The Context:
My sensitive skin has been a little worse for wear lately, and I’m curious to see whether AI has any suggestions in giving my skin care routine a revamp.
Generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT are everywhere these days. Pre-trained on swathes of information from the Internet, AI chatbots can generate answers on everything from skin issues to the meaning of life. All you need to do is to strike up a conversation with it.
I wanted to find out if ChatGPT can come up with a customized skin care routine that effectively caters to my skin concerns.
The Process:
My skin type: Sensitive, aging
Specific skin concerns: Redness, dullness
I have an all-or-nothing skin care philosophy. Lately, I’ve applied intense efforts into soothing irritation and combatting signs of aging, but it’s yet to make a real difference in my skin condition. The situation is compounded by stress and poor sleep.
My goal is to go back to the basics with a simple routine designed to de-stress, hydrate and revive my skin while tackling specific concerns like persistent dullness, redness and dehydration.
My ChatGPT prompt:
“I have aging and sensitive skin prone to redness and dullness. Build me a four-step K-Beauty routine.”
When engaging with AI chatbots, a lot hinges on how you phrase the prompt. Once you’ve got the ball rolling, you can continue with follow-up questions and answers so the chatbot can guide you towards recommendations that serve your beauty needs.
My ChatGPT-Curated Skin Care Routine:
Step 1: Gentle Cleanser (AM & PM)
Preference: Cream formula
ROUND LAB − Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser
Step 2: Hydrating & Soothing Toner (AM & PM)
I decided to skip this step since I aim to keep my skin care routine as simple as possible, and I’m not really a big fan of toners.
Step 3: Nourishing Serum (AM & PM)
Preference: Lightweight formula with skin-strengthening properties
Dr.Jart − Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Serum
Step 4:
Barrier-Strengthening Moisturizer (PM)
Preference: Formula with a natural or matte finish
ETUDE − Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
Sunscreen (AM)
Preference: Lightweight formula that layers seamlessly under foundations
Abib − Sedum Hyaluron Sunscreen Protection Tube
1. ROUND LAB – Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser
The Product: Rich in amino acid-rich silver birch sap and hyaluronic acid, this water gel cleanser lathers up easily into gentle foam to leave skin cleansed of impurities without stripping it of moisture. It’s great for anchoring a morning cleansing routine or evening double cleansing routine, depending on whether you’re in the habit of wearing makeup every day.
Key Ingredients: Silver birch sap juice, glycerin, water, hyaluronic acid, pine leaf oil
My Thoughts: I expected this viral cleanser from ROUND LAB to provide a pleasant cleansing experience and nothing more, but I was surprised by its other benefits. Lightweight and refreshing with a silky-smooth texture that’s not too slippery, the cleanser left my skin soft, supple and hydrated every morning. Its cleansing abilities weren’t too shabby either.
Cleansers aren’t meant to deliver transformative skin care benefits, but this gem from ROUND LAB proved that it’s definitely worth locating a formulation with ingredients and texture that feel just right for your skin.
2. Dr. Jart+ – Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Serum
The Product: Powered by cica and additionally infused with allantoin and peptides to tamp down inflammation while fortifying the skin barrier, this gentle serum is a must-have for tired, stressed-out or damaged skin. Whether you’re looking for quick soothing or a long-term reset for your skin, this formula delivers on all fronts.
Key Ingredients: Propanediol, madecassic acid, centella asiatica leaf extract, tripeptides, allantoin
My Thoughts: This lightweight serum gave my skin the chance to rest while nudging it towards a healthier state. There were no dramatic improvements, but it gradually restored a degree of calm in my skin while fading red patches on my cheeks. The moisture boost was also palpable. By the end of the trial, my skin felt softer and looked less tired. It still felt fragile, but I believe long-term use could turn things around for the better.
3. ETUDE – Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
The Product: Infused with powerhouse ingredients like panthenol and madecassoside to lock in moisture, fortify the skin barrier and keep external aggressors at bay, this cream suits anyone with dry and sensitive skin. It’s formulated free of ten ingredients potentially irritating to skin, including alcohol, fragrances and essential oils.
Key Ingredients: Propanediol, glycerin, panthenol, madecassoside, tea plant leaf extract, xanthan gum
My Thoughts: For me, this cream is a solid performer rather than holy grail material. There’s no doubt the rich and creamy formula packed with soothing and skin-strengthening ingredients is as gentle and nourishing as promised, but I found it on the heavy side and hard to blend. It took extra effort to ensure it didn’t leave a white cast on my skin.
On the plus side, my skin looked noticeably less dehydrated after a week of using the cream. Ultimately though, I’d prefer a lighter formula that’s comfier on skin even if it delivers less on the hydration front.
3. Abib – Sedum Hyaluron Sunscreen Protection Tube
The Product: Part of the brand’s celebrated Sedum Hyaluron Line featuring Jeju-sourced pure hyaluronic acid, this SPF 50+ PA++++ organic sunscreen is enriched with skin care goodies like Sedum Hyaluron™ and allantoin for steady hydration along with sun protection. It’s formulated for all skin types including sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Key Ingredients: Panthenol, hyaluronic acid, butyloctyl salicylate, sunflower seed oil, balloon vine extract, propanediol, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate
My Thoughts: ChatGPT recommended this sunscreen as a substitute for an SPF-infused moisturizer during the day, but it probably isn’t formulated for that purpose.
That aside, the Sedum Hyaluron Sunscreen Protection Tube has become my new go-to sunscreen. Just like a refreshing gel formula, the sunscreen blended like a dream into my skin without leaving a white cast. I can’t attest 100% to its hydrating capabilities as I usually apply moisturizer as well, but the sunscreen felt good in a non-greasy way and layered seamlessly under my foundation. The fragrance-free formula suited my needs to a tee.
ChatGPT for Skin Care Advice?
Pros
While ChatGPT offered pretty basic answers to my enquiries, the way it streamlined the information and highlighted unique product features was helpful. As I get easily distracted on the best of days, I appreciate how ChatGPT helped zero in on products, some of which were not on my radar. I also like that the K-Beauty recommendations included both perennial bestsellers from powerhouse brands and viral sensations from lesser-known brands.
Cons
For skin care pros and K-Beauty veterans, the information offered by ChatGPT isn’t anything new. The continuous prompting can feel mechanical, and the advice given – while largely spot-on – is a little too broad.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a skin care newbie who’s daunted by the amount of beauty information out there to wade through, consulting ChatGPT may be helpful and a novel experience to boot. It’s also a worthwhile tool to finesse your beauty game and seek new perspective on your skin care routine, especially if you’re looking for practical answers to specific skin concerns or extra product recommendations, but the technology has its limits.
Part of why I enjoy skin care is the process: navigating my way through a dizzying world of products and beauty trends, and then putting together a routine that truly works for my skin. Asking ChatGPT for help took away some of this fun, even though it left room for experimentation.
