Should All Our Skincare Really Come from the Same Brand?
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Each time we turn on the TV, open social media, or scroll the internet, we are bombarded with SO many adverts and marketing around beauty, skincare, products, and brands.
The journey to a healthy complexion has evolved beyond the simple dichotomy of brand loyalty or product diversity, as savvy consumers navigate a maze of marketing hype, social media advertisements, and scientific claims.
And lately, we at LTG HQ have been questioning whether it’s best to create a skincare routine using products from one single brand (as many companies advise) or explore the diverse array of products from different sources.
Are we best to ignore the hype and marketing campaigns from ever-emerging new companies or is there some sort of real-life benefit to pairing your products within one brand?
We’ve decided to answer the question once and for all, drawing on advice and expertise from aesthetics nurse Nina Prisk, and board-certified dermatologist Dr Anthony Rossi to get their take on this beauty conundrum.
Image – Liubov Levytska/Adobe
Beauty fact or beauty fiction?
A basic skincare routine is a great way to ensure skin health, limit breakouts, and soothe dryness or irritation. It’s a staple that I, personally, love having in my life, but I also *really* love discovering new brands and ingredients.
For example, trying retinol has been a massive game-changer for my skin, despite my reservations that my skin might have an adverse reaction (it didn’t btw.)
But with many skincare companies telling us that they specifically formulate their products to work alongside each other, does that really mean I should now only buy products from the same line as my retinol?
Prisk thinks not. “I don’t think that people should limit their skincare products to just one brand,” she advises. “Instead, I think that the emphasis should be on finding products that are the best for your particular skin type,” she tells us.
Ok, point taken. That’s not to say there aren’t some advantages though, with Healthline pointing out that there may be sticking to the same routine and products that are sold together “reduces the chances of irritation.”
The health site goes on, “There are some rules in skin care about ingredients that shouldn’t be layered together, such as retinol and vitamin C. While brands may use ingredients that normally mix across their product range, it’s unlikely that you’ll find them within the same collection.”
Basically, according to the experts, we’re free to mix and match as long as we’re careful about our ingredients playing nicely with each other and with our own skin type.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what all this actually means for us, the consumer.
Image – Iuliia/Adobe
All the benefits of buying from one brand
Alongside Healthline’s point about taking care when layering ingredients, Dr Rossi tells us there’s another advantage to sticking to one brand; avoiding allergens your own skin has difficulty with.
He tells us that when shopping from one brand, “you know what is in that brand ingredients-wise and what is not, specifically knowing which irritants or allergens are not in the brand is very important.”
He adds, “some people can be allergic to very common ingredients that are used to make personal care products create suds or foam up. Therefore, if you find brands that don’t have fragrances or these common allergens, then it’s important for you to stick with it.”
That means keeping a close eye on what your skin works well with, as well as the ingredients lists of any products you pick up.
It’s not just about how the products work on your skin though. In the current climate, if you’ve found a brand or product that aligns with your budget or that you particularly enjoy using for whatever reason, sticking with it can have real benefits (hello gift sets!).
One of the biggest reasons consumers might end up sticking to the same brands though is when we find one that aligns with our own ethics and values. For example, some of our own favourite brands at LTG, like Bybi and Kjaer Weis try to protect the environment by using sustainable packaging and ingredients.
And the downsides
That said, there are some definite downsides to only shopping from one brand. And most, perhaps unsurprisingly, come from the lack of options this brings.
For example, are we really going to deprive ourselves of trying a new product we *really* like the look of just because it falls outside of one particular brand? I think not.
Sticking to just one brand can also ultimately become financially limiting, potentially preventing us from mixing and matching between luxe and affordable products.
And don’t even get me started on discontinued products. We’ve all had that sinking feeling when we have run out of our *fave* item and the time comes to repurchase, only to find that the brand or product has been discontinued. So it’s never a bad thing to have tried and tested backups, or at least be open to trying new formulations.
Image – Svitlana/Adobe
The alternative
For me, the best alternative has always been shopping across brands but always with an eye on how to safely combine ingredients and what my own skin actually needs – just as the experts advise.
You don’t have to do this alone though. As Prisk explains, “by working with a qualified and experienced medical practitioner you can establish which products and active ingredients are best for your specific skincare needs.”
Here at LTG, we love to mix and match brands and try different products designed for our specific skin types, because it gives us the option to choose and select some luxury items alongside our more budget-friendly staples. Literally the best of both worlds.
There are some really incredible affordable skincare brands on the market that professional derms even rave about, like Bybi, Fourth Ray Beauty, The Ordinary (my fave), Byoma, and The Inkey List.
Their products are generally sophisticated, and use minimal ingredients and simple formulations to limit irritation and adverse reactions. Always check with the brand to see which of their ingredients can be layered together though.
Some products are on the market for as little as £5 or $5, meaning you can create your staple routine and stick to your budget with leftover cash for a couple of luxury items from our fave brands like REN and Drunk Elephant.
And who doesn’t love treating themselves?
Image – Iuliia/Adobe
The takeaway
Variety is the spice of life, as they say, and that doesn’t stop at skincare!
The experts are clear on one thing though; when picking your products the main thing is to choose formulations and ingredients that work well for your own skin needs. You also need to avoid layering ingredients which aren’t meant to be mixed.
A great way to do this is to visit a dermatologist who can help you build a regime that works with your budget, lifestyle, and skin type.
Trying new brands and products doesn’t have to be scary, in fact, it can be *really* exciting and liberating! But for those who have particularly sensitive skin or painful acne, advice from an expert is advised.
Meet the experts
Nina Prisk RGN, INP, BSc, MSc, is an aesthetic nurse prescriber and owner of Update Aesthetics Cosmetic Clinics, both in London’s Harley Street and Cornwall. Prisk is a lecturer and ambassador for global industry brands and advocates for the importance of a multi-faceted regime that incorporates both injectables and skincare products.
Dr Anthony Rossi is a board-certified dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. One of the most sought-after surgeons and laser experts in the field of dermatology, he is internationally recognised for his pioneering research and clinical work.
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