In today’s day and age, we are plagued by information. And I do not mean it in a good way. Everyone on the internet seems to be an expert barring the experts. There is so much information about anything and everything that as a consumer, it’s difficult to gauge the authenticity. This wave of overinformation has also seeped into skincare. The result? Cabinets filled with skincare products. Products that, in all probability, your skin does not need. We’re not against skincare routines or good products. After all, we’re a skincare brand too. We just want you to use them wisely and keep it simple.
The confusion crisis
We live in times where in 5 minutes you can be exposed to 5 different pov’s. And so the "Confusion Crisis" in skincare is a real phenomenon. Consumers encounter conflicting advice on social media and other platforms, leading to anxiety, frustration and ineffective routines. Let’s break this down further:
Contradictory advice on key ingredients
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Retinol advice is mixed: some say daily use prevents aging, others warn it harms the skin barrier. Experts suggest starting 1-2 times a week and increasing as tolerated, using it at night to aid skin repair. Overuse can cause dryness and irritation.
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Retinol may damage the skin barrier by disrupting key lipids and proteins, causing dryness and sensitivity. A healthy barrier improves retinol's effectiveness and reduces irritation.
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Vitamin C is usually recommended in the morning to protect against UV and pollution and boost sunscreen. Night use aids collagen and repair but requires sunscreen next day due to sensitivity.
Who do you trust? Which advice should you follow and which should you ignore? The consumer is left confused and they often end up using the wrong products or the wrong combination and this damages the skin.
Information overload - Suffocated skin
This information overload has willingly or unwillingly found its way to our skin. It’s almost as if our skin is buried under layers of debris. But the truth is that your skin breathes best when it has space to repair and restore itself. But in today’s world of endless “must-try” products and hacks, we’re suffocating it with too much. Layering acids over serums, following up with oils, masks, and overnight treatments might sound like dedication but to your skin, it’s chaos.
Information overload doesn’t just confuse you, it overwhelms your skin. The more you keep switching products and routines, the less chance your skin has to adjust and actually benefit. What you see as “care” can quickly turn into stress, leaving you with breakouts, irritation, or a damaged barrier. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do for your skin is to stop bombarding it with every new tip and give it the simplicity it craves.
FOMO is real
Scroll through Instagram for five minutes, and you’ll feel the pressure to try the “next big thing” in skincare. One week it’s snail mucin, the next it’s peptide serums, and before you know it, your bathroom shelf looks like a science lab. That’s skincare FOMO in action.
The fear of missing out convinces us that if we’re not using what everyone else is, our skin will somehow fall behind. But here’s the truth: your skin doesn’t care about trends. It cares about consistency.
FOMO makes us chase routines that aren’t meant for us, piling on products we don’t need and abandoning the basics that actually work. And ironically, instead of achieving that flawless “glass skin” look we see online, we end up with irritation, breakouts, and a holed wallet. Skincare isn’t a race, and there are no gold medals for who tries the most viral product first. The real win is calm, healthy skin that doesn’t need filters.
Be simple, be gentle
Simplicity in skincare, like in life, is more sustainable and always stands the test of time. Don’t believe me? Let me prove it to you. Ever noticed your grandma’s skin? It rarely feels dry or unhealthy. Has she ever used modern skincare? In most cases, no. She probably lived a healthy life, ate clean, and followed very basic skincare routines. Simplicity always outlives trends. Ingredients and routines will come and go, glass skin today, cloud skin tomorrow, but gentle, consistent care will always stand the test of time.
Your skin doesn’t need an army of products to stay healthy. It needs the basics: a good cleanser, a nourishing moisturizer, and sunscreen you’ll actually use every day. These are the quiet heroes that protect and repair, not the flashy serums that pop up and vanish with the next viral reel.
Gentle skincare means respecting your skin’s limits, not pushing it to perform. It’s about giving it room to breathe, recover, and glow naturally. The fewer experiments you throw at it, the more balanced and resilient it becomes.
Oteria - Simple and effective skincare
Oteria believes that simplicity works best when it comes to skincare. We bring together the best of science and nature to create products that are protective of your skin but not over protective. Oteria’s products help maintain skin balance, reduce irritation, and promote natural radiance, making skincare accessible and manageable for all skin types and genders. Let’s take a closer look at some of our products:
Aloe Hydrating Facewash
Say goodbye to dryness and hello to balanced, radiant skin with Oteria’s Aloe Hydrating Face Wash. This gentle yet effective cleanser combines Aloe Vera for soothing hydration & is recommended to be used for acne-prone skin, Salicylic Acid for gentle exfoliation, and Niacinamide to boost moisture and refine skin texture.
Perfect for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, this paraben-free face wash restores moisture, strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, and keeps pores clear, making it an everyday essential for fresh, healthy skin.
Key ingredients
Aloe Vera: Deeply hydrates, soothes irritation and supports skin cell repair.
Niacinamide(1%): Improves texture, reinforces the skin barrier and reduces excess oil.
Salicylic Acid: Gently exfoliates, unclogs pores and helps prevent breakouts.
How to use
Pour an appropriate quantity into wet hands
Gently massage onto your face and neck, forming a lather
Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry
Use twice daily, morning and evening, for best results
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Disclaimer: Results based on subjective evaluation. Since our products are made with natural ingredients/extracts they may change the colour and fragrance, but the performance of the product is unaffected.
Whipped Body Yogurt
Enriched with Red Algae Extract, Oteria’s Whipped Body Yogurt enhances skin suppleness and hydration. A perfect addition to your body care routine, the Body Yogurt for women provides intense hydration, seamlessly absorbing to refresh and rejuvenate. Whether you're building a complete skin maintenance routine or enhancing your daily skincare, this cream after shower is an essential for long-lasting hydration and smoothness.
Key ingredients
Red Algae Extract: Enhances skin suppleness and hydration.
How to use
Apply product as needed and massage into damp skin post shower, or when skin needs hydration.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Disclaimer: Results based on subjective evaluation. Since our products are made with natural ingredients/extracts they may change the colour and fragrance, but the performance of the product is unaffected.
Check out our entire range of products here.
Takeaway
The problem isn’t skincare. It’s the overinformation around it. And it’s our job to beware and see that we don’t get sucked into everything that you see and hear on the internet. Your skin doesn’t need complications,it needs care. The beauty of skincare isn’t in chasing everything at once, but in choosing wisely and keeping it simple. And that’s what we at Oteria believe.
FAQs
1. Can using too many skincare products actually harm my skin?
Yes. Overloading your skin with multiple active ingredients can damage the skin barrier, leading to irritation, breakouts, and sensitivity.
2. Do I really need a 10-step skincare routine?
No. A basic routine of cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen is enough for most skin types. Anything beyond this should be added slowly and only if your skin truly needs it.
3. How do I know which skincare advice to trust online?
Always prioritize advice from dermatologists and certified skin experts over influencers or viral hacks. What works for one person might not work for your skin type.
4. How long should I give a product before expecting results?
On average, most skincare products take 4–6 weeks of consistent use to show results. Patience and consistency matter more than switching products too often.
5. Is DIY skincare (like lemon, turmeric, or toothpaste) safer than branded products?
Not necessarily. Many DIY remedies can cause burns, irritation, or long-term damage. Dermat-tested formulations are safer and more effective.
6. How do I fight skincare FOMO (fear of missing out)?
Remember: your skin doesn’t care about trends. Stick to a simple, consistent routine that suits your skin instead of chasing every new product online.
7. Can I use Oteria’s Aloe Hydrating Face Wash every day?
Yes. It’s formulated with Aloe Vera, Niacinamide, and Salicylic Acid to gently cleanse, hydrate, and keep pores clear — making it safe for daily use, even on oily or acne-prone skin.
8. Why does Oteria emphasize “simple skincare”?
Because less is more. At Oteria, we believe effective skincare comes from balance and consistency, not from overwhelming your skin with dozens of products it doesn’t need.