You open your phone for a quick break. Three videos later, someone has convinced you that your routine is missing a toner, two serums and a cream you hadn’t heard of yesterday.

It’s easy to get curious. Skincare can be fun, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying it. But you don’t need to turn every recommendation into a shopping list.

Before trying the next viral product, give yourself a moment to ask what it would actually do for you.

Does it solve a problem you actually have?

Start with your own reason for considering it. Is your skin feeling dry? Are you looking for help with spots? Or did the video simply make your current routine feel incomplete?

“Everyone has it” is a reason something is popular. It doesn’t tell you whether you need it.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that teen skincare should be simple: gentle cleansing, moisturising and sun protection. Adult anti-ageing routines can add unnecessary irritation without addressing what younger skin needs.

Try finishing this sentence before buying: “I want this product to help with ____.” If the answer is hard to name, save the video and come back to it another day.

Are you copying a whole routine?

A creator’s shelf is one person’s collection, not a checklist you need to complete. You also might not know what else they use, whether they receive treatment, or how long they’ve been using the product they’re showing.

Introducing one new product at a time is the AAP’s advice; layering lots of active ingredients can irritate skin. Burning or stinging should not be treated as proof that a cosmetic product is working. Pause a new cosmetic that causes irritation and seek advice if symptoms persist.

Keep the packaging and instructions, too. A short video is easy to remember incorrectly once you’re standing at the bathroom sink.

Is it skincare, or acne treatment?

You may have heard that teens should avoid retinol and assumed that means every retinoid is off limits. There’s an important distinction: a cosmetic anti-ageing purchase and a medicine recommended for acne serve different purposes.

The NHS lists topical retinoids among acne treatments. A pharmacist can advise on mild acne, while a GP can help when acne is more severe or pharmacy treatment hasn’t worked. Follow the advice for your treatment rather than replacing it with a creator’s routine. If a prescribed product irritates your skin, ask your prescriber or pharmacist how to manage it.

Does the promise leave room for real life?

Be cautious of a routine that promises to clear acne overnight. The American Academy of Dermatology says improvement can take weeks to months, and repeatedly switching treatments can irritate skin and trigger breakouts.

A useful question is: “Could I comfortably keep doing this on an ordinary school morning?” Your routine has to fit around breakfast, a missing sock and getting out of the door, not just look good on camera.

Make your next step a small one

Before adding something new, write down what you already use and what you want help with. You can use your BeauTeen Beauty Journal to keep those notes together. They can also help you explain your routine when asking a pharmacist or doctor for advice.

If acne is painful, leaving scars or making you feel very low or anxious, speak to a GP. You deserve support without having to work through another shelf of products first.

You’re allowed to enjoy a skincare video, admire the packaging and still close the app without buying anything. Your next good skincare decision might be sticking with what already works for you.