The first step before integrating a new product into your routine is to check whether it is well suited to your skin type or problems. You can't anticipate whether your skin will react well to it, but first make sure that the new product meets your skin's needs. For example, if your skin is dehydrated and sensitive and you absolutely must try out this new ultra-concentrated exfoliating serum, it may not go as well as you'd hoped... If you don't know what your skin needs are, you can make your diagnosis online in just a few minutes.
How do I incorporate a new product into my routine?
There are different types of introduction; for example, if you want to test a new mask that contains active ingredients you're used to, that's not the same thing as testing a product with an active ingredient you've never used before.
For a product with active ingredients you're familiar with, you can simply do what's known as a "patch test"; most often, we recommend testing in the hollow of the elbow or the inside of the wrist. Apply the product for a few days to see if your skin reacts. If it doesn't: clear, you can use it. If it does, don't risk sensitizing your skin.
When introducing a new active ingredient, we need to be more cautious, as the skin can sometimes react more or less well. Let's take retinol as an example(nb retinol is an ingredient we've excluded from our formulas because of its high irritant potential. However, we know that many of you use and appreciate this active ingredient, which is why we'd like to inform you so that you can use it safely); first choose a low percentage of 0.1% and apply the product twice a week for a month, then 3 times a week the following month, and then every evening. Of course, listen to your skin; some skins will react more than others. And watch out for certain symptoms: if your skin peels a lot, don't worry, but you'll need to apply an oil to help your skin repair itself.
This type of introduction applies to all active ingredients; some are of course more "complex" than others, such as Vitamin C, AHAs and PHAs, retinol, BHA, etc... VS hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or panthenol, for example.
How do I know if this product is right for me?
If your test is conclusive, you can integrate this product into your daily routine. Generally speaking, after 1 to 1? months, you should see the first results. If they're what you'd hoped for, that's great, but if they're not what you expected, maybe it's not what your skin needed. However, sometimes you have to persevere, as some active ingredients take longer to work than others.
Don't forget that your skin tends to get used to active ingredients, so we recommend changing your routine every 3 to 4 months (not necessarily in its entirety, of course). But this is often the time when the seasons change, so it's important to readapt your routine to your skin's needs.
