The Best Cocktails for Your Skin 

Open your medicine, take a peak around. If you’re honest, and anything like us, there are probably far too many products. And all those options, can make it nearly impossible to know exactly what to reach for when a serious bout of dry skin hits or when desperately trying to get rid of hyperpigmentation. 

Thankfully all those serums, acids and moisturizers are perfect for skin care cocktailing — mixing and matching products for the best results. We spoke with Diana Yerkes, lead esthetician at the infamous Rescue Spa in New York City, to help us understand the best cocktails for your skin. 

While Diana is a huge fan of mixing-up oils and serums to combat various skin concerns, she does recommend sticking to one line of products to yield the best results. “I prefer to stay in the same line as the products tend to work better together,” she says. “However, there are some lines that compliment each other very well,” she goes on to say. Here at ESSENCE we have major skin care commitment issues, so when it comes to sticking to just one line chances are it’s not going to happen — and that’s okay. 

Keep reading for Diana’s best skin care cocktail suggestions. 

The Best Combination to Actually Fade Dark Marks  

“Hyperpigmentation is a very common concern and can be caused by variety of factors including sun exposure, pregnancy, birth control pills and post-acne inflammation. One of my favorite combinations to target hyperpigmentation is niacinamide, which prevents the transfer of melanin to keratino­cytes, mandelic acid (an AHA derived from almonds), and lactic acid, which enhances epidermal renewal while protecting the skin.” 

Try these products: 

1. Paula’s Choice  RESIST 10% Niacinamide Booster

2. Vivant Skin Care’s Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash

3. The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%

Also, don’t forget to wear SPF, everyday! Not protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, will negate anything else that you’re doing. Glossier’s Invisible Shield is just that, invisible and truly #browngirlapproved. 

Smooth Skin in 3-2-1

“It comes as no surprise, I am a huge fan of P50 1970 [editor’s note: this product isn’t called the skin care Holy Grail for nothing, it’s one of the best products on the market]. It’s a fantastic balancing toner that provides exfoliation and a healthy glow, it’s like a probiotic for your skin.

The order you apply your products on the skin is quite important, especially when you’re trying to get smooth skin fast. Each step of your at home routine serves a purpose, so I recommend following this order in the evenings: cleanse, tone, treatment masque, serum, moisturizer.”  

Try This Skin Care Cocktail for Oily Skin  

“While an excess of oil may be associated with acne breakouts, oil also protects the skin from the signs of aging, which is a big plus. The goal is to balance the skin because no one product or ingredient will completely eliminate oil.”

To help normalize the oil production give these products a try:  

1. Biologique Recherche’s P50 1970: is a balancing toner that helps to balance skin’s PH and normalizes skin’s functions. 

2. Michael Todd Beauty’s Kaolin Clay Detoxifying Facial Mask: contains kaolin which is a naturally occurring white clay that helps absorb oil and mattify skin. 

3. The Ordinary’s Retinol 1%: is also great as it’s tightens the pores thus helping to reduce any shine that may form on skin.

And For Dry Skin, Try This Combo

“First of all, it’s important to determine if skin is dry or dehydrated. Dry skin is usually very delicate and needs richer, more emollient textures in moisturizers and requires nourishment and layering of serums. Where dehydrated skin lacks water and appears dullish and flat.

To help combat dry skin, one of the most beneficial ingredients is hyaluronic acid (this product is amazing!), it acts as a humectant and helps to retain collagen while providing elasticity. For dehydrated skin, gentle exfoliation (give this one a try) is the best way to address it at the start, following up with combination of serums and appropriate moisturizer.”