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Sharing skin care products with you is one of my favorite things to do. Each time we share a post about a skin care product, many readers ask what are the benefits of rotating skin care products?

Today, I would love to talk with you about this!

There is science behind this, and also personal testing.

For the many who have written me this over the years, I hope you enjoy this post!

The Benefit Of Rotating Skin Care Products

As an investigative chemist, one of the topics I love researching is skin. From products to methods, anything involving your skincare routine is my passion.

Many times, I test products for years before sharing them with you.

I try so many different things, I started rotating products years ago and discovered there is some great benefits to this for anyone, not just someone like me who tries out dozens of products each year.

Most of this is based on science! Some of this is just what I have discovered testing products over the last 10 years.

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1. Your Skin Changes Overtime

One of the first and probably most common reasons to rotate skincare products is your skin changes overtime. Changes can be due to a variety of factors. Skin changes can be temporary like hormonal, seasonal, or health related. This means your skin hasn’t changed forever, it is just going through something at the time. I think all women can agree to this when it comes to hormonal changes! This is also true with seasonal changes. My skins needs in winter are different than in the summer.

However, your skin can also change permanently. Like aging. This article from Byrdie interviews an M.D discussing skin changes. She brings up how your skin changes overtime, and it is a good idea to reevaluate skincare products if you aren’t seeing the same results you used to. Or even if you have used something for awhile.

2. You Need To Allow 4-6 Weeks To See How Something Works

On average, it takes about four to six weeks to see how something will benefit you. This article from Dr. Schultz mentions even if a product works within two weeks, you need that four week window for full skin-cell turnover. If I am trying a new product, I will only use that particular product for one month. This is how I can truly determine the results of something. When I test out a new product for the blog, I stop everything and only use that product. This might be helpful for you too if you are suffering from a specific issue and really want to see if a product is going to work for you! This means, you might need to rotate or stop products.

3. You Might Have Too Many Products For One Night

If you have several serums you use at night, you might need to rotate how and when you use them. The Skin Nerd says two to three serums at night might be your maximum to get the most out of the products. This process actually gets technical and involves layering, skin penetration, and the mixing of ingredients.

To make it simple, I use about two serums maximum at a time. I have found luck with rotating things every night. I like to use a hyaluronic acid serum every night, then every other night I will use a retinol. On nights when I don’t use a retinol, I like to use an overnight mask. My favorite right now is the Teami hydrating overnight mask (more on that below).

I just stick to using a few products each night, and it has given me the best results.

4. I think your skin just gets used to something

This is my personal tip, but I have noticed my skin can sometimes just get used to something.  For instance, I have used certain serums every night for years. I notice they don’t wow me as much overtime. I will stop using something for several months, then start it back up again. My skin reacts better to it after stopping it for awhile.

Is this science based? Maybe not, but I have found it to be true for me over the last 10 years or so of using skincare products.

It reminds me of a diet. People can go on a specialized diet, and they will loose weight right away. It works for a long time, then they plateau. This diet might help them maintain results, but they don’t necessarily achieve the entire result (like goal weight). I think skincare can be similar. Sometimes resting your skin from a product you love a lot and then starting it back up, can benefit your skin.

This is just my opinion!

Is It a Must To Rotate Skin Products?

No, I don’t really think you do. But if you aren’t seeing the results you want or you aren’t seeing the results you used to, try a little switch up. Or make your skincare seasonal. Reserve certain products for summer or winter. Sometimes, it is simply trial and error.

This is why I try out products for months and sometimes years before I share them with  you!

What Skincare Products Are In My Current Rotation?

I also get this question all the time! Here are the products I am currently using. I have been using these set of products for several months. Many of these products I have actually used for years, but I just rotated back into them.

Just a quick note, there is no reason why I am using these together right now. It doesn’t necessarily matter what you use together, as long as you are using products that are going to address your current needs. Like dry skin, breakouts, etc. And as long as you use them in the correct order for maximum results.

Serum

Right now, I am using this firming serum (discount code alexisroch). I helps with dry, aging skin.

Good Science Beauty Hydrating Face Cream

Good Science Beauty has been one the best brands I have used over the years, and I love their hydrating face cream as well as their skin firming cream. I like using the hydrating cream in the winter because it is so effective for dry skin. If you use my link, you can get 30% off any of their products by the way.

Teami Hydrating Face Mask

I have been using this for many months, but I really love how smooth and soft my skin is in the morning after using this.

Resurfacing Pads

This was the most popular product in 2021 with readers.  I just got a new container in, so I am using it again at night. Here is the original blog post.

What order do you use your skincare in?

After washing my face, here is the order of my nighttime routine:

• Resurfacing Pads (Let it dry, don’t wipe it off)
• Serum
• Face Cream
• Overnight Face Mask

A good rule of thumb for skincare products is start with water based and work your way up to oil based. This is usually going to mean you use serums, then face cream, then an oil or face mask for overnight use! Read our post on layering skincare products for more information.

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