Part I: ChatGPT Does My Skincare

As we all know, AI has permeated almost every part of our lives. Recently, I saw my mom using ChatGPT to help her find fragrance-free hair care products, which got me thinking: Could ChatGPT help me design a new skincare routine? And would it be better than one I create on my own? In this blog, I’ll share my conversation with ChatGPT and the skincare routine it recommended for me. Stay tuned for Part II, where I’ll test the products and share my first impressions. While I hope AI doesn’t replace all of us beauty content creators, here’s a look at my ChatGPT conversation and the skincare routine it devised for me:

Skincare Consultation with ChatGPT

Me: “Can you help me curate my skincare routine? I need a makeup remover, cleanser, serums, and moisturizer. What do you need to know about my skin type and skin goals in order to create this?”

I'd love to help you curate your skincare routine! To recommend the best products, I'd need to know a few things about your skin:

1. Skin Type: Is your skin oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or normal?

2. Skin Concerns/Goals: Are you focusing on hydration, anti-aging, brightening, acne control, redness reduction, or something else?

3. Allergies/Sensitivities: Do you have any known allergies or sensitivities to specific ingredients?

4. Current Routine: What products are you currently using, if any, and how is your skin reacting to them?

5. Budget: Are you looking for drugstore options, high-end products, or a mix?

Let me know, and I'll tailor my recommendations accordingly!

Me: “1. I have combination and sensitive skin. I am acne-prone but also very dry around my nose and chin area. 2. I am focused on hydration, acne control, and brightening. 3. I would love to use only fragrance-free products. 4. I currently use an Elemis cleansing balm, an Aveeno soothing cleanser, Differin adapalene gel, and Differin hydrating moisturizer. I enjoy all of the products but I am looking for something new. 5. For my budget, I don't want to spend more than $60 on each product.”

Thanks for sharing those details! Based on your skin type and goals, here’s a curated skincare routine:

1. Makeup Remover

- **Option:** *Paula's Choice Gentle Touch Makeup Remover*

- **Why:** This is a gentle, fragrance-free formula that's perfect for sensitive skin. It effectively removes makeup without stripping your skin's natural moisture.

2. Cleanser

- **Option:** *La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser*

- **Why:** This cleanser is fragrance-free, designed for sensitive skin, and provides hydration while being gentle on acne-prone areas. It’s formulated with ceramides and niacinamide to help retain moisture and soothe your skin.

3. Serums

- **For Acne Control:** *The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum*

- **Why:** This serum is great for controlling oil production and reducing blemishes, while also being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

- **For Brightening and Hydration:** *Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum*

- **Why:** This serum combines vitamin C for brightening and hyaluronic acid for hydration. It's fragrance-free and formulated to be gentle on sensitive skin.

4. Moisturizer

- **Option:** *CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion*

- **Why:** This is a lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer that contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, perfect for hydration and soothing sensitive, acne-prone skin. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores.

Routine Order:

1. Morning:

- Cleanser

- Vitamin C Serum

- Moisturizer

- Sunscreen (optional, but recommended for extra protection)

2. Evening:

- Makeup Remover (if needed)

- Cleanser

- Niacinamide Serum

- Moisturizer

- Differin Adapalene Gel (Continue using as prescribed)

All these products should fit within your budget, and they’re well-suited to address your skin concerns while being gentle on your sensitive skin. Let me know if you’d like more details or alternatives!

Me: “Can you recommend a daytime moisturizer?”

Certainly! For a daytime moisturizer that fits your skin type and goals, here are a couple of options:

1. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

- **Why:** This moisturizer is lightweight, oil-free, and contains niacinamide, which helps with acne and redness. It also provides broad-spectrum SPF 46, making it perfect for daytime use. It’s fragrance-free and great for sensitive, acne-prone skin.

2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV SPF 30

- **Why:** This moisturizer is also fragrance-free, lightweight, and provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. It contains ceramides and niacinamide to help restore the skin barrier and soothe sensitive skin while providing hydration throughout the day.

Both of these options offer sun protection, which is essential for maintaining bright, healthy skin and preventing acne scars from darkening. They also fit within your budget and are formulated with sensitive skin in mind.

Initial Thoughts

Overall, I'm impressed. I'm genuinely excited to try some of these products, particularly the hydrating cleanser and the vitamin C serum. That being said, there are definitely some aspects of this routine that I'm going to have to alter myself. For instance, I should not use an acne serum in addition to using Differin. I also need to apply the adapalene gel BEFORE my nighttime moisturizer. Therefore, while ChatGPT has devised an exciting routine with interesting new products for me, there are still some areas where human ideas make more sense.

Stay Tuned for Part II!