Dermatologists are advising a shift away from chaotic 2025 skincare trends like aggressive active layering and ice rolling, which often damaged skin barriers and spread misinformation. For 2026, experts advocate a 'barrier-first' approach focusing on moisturisers, ceramides, and peptides, with actives introduced slowly. They emphasize targeted treatments over viral shortcuts and note that high-end products are not always superior to affordable options with simple ingredients.