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Adding New Products to Your Routine

We know — It’s exciting and scary at the same time. Follow this guide for a seamless transition.

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1
Patch Test

Try out new products on a small section of skin before applying to your entire face.

Behind your ear

Inside your elbow

If your skin burns, itches or becomes red and irritated (whether it’s right away or within a few days), speak to a dermatologist before continuing to use it. While certain topicals (like retinoids) can be uncomfortable at first, it’s always best to consult a professional just in case.

2

Stay consistent with using the product

Routine

Use your new product for at least one month before re-assessing

1 TO 2
MONTHS

Patience is key with any skincare product, but especially new ones. It usually takes 1-2 months to fully evaluate whether a skincare change is really working (or not).

REMEMBER:
NO
SKINCARE
PRODUCT
IS MAGIC

It takes a full month for the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, to renew itself. Three to four cycles of this turnover allows adequate time to demonstrate a qualitative change in the skin.

3

Pay attention to how the product makes your skin feel

MOISTURIZED
BALANCED

DRY
FLAKY
RED

It's important to note how a new product makes your skin feel over time. If it’s dry, flaky, or red, and worsens after three weeks, it’s time to consult your dermatologist again. If a product is working, your skin will feel moisturized and balanced.

4

Change your routine gradually, and only try one *new* product at a time

Though buying an entire skincare system and trying it all at once can feel like the best thing to do, it's important to gradually introduce new products to your routine. If you flood your skin with too many ingredients, you could cause irritation or breakouts without knowing which products were working for your skin and which were working against it. This way, in case you do have a breakout, you’d know exactly why and can trouble-shoot easily.

SLOW & STEADY

Let’s talk about skin purging.

What is it?

While not a medical term, these are breakouts that can occur right after using a new skincare product.

How to identify

If the product is working to clear skin, stuff that’s been hiding deep down — like dead cells, oil and debris — can pop up in the form of a breakout. This is called purging, and it only means that your skin might look a bit worse before it gets better.

Can you prevent it?

Always introduce new products containing active ingredients into your routine slowly to reduce the potential for inflammation. Choosing lower strength products at first helps prevent this as well, and you can gradually build to higher potencies once your skin has adapted.

Purging vs. Breakouts

Purging could look a lot like, well, a breakout — as your skin works to rid itself of impurities, pimples will pop up from deep within the pores and take shape as acne. If your skin becomes red, splotchy, and itchy after using a new product, that’s a different story. This could be a sign of irritation, not a typical purge, and you’ll want to stop using the product right away and call your dermatologist.