How India's Skincare Revolution Changed in a Decade

Hey readers, how many of you are obsessed with skincare like me? Even though my skin doesn't care about me and breaks out often then and now but I wholeheartedly follow my skincare regime.

Over the past decade, the skincare industry has evolved significantly. From applying Multani mitti on our face to shifting to having a proper skincare routine of Cleaning, Toning, & Moisturizing, we have surely come a long way.

Dr. Chiranjiv Chhabra, Chief Dermatologist at Alive Wellness Clinics, emphasizes the significance of clinical skincare:

Clinical skincare is skincare backed by science and developed by skin experts, like dermatologists, who understand how skin works.

If skincare is a bible, then cleansing has to be it's first chapter of the holy book. Back in 2015, makeup wipes were our go-to for removing makeup after coming back from every function. In 2025, double cleansing is the foundation of a proper skincare routine.

Ten years ago, nobody took skincare that seriously, so their skincare wasn't tailored to their needs. All skincare problems were solved by applying vaseline and boroline but in 2025, our skincare routine is as individualistic as we are.

Rebecca Marcus, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Dallas and the founder of Maei MD 🔗 explains:

Double cleansing is a two-step cleansing process that ensures complete removal of all makeup, sunscreen, sebum, and dirt from your skin. The first cleanser should be oil-based and the second one should be water-based.

Back in 2015, coconut oil was the holy grail of the beauty community. There wasn't a single problem that couldn't be solved with coconut oil. From removing makeup to moisturizing our skin, coconut oil was the ultimate! But over time, it has been studied that coconut oil has a high comedogenic rating, meaning it can easily clog pores and trigger breakouts. It forms an occlusive layer without supporting the skin’s natural barrier. This can disrupt the skin’s ability to retain moisture, leading to dryness, inflammation, and sensitivity.

So nowadays we use moisturizers that contain ceramides, peptides, and humectants, which hydrate our skin and build our skin barrier.

Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and the founder of Skincare Junkie 🔗 mentioned:

Coconut oil is comedogenic so it may exacerbate acne breakouts and clogged pores.

I never knew sunscreen could be such an important member of the skincare family. Sunscreen in 2015 was like a middle child who was always overlooked but fun fact, nobody knew that middle child was going to be the black horse of the family. Initially, sunscreens had thick, greasy textures and often left a visible white cast on skin of colour but nowadays, skincare is of various forms- lightweight, tinted, easily blendable with zero white cast. So sunscreen in our daytime skincare routine is a must.

If only our previous generations had been as concerned about aging as we are today! But the truth is, aging is inevitable and it shows most visibly on our skin. As we grow older, our skin naturally loses its elasticity, hydration, and firmness, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness. Thanks to beauty influencers on Instagram and YouTube who taught us the value of Retinol, which is considered the most important anti-aging ingredient, promoting cell turnover, smoothing texture, and boosting collagen production.

In 2015, products used to contain parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances and people were not aware of the consequences of such chemicals but since people are learning and understanding what's good for their skin, they are turning eventually to products which are clean, organic, vegan, and cruelty-free. They prefer Ayurvedic ingredients like turmeric, ashwagandha, and bakuchiol in their skincare products.

While traditional skincare tools like jade rollers, guasha were go-to for our parents, but Gen Z prefer clinical treatments, like microneedling and nano needling, to stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture, and enhance the absorption of active ingredients. 

Dr. Mona Gohara, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, explains microneedling:

In the microneedling procedure, a dermaroller wand studded with tiny needles is run over skin to even out its texture, including wrinkles and scarring.

In today’s world, where stress, pollution, and screen time constantly challenge our skin, a proper skincare regime is no longer optional—it’s essential. And as Gen Z has shown us, it’s not about blindly following trends, but about making mindful choices, understanding ingredients, and respecting what our skin truly needs. Skincare is about embracing who we are, flaws and all, and showing up for ourselves every day—glowing, confident, and beautiful as we all are!

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