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Reacting to Hyram's Take on Leighton Meester’s Skincare Routine (I was surprised)

I’m breaking down Hyram’s reaction to Leighton Meester’s skincare routine as an esthetician. If you’ve ever wondered about celebrity skincare routines, questioned whether snail mucin is worth the hype, or struggled with dry skin and sunscreen mixing debates, this is for you.

Reacting to Hyram’s Take on Leighton Meester’s Skincare Routine: Key Takeaways

In this YouTube video, I reacted to Hyram reacting to Leighton Meester’s (aka Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl) skincare routine. It was a fun, meta deep dive into celebrity skincare habits, product choices, and whether her routine actually holds up. Here are the key takeaways from the discussion:

1. Cleansing: Skip the Gadgets

  1. Leighton used a mechanized cleansing device, which I’m not a fan of. Manual cleansing (with your hands!) is just as effective—if not more so—when done thoroughly.

  2. Her cleanser (Ursa Major) had a decent ingredient list, but the real issue was the rushed application. A proper cleanse should cover all areas (hairline, brows, sides of the nose) to remove buildup.

2. The Mystery of the "Lid Scrub"

  1. She used a single-use wipe (OcuSoft Lid Scrub) for dry eyes, which sparked debate. While it may help remove allergens, daily friction on delicate eyelid skin isn’t ideal.

  2. Better alternative: A gentle double cleanse (oil + water-based) would likely achieve the same goal without irritation.

3. Layering Hydration: Overkill or Necessary?

  1. Leighton’s routine included three hydrating steps: a probiotic essence (Neogen), snail mucin (COSRX), and a plumping serum (Shani Darden).

  2. While these products aren’t bad, they’re redundant for most people. A single hydrating serum (like Naturium’s Vitamin C Super Serum Plus) could simplify the routine while delivering antioxidants and barrier support.

4. The Sunscreen Mixing Debate

  1. She mixed a tinted and untinted EltaMD sunscreen—Hyram called this a "red flag," arguing it could destabilize UV protection.

  2. My take: If the formulas are nearly identical (same filters, base ingredients), mixing isn’t ideal but isn’t catastrophic. Still, it’s safer to apply them separately or find one shade that works.

5. Missing Step: Where’s the Moisturizer?

  1. Despite her dry skin concerns, Leighton skipped a dedicated moisturizer. I never recommend relying on sunscreen for moisturization, as your sun protection should remain constant, even with fluctuating skin hydration levels.

  2. Fix it fast: A simple occlusive moisturizer (like Vanicream) would seal in all those serums and prevent water loss.

Final Verdict: Is Her Routine Actually Good?

Hyram praised Leighton’s routine as one of the best he’s seen from a celebrity, but I wasn’t as impressed. While her product choices were fine individually, the routine was:

  1. Inefficient (too many overlapping hydrating steps).

  2. Missing key actives (like vitamin C for antioxidant protection).

  3. Over-reliant on gadgets (that cleansing tool!).

That said, her skin looks incredible—but celebrities often have access to in-office treatments that do the heavy lifting.

Watch the Full Video for More

Want to hear the full breakdown, including why snail mucin isn’t a must-have and my ideal simplified routine for dry skin? Check out the video here—and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more honest skincare takes!