How To Get The Most Out Of Your Beauty Advent Calendar Products

The countdown to Christmas is truly on and many of us are marking the occasion by eagerly opening our beauty advent calendars each morning to discover the latest product nestled inside. Or, perhaps you couldn’t resist and have unwrapped them all already, (no judgement here!). Either way, once the anticipation dies down, do you actually know how to incorporate all these new beauty finds and classic favourites into your routine? 

If your answer is ‘not really’, fret not. The TTG team has the answers you need (and you aren’t alone). This is our easy-to-follow checklist to avoid overwhelming your skin and to make sure you are using all the new products to your best advantage…

1. Introduce new products one at a time 

It can be really exciting to suddenly have all these new products to play with, but don’t start applying them all at once! That’s a surefire way to overwhelm your skin, potentially leading to breakouts and irritation.

Instead, try to introduce new products one at a time, especially when it comes to more active serums, such as retinoids, vitamin C, and exfoliants like AHAs. Equally, if your advent calendar contains duplicates – for example, multiple eye creams – avoid mixing and matching these every other night (or applying them together), as this can often be too much for your skin. It can be hard to be patient with new brands sitting on your dressing table, but your skin will benefit more from a slow and steady approach.

2. Don’t totally throw out your existing routine 

As we always say here at TTG Towers, a consistent skincare routine is the key to the best results. So, avoid the urge to simply stop using your existing products (if they are currently working for you). Building a completely new routine out of your advent collection might sound like fun, but it can make it hard to see whether you are actually getting results from each new product, and, without that knowledge, deciding what to reinvest in gets tricky. Plus, you will avoid wasting products that you already have in your collection, which saves you money overall.

3. Check who the product is actually for  

Before you dive into your goodies, do check each product you get is right for your skin type and goals. The one downside of beauty advent calendars is they can offer a rather ‘one size fits all’ beauty solution, and your super dry skin might not thank you for a cleanser designed for oily skin and vice versa.

Receiving something in your calendar doesn’t mean you have to use it either. For example, that new dark spot vanisher might be trending on social media (and be a thrill to try), but if your main skin goal has always been soothing sensitivities, that’s where your focus should remain. Plus, your friends and family will give you lots of brownie points for sharing any products that are a much better fit for them.

4. Save products for when they are most useful

Don’t feel obligated to use a product daily from the get-go, just because it came in your advent calendar in December. It’s okay to store some for future use, especially lightweight serums that might work best in the summer, or targeted clarifying products for when you are struggling with a breakout. (Just check what the expiry dates are to avoid wastage).

Equally, the minis you often get in advent calendars aren’t just for trialling a new product – they are perfect for on your travels too. So, keep the classic ones you already know you love to one side ready for your next adventure.

5. Research the instructions 

Advent calendars are a great way to introduce yourself to new beauty essentials, but that might also mean you receive a type of product you haven’t used before – say an exfoliating acid or lightweight essence. Do remember to read the instructions carefully to make sure you are using them right, and introduce them into your routine slowly to ensure you and your skin actually like using them.

6. Don’t forget to enjoy it!

Finally, remember to have fun with your products! Now is the time to enjoy some skincare experimentation, while bearing in mind that while new favourites hopefully beckon, you don’t have to like (or continue using) everything you try. We shouldn’t expect to love all 25 products after all!

This year, we’ve also been seeing a lot of skincare that functions as a self-care ritual, so why not create your own little pamper day with any nourishing masks, hand creams and beauty tools you receive? It might just be exactly what you need during the busy festive period.