One Year Ago, I Made a Commitment
February 2025. I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, looking at skin that was breaking out, dull, and just... tired. I'd tried every trendy product that crossed my Instagram feed. I'd bought expensive serums that sat unused after two applications. I'd convinced myself my skin was just "bad" and there wasn't much I could do about it.
But I made a deal with myself that night: one year of actual, real consistency. No skipping nights because I was tired. No buying new products every time I got bored. No giving up after two weeks because I didn't see results yet.
One year later, my skin has completely transformed. But the lessons I learned went way beyond clearer skin.
Month 1-2: The Purge (And the Temptation to Quit)
I started using retinol. Everyone said my skin would purge. I didn't believe it would be that bad.
It was that bad.
My skin broke out worse than it had in years. I had flakiness around my nose and chin. I looked in the mirror and thought, "This is supposed to be helping?"
I almost quit. But I'd read enough to know this was normal, so I pushed through. I kept my routine simple: gentle cleanser, retinol every other night, rich moisturizer. That's it. No adding more actives, no trying to "fix" the purge with new products.
Lesson learned: Your skin gets worse before it gets better when you're actually treating it. Trust the process, not the mirror.
Month 3-4: The First Real Changes
Around week 10, I noticed my skin texture was... smoother. The rough bumps on my forehead were fading. My breakouts were less inflamed. I wasn't waking up with new pimples every other day.
It wasn't dramatic. No one else probably noticed. But I noticed. And that was enough to keep going.
I added vitamin C serum to my morning routine. One new product, used every day for at least a month before adding anything else.
Lesson learned: Progress is slow and subtle. Take progress photos because your brain won't remember what "before" actually looked like.
Month 5-6: People Started Noticing
"Your skin looks really good. What are you using?"
A coworker asked me this in June, and I almost cried. Not because I'm dramatic about skincare (okay, maybe a little), but because it meant the changes were visible.
My skin looked brighter. The hyperpigmentation from old acne scars was fading. My pores looked smaller (they're not actually smaller, but they were less clogged and therefore less visible).
I started feeling confident enough to leave the house without foundation. Just sunscreen, a little concealer, done.
Lesson learned: Results take longer than the internet tells you. "See results in 2 weeks!" is a lie. Real change takes months.
Month 7-9: The Plateau (And the Urge to Do More)
By fall, my skin had stabilized. It was good. Not perfect—I still got the occasional hormonal breakout, I still had some texture—but objectively better than it had ever been.
And that's when I got the itch to add more. Maybe I needed an acid toner. Maybe I should try a different retinol. Maybe I needed that new serum everyone was raving about.
I bought a BHA toner. Used it twice. Broke out. Remembered why I committed to simplicity in the first place.
Lesson learned: More products do not equal better skin. Once you find what works, stick with it. Boredom is not a reason to change your routine.
Month 10-12: Maintenance and Gratitude
By the time I hit month 10, my routine was second nature. I didn't have to think about it. I didn't have to force myself to do it. It was just... what I did every night. Like brushing my teeth.
My skin stayed clear. The glow was consistent. I felt comfortable in my skin in a way I hadn't since my early twenties.
And here's the thing that surprised me most: I started appreciating my skin for what it did, not just how it looked.
My skin protected me every day. It healed itself when I got a scratch or a breakout. It responded to care when I gave it consistently. It was resilient and capable, and I'd spent so many years being frustrated with it instead of grateful for it.
Lesson learned: Skincare isn't just about looking good. It's about respecting the body you live in.
The Biggest Lessons From a Year of Consistency
1. Consistency is the only thing that actually works.
The best routine is the one you'll do every single day. Not the most expensive, not the trendiest, not the one with the most steps.
2. Patience is a skill, not a virtue.
I had to actively practice waiting. Resisting the urge to change everything when I didn't see results in a week. Trusting that time + consistency = change.
3. Your skin is not the enemy.
I used to look in the mirror and think, "Why won't you just cooperate?" But my skin was responding to how I treated it—inconsistently, harshly, impatiently. When I changed my approach, my skin responded.
4. Simple works.
I use five products. That's it. Cleanser, vitamin C, retinol, moisturizer, sunscreen. Five products, used correctly and consistently, changed everything.
Where I Am Now
My skin isn't perfect. I still get breakouts before my period. I still have some scarring from my early twenties when I didn't know what I was doing. I still have pores (because I'm human).
But I also have skin that glows. That feels healthy. That I don't hide behind layers of makeup anymore.
More importantly, I proved to myself that I can commit to something. That I can be patient. That I can show up for myself, every single day, even when I don't feel like it.
That lesson extends far beyond skincare.
One year. Five products. Proof that showing up matters.
If you're ready to commit to consistency, start with products that make it easy.
