Photo courtesy of Vice

If you have skincare fatigue, who can blame you? With the popularization of the K-beauty "10-step Skincare Routine," skincare routines have never looked busier. However, trends operate in cycles and increasingly more people are opting to simplify and minimal-ize their skincare routines to just the bare essentials.

Skincare companies' effective marketing may be the culprit, but knowledge can be the power to help you say "no."

Before you either over-purchase or under-purchase, it's helpful to understand the core differences between the skin on your face and on the rest of your body. Having a better idea of how the skin on your face operates will help you feel more assured in your purchases.

Here are 3 core things you should know: 

1. Thickness

The skin on your face is a lot thinner than the rest of your body, with the skin around your eyes being the thinnest. Is it so surprising, then, that crow's feet are often the first signs of aging to appear? 

Since the skin on your face is a lot thinner, it requires some extra TLC. This is why it is generally advised to not use body lotion on your face, as body lotions tend to be thicker and have less quality ingredients. Specialized products, like eye creams, are formulated to best cater to the needs of your face. 

2. Oil 

Sebaceous glands excrete oil (i.e. sebum) in order to protect the skin from bacterial infections and to help it heal. The skin on your face has the most sebaceous glands on your body and based on your genetics, can over- or under-produce sebum. This is what it means to have either dry or oily skin.

Depending on the current state of sebum production on your face, you may want to purchase products that work against the problems being caused by the sebaceous glands that have gone rogue. 

3.  Hair Follicles 

And finally, hair follicles. Your face has the most hair follicles compared to the same size area anywhere else on your body. It is a combination of high density and low volume since the hair follicles are very fine. The reservoir where the hair follicle lives is susceptible to infection and can result in breakouts (e.g. blackheads, whiteheads, cystic acne) depending on the circumstances.

The most common "perfect storm" is when your skin produces too much sebum and bacteria finds its way into the reservoir, resulting in a breakout. If you have acne-prone skin, beyond just purchasing acne-care products, you want to get in the habit of effectively cleansing your face to keep your pores clean. 

So depending on your situation, it may make sense to invest in an oil cleanser in addition to your foam cleanser for a double cleanse. Or, your skin may have under-active sebaceous glands and need that extra oomph in the form of a hydrating serum. Understanding these 3 things that make the skin on your face unique will keep you from feeling like your skincare routine is getting out of control.