How do combine skincare products

As a beginner, skincare can seem overwhelming. There’s tons of product options to choose from, each one promising to transform your skin to look nothing short of flawless. And even after you’ve decided on the ones that might do the trick for your particular skin type, there’s the dilemma of deciding the sequence of application. Does the facial oil go first, or the serum? It can get quite confusing.  

But no need to fret, because we’re here to break it all down for you. Not only will we cover the steps that you need to follow but also the harmonious mixing of different ingredients to ensure that your skin reaps the maximum benefit of each, so stick around till the end. 

Why is it important to learn about how to mix skincare products? 

One of the main reasons why it's extremely essential to understand which ingredients work well together is to ensure the effectiveness of each and to achieve the desired results. Another reason is that inappropriate mixing can sometimes lead to skin irritation or worse, skin allergies, which can cause undue damage to it. For example, mixing strong exfoliants can cause the skin to dry out excessively and may even result in inflammation, swelling and redness. Some products work well during the daytime routine while others should be a part of the nighttime routine, and learning about this can help you curate a skincare routine that helps you achieve smoother and clearer skin. 

What are some do’s and don’ts of mixing skincare products?

• Alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid have potent exfoliating characteristics, making their use a great way to improve skin texture, treat acne, fade scarring, reduce blemishing and give the skin a brighter and rejuvenated appearance. However, they can cause slight skin irritation and dryness, hence using them alongside hydrating and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and green tea should help any inflammation and redness subside. No wonder the gentle formulation of the Leovard Multicleanser consists of lactic acid and salicylic acid alongside hyaluronic acid and green tea to give the skin a refreshed, and rejuvenated appearance post cleansing along with a boost of hydration, making it look supple and plump.

• Retinol is often prescribed to those suffering from extreme acne breakouts as a way to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with it. It also has potent anti-aging properties, helping to promote skin cell turnover as well as helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots. The only catch is that it can be irritating, leading to skin dryness. As a result, using it alongside ingredients such as AHAs and BHAs is not recommended as it can exacerbate skin dryness and should instead be followed up using hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. 

• A general rule when it comes to mixing skincare products is to start with those that have a lighter consistency and follow them up with those that are thicker in comparison. Water based products go on first while oil-based products come later. This ensures proper absorption of the products, allowing them to do their job of healing, hydrating and rejuvenating. 

• While most ingredients are safe to be used both during the day or night, there are a few exceptions. Of those are AHAs such as glycolic acid and lactic acid. Owing to their potency, it’s recommended that they be incorporated in the PM routine. This helps to avoid inflammation due to sun exposure during the day. However, if they are a part of your AM routine, such as being an ingredient of your daytime toner, it’s important to follow it up using sunscreen. 

What’s the order of application that must be followed?

The first step of any routine has to be cleansing. Removing dirt and makeup is essential for the application of the rest of the products and for them to be absorbed well into the skin. Next comes toning. This prepares the skin for the next few steps of hydrating and moisturizing by removing any residual oil, makeup and dead skin cells. Follow it up with a hydrating serum to lock in moisture while also giving your skin a youthful and dewy glow. Now comes moisturizing, which is extremely essential, even if you have oily skin. Most people tend to forget the lips, which require extreme care, given their fragility. Applying a generous amount of a hydrating lip balm allows to repair and rejuvenate them. 

For a skincare routine to be effective, it need not be elaborate with multiple steps. In fact, it can be as short and simple as the Leovard Minimalist Seven Step Skincare Routine, yet do the job just as well, if not better.

Takeaway

Skincare is more than just putting on a few different products on the skin and expecting to wake up with flawless and radiant skin. It requires in-depth understanding of the product ingredients and their correct application to be able to reap their benefits.