Why Most Indians Still Use The Wrong Skincare Routine For Their Skin Type

India does not have a skincare crisis, it has a context crisis. Despite unprecedented access to skincare information, products, and professional treatments, a large section of Indians continue to follow routines that actively work against their skin. The problem is not lack of interest; it is misalignment between skin type and product choice, climate and formulation, trend and biology.

According to Dr Dipali Jaybhay, Dermatologist and Founder, Viva Skin Clinic, one of the most persistent issues is the dominance of generic, one-size-fits-all advice. Social media, advertisements, and word-of-mouth recommendations often ignore a fundamental truth: what works for oily skin can severely disrupt dry or sensitive skin. This leads to common consequences,

breakouts, irritation, accelerated ageing, and compromised skin barriers. The widespread availability of inexpensive products further worsens the issue, as many consumers choose affordability or instant results over suitability and safety, often cycling through multiple products too quickly.

Climate adds another layer of complexity. As cosmetic scientist Oscar Pereira, Founder and Skincare Formulator, CodeSkin, explains, Indian skin exists in some of the most demanding conditions globally from Mumbai’s humidity to Delhi’s polluted winters and consistently high UV exposure. Yet many routines are borrowed wholesale from Western or East Asian frameworks designed for cooler, less polluted environments. Heavy creams, occlusive textures, and multi-step layering overwhelm skin that is already oil-prone and heat-stressed. Indian skin, he notes, rarely lacks oil; it lacks balance.

Cultural habits often compound the damage. Frequent scrubbing, over-cleansing to remove sweat, and DIY remedies using lemon, turmeric, or clay persist despite modern understanding of skin biology. These practices disrupt pH levels, cause micro-inflammation, and worsen oiliness and pigmentation over time. Sunscreen misuse remains another major concern. Despite high UV exposure year-round, many Indians skip sun protection entirely, often under the false belief that deeper skin tones are naturally protected.

The confusion between skin type and skin condition further fuels ineffective routines. Jeet Singh Malhotra, Founder and CEO, Adonis, points out that oily skin is frequently treated harshly with strong cleansers, triggering rebound oil production, while acne-prone skin avoids moisturisers altogether, ironically worsening breakouts due to dehydration. Seasonal neglect is also common, with people failing to adapt routines to humidity, temperature, or pollution changes.

Marketing and virality accelerate these mistakes. Fairness claims, instant glow promises, and celebrity endorsements often override ingredient literacy and formulation logic. Viral routines rarely consider melanin-rich skin’s heightened response to inflammation or exfoliation, leading to pigmentation and sensitivity issues.

The solution, experts agree, is not more products but better structure. A simple, climate-aware routine, cleanser, targeted serum, lightweight moisturiser, and sunscreen addresses the real stressors Indian skin faces far more effectively than elaborate layering. As Pereira aptly states, Indian skin is not difficult, it is simply misunderstood. Long-term skin health lies in personalisation, patience, and science, not imported assumptions or fleeting trends.