02-08-2025
Gen Z sees skincare as a simple way to care for themselves
Skincare today is more than just a beauty step—it's a small act of daily care, especially for Gen Z. For this generation, the skincare routine isn't just about looking polished. It's about feeling better, slowing down, and creating moments of peace in an overstimulated it's a five-step routine or just a splash of cold water followed by moisturiser, Gen Z finds comfort in the consistency. Skincare, for many, has become a quiet space in their day. 'It's the one time I'm not doom-scrolling or checking emails,' says Sanya Chawla, 22, a media student. 'Even washing my face feels like a reset.'advertisementThis emotional shift reflects something deeper, an awareness of mental health, boundaries, and balance. A 2024 report notes that nearly 70% of Gen Z consumers consider skincare a part of their self-care practice, not just a cosmetic concern. The focus has moved from chasing perfect skin to building personal rituals that soothe and support.
A clay mask isn't just for oil control, it's 10 minutes of quiet. A hydrating mist isn't only for glow, it's a midday mental break. 'I don't always meditate or journal,' says Diksha Nandal, 21, a student, 'but I never skip my skincare. It keeps me grounded.'MENTAL HEALTH, NOT MIRRORS, IS DRIVING THE SHIFTA deeper awareness of mental health, wellness, and individuality is shaping Gen Z's approach to beauty. According to a 2024 report, nearly 70% of Gen Z consumers view skincare as part of their self-care practice, not simply a cosmetic this new lexicon of beauty, a clay mask is no longer just about oil control; it's ten minutes of quiet. A face mist isn't just about dewiness; it's a micro-reset during a stressful WFH user-friendly packaging, clean formulations, and accessible yet clinical language, they are carving out a space that balances function with feeling. Their range includes ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, and bakuchiol, active components that tackle real Indian skin concerns like hyperpigmentation and sensitivity without compromising on sensorial jelly cleansers that melt on contact, or serums that feel like silk. As Queenie puts it, we look at skincare as a ritual of self-connection. It's about efficacy, yes, but also about how the product makes you feel.'BEAUTY THAT CALMS THE NERVOUS SYSTEMThis shift isn't just emotional, it's physiological. Studies show that tactile beauty rituals such as applying serums, massaging moisturisers, or layering toners can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety. For Gen Z, this matters TikTok and Instagram, creators speak openly about burnout, emotional dysregulation, and digital fatigue. Skincare, for many, becomes more than a habit—it becomes a form of gentle resistance and TRADITION, REVIVING STILLNESSThis ritualistic lens isn't entirely new. Ancient Indian beauty traditions from natural masks to rosewater tonics have long emphasised mindfulness. The difference now is that modern skincare is marrying tradition with technology, ritual with in doing so, it's offering Gen Z more than just better skin. It's offering a sacred pause, a moment of connection, and a quiet assertion of self in an otherwise noisy world.'True beauty lies in how something makes you feel,' Queenie reflects. 'When skincare becomes a daily reminder to pause, breathe, and connect that's when it works.'- Ends
