(Credit: Zooey Liao/PCMAG/Adobe Stock)
As a 30-year-old, I think it's safe to say I'm an ancient, grizzled veteran of this world. Even in my twilight years, though, I still thought it was normal to be itchy after a shower or for my hands to crack and bleed in the winter. Skincare was just something I never learned about.
However, I wanted to do better, so I wouldn't look like mummified remains from an archaeological dig site by the age of 40. So, I turned to AI chatbots for help. After a long series of conversations and deep research reports, I not only learned the basics of skincare but also found products that work as part of a sustainable routine—all thanks to ChatGPT and Gemini.
As a word of caution, I'm not a dermatologist, and more importantly, I don't have your skin. What products work for me might not work for you, especially if you have different conditions to manage or priorities.
Preparing Prompts for Deep Research
The keys to engineering a great AI prompt are context and specificity. So, before I could actually ask a chatbot about skincare products and how to use them, I needed to know enough to write quality prompts. I started by asking the chatbots about the different skin types, my skin type (I provided a selfie), the core elements of skincare, the factors that influence skincare, and much more.
I immediately learned some important things, such as that I likely had relatively normal face skin, an oily nose, and dry body skin (particularly on my hands). I also found out that the core elements of skincare are cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen, and that the climate I live in and the cold temperature I enjoy inside have a big impact on my skin. Finally, I discovered I ought to be proactive in managing the effects of aging on my skin.
Armed with some background info, I was ready to start my AI research in earnest.
Be Selective About the Products You Buy
I used both ChatGPT’s and Gemini’s deep research functions for my research, so I could cross-reference their conclusions. Throwing caution (or, rather, my privacy) to the wind, I asked for a skincare routine tailored to my age, gender, lifestyle, climate, shower frequency, and skin type, adding that I wanted to focus on dermatologist-approved, natural products that would leave little to no residue. I also made sure to note my overall goal of aging somewhat gracefully and keeping my skin healthy.
Some products the chatbots recommended seemed immediately like great fits from a cost and reputation standpoint. As such, I decided to get daily moisturizing lotion, a healing hand ointment, and a hydrating foam cleanser all from CeraVe. Other products, such as face cleansers and moisturizers, required more prompting and explanation. I also wanted to know why those ought to be different from my body products.
Eventually, the chatbots recommended Ursa Major brand cleanser and moisturizer. The cleanser is supposed to dry quickly and invisibly and have enough active cleaning power to cut through sunscreen, while both the cleanser and moisturizer primarily consist of natural ingredients.
(Credit: Ruben Circelli)Gemini stressed the importance of sunscreen, even for someone like me who works from home. ChatGPT talked me out of mineral sunscreen, as it tends to be greasy and requires frequent reapplication. Furthermore, ChatGPT assured me that the suggestion I eventually went with, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen, was not dangerous, arguing that I had mild “chemical = scary brainrot” thoughts clouding my judgement.
The chatbots explained to me that regular exfoliation, whether chemical with an acid or physical with a brush, can stimulate collagen production (which combats the effects of aging), improve skin tone, and unclog pores. I went with what both chatbots said was the “holy grail” of exfoliants: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. In a similar vein, the chatbots suggested I use bakuchiol. It has properties similar to retinol, which also stimulates collagen production, but it’s plant-based and gentler, which aligns better with my requirements.
Dialing in My Daily Routine
After much chatting with AI, I had my products. But I still needed the chatbots to help me understand how often, when, and in what sequence I should use what I bought.
Luckily, my conversation history across two chatbots already included all of the products I decided on, so prompting them to create a schedule for me was straightforward. Where the chatbots diverged proved informative. For example, Gemini suggested I exfoliate every other day, but ChatGPT suggested a more conservative weekly schedule that I could scale up after seeing how my skin would react, which felt more appropriate.
The chatbots also managed to give me some advice I might have otherwise missed, especially if I were just going off forum posts or random articles. For example, both chatbots advised me not to overlap actives, such as bakuchiol and my exfoliant, and they suggested I not use either one on days when I shave, as I could risk irritation. Gemini recommended adding a tiny drop of CeraVe lotion to my face moisturizer at night, given the my preferred cool indoor temperature, while ChatGPT suggested using my face cleanser only once a day to avoid dry skin.
(Credit: Google/Ruben Circelli)Thanks to Gemini’s one-click integration with Google Docs, I was able to easily export my schedule and make any necessary adjustments, laying out exactly what I needed to do and when. Now, I just refer to that schedule before stepping into the shower.
And the Results? My Skin Feels Excellent
What did all this time and money get me? Honestly, a lot. The bags under my eyes aren’t as dark, my face looks clearer, and my nose isn’t as oily. I don’t ever itch when I come out of the shower, either. Below, you can see my hand, which, admittedly, looks somewhat dry, but this is actually a major upgrade: It would crack and bleed in the winter before.
(Credit: Zooey Liao/PCMAG/Adobe Stock)I also actually feel like I’m taking care of myself now, which assuages anxiety and improves my mood. And I take a lot of solace in the fact that, as the years go on, products like bakuchiol and sunscreen will help me avoid scaling up like a boa constrictor. What’s more is that no part of this process was difficult. Sure, it took some time, but prompting an AI chatbot isn’t hard.
AI Can Help You Do Things You Never Expected
It’s important to exercise caution when getting information from a chatbot, even if it’s as simple as choosing a lotion. Most importantly, if you’re looking to treat a skin condition, don’t turn to the internet; make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. However, if you’re diligent about asking the right questions, chatbots can be an excellent resource.
My routine isn’t perfect yet, but I feel like I have solid foundational knowledge now. Most importantly, AI helped me take the biggest step forward: building the habit of caring for my skin into my schedule. If you’re looking for an approachable way to start doing something, whether that’s kicking off a diet or dressing better, AI chatbots are a great place to start.
Editors' Note: Disclosure: Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.