‘Keep it real this year’: Rujuta Diwekar shares her 4-step skincare guide for a ‘glowing 2026’

Rujuta Diwekar has shared a no-nonsense skincare guide to help you achieve radiant and glowing skin in 2026. The four pillars of her proposed routine include water (hydration), which supports a fresh, plump look as part of overall lifestyle habits; workouts (movement) that support circulation and internal balance, which can reflect in skin clarity and glow; and consistent sleep, which reduces puffiness and dullness. Finally, she warned against watching skincare videos for brain protection. The goal is to go on a social detox that can help reduce mental overload, which disrupts sleep and increases stress levels.

“Keep it real this year. Have a glowing 2026,” she mentioned in the caption of her Instagram post.

This routine largely aligns with what dermatologists and lifestyle experts keep repeating: a hydrated body, regular movement, good sleep, and a calmer brain often lead to better skin over time. Her ‘no skincare videos’ point is also sensible, as it discourages trend-chasing and the stress overload that can backfire on skin health, say experts.

Overconsumption of skincare content can fuel anxiety, leading to doomscrolling patterns and sleep disturbance. (Source: Instagram/@rujuta.diwekar)

Dr Richa Negi, Consultant Dermatologist, Kaya Limited, said that your best ‘skincare routine’ starts much deeper than your bathroom shelf.

Hydration: When you drink enough water throughout the day, you support circulation and overall skin freshness from within, which reflects in plumper, less fatigued-looking skin over time.

Exercise: Regular movement and exercise support blood flow and internal balance, which can help reduce dullness, puffiness, and stress-related flare-ups in many people.

Sleep: Good quality sleep is when the body focuses on repair, so sleeping on time often beats adding yet another serum.

According to Dr Negi, avoiding every video that screams ‘new skincare routine’, ‘anti‑ageing hack’ or ‘look younger fast’ is actually excellent skincare advice. She shared that everyone’s skin biology, lifestyle and concerns are different, so copy‑pasting routines from the internet often does more harm than good, and a personalised approach is generally safer and more effective.

“When you expose your brain to a new ‘must‑try’ regime every week, you end up crowding your shelf, confusing your skin and never giving any product enough time to work,” she said, adding that from a dermatological perspective, your skin needs consistency, not chaos.

Dr Negi added that overconsumption of skincare content can fuel anxiety, leading to doomscrolling patterns and sleep disturbance, which indirectly worsens breakouts, sensitivity and dullness. So what should you stick to?

“If you truly want a routine that works, stick to the basics daily: a gentle cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen, and consult a board dermatologist to personalise the add‑ons instead of letting trends decide for you. Social media can inspire you, but your skincare plan should be written for your face, not for the algorithm,” she concluded.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.