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🎭 From Barbiecore to Blokecore: The Skincare Routines Behind the Aesthetics
TikTok isn’t just a place for trends; it’s a visual dictionary of aesthetics, from dreamy and hyper-feminine to gritty and gender-neutral.
You’ve heard of Barbiecore, Blokecore, Clean Girl, Vanilla Girl, Mob Wife, Balletcore… but here’s a thought:
What would their skincare routines look like? 🧴💭
Let’s break down the viral aesthetics and the skincare habits that would match their vibe, because great skin? That’s the one thing every aesthetic has in common.
Barbiecore: Bright, Bold, and Baby-Smooth
Barbiecore is loud, unapologetically feminine, and drenched in PINK. Think glossy everything, doll lashes, and skin so smooth it looks airbrushed.
The skincare vibe:
- 💖 Chemical exfoliants for that smooth canvas
- 👛 Retinol to keep skin looking young & fresh
- 💧 Dew-boosting hydration serums
- 🌟 Glow-enhancing creams with mica or subtle shimmer
- 🧴 SPF, obviously — because Barbie doesn’t age
Barbie’s holy grail product: A skin-blurring primer + glowy sunscreen combo.
💠Recommended Skincare Products: For smooth, glowing, glam-ready skin.
- Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel – For that polished, smooth canvas ✨
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops – Adds a juicy, dewy finish 🍉
- Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream – Moisturizes and primes with a subtle glow
- Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 – Sun protection + shimmer = Barbie’s dream
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (Berry) – Glossy lips, always 💋
Blokecore: Minimal, Masculine, and Moisturized (Maybe)
Blokecore is all about football jerseys, sneakers, and laid-back masculinity with a dose of fashion irony. It’s the “I don’t try, but I do” aesthetic.
The skincare vibe:
- 🧼 Simple, no-fuss cleanser
- 💦 Lightweight moisturizer (bonus points if it says “for men”)
- ☁️ Fragrance-free SPF (optional but encouraged)
- 🧊 Ice-rolling or splashing cold water—just to say “it wakes me up”
Blokecore’s unexpected flex? Perfect skin from doing the bare minimum. 🙃
💠Recommended Skincare Products: For minimal effort, maximum effect.
- CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser – Gentle, no-fuss daily cleanser
- The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA – Lightweight and effective
- Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 – A 2-in-1 moisturizer + sunscreen
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream – Zero grease, all hydration
- Bulldog Original Moisturizer – For the guy who doesn’t like «skincare»
Vanilla Girl: Soft, Serene, and Skin-Loving
This cozy, cream-toned aesthetic leans into softness and comfort. Think oversized knits, fresh-faced beauty, and dewy skin that glows from within.
The skincare vibe:
- 🧴 Barrier-repair moisturizers
- 🌼 Calming ingredients like oat and chamomile
- 💧 Layered hydration (essence, toner, serum)
- ❄️ Ice globes or gentle face massage
- 🕯️ Scented face mists for the aesthetic
Vanilla Girl’s best friend? Ceramides. Always.
💠Recommended Skincare Products: Soft, calming, and cozy skincare essentials.
- Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer – For barrier-loving hydration
- The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum – Deeper hydration than hyaluronic acid
- La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Mist – Aesthetic and functional
- Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner – Soothing and minimal
- Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer – Rich in fatty acids for that plush skin feel
Mob Wife: Dramatic, Luxurious, and High-Maintenance
She’s bold, she’s loud, she’s always in full glam. Mob Wife aesthetic is dripping in gold chains, long nails, and old money vibes.
The skincare vibe:
- 🧴 Rich creams and high-end serums
- 💉 Professional treatments (botox, facials, dermaplaning)
- 🧬 Actives like retinol and peptides for tight, snatched skin
- 🥶 Jade rollers in the fridge next to champagne
- 💅 Extra: gold-infused masks, collagen drinks, overnight peels
Mob Wife’s motto: Skincare is power. And I want the expensive kind.
💠Recommended Skincare Products: Bold, luxe, high-performance skincare picks.
- LuminaSkin C E Ferulic – The gold standard of antioxidant serums
- Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream – High-end hydration with results
- Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment – Glow like a glam queen
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair – Tried, tested, and timeless
- 111Skin Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask – Ultra-luxurious pre-event mask
Balletcore: Barely-There and Beautifully Prepped
Balletcore is all about ethereal beauty, soft pinks, satin scrunchies, and glowing, flawless skin like you were born to pirouette.
The skincare vibe:
- 🧼 Milky cleansers that don’t strip
- 💦 Hyaluronic acid layered under sheer moisturizer
- 🧴 Lightweight SPF with a satin finish
- 🌸 Lip balms and cheek tints for soft flushes
- 🌬️ Skin prep that doubles as performance-ready glow
Balletcore’s favorite product? Anything that makes skin look like it belongs in a Degas painting.
💠Recommended Skincare Products: Elegant, ethereal, and skin-prepping.
- Neutrogena Skin Balancing Milky Cleanser – Soft, creamy, non-stripping
- Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream – Leaves a radiant, satin finish
- Tower 28 SOS Spray – Soothes stressed skin and preps for glow
- Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream – Deep moisture without heaviness
- Saie Glowy Super Gel – Adds just a hint of radiance (under or over skincare)
Clean Girl: No-Makeup Makeup’s Glow-Up
We’ve covered her before, but she deserves a quick encore. She’s polished, simple, and looks like she drinks lemon water before sunrise.
The skincare vibe:
- 💧 A routine focused on hydration and barrier repair
- ☁️ Minimal products, maximum consistency
- ✨ Glowy SPF and facial oils for that luminous finish
- 🧴 No harsh actives, just skin-loving simplicity
Her secret? Consistency and good lighting.
💠Recommended Skincare Products: The modern minimalist’s toolkit.
- iUNIK Beta Glucan Serum – Soothes and strengthens the barrier
- EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – Loved by derms and influencers
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser – Gentle and fuss-free
- Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water – For clean skin with zero residue
- Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 – A hybrid sunscreen/primer with a natural glow
Why It Matters: Aesthetic ≠ Vanity
Each viral aesthetic isn’t just about outfits; it’s a whole vibe, identity, and lifestyle. And skincare? It’s the base that supports all of it.
Whether you’re full glam or fresh-faced, your skin routine says as much as your OOTD. So next time you switch up your vibe, ask yourself:
What would this version of me use on her face? 😉
FAQ: Aesthetics & Skincare
Q: Do aesthetics influence actual skincare trends?
Absolutely. Trends like glazed skin, dewy SPF, and minimal routines are heavily influenced by social media aesthetics.
Q: I don’t follow one aesthetic—should my skincare still change?
No need to commit to one box! Skincare should serve your skin, not just your style. Feel free to mix and match.
Q: Can I match my skincare to my mood/aesthetic of the day?
Yes! It’s fun and totally doable. Hydrating masks for Vanilla Girl days, actives for Mob Wife nights.
Q: Are any of these aesthetics better for your skin health?
Aesthetics that focus on minimal, barrier-safe, and hydrating routines (like Clean Girl or Vanilla Girl) tend to be gentler. But it’s more about how you approach it, not the label.