Gen Zs are a moment. No other generation before them has had this much impact on influencing trends, and brands today, per Vogue Business, are eager to communicate and connect with them like friends. The values and influences that dictate how, where, and what the Gen Zs shop are indicative of the times, and, well, as we used to say, what’s hot and what’s not.
In the realm of beauty, we couldn’t help but be curious and ask the Gen Zs themselves what fills their beauty arsenals, what their skin problems are, and what their go-to’s are for skincare solutions.
The results, so far, have been enlightening. The top beauty concerns among those we interviewed were acne and breakouts, dry skin, uneven skin texture, dark undereyes, and sun or pollution damage. The skincare routines of Gen Z, we found out, are also way less intensive than the trendy 10-step Korean skincare routines popular for millennials back in the day. But this doesn’t mean they aren’t influenced by the routines of the past. Case in point: They still understand the importance of double cleansing and sunscreen.
It’s also worth mentioning that TikTok and YouTube vlogs were a common source of beauty recommendations among the people we interviewed, and they also sought their friends’ advice for recommendations.
Cleansers: Muji Mild Cleansing Oil or Biore Cleansing Oil for the first step; Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for the second step
“My skin is very sensitive and I’ve tried a million cleansers, and the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser seems to be one of the two that doesn’t damage my skin. The Biore Cleansing Oil cleanses a bit deeper than the Cetaphil one, but I find it quite gentle so I wash my face with it again afterward to make sure I get all the dirt out of my skin.” —Marianna Macatulad, 20, college junior
Muji Mild Cleansing Oil
P195, Muji
Biore Cleansing Oil
P375, Lazada
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
P155, Lazada
Moisturizer: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream and Saipo True Dew Moisturizer
“I have dry skin, so I need a good moisturizer. I always carry the Saipo True Dew Moisturizer in my bag, but I have so many other moisturizers that I use on rotation depending on how rich it is.” —Kai Javier, 23, beauty content creator
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream,
P2,600, Lazada
Saipo True Dew Moisturizer
P449, Lazada
Sunscreen: Biore UV Watery Essence SPF 50 and Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+
“I’ve heard that this sunscreen breaks some people out, but it works well with my combination skin. I use it under makeup, and it leaves a dewy smooth finish for my base.” —Louise Villarama, 18, college sophomore
Biore UV Watery Essence SPF 50
P552, Lazada
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+
P1,300, Lazada
Toner: Axis-Y Aqua Boosting Essence Toner and Hada Labo Premium Lotion
“Hada Labo Premium Lotion is my holy grail. My skin is always hydrated after, even when I forget to put on cream.” —Mica Padilla, 23, college senior
“I love how my skin feels a little more refreshed when I use the Axis-Y Aqua Boosting Essence Toner.” —Meg Ma. Guerrero, 25, online store manager & web assistant
Axis-Y Aqua Boosting Essence Toner
P1,100, Lazada
Hada Labo Premium Lotion
P1,140, Lazada
Serum: Ponds Triple Glow Serum
“I have lots of dark marks from acne, and I’ve tried vitamin C but it didn’t really work. I was surprised that the Pond’s Triple Glow serum really worked for me.” —Nadine Jacob, 23, fresh grad
