Skincare Must-Haves: What to Use and When
All through Skincare Awareness Month, we’ve talked about nutrition, hydration, moisturizing, and sunscreen. But there’s one thing we haven’t broken down yet — the actual active ingredients your routine shouldn’t skip, and exactly when to use each one.
Here’s your simple AM/PM guide to the skincare must-haves.
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1. Vitamin C
AM, daily use. Apply before moisturizer/SPF.
- Brightens skin and evens out tone
- Boosts collagen and protects against free radical damage
We recommend: Radiance-C Serum (15% Vitamin C) or Revitalizing-C Serum (23% Vitamin C + 2% HA Spheres), depending on how your skin tolerates it.
2. Niacinamide
AM & PM. Great active ingredient for skincare beginners.
- Minimizes the look of pores and controls excess oil
- Strengthens the skin barrier and calms redness
We recommend: Gel Toner (Combination to Oily Skin), Specialty Serum B, or SOS Serum — all contain niacinamide.
3. Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
PM, 3–4 times a week. Oily skin may use daily, AM/PM. Avoid doubling up with retinoids.
- Unclogs pores and clears out blackheads
- Reduces acne and smooths rough texture
We recommend: Deep Pore Cleanser (Salicylic Acid + Lactic Acid).
4. Retinol
PM only, 2–3 times a week — increase as tolerated. Always follow with a moisturizer.
- Boosts cell turnover and softens fine lines
- Firms the skin without the irritation traditional retinol can cause
We recommend: Super Firming Bakuchiol Serum — our natural, gentler alternative to retinol.
5. Hyaluronic Acid
Daily, AM & PM. Apply to damp skin before moisturizer.
- Deeply hydrates and plumps the skin
- Locks in moisture for a dewy, healthy glow
We recommend: Hyaluronic Hydrating Gel.
6. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
PM, 2–3 times a week depending on tolerance — increase as tolerated.
- Exfoliates dead skin cells and brightens overall tone
- Smooths texture and helps fade dark spots
We recommend: Deep Pore Cleanser — it also contains AHA alongside the BHA.
The Takeaway
This isn’t everything — just some of the must-haves to get you started. We’ll keep covering more ingredients and products as the weeks go on.
Remember: homecare is just as important as your professional facials. The right actives, used consistently and correctly, are what carry your results between visits.
Not sure where to start or which products are right for your skin? Book a skin analysis with us and we’ll build a routine that actually fits you.
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Editor’s note: this article is for general skincare information and isn’t a substitute for personalized medical or dermatological advice. Introduce new actives one at a time and patch test when trying something new.
