Getting the active ingredients used to your body – here's how it works

New products, new active ingredients

Who hasn't been there? You've bought new skincare products and you're itching to try them out. But new products often contain either individual active ingredients or complexes of active ingredients that your skin isn't used to. To gently introduce your skin to the new products, the following approach can help.

First, the patch test.

A patch test isn't just useful for checking product compatibility. It also allows you to get a first impression of the consistency, color, and scent, essentially familiarizing yourself with the product before applying it to your face. Furthermore, after the patch test, you can better decide whether you prefer to use the product undiluted or diluted.

One thing at a time

If you have several new products, it's best to introduce them to your skin only one at a time. This is very practical because if the new product interacts with your other boosters and serums, it's easier to identify the cause. Once your skin has adjusted to product A, you can then move on to product B. The time it takes to adjust to a new product varies depending on your skin type. You should expect a few weeks of adjustment time before your skin is ready for the next new product.

Morning routine or evening routine?

Another important factor is whether you should use the product in the morning or evening. Some ingredients are either photosensitive themselves or make the skin more sensitive to light. These are then better suited for evening use. You can usually find information about the recommended time of day on the product packaging, the product page in the online shop, or you can also ask the manufacturer. We've compiled lots of helpful information for you in our skincare guide .

Which step in the routine?

Once it's clear whether the product should be integrated into your morning or evening routine, the question naturally remains: which other boosters and serums should be applied before or after? There's a simple rule of thumb for layering: work from the most liquid to the creamiest consistency. This helps prevent products from pilling and ensures the active ingredients are effectively absorbed into the skin. The product's consistency, therefore, tells you whether it should be applied early or late in your routine.

Compatibility with other products

It's crucial to check before applying any new product: Does any of the active ingredients in it interact with other ingredients in your routine? Certain acids and vitamins can sometimes be incompatible, which can lead to skin irritation. This applies, for example, to active ingredients like hydroxy acids, vitamins A and C, and retinol. In such cases, it's best to apply the affected products at a different time. If you have particularly sensitive skin, it's advisable to apply the products on different days. Otherwise, a few hours' interval is sufficient.

Try

Now it's finally time to apply it. How often you want to incorporate the new product into your weekly routine at the beginning depends primarily on your skin's sensitivity. As a rule of thumb, one to two applications per week are a good starting point. You can also mix the new product with your hydrating serum to begin with; this can also make the adjustment period easier. Our Hyaluron Booster or our range of moisturizers are particularly well-suited for this. A classic starting point for dilution would be a 1:1 mixture, but depending on your preferences, you can also choose a higher or lower ratio.

Increase frequency of use

If the first few applications go well, you can gradually increase the frequency of use from week to week. A regular routine will then develop relatively quickly, and the product will soon be fully integrated into your routine. The time it takes to see the first visible results varies depending on the active ingredient. Generally, initial changes can be observed after four to twelve weeks.

All of this may seem like a lengthy process, but you usually get used to it quite quickly. In the end, patience and gentle treatment of the skin pay off.