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The Skincarma Pod | Episode 14: Demystifying Product Application – Good Skincare Habits for Optimizing Your Routine
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The Skincarma Pod | Episode 14: Demystifying Product Application – Good Skincare Habits for Optimizing Your Routine

Can I use Retinol with Vitamin C? When do I apply Hyaluronic Acid? Does sunscreen come before or after my face cream?

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine shares insights on skincare routines, focusing on the best order for applying products and the importance of creating good skincare habits. He discusses the evolution of skincare routines, the role of serums, and the significance of understanding ingredient penetration using the 500 Dalton rule – a measure of molecular weight. Carmine emphasizes the need for tailored AM and PM routines to optimize your skin health and protect against environmental damage and correct signs of aging.

Follow @skincarma on Instagram here and on TikTok here. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog here.


Product links:

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum

The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster

The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

Great moisturizers for very dry skin: 

Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream 

The INKEY List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer

Great moisturizer for normal / dry skins: 

Paula’s Choice Resist Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer 

Great moisturizers for oily skin: 

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan

Skinfix Barrier Restoring Gel Cream

Great moisturizer for sensitive skin: 

Untoxicated Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream 

Great beginner Retinol:  

Cocokind Beginner Retinol Gel 

Great mid-strength Retinols: 

The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion Serum

Remedy for Dark Spots Nightly All in One Treatment 

Great advanced Retinol: 

Paula's Choice Clinical Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment 

Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.


The Skincarma Blog™ is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma Blog® is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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