The basic routine for each skin type should include cleansing, hydration and a SPF product regardless of the skin type. In the morning, the skin should be gently cleansed and protected from the negative effects of UV radiation with a product that provides a wide range of protection (UVA + UVB). In the evening, it is desirable to thoroughly remove SPF, makeup, sebum and impurities accumulated during the day by double cleansing, then nourish and regenerate the skin with a product that will keep the skin's hydrolipidic barrier healthy and balanced. Every treatment product with active ingredients is an addition to the basic routine and can treat a specific problem, but it is important to know how to choose and use it properly.
What do you need?
For starters, think carefully about your skin and the products you use. Do you feel your skin lacking moisture with occasional tightening? An extra layer of hydration is easy to incorporate with a hydrating toner or moisture filled serum that can be applied in both morning and evening before your cream. If you have certain skin imperfections such as texture, acne, comedones, hyperpigmentation or post-inflammatory erythema, you can treat them by selecting the appropriate active ingredients, that is a treatment or antioxidant product or chemical exfoliant that removes dead skin cells from the surface. However, when choosing the ideal new product, be careful because a particular product may be perfect, just not perfect for you. It is important that you know how to properly assess your skin type, condition and concerns and that you use a suitable product for that.
Active ingredients
Moisturizing products are easy to fit into any routine, but when introducing treatment products, guidelines for adequate use are often needed, which will ultimately contribute to the results you are looking for.
As a general rule, we advise the introduction of only one new product with active ingredients at a time. Imagine a situation in which you try two new serums at the same time after which the skin does not react positively. You may experience irritation or develop new pimples. Unfortunately, you will have to exclude both products from the routine and only when the skin calms down start to test them separately, which would save you time, but also money and frustration at the beginning.
Products that contain strong potent ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, bakuchiol, acids and retinoids work to change the texture and improve skin function, so the skin needs time to adjust. Once a day, preferably in the evening, start using a new product by applying it initially with an interval of a few days. If after a few uses there are no side effects, you are able to increase the frequency of application. As for the order of use, treatment products usually come in form of toners and serums, so they are applied after cleansing and before moisturiser.
It is advisable to introduce each new product with active ingredients slowly and alternately with the one you already have in your routine. This will make it easier for you to assess whether your skin tolerates the combination of multiple active ingredients and monitor your skin reaction.
Testing products on sensitive skin
If your skin is sensitive, it is a good precautionary measure to do a patch test on a small area of skin before using it for the first time. Conservatively apply the selected product on clean skin and monitor the reaction. We know that almost no one does this, but listen to us, because this way you will prevent potential negative skin reactions in the form of irritation and allergies to which sensitive skin is very prone.
In case you are soon having a big event such as wedding, it would be ideal to avoid any experimentation and introduction of new products and stick to products that suit you perfectly.
Trial samples are a great way to test products before buying, but it’s important to consider that their purpose is to test the texture and rule out potential skin irritation. Visible, more concrete results require patience and consistency in use, so we advise you to wait at least three weeks for a visible change.
Every skin is different and a product that your friend can't live without might delight you too, but is it a good choice? So step by step; the most important thing is to assess what the skin is like, what it needs and what doesn’t suit it, and choose products accordingly. Gradually introducing a new product will make it easier for you to assess its effects and will give your skin enough time to adjust to the new formulation.
