A member of Team Costhetics recently did a personal deep dive into the latest news and information about skincare, and other face-saving topics.
Her goal: to gather a list of tested and trending beauty ingredients – like retinol, lactic acid, and Vitamin C – in order to upgrade her own skincare program.
The idea was great, but the results were not. Rather than the radiant complexion promised by science, our team member ended up with dry, flaky skin that constantly felt as though it was burning. She talked to experts to find out what she did wrong. If you don’t want to make the same mistake, please keep reading …
What Does Micro-Dosing Mean in Skincare?
Micro-dosing refers to using lower concentrations of proven ingredients to lessen negative effects on the skin barrier. Although relatively new in the sphere of beauty talk, buzz about micro-dosing is growing fast. “Skincare micro-dosing already yields nearly 250,000 search results on Google, with experts and editors alike waxing poetic about the pared-back approach,” reports Kaleigh Fasanella on Real Simple.
Micro-dosing dramatically cuts back on ingredients like these from a 1–3% concentration to a 0.1–0.3%:
- Azelaic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
- Retinoids
- Salicylic acid
- Vitamin C
Passport to Better Sensitive Skin Care
Have you been burned (literally or figuratively) by retinol? You’re not alone. Although retinol is considered one of our greatest tools for smoothing away fine lines and wrinkles, it also plays havoc with the skin’s natural self-protecting mechanisms.
“The main function of the top layer of the skin is to protect us, to keep away environmental factors. The more retinol you put on, the poorer barrier function becomes,” reports Business Insider. This is why a lot of people feel that their skin is very sensitive and experience peeling, flaking, and irritation.
- Decreased sensitivity
- Help for skin troubled by eczema or rosacea
- Better tolerance of products
- Ability to use products for a longer period
This last point is a big one. A too-high-for-sensitive-skin concentration of an ingredient disrupts the skin barrier and forces you to stop your skin care program until the problem clears up. A low, non-irritating strength of a beneficial ingredient allows for consistent use. That consistent use combined with less downtime allows micro-dosing to deliver the same skin-brightening, pore-clearing benefits as a full concentration equivalent.
Don’t Ever Micro-Dose this Skincare Ingredient
You may have to do a little trial and error to determine which ingredients are right for your skin. Whether you are experimenting on your own or working with a skincare professional, there is one ingredient no-one should micro-dose. What is it? Sunscreen.
Allure Magazine’s experts recommend:
- SPF 30 or higher
- Minimum of half-a-teaspoon be applied to the neck and face.
Costhetics Wants to Help
When it comes to the skin you’re in, an investment in advice from a professional will pay off with major dividends. As well as checking your skin health, a dermatologist or other expert can analyse your skin and steer you to products, methods, and treatments to enhance, not stress, your skin. Costhetics knows lots of great providers. If you would like to find a doctor based in your postcode, we can help.