Lack of sleep, poor diet, emotional stress, or environmental pollutants can compromise your skin barrier, leading to increased sensitivity, breakouts, and flare-ups of conditions like eczema or rosacea.
Dr Too cautions against introducing a new product during this period, as it can be difficult to pinpoint whether a reaction is due to the product itself or underlying skin stress. “It’s best to wait until the skin has stabilised before trying anything new, as you may not know if the skin is worsening due to the new product, or other reasons,” she said.
4. RIGHT AFTER AN AESTHETIC TREATMENT
Procedures like chemical peels, laser treatments, and micro-needling cause controlled damage to the skin to stimulate renewal. During this healing phase, the skin is particularly vulnerable, and new products – especially actives like retinoids, acids or exfoliants – should be avoided.
“Post-procedure skin tends to be more reactive and sensitive, which is why we generally advise patients to focus on hydrating and calming the skin,” shared Dr Too. She suggests sticking to a gentle routine with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and centella asiatica to support recovery.
5. YOU’RE ALREADY USING MULTIPLE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Layering multiple actives like retinoids, AHAs and BHAs requires careful planning. Dr Too emphasises that adding a new active to a routine that already includes active ingredients can be risky: “These actives exfoliate the skin, so if the wrong ingredient is added, it could lead to increased irritation or a heightened skin reaction.”
A safer approach is to introduce one active at a time, spacing them out to monitor your skin’s tolerance. If irritation occurs, scale back and focus on barrier-repairing products.
