honestly my skin routine is embarrassingly simple now

Right so I used to think the more steps the better. I'd see those 10-step Korean routines and think yeah okay that's the goal. Spent a fair bit of money on it too, different serums for different things, eye cream, neck cream, the lot. Then marathon training ramped up and I just... didn't have the energy. Getting in after a long run, legs dead, all I wanted was to not fall asleep face-first into the sofa. The 10-step thing disappeared pretty fast. What I've actually kept doing — and my skin is honestly fine, maybe better — is just three things. Double cleanse on nights when I've been outside running in the wind and cold (which in Edinburgh is basically always), a basic moisturiser with SPF in the morning, and a heavier cream at night. That's it. No retinol, no vitamin C serum I bought and forgot about. I think the big thing for me was realising how much hydration from the inside was doing the work I was trying to do from the outside. Training means I'm drinking more water than I ever did before, and I do genuinely think that's made a bigger difference than anything I've put on my face. Also sleep. Brutal long runs mean I'm actually sleeping properly and aye, that shows. Mind you I'm not saying serums are pointless — probably if I was consistent with them they'd do something. I'm just not consistent. Three steps I can manage every single night without thinking.