How to Smoothly Transition into a New Skincare Routine: All The Dos and Don’ts!
Spring is just around the corner and you’re probably thinking it’s about time for a little skincare refresh. Out with the heavy duty winter skincare routine, and in with the lighter, less intensive program.
While switching your skincare routine each season is important, there’s both a right and a wrong way to go about it! If you don’t properly transition into your new routine, there’s a greater chance you will wreak havoc on your skin and cause unwanted breakouts!
Whether it’s a seasonal skincare changeover, or you want to revamp your old routine, follow these simple guidelines to enable a smooth transition.
The Dos and Don’ts of Switching up Your Skincare Products!
Know your skin type. This sounds simple enough, right? It’s not. There are so many formulas to choose from, sometimes it’s overwhelming. You may get caught up on a specific skin concern, but then overlook your skin type altogether!
For example, you may be searching for an acne treatment and then choose a skincare product focused on that particular concern. While that product may treat that specific skin concern, it may not be suited for your skin type! Rather, you should start with your skin type first, and then work your way up to that specific skin concern. This way, you’ll narrow down your choices and ensure that the product which targets your skin concern also fits your skin type. Makes sense?
Read the ingredient list. Next, it’s time to get to the nitty gritty. What is your product made of? Are you allergic to any ingredients? Sensitive to anything? It’s here that you can really get picky. Choose products with a short ingredient list. Avoid products containing harsh chemicals such as SLS (sulfates) and parabens. Prolonged exposure to chemicals can irritate your skin and cause contact dermatitis outbreaks. Botanical based skincare products are less likely to generate skin reactions.
Do a patch test. Whether or not you have sensitive skin, it’s always best practice to do a patch test. You never know if or when you’ll develop an allergic reaction to a certain ingredient found in your skincare formulation. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Add one new product at a time. When introducing new skincare products into your routine, always do so one product at a time! That way, if your skin reacts, you’ll know which product to blame!
Give it time. This tip is super critical! Don’t expect new products to do magic overnight. Generally, results won’t show until at least 2-3 weeks of consistent use. Be patient!
Don’t use new products before a special occasion. If you’re attending a grad, wedding, birthday, or other type of social event in the near future, now would be the wrong time to test out new products! You wouldn’t want to wake up with a surprise skin breakout. That would surely put a damper on your memorable day!
Don’t buy into marketing tactics! Just because a skincare product is sold in cute packaging doesn’t mean it’s going to work for your skin’s particular needs. Also, don’t buy into the false promises and products claiming to ‘eliminate wrinkles’, ‘reverse aging’, or otherwise. Use common sense.