Why Gen Z Is Ditching Lipsticks for Serums Now

Beauty has always evolved with each generation, but Gen Z is taking a completely different path. Instead of focusing on flashy makeup and dramatic lipstick shades, today’s youth are more drawn to skincare. For them, beauty starts with clean, healthy skin — not a full face of makeup. Serums, sunscreen, and natural routines are becoming more common than highlighters and lip kits. Gen Z is changing the way we think about beauty, and it’s more about care than cover-up.
If there’s one place where Gen Z spends a lot of time, it’s social media — and that’s where the skincare shift really began. Earlier, we saw endless makeup tutorials and product reviews on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Now, short videos showing easy skincare routines, product layering techniques, or “before-and-after” skin transformations are taking over. Instead of learning how to perfect a bold lip, Gen Z is more interested in how to clear up acne or achieve naturally glowing skin. Influencers and dermatologists sharing honest, simple tips are making skincare more relatable — and more trusted — than makeup.
For many young people, skincare has become a small but meaningful way to slow down and take care of themselves. With daily stress, pressure from social media, and endless screen time, Gen Z sees skincare as more than just a beauty routine. It’s a way to relax, feel in control, and start or end the day with intention. Whether it’s applying a calming serum before bed or gently massaging the face with a tool in the morning, these moments are personal and peaceful. Makeup can change how you look, but skincare changes how you feel — and that matters more to this generation.

Unlike past generations that focused on packaging or big-brand names, Gen Z wants to know exactly what they’re putting on their face. They read ingredient labels, follow skincare experts online, and choose products that match their skin type and values. Serums packed with ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide are seen as tools for real improvement — not just quick fixes. Clean beauty and ethical brands that are transparent about their ingredients, cruelty-free practices, and eco-friendly packaging are gaining loyal fans. Lipsticks, often seen as style over substance, just don’t match the same level of care and awareness.
Gen Z isn’t trying to fill drawers with products they’ll barely use. Instead, they prefer a simple, functional routine that actually works. Many follow a few-step skincare routine with just a cleanser, a serum, and sunscreen — and that’s enough. The rise of Korean skincare trends like “glass skin” has also inspired them to aim for natural glow and hydration over full-face coverage. Rather than hiding behind makeup, they want to improve their skin and feel confident bare-faced. Lipsticks are still used occasionally, but they’re no longer the main beauty essential. A good serum, on the other hand, is something they won’t skip.

This shift from lipsticks to serums isn’t just a beauty trend — it’s a mindset. Gen Z is choosing to care for their skin instead of covering it up. They are looking for long-term health, not short-term glam. Skincare makes them feel better inside and out, and that’s more powerful than any shade of lipstick. In redefining what beauty means to them, Gen Z is setting a new standard — one that’s honest, mindful, and refreshingly real. And in that quiet confidence, they’re glowing differently.

Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!