You have chosen a new serum or mask, but your routine already includes several products. Before applying them all together, take a moment to read the instructions and prepare for the trial. The goal is simple: know what you are using, follow the product instructions, and observe your skin without changing all your habits at once.
Read the product before preparing the trial
The FDA recommends reading the entire label: ingredients, warnings, and directions for use. Start with three practical questions: which area is the product intended for, should it be rinsed off, and how often should it be used? Keep the box or photograph the information so you can refer to it after opening.
The name of an ingredient is not enough to determine how to use it. Two products containing hyaluronic acid may have different instructions. This is particularly true for the 30 ml hyaluronic acid face serum and the 100 ml hyaluronic acid face mask available in the shop.
- The serum is applied to perfectly cleansed and dried skin before applying face cream.
- The mask is a weekly treatment: its product sheet recommends applying a semi-thick layer, leaving it on for about 15 to 20 minutes, removing any excess, and then rinsing with clean water.
These examples help identify the specific instructions for each product. First, choose the product you want to try, then keep its instructions close at hand.
Plan a trial on a small area
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends testing a new cosmetic product on a small area before adding it to your routine. Its general guide suggests applying it to the underside of the arm or the crook of the elbow twice a day for seven to ten days, using the usual amount. The product should remain in place for its normal duration of use; a product that needs to be rinsed off should still be rinsed according to the instructions.
This general protocol must remain compatible with the product instructions. It does not mean that a weekly mask should be applied twice a day. For a product with limited use or if you are unsure how to proceed, consult a dermatologist before adapting the trial.
According to the AAD, in case of redness, itching, or swelling, gently rinse off the product as soon as possible and stop using it. A significant reaction or difficulty identifying what is causing it warrants a dermatologist's opinion. A home trial is not a substitute for medical tests to check for an allergy.
Keep an easily accessible record
To help you keep track, you can create a short note on your phone. It is a personal record, without complicated notation or a target result to achieve.
- The exact product: full name and format, to avoid confusing two products from the same range.
- The start of the trial: date and area used, along with the instructions followed.
- Observations: what you noticed and when, without drawing your own conclusions about the cause.
- Other products used: a simple list so you can explain your routine if you ask for advice.
Trying only one new product at a time also makes this note easier to understand: you will know which product you have just added. Nothing requires you to open the serum and mask purchased together at the same time.
Then follow the usual instructions
Once the trial is complete without any observed reaction, keep the product instructions as a guide for use. For the two products mentioned, the current precautions specify that they are for external use by adults only, should not be ingested, and must be kept out of reach of children. The mask also requires avoiding contact with the eyes.
The FDA reminds you to wash your hands before using a cosmetic product and to keep containers clean and tightly closed. So, also prepare the area where you will use your product: a clear surface and a place to set down the container are enough to get started.
To continue, consult the product sheets for the serum and mask, then our guide on the order of applying serum and cream. Choose a step that suits your routine, along with its specific instructions.
Sources and credits
Sources consulted on October 27, 2026:
- American Academy of Dermatology, How to test skin care products: preliminary trial and what to do in case of a reaction.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Using Cosmetics Safely: reading the label and hygiene when using products.
- SMZ Dr Sophie, current product sheets for the 30 ml face serum and the 100 ml face mask, which include the instructions from their labels.
Photos: SMZ Dr Sophie catalog, serum on the cover and mask in the article.