Psychology says women with 10-step skincare routines may be doing more than caring for their skin

For some women, skincare is a quick application of moisturiser before bed. For others, it can involve cleansing, toning, exfoliating, essences, serums, eye creams, moisturisers, facial oils and sunscreen, sometimes turning an ordinary morning or evening into a carefully structured 10-step skincare routine. While it is easy to dismiss this as vanity or an obsession with appearance, psychology offers a more complicated explanation. A lengthy skincare routine can combine habit formation, self-care, identity, perceived control, reward and appearance management. The same routine can even mean different things to different women.

Psychology Says Skincare Can Become A Powerful Daily Ritual