Layering Products
Clean skin at Burberry S/S 2010 LFW
How do you layer products without creating havoc? I have read so many times about professionals wearing many different types of creams, serums and so on but I always wondered if there were some rules to follow?
Annie, New Plymouth
Hi Annie,
This is a really great question because the reality is, unless you buy everything from one brand, you’re going to be mixing things up.
Let’s start with the basics – it’s pretty safe to say that any over the counter product is safe to mix with any other unless otherwise specified. Which means that yes, you could use a Dove cleanser, Trilogy face mist, Clinique serum, Bobbi Brown sunscreen and Estee Lauder hydrating moisturiser. Just as we can mix and match our colour cosmetics, it is usually fairly face-friendly to do the same with our skin care.
The only bump in this road is if you use higher strength actives prescribed by a dermatologist or beauty therapist. Then you might like to ask for a second opinion.
If you notice your face breaking out, skin flaking, redness or sensitivity then remove one product at a time from your routine to figure out what the culprit is. It could be because two products don’t want to hang out together and they fight.
I asked Cosmetic Scientist Amanda Foxon-Hill from Realize Beauty what her thoughts were – she formulates skin care so she’s got a pretty good idea of what may or may not be kosher.
She says that it’s ok to mix brands (although not entirely ideal) and suggests (and I totally agree) that between each product application, give it a little time to sink in and do it’s job before applying the next. So you might wash your face and then apply a serum or treatment cream/lotion. Then go and have a cup of tea or eat your breakfast. Then apply the next lotion – moisturiser or another serum. Run around and get dressed or something. Then apply sunscreen, letting it dry for five minutes before adding makeup.
“If you do notice your products are balling up then they are not compatable.”
She also says, “it’s best to stick to one type of technology, even if going for different brands. So use products with either natural vegetable emulsions OR silicones OR oil-free synthetic emulsions, as this is less likely to cause issues.”
Generally speaking though, there shouldn’t be too many concerns.
