Gen Z may get trolled for short attention spans and obsession with selfies, but when it comes to beauty, this generation is way ahead of the curve. They’ve grown up with YouTube tutorials, K-beauty trends, ingredient-led skincare, and the confidence to question everything our mums and aunties once accepted as gospel. Unlike the “fairness cream” era or the heavy cakey-makeup phase of the 2000s, Gen Z beauty is real, experimental, and refreshingly honest.
From homemade hair oil reels on Instagram to minimalist “skin-first” routines, young Indians are quietly rewriting the rulebook. And honestly, there’s a lot worth stealing.
Here are the best beauty lessons to borrow from Gen Z – no age limit, only attitude.
1. Skin first, makeup second
A big Gen Z flex? Bare skin without fear.
Instead of hiding acne scars or pigmentation under layers of foundation, they ask the right questions:
Why is it happening?
Is my barrier damaged?
Am I over-exfoliating?
Am I sleeping enough?
They look at ingredients, not just brand names. Terms like niacinamide, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, snail mucin are now as common as kajal and talcum powder once were.
What you can steal
Stop treating skincare as a “one cream fits all” situation
Identify your skin type – oily, dry, combination, sensitive
Read ingredient lists
Build a simple routine: cleanser + moisturiser + sunscreen
Add actives only if needed
Gen Z understands that makeup looks better on healthy skin. That’s the real secret.
2. Sunscreen is non-negotiable (yes, even indoors)
Older generations often thought sunscreen was for beaches or Goa holidays. Gen Z said: nope.
They wear sunscreen:
in college
in offices
in winter
at home near windows
during phone scrolling (blue light exposure!)
They know UV damage = premature ageing, tanning, fine lines, melasma – especially in Indian tropical weather.
What you can steal
SPF 50, broad spectrum is ideal for India
Reapply every 2–3 hours if you’re outdoors
Look for gel-based sunscreens if you hate sticky creams
Don’t forget neck, ears, hands
The glow you’re chasing in fancy facials? Sunscreen protects it daily.
3. Less makeup, more personality
Gen Z beauty is not “perfect doll face with zero pores”. It’s skin that looks like skin.
They enjoy:
fluffy brows instead of razor-sharp Instagram brows
lip tints instead of heavy matte lipsticks
blush that looks like you actually ran up the stairs
freckles, pimples, texture – without crying about it
Makeup is not a mask for them. It’s self-expression.
What you can steal
Move towards lighter bases: tints, BB creams, skin tints
Use cream blush for natural flush
Glossy lips = fresh, young look
Skip contouring if you don’t enjoy it – you don’t “need” it
The idea is not to look like someone else. The idea is to look like you, but happier.
4. Ingredients over celebrity hype
Remember when India bought whatever a celebrity endorsed? Gen Z has broken that spell completely.
They google ingredients. They watch dermatologists on Instagram. They know:
lemon directly on face = irritation
toothpaste on pimples = bad idea
fairness creams = problematic marketing
DIY scrubs with sugar = micro-tears
They ask, “Does it work?” instead of “Who is promoting it?”
What you can steal
Before buying a product:
check concentration
patch test
see if the ingredient suits your skin concern
ignore blind hype
Your skin doesn’t care whether the bottle looks aesthetic. It cares what’s inside.
5. Oil your hair – but smartly
Gen Z didn’t throw out dadi-maa’s hair oil champis. They just updated them.
They use:
onion oil for hair fall
rosemary oil for scalp stimulation
cold-pressed coconut oil
lightweight argan and moroccan oils
But they don’t leave oil on hair for days like older generations did, they know it clogs scalp pores.
What you can steal
Oil 1–2 hours before washing, not overnight every time
Massage gently – don’t attack your scalp
Follow oiling with mild shampoo
Don’t mix 20 random ingredients “just because”
Healthy scalp = healthy hair. Gen Z understands that roots matter.
6. They are not ashamed of men using skincare
One huge shift in Indian beauty culture?
Gen Z boys openly:
moisturise
get facials
wax or thread eyebrows
use concealer before interviews
talk about acne
Beauty is not “girly” anymore. It’s basic grooming and self-respect.
What you can steal
If you’re a woman: don’t tease the men in your life for caring about skin
If you’re a man: stop feeling shy about buying a face wash
Looking after yourself isn’t vanity. It’s hygiene.
7. They call out toxic beauty standards
Gen Z is brutally honest about:
colourism
weight shaming
“fair bride” obsession
acne shaming in schools and colleges
unrealistic beauty filters
They post barefaced selfies. They show real skin texture. They talk about hormonal acne, PCOS, stress hair fall — without whispering like it’s a dark secret.
What you can steal
Stop apologising for your face
Unfollow accounts that make you feel ugly
Be kinder to your body when it changes
Confidence is still the most powerful beauty product on earth.
8. Beauty on a budget, they know how
Unlike previous generations chasing luxury brands just for labels, Gen Z loves:
affordable Indian skincare brands
pharmacy products
dupes of luxury makeup
small homegrown beauty businesses
refillable or eco-friendly packaging
They watch reviews, shorts, reels – they compare prices. They want value, not just vanity.
What you can steal
Don’t assume expensive = better
Don’t hoard 15 products “just because sale”
Finish what you have before buying new things
Smart beauty is sustainable beauty.
9. They believe in inner beauty, literally
Gen Z talks about:
gut health
hydration
sleep
stress and cortisol
period health
protein intake for hair
They understand what earlier generations ignored – your skin is a mirror of your lifestyle.
What you can steal
Drink enough water (not 10 litres, just enough!)
Eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds
Manage stress
Sleep like it’s skincare, because it is
A glowing mind shows on your face.
Gen Z hasn’t “figured beauty out”. They’re just unafraid to experiment, question, and learn. They aren’t chasing one fixed definition of pretty, they are creating hundreds.
And that’s the real lesson.
You don’t need to be 19 to enjoy blush tints, sunscreen obsession, or minimalist routines. You just need curiosity and a little bit of courage to let go of old rules.
Beauty isn’t becoming someone else. It’s slowly becoming more yourself — and on that front, Gen Z is absolutely winning.
