Confused About Skincare? Here’s 5 Common FAQs Answered

Do you actually know the correct order to apply your skincare? Are you confused about the difference between AHAs, BHAs and PHAs? How about telling blackheads and sebaceous filaments apart? There are so many terms to get your head around when it comes to skincare. Luckily, that’s where our Skincare FAQ Guide comes in.

Aiming to answer your FAQs and to guide you to the best skincare solutions, here’s our ultimate skincare cheat sheet to ensure you cut through all the confusion. Here are five of the most frequently asked skincare questions we get as the TTG team…

1. What order should you apply skincare?

It depends a little on what products you use (you don’t have to have all of the below!) but in general, your routine should look something like this:

1. Cleanser: first clean your face
2. Toner: then hydrate and balance your skin if you wish
3. Vitamin C serum: apply to dry skin as the ingredient is notoriously unstable on contact with air and water.
4. Other serums and treatments: If you are applying multiple serums, apply the lightest, water-based textures first, such as your hyaluronic acid serum. Then, apply any others such as your retinoids.
5. Eye Cream: if your eye cream is lighter than your moisturiser apply it beforehand. (If not, versus the order).
6. Moisturiser: use to help lock in moisture and hydrate your skin
7. Oil: other products cannot penetrate oil so apply those textures last
8. Sunscreen: use in the morning – the final and very important step for protecting your skin

2. What is the difference between AHAs, BHAs and PHAs?

AHAs, BHAs and PHAs – the ‘hydroxy acids’ – are the three types of exfoliating acids. They all work by exfoliating the skin, but have slightly different properties. The AHAs are brighteners, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid. They work on the skin’s surface to give you an enviable evenly-toned glow. BHAs, aka salicylic acid, are oil-soluble, which means they can deep dive into your pores and declog them. That makes them great for oily, acne-prone skin. Finally, PHAs (glyconolactone and lactobionic acid) are the gentle acid giants. They work similarly to AHAs but are larger and don’t penetrate as deeply. This makes them less likely to cause irritation.

3. Why is my skincare pilling?

Ever confidently applied all your skincare, then noticed little balls of products appearing on your skin? That’s the frustration of pilling – and it often means you have to start all over again. Ironically, it’s often caused by rushing. When laying multiple products, you need to make sure each product is fully absorbed before applying the next. Equally, make sure you are using the recommended amount  – using too much can lead to build-up. If you are really struggling, check the ingredients list. It may be because you are using multiple silicone-based products, which can often pile when overly layered.

4. What’s the difference between blackheads and sebaceous filaments?

Easily confused, blackheads are clogged pores that are open to the air, resulting in a dark, raised bumped appearance. Sebaceous filaments are naturally-occurring components of your skin’s pore lining, which help channel sebum through the pores. They become more noticeable (like dark, flat dots on your skin) if your sebaceous glands overproduce sebum.

To reduce the appearance of sebaceous filaments (something that can be managed rather than eliminated), address excess oil with oil-reducing cleansers, water-based rather than oily moisturisers (especially those that contain niacinamide which can regulate oil production) and clay masks. Avoid stripping formulas as this only triggers your skin to produce more oil. As for blackheads, these are best addressed by a combination of cleansing and exfoliation, such as salicylic acid toners to help remove dirt and dead skin cells. Professional extraction by a dermatologist can also safely remove blackheads.

5. Where can I find really good skincare?

Good question! There’s plenty of amazing skincare out there on the market – which is both a good thing (as there’s lots of choice) but also a little overwhelming (because there are so many options). Here at TTG, we’ve tried to make the whole process a little easier. You can find our tried-and-tested selection of results-driven products designed for your skin type, concerns and budgets in our skincare cheat sheets. You can also book in for a skincare consultation with our skincare expert Shenaz.

Have a question about skincare – why not Ask Alice?