How to use these skincare products?

[BobinogBobbleHat]

Over the last year or so I've been trying to take better care of my skin. I've found a range which really seems to suit and regularly use a cleanser, mask, day cream and night cream.

This I can cope with! And my skin is happy.

But I buy online and often get free samples of things which look lovely but I have no idea what to do with!

One's an eye serum. Does it go on after cleansing, then moisturiser afterwards? Morning or evening?

And facial oil; directions say apply to cleansed skin once or twice a day but again - with moisturiser over the top?

And then if I use both does than mean I'm going about my day with eye serum, oil, moisturiser and SPF on my face all day? Feels a bit much but it's all a bit new to me I guess!

Am I missing something? And more importantly, perhaps, should manufacturers give more of an idiot's guide on their labels....

Oil should always be the last step (it's thick so if you put it first the skin won't absorve anything after), so it goes over everything or just by itself. I don't mix both because my skin doesn't need it. I put it on by itself and skip the moisturising cream as it would be too much. If you need moisturiser it goes over that - if you need it, I don't. I prefer oil in the PM but if I'm staying home I'll put in on too -again just by itself.

Eye serum - usually they recommend the PM (it makes my make up cakey too, only in the PM). My eye's are sensitive, so for me I don't mix anything on the eyes or I get millia. So I do it after cleansing in the evening, I either use a serum or a moisturiser, never both. If I wanted both I'd use them on alternating days, otherwise it's too much for my skin, so you can still have both.

I read a lot of stuff to work out how I should do it and I came with a really elaborate routine but in the end I don't always follow it. Not everything works for me and I don't need it all. I think the most important think is figuring out what comes first and what comes next, then you adjust and remove things if you don't need them or you use different things on different days. They tell you you need it all - no, you don't! Try everything but don't make it all permanent.
This is an interesting blog (www.carolinehirons.com/2021/01/top-20-skincare-questions-of-2020-how-to-build-a-skincare-routine.html) but make sure you look for other blogs/ articles written by dermatologists too and avoid the ones where a doctor tries to sell a product named after them! Avoid fads too (like shaving the face, once you start it's forever!). There are lots where they share their routine and take about retinol.
Make sure you read sth about mixing active principles too:

• retinol doesn't go with acne stuff, vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, AHA/BHA ac.


• vitamin C & Retinol NEED SPF.


• Niacimide - works w/ everything except vitamin C, never put both together


• always use SPF over acids


• hyal. acid works well over glyc. acid but avoid w/ vitamin C


• oil works great over retinol