Last month, I did something scary. I added up everything sitting on my bathroom shelf. The toners, the serums, and the fancy sunscreen everyone raved about on TikTok. The total made me feel sick.
My entire skincare stash cost more than my phone. Not my phone bill, my actual phone.
And I’m not alone. If you’re following those popular 10-step Korean skincare routines that flood your FYP, you could be spending anywhere from RM2,400 to RM8,500 every year. Meanwhile, most of us pay around RM360 to RM480 yearly for our prepaid phone plans.
How Did We Get Here?
Remember when skincare was just cleanser, maybe some moisturiser, and sunscreen? Those days are gone.
Now we’ve got essences, ampoules, sleeping masks, and “snail mucin” that everyone swears by. The COSRX snail mucin essence costs RM77 and it’s always sold out at Watsons. The Beauty of Joseon sunscreen? RM55, and good luck finding it in stock.
TikTok changed everything. Beauty sales jumped 22% just because of that app. With 28.68 million Malaysians on TikTok, and 87% admitting we bought something after seeing it there, we’re basically shopping while watching videos.
That “TikTok Made Me Buy It” feeling? It’s real. And it’s expensive.
What a Complete 10-Step Routine Actually Costs
Building a complete 10-step skincare routine in Malaysia isn’t cheap. That’s cleanser, toner, essence, serum, eye cream, moisturiser, sunscreen, exfoliants, and masks. Let me show you exactly where your money goes.
Keep in mind, these product choices vary depending on your skin type, specific concerns, and individual requirements. Someone with oily, acne-prone skin will pick different products than someone with dry, sensitive skin. But the price ranges? They stay roughly the same regardless of what your skin needs.
The Budget Route
Building an “affordable” routine costs about RM450 to start:
Add in a spot treatment like CeraVe Blemish Control Gel (RM76) and you’re at RM534. These are the “affordable” holy grails everyone recommends on Reddit and TikTok. They work, but the catch: you need to replace them every few months. That cleanser you bought? Gone in 2-3 months. The sunscreen? If you’re using it properly, one month maximum.
The Middle Ground
Stepping up to dermatologist-recommended brands and premium K-beauty runs you around RM900 to RM1,000 upfront:
This is where most Malaysians land when they start taking skincare “seriously.” You’re not buying luxury yet, but you’re investing in brands dermatologists actually recommend. The problem? That La Roche-Posay sunscreen alone costs RM109 and needs replacing monthly. That’s RM1,308 a year just for sun protection.
The Luxury Life
Premium Japanese and Western brands will set you back RM2,840 and up:
At this level, your skincare genuinely costs more than some people’s motorcycles. A single SK-II essence costs more than most Malaysians spend on their entire monthly skincare routine. Multiply luxury pricing across every single step, and you’re looking at the price of a decent used car just sitting on your bathroom shelf.
The Real Damage: Yearly Costs
Those initial prices? That’s just the beginning. Products run out. Fast.
Sunscreen is the real killer. Dermatologists say you should use a whole 50ml bottle every month if you’re applying it properly. Those popular K-beauty options? You’ll need 12 bottles a year, costing RM600 to RM1,920 annually depending on your choice.
Your cleanser, toner, and serums last 2-3 months each, requiring 4-5 replacements yearly. Even “cheap” CeraVe moisturiser adds up to RM200 yearly.
Do the maths on a full routine, and suddenly you’re spending RM2,400 to RM8,500 every single year on your face.
Compare that to your phone bill (RM360-480 yearly), Netflix Standard (RM600 yearly), or your gym membership. Your skincare costs more than all of them combined.
Do We Actually Need All This?
Nobody wants to say this out loud: probably not.
Dermatologists will tell you the basics are simple. Cleanser. Moisturiser. Sunscreen. Maybe a retinoid if you want to prevent ageing. That’s it. Four products. You can build that routine for RM300 to RM500 a year and get great skin.
So why are we buying 10+ products?
Because seeing someone with glowing, poreless skin using that SK-II cream makes your brain go, “I need that too!” Never mind that good skin comes from genetics, sleep, water, and sometimes professional treatments, not just the products they’re showing you.
The algorithm feeds you before-and-after videos, influencers talking about their “holy grail” products, and limited edition releases that create fake urgency. “Only 100 left!” “Sold out everywhere!” It makes you panic-buy, especially when it feels like a friend giving advice rather than an advertisement.
Smart Solutions That Actually Work
You can have great skin without going broke. Some strategies that help:
Start Simple: Focus on those four dermatologist-approved basics first. Add other products only when you understand what your skin needs, not what TikTok tells you.
Hunt for Deals: Watsons and Guardian have regular sales with up to 40% off. Shopee and Lazada offer flash sales, cashback, and free shipping. Check RinggitPlus for double-digit discount alerts across retailers. Stick to official brand stores to avoid fakes.
Try Affordable Dupes: The Ordinary makes products with the same ingredients as luxury brands for a fraction of the price. Their Niacinamide serum costs RM65 versus hundreds for high-end versions. The ingredients? Almost identical.
Question the Hype: Before buying something viral, ask yourself: “Do I need this, or do I just want it because everyone else has it?” Wait a week. If you’re still thinking about it, then consider buying.
Track Your Spending: Take photos of your skincare stash and check the dates. You’ll be shocked how many half-used products you have, helping you stop buying duplicates.
The Bare-Faced Truth
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying skincare. But when your bathroom shelf costs more than your emergency savings, something’s wrong.
The beauty industry makes billions convincing us we’re not enough without their products. TikTok just made this message faster and prettier.
Simple routines can be just as effective as complicated ones. Sometimes more effective, because fewer products mean less chance of irritation.
Look at your skincare shelf. Calculate the total cost. Then ask yourself, is this making me happy, or stressed? Am I buying these because they work, or because I’m afraid of missing out?
Your skin is already beautiful. It doesn’t need 10 steps and a RM8,500 yearly budget to prove it.
What’s one skincare product you bought because of TikTok? Did it change your life, or is it sitting there half-used? Share your story in the comments.
Remember: The best glow up isn’t about what’s on your face. It’s about being smart with your money, confident in your choices, and knowing when to scroll past that viral product video.
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