The Glow Journal

Glow Journal

Your guide to simple, confident skincare.

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A calm arrangement of gentle serum bottles and a sprig of green botanical on a warm cream surface, suggesting alternatives to retinol

Ingredients

Retinol Alternatives: What Actually Works, and What's Hype

Bakuchiol, peptides, azelaic, niacinamide. What actually works instead of retinol, what is gentle enough for pregnancy, and what is mostly hype, honestly sorted.

Maya Faour · July 16, 2026 · 6 min

Six labelled skincare serum bottles arranged in a soft row on a warm cream surface, each representing a different exfoliating acid

Ingredients

Which Skincare Acid Should You Use? A Guide by Concern

Glycolic, salicylic, lactic, azelaic, mandelic, PHAs. Which acid you need depends entirely on the concern. Here is the honest map, by what you are trying to fix.

Maya Faour · July 13, 2026 · 6 min

A cluttered bathroom shelf of half-used skincare bottles beside three simple products kept out on the counter

Skincare Basics

10 Skincare Myths That Are Costing You Money

Most of what you believe about skincare was sold to you. Here are ten myths, honestly busted, and the money each one is quietly costing you.

Maya Faour · July 12, 2026 · 9 min

Routines

The Skincare Mistakes That Are Keeping Your Skin Stuck

You have tried the serums. You have done the research. You have watched the routines on TikTok and bought the products that worked for everyone else.

Maya Faour · June 15, 2026 · 9 min

Skincare Basics

How to Build a Simple Skincare Routine That Actually Works

Most skincare guides for beginners recommend nine steps. For someone already overwhelmed, that is not a guide. It is the problem dressed up as a solution.

Maya Faour · June 14, 2026 · 11 min

Skincare products with natural ingredients on soft pink fabric with floral accents.

Skincare Basics

Why Skincare Feels So Overwhelming (And What Actually Fixes It)

You have probably stood in a skincare aisle and felt more confused leaving than when you started. That confusion is not your fault, and here is what fixes it.

Maya Faour · June 14, 2026 · 8 min