones, your lifestyle, and how your skin changes over time.

Professionals, dermatologists, and skincare specialists have been saying this for years—long before it got a cute Tik Tok/ Instagram name.

So, let’s break these trends down, my way:

• Skin Cycling: Rotating actives without irritation. People think rotating your skincare is “new.” Really? I’ve been saying this for decades. The important thing is to rotate actives like retinoids and vitamin C to get the benefits without overloading or irritating your skin.

  
  

• Skin Twinning: Matching routines with someone else. Cute idea, but what works for them will not necessarily work for you— you and your skin are unique. Everyone’s skin reacts differently, so copying someone else’s routine is a recipe for breakouts, irritation, or just disappointment.

• Skin Streaming: Using products whenever you remember during the day. Really… who has the time for this? Most ladies wear makeup, SPF, or both! Just how is this going to work? Are you meant to wash it all off every time you put something new on? Just… how, why? Your morning and evening routine, tailored to you, will always work best. Consistency beats chaos.

• Reverse Routine: Applying products in reverse order to boost hydration and barrier protection. WTAF.... Errrrrmmmm no no no. Putting SPF or moisturiser on first? I really don’t get the science on this one. SPF and moisturiser provide a barrier against the outside world and lock moisture in—how could it work the other way? Just… NO.

  
  

• Skinimalism: A minimalist approach focusing on a few effective products rather than a 6-step routine. Fewer products, more sense. I’ve always said: pick what works for you and your skin needs, ditch the rest. Overcomplicating your routine won’t make your skin glow faster.

  
  

• Neurocosmetics: Fancy name, simple idea. These are products that help calm your skin—think redness, irritation, or stress-related flare-ups. Only useful for certain skin concerns and really best left to a skin professional to guide. Not something every skin needs, so don’t go buying the whole shelf.

  
  

• Exosome Skincare: Big science-y word for “cell-boosting stuff that helps your skin repair and regenerate.” Cool concept, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle—your skin needs more than this to really thrive.

  
  

• ABC Skincare: Personalised routines tailored to your lifestyle! That’s what I’ve been doing for 30 years in consultations—no gimmicks required.

• Biome-Balance Skincare: Basically, keeping your skin’s good bacteria happy so your barrier stays strong and healthy. Important? Yes. But it’s just one piece of the bigger picture—you still need the right routine, products, and care for your unique skin.

  
  

And here’s the thing: basically all of the ABC principles and most of the other trends above are exactly what I offer in your skin consultations, which I have been doing for 30 years. This is not a fad. This is real, personalised skincare that works with your body, your hormones, and your lifestyle.

I sort of love these trends because they actually get people looking after their skin and thinking about what they’re putting on it. That’s a win. ✨

But I also loathe them because so many people then end up using the wrong products or treatments they don’t really need, just because a catchy hashtag told them so. 🙄

So here’s my advice: your skin is the largest organ of your body, always changing, and completely unique. Don’t get taken in by the buzzwords. Look after it properly, and yes, sometimes it helps to have a professional like me to guide you.

And for the record… if you ever think “hey , Alison was right!”—well, Hmmm… yeah, you’re welcome. 😏