While some might enjoy having a skin care regimen with several steps, for others, it can feel tempting to shorten the routine by mixing products together. Skin care cocktailing—mixing several products together to eliminate the step-by-step process—has some presence on social media, but experts advise against it.
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The blending of products could disturb the balance of ingredients, which could lead to undesired outcomes, according to an article from Yahoo and Carlos Charles, M.D., co-founder of 456 Skin.
Charles suggests that an effective application sequence is more impactful than blending and layering products that work well together is key to maintaining healthy skin and avoiding irritation.
Antioxidants like Vitamin C and broad-spectrum sunscreen layer well as a morning routine, according to Charles. He also recommends a topical retinoid followed by a simple ceramide-rich emollient cream to offset any potential irritation from the retinoid.
