In a refreshingly simple approach to New Year resolutions, celebrity nutritionist and fitness expert Rujuta Diwekar has laid out a straightforward, four-step guide to achieving glowing skin in 2026. Moving away from complex product routines, her advice centres on fundamental lifestyle habits and a crucial warning against the overconsumption of online skincare content.
The Four Pillars of a "Real" Skincare Routine
On January 10, 2026, Diwekar took to Instagram with her clear-cut philosophy. Her proposed routine rests on four essential pillars: water, workouts, sleep, and a break from skincare videos. She captioned her post with the mantra, "Keep it real this year. Have a glowing 2026."
The logic is deeply rooted in holistic wellness. First, hydration is emphasised not as a topical step but as an internal one. Drinking sufficient water supports circulation and helps maintain skin's plumpness and freshness from within. Second, regular movement and exercise boost blood flow and internal balance, which can translate to clearer skin and a natural glow by reducing dullness and stress-related issues.
The third pillar is consistent, good-quality sleep. This is the body's prime time for repair and regeneration, directly combating puffiness and skin fatigue. Diwekar's final and perhaps most contemporary advice is to avoid watching endless skincare videos. She positions this as "brain protection," advocating for a social media detox to reduce mental overload, which disrupts sleep and spikes stress levels—factors that indirectly worsen skin health.
Why Experts Agree: Consistency Over Chaos
This back-to-basics approach finds strong support from dermatologists. Dr. Richa Negi, Consultant Dermatologist at Kaya Limited, explains that the best skincare routine begins far deeper than the bathroom shelf. She decodes Diwekar's points, noting that hydration, exercise, and sleep work synergistically to improve skin from the inside out.
Dr. Negi strongly endorses the advice to avoid trend-driven skincare videos. "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 states. From a dermatological perspective, skin thrives on consistency, not chaos.
She warns that the overconsumption of skincare content online can fuel anxiety, leading to doomscrolling and sleep disturbances. This cycle indirectly exacerbates skin problems like breakouts, sensitivity, and dullness.
The Takeaway: Personalise, Don't Copy-Paste
So, what should one actually do? The consensus from both Diwekar and dermatologists is to strip back to a solid, personalised foundation. Dr. Negi recommends a daily routine of a gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen as non-negotiable basics. For any additional treatments or products, consulting a board-certified dermatologist is far safer than letting social media trends dictate choices.
"Everyone's skin biology, lifestyle and concerns are different, so copy-pasting routines from the internet often does more harm than good," Dr. Negi concludes. "Social media can inspire you, but your skincare plan should be written for your face, not for the algorithm." The path to glowing skin in 2026, it seems, is less about the next viral serum and more about honouring the timeless pillars of health.
