Skincare cocktailing is a real thing. In essence, it is layering different products to create a ‘new’ product for a specific result. As with a drinkable cocktail, it’s all about the order and keeping it simple – there’s no need to overdo it! Most importantly, ensure the ingredients work together, you don’t want to irritate the skin. This is how to do it:
- Start with clean skin.
- Ingredients should not be mixed before application.
- Apply in order of texture: Use products with the thinnest consistency first (usually these are water-based like an essence or serum), followed by the oilier products and the heaviest texture on top so that each layer can lock in the benefits of the previous product.
- Don’t use two products with the same active ingredients and avoid layering very active ingredients. So, while retinol is great to combine with vitamin C, for example, avoid layering it with alpha or beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs).
Glow to go
Litchi & Titch Overnight Vit C Melting Balm Mask (R420 at litchiandtitchnaturals.com) has a cream/balm texture that gives the most glorious hydration and brightening. It can be left on overnight or applied as a thin layer when you need a pre-party pick-me-up and then layered with another glow booster like Westman Atelier Super Loaded Liquid Drops (R1 990 at skins.co.za). This complexion enhancer contains a concentrated blend of vitamin C, antioxidants, and nourishing oils. Follow with foundation and it can even be used over foundation as a targeted highlight.
The power punch
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is the ingredient if you want to protect the skin from ageing, while hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates the skin – always a good balance with retinol, which may feel drying on some skin types. A made-for-each-other combo is NeoStrata Potent Retinol Complex (R1 354 at neostrata.co.za), a must if you want brighter, smoother, plumper skin, and NeoStrata Hyaluronic Luminous Lift (R1 610) to replenish moisture and give a luminous appearance.
The colour corrector
Niacinamide and peptides make up a dream team for uneven skin tone. They work so well together that Lancôme has combined them in one product, which also has technologically advanced anti-ageing ingredients to make your cocktail as simple as a pre-mixed G&T. In addition to hyaluronic acid and niacinamide – theingredient to combat dark spots and even out skin tone management – the new Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream (R2 020 at selected beauty retail outlets) is the cream of the crop in the peptide market, with an incredible 300 plant peptides selected specifically for their regenerative power helping skin regenerate faster than it ages.
The final touches
The hero ingredient of any skincare routine and one that can be layered with pretty much anything is hyaluronic acid. Most skincare experts encourage twice daily use so this can be added to any skin cocktail.
An absolute winner for dewy skin is two drops of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (R1 770 at esteelauder.co.za) mixed with foundation – it is super hydrating and enables the foundation to last longer and not cake over time.
