Every few days, there are new skincare products that seem to be a solution to all our problems. They are marketed to make us think we need them, and we need them straight away. But should we engage and buy the new skincare product, and if we do, how to incorporate it into our existing routine?
Before choosing a new skincare product
Before you decide it’s time to buy a new skincare product, you should have an established skincare routine that works for you. I would say that if you have a base of three to four products that work well for you, you can start adding more targeted products. I wrote in my last post about setting up your skincare routine:
Those essential products are a gentle morning cleansing gel, moisturiser, SPF and products for double cleansing in the evening (oil+gel).
Once you have those, you can choose active ingredients/products suitable for your skin type and work on your skin conditions. Usually, they come in the form of toners, serums and essences.
How to choose a new product
You have to understand your skin to be able to choose the correct product. I already wrote about that in my previous post but let’s recap.
To understand how to figure out your skin type, click here.
Every skin condition has a couple of ingredients that work best to treat or improve those conditions. I will list a few here.
Acne – exfoliating acids are probably best for acne. Acids like glycolic, lactic and salicylic are what I would choose (choose only one). You can add them into your routine as a toner. Use them after cleansing and before moisturising. Retinol can also be beneficial for acne, but it requires more care when used and comes with some rules. I will write a post about it soon.
Oily skin – again, acid toners can help and using a fluid instead of moisturiser might be a good idea. You need lightweight products but don’t overuse acids, and oil-free products, as your skin still need moisture.
Dry skin – you need to ditch the drying cleansing gels and foams and go for oils and balms. Use a mild exfoliant once or twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells, and of course, a good nourishing moisturiser is a must. If you can’t figure out if you have dry skin or are dehydrated, I have a guide here.
Dehydrated skin – this skin needs more hydration rather than moisture. So think face mists (maybe thermal water spray) and hyaluronic acid essences or toners. Finish your routine with a nice lightweight moisturiser.
Ageing skin – anti-ageing products such as retinol and peptides are the best to treat and prevent signs of ageing.
Introducing a new skincare product
Once you have chosen a new skincare product, it’s time to introduce it into your skincare routine. Before anything else, you will need to do a patch test. A patch test will give you a chance to see if the product is suitable for your skin or if you’re maybe allergic or sensitive to any ingredient in it. You can do a patch test by applying a small amount of the product behind your ear a leaving it for 24 hours. If there is any redness or irritation, discontinue use. That’s where samples come in handy, so you don’t have to buy a full-size product before you do a patch test. If there is no reaction, the product is safe to put on the rest of your face.
You can now introduce a product into your skincare routine. Make sure you only add one product at a time – so you know which product works and which doesn’t. I always give my new products at least two weeks before adding more. Those two weeks are enough to see if a product is breaking me out or is suiting my skin, but it’s not enough time to drastically improve my skin. Be patient
In case you are starting with retinoids or acids, apply them only a few times a week and slowly increase frequency over time. That will prevent your skin from having side effects that are ‘normal’ for those products, such as flaking skin, redness and irritation. And always wear SPF when you are using retinoids or acids.
When not to add a new product
Never add a new skincare product just before a big event like your wedding, graduation or Christmas. You don’t know how your skin will react. And if it reacts badly, you won’t have time to fix the rash or other unwanted side effects. I would do it at least six weeks before the special event.
Also, some products have a certain time of the year that it’s best to start them. Retinoids and the sun don’t go well together, so it’s best to add retinoids in fall/winter when the sun exposure is lower. And always wear SPF even though there seems to be no sun. That will protect your skin from hyperpigmentation and redness.
Have you tried any new products lately? Did you like them or were they a miss for you?
