When to Apply the Next Skincare Product

Episode #199 / Jun 4, 2010

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Science and technology have given us some interesting and powerful new tools in the form of skincare products to repair, improve and protect our skin. We have sunscreens; we have acne treatments, exfoliants, antioxidants, peptides, anti-aging treatments and moisturizers. But what do we do when we’re putting on multiple products at the same time? It creates two issues. The first one is, in what order do you apply these products so they absorb properly, and we discussed that in an episode two weeks ago. The other issue is how long do you have to wait after applying one product before applying the next product? Well that answer is very simple. It’s not a fixed number of minutes, it’s not ten minutes- it’s not five minutes. Very simply, after you apply a product you wait until it “sets”. Setting means it absorbs into the skin, its dries and it’s not tacky. And then you apply your next skincare product. And if it’s taking more than a minute of two for your skincare product to “set” that just means that you’re applying too much. Remember, with most skincare products- less is more.

With skincare regimens consisting, appropriately so, of many different products, how do you know when you're supposed to apply the next product after putting one on? In this episode of DermTV, Dr. Schultz explains when to apply your next skincare product.

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Dr. Schultz BeautyRx Protective Vitamin C Rescue Serum

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DCL UVA/UVB Chemfree Superblock SPF 30

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Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

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DDF Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Oil Control Gel

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Sarah on June 8, 2010 at 3:56pm

Hi Dr. Schultz,

Thanks for the video. You mentioned peptide products. I remember you mentioned that peptide creams are beneficial for someone in their 20's (as well as others). I don't know much about peptide creams, how do they work?

Do you think it would be worth including a peptide cream into a skin care routine that already includes antioxidants, sunscreen, and exfoliants during the day (day), and antioxidants and retinoid products at night? If so, where do peptide creams fit in?

Thanks so much.
Sarah

Neal Schultz, M.D. on June 10, 2010 at 4:33am

@Sarah: Peptide creams work by fooling the body into thinking that collagen is "broken" and therefore the body needs to make more collagen. While you are currently using what I believe are the three daily essential skin care ingredients -- a sunscreen, an exfoliant and antioxidants -- I do recommend peptide creams as the 4th ingredient and you should use it at bedtime. The order of application with your antioxidants and retinoid products is determined by the relative weight of those products. For more information on order of application, see What Order to Apply Your Skin Care Products.

Sarah on June 23, 2010 at 10:14pm

Thanks Dr. Schultz - very helpful!