There are many ways to improve your skin health. When most people think about skincare, what usually comes to mind is applying gentle cleansers and following up with potent serums. It’s a multi-step routine that has most of us exhausted by the end. It's exhausting work, applying one product, waiting a couple of minutes for absorption, and then applying another product.
A recent TikTok trend is turning this method upside down, having us all believe that layering products is antiquated.
If you haven’t heard of a skincare smoothie, is it time to get acquainted?
What is a Skincare Smoothie?
Essentially, a skincare smoothie is the combination of your favorite skincare products – all mixed together. It’s called a skincare “smoothie” because making it is likened to making your favorite smoothie: combine your favorite ingredients to make one powerful formula. It drastically reduces the number of steps in your skincare routine, allowing different products to work all at once. If you have a 10-plus routine, this is a huge time saver.
But does it really work?
The answer depends on what products you’re mixing. For example, if you are combining products that contain heavy oils with products that have significantly thinner ingredients, you may end up blocking skincare ingredients from penetrating the skin. However, some other products do work well together. In fact, better together than on their own.
Why You Should Make a Skincare Smoothie
Maximizes other products: You can combine certain products that work together, such as water-based products and oil-based products. Oil-based skincare products help trap the moisture from water-based products to maximize hydration. Additionally, potent ingredients like vitamin C with retinol and vitamin E can enhance the efficacy of other ingredients.
Customized skin care: Your skin isn’t static. Changes occur that demand different ingredients. By customizing your skincare smoothies, you can deliver the exact nutrients your skin needs on certain days. The best way to do this is to look at your skin and assess how it feels. From there, you can whip up a smoothie with customized products for that day.
Huge time saver: As we previously mentioned, this application method will save you a lot of time in the mornings. A multi-step routine can take several minutes. Skin smoothies take just a couple of minutes to whip up and apply. Perfect for busy moms (and dads), bustling college students, and interns.
Should You Mix Products Yourself?
Now the question is, should you play chemist and mix your own skincare products? It’s important to understand which products work well together, as this prevents irritations and potential allergic reactions. So, in the end, it is NOT recommended to mix products unless the product manufacturer says it’s advisable.
Skincare Smoothies for Beginners
If you would like to give it a try, here are some expert tips to follow:
Mix lightweight products: Enter the smoothie world by mixing lightweight products (i.e., small molecule ingredients) that easily absorb into the skin. Make sure these ingredients work together to create a powerhouse formula.
Skip occlusives: You know occlusives, the super oily, waxy ingredients designed to moisturize the skin? Skip them. If you add occlusives to your smoothie, you may end up irritating or clogging your skin.
Make sure they’re biocompatible: Biocompatibility means materials that interact positively with each other and your skin. Some work well, while others may cause toxicity as they are not compatible with your skin.
This is an introduction but make sure the product manufacturer allows their products to be mixed. If you don’t know, then it is highly recommended that you do not make your own skincare smoothie!
