Duo Digest: How to Tell If You’re Using Too Many Actives
From retinol to acids to vitamin C—actives can transform your skin. But using too many at once? That’s when the trouble starts.
1. Your Skin Will Tell You (Loudly)
Overuse of actives often leads to:
- Redness or burning when applying products
- Dry, tight, or flaky skin
- Breakouts or irritation from products that never used to cause problems
If your skin suddenly feels more sensitive, your barrier could be overstressed.
2. How to Scale Back Without Losing Progress
You don’t need to give up actives—just use them wisely:
- Stick to 1–2 actives per routine, and introduce new ones gradually
- Alternate stronger ingredients on different nights (e.g. vitamin C in the AM, retinol every other PM)
- Keep your base routine simple: cleanser, hydrator, moisturiser, SPF
Let your skin guide you. If it’s showing signs of stress, focus on recovery before reintroducing actives. Long-term results come from consistency—not intensity.
