Whenever I think I’ve got my skincare routine all figured out, my skin goes and throws me a curveball. Take last winter. When the first gusts of freezing winds hit my skin, they suck all the moisture out of it. My skin flaked like crazy. And got so sensitive, even my trusted holy grails irritated it. Or that time of the month. My hormones are all over the place and never fail to give me a pimple or two.
And so, the search for new skincare products that can deal with these new issues starts all over again… It’s terribly frustrating, isn’t it? That’s why I was so excited when skincare boosters started making their appearance. Word has it, they help you customize your skincare routine to deal with this kind of emergencies. I had to give them a go and see what all the fuss is about.
What’s the deal with skincare boosters? Do they work or are they just another creative way for skincare brands to steal your hard earned money?
What Are Skincare Boosters?
Skincare boosters are highly concentrated concoctions that target one specific skincare woe. There are boosters to add extra moisture to the skin, boosters to get rid of dark spots, boosters to deal with wrinkles…
The whole idea here is that your skin changes all the time. It can get drier in winter, oilier in summer, get pimples when you’re on your period, develop wrinkles as you get older… A booster is there to supercharge your skincare routine, creating just the right concoction your skin needs at any particular moment.
Not sure what products and ingredients you can mix and match together safely? Download your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Pro” cheat sheet to find out:
How Are Skincare Boosters Different From Serums?
Serums and boosters are close cousins. They both contain high concentrations of active ingredients, but a lot less (if any!) thickeners, emulsifiers, and all that other stuff that gives moisturizers their richer textures. But boosters are even more concentrated than serums, so they work that little bit faster.
If you’ve found a serum that works wonders for you, there’s no need to get a booster too. A booster is for those times when your skin needs that little bit of extra help your usual skincare routine can’t give it.
Related: Why You Need A Serum In Your Skincare Routine
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Booster?
In case you’re wondering, do I really need to add a booster to my skincare routine, here are the benefits of doing so:
- DIY skincare: Add a few drops of a booster to your fave moisturiser to create your own DIY skincare products. This is how you can transform you fave moisturizer into a super powerful anti-aging or anti-blemishes weapon.
- Bespoke daily skincare: You get to choose the strength of the treatment every time you use it. The more drops you use, the more powerful it is (but don’t go overboard!).
- An extra helping hand: Thanks to their high concentration of active ingredients, they’ll help you fix any new skin woe faster than other skincare products.
- Travel-friendly skincare solution: Because boosters come in small bottles and target specific issues, they’re perfect for travel. Instead of packing five different serums, you can take your base products and just add the booster you’ll need for the climate you’re visiting.
Common Myths About Skincare Boosters
1. They’re Just Marketing Hype.
Look, I get it – skincare has a habit of inventing shiny new buzzwords to make us spend more money. And yes, there are brands that basically repackage a regular serum in a tiny bottle, slap the word “booster” on it, and suddenly it’s three times the price. But that’s not the whole story. A well-made booster is often way more concentrated than your standard serum, meaning you’re getting a bigger hit of the good stuff in a smaller dose. It’s like the espresso shot of skincare – not everyone needs it every day, but when you do, it delivers.
2. You Can’t Use Them With Other Actives
You totally can – you just don’t want to go full mad scientist on your face. Some pairings are a dream team (vitamin C + niacinamide = skin that looks like it’s had eight hours of sleep and a holiday), but others are more like… nope (high-strength retinol + a strong acid peel = skin barrier filing for divorce). The trick? Keep it simple, start slow, and let your skin tell you what it’s cool with instead of forcing it into a bad relationship.
3. They Work Instantly
If only. The only time you’ll see a same-day glow-up is with something super hydrating, like a hyaluronic acid booster – it’s basically a tall glass of water for your skin, so you get that plump, bouncy look pretty quick. But for stuff like dark spots, lines, or texture? Nah. You’ve gotta give it time. Boosters aren’t magic wands – they’re more like that friend who always shows up early to help you move. Helpful? Absolutely. Instant? Not so much.
What Are The Cons Of Using A Booster?
Skincare boosters are amazing, but like all things, they have their dark side. Here’s what to be wary of:
- Diluted efficacy: When you mix your skincare booster with any other skincare products, you dilute it. That means, it’ll take longer to work.
- Expensive: They usually come in smaller bottles and tubes that are priced almost as much as or even more than full-size serums and moisturizers.
- Overuse Risks: More isn’t always better. Because boosters are so concentrated, overusing them can cause irritation, peeling, or breakouts – especially with retinol, acids, or high-strength vitamin C. It’s tempting to double the drops for “faster” results, but that can backfire badly.
How Do You Use A Skincare Booster?
If you’ve decided you need a booster after all, here’s what you need to know to work it into your skincare routine:
- You can use a booster alone or mix it with your fave serum or moisturizer (never with sunscreen – you’ll just dilute the SPF!).
- If you want to mix it with another product, pour a small amount on your hand and add one or two drops of booster (the more drops you’ll use, the more powerful – and potentially irritating – the concoction you’re making is).
- The sooner you apply the booster, the better. For best results, pat it on after exfoliant or toner but always before serum.
- Most boosters can be used both morning and night. The exceptions? Vitamin C and retinol. High doses can irritate skin if it’s not used to them, so use them only every other night.
Can You Layer More Than One Booster?
Technically yes – but just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Layering a vitamin C booster with a niacinamide booster might be fine for brightening, but piling on multiple strong actives in one go (like retinol + AHAs + high-dose vitamin C) can push your skin barrier over the edge. If you want to combine boosters, keep them in the same “family” of concerns, or alternate them on different days.
Do You Need To Cycle Boosters?
For some actives – yes. Retinol, strong acids, and high-strength vitamin C boosters should be cycled or pulsed into your routine to give your skin recovery time. Hydration or barrier-repair boosters, on the other hand, can be used daily without issue.
Can I Use Boosters Every Single Day?
Some? Yep. Others? Absolutely not unless you enjoy playing “how fast can I wreck my skin barrier.” Hydrating boosters or anything that’s all about soothing and repairing? Go wild – your skin will just drink it up. But the big guns like high-strength retinol, potent vitamin C, or anything with serious exfoliating acids? You want to ease in. Start a couple of times a week, see how your skin behaves, and then work your way up if everything’s calm. Overdoing it won’t speed up results – it’ll just give you redness, peeling, and a very cranky face.
Do I Put It On Before Or After My Serum?
If you’re using it on its own, think of it as your skin’s espresso shot – it goes on early in the routine, right after cleansing and toning, so it can hit your skin directly. But if you’re mixing it into your serum or moisturizer, it’s like adding a flavor boost to your coffee – you just blend it in your hand and slap it on as usual. The key is making sure it still goes on before heavier creams and oils so nothing blocks it from sinking in.
Do I Really Need A Skincare Booster If I Already Use A Serum?
A lot of people wonder if boosters are just serums in smaller bottles. The answer: if your serum is already giving you what your skin needs year-round, you’re fine. Boosters are more of a “fix-it” tool for those seasonal or hormonal curveballs.
What Are The Best Skincare Boosters?
Ready to invest in a skincare booster? Here are my fave for every skin concern:
Best For Brightening Skin: Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10% ($90.00)
The packaging is a pain to use (Clinique had to provide instruction for it!), but the juice inside is loaded with 10% Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of vitamin C. It’s a powerful anti-aging superstar that brightens dull skin, reduces dark spots, boosts collagen production, and even prevents wrinkles. Plus, it’s also loaded with other antioxidants to help you keep those pesky wrinkles away for longer. Did I mention it mixes well with moisturisers?
Available at: Boots, Clinique, Feel Unique and Ulta
Related: Why You Should Add Vitamin C To Your Skincare Routine
Best For Dry Skin: Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster ($72.00)
When your skin needs some extra moisture, there’s only one guy to turn to: hyaluronic acid (and its close cousin sodium hyaluronate – they’re pretty much the same thing). This guy can attract, and bind, to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water. Your skin can’t get more moisture than that! What sets this serum apart is the addition of retinol and a bunch of wrinkle-preventing antioxidants to keep premature aging at bay. Dr Gross has really thought of everything!
Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, and Look Fantastic
Related: Dry Skin? Here’s Why You Should Use Hyaluronic Acid
Best For Treating Sun Damage: Paula’s Choice Resist 1% Retinol Booster ($55.00)
This serum has one of the highest concentrations of retinol you’ll find OTC. Yep, retinol is so powerful, even a 1% concentration packs a punch. So, what does it do? It accelerates cellular turnover and boosts collagen production, two things that help get rid of wrinkles. It also reduces dark spots and treats acne. Plus, the booster is also full of soothing and hydrating goodies to keep skin soft and supple and reduce inflammation.
Available at: Cult Beauty and Paula’s Choice
Related: The Complete Guide To Retinol
Best For Sensitive Skin: Paula’s Choice Resist 10% Niacinamide Booster ($42.00)
When you have sensitive skin, it’s incredibly hard to find anti-aging skincare products that don’t bother it. This booster is loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients to soothe irritations, antioxidants to prevent wrinkles, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. But the star here is niacinamide: it reduces wrinkles and dark spots, hydrates skin, soothes inflammation, and even treats acne!
Available at: Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Nordstrom and Paula’s Choice
Related: Niacinamide, The Underdog Of The Antiaging Treatments
The Bottom Line
Skin boosters are those friends you call in your hour of need. Even if you haven’t kept in touch for ages, when you need them they’re always there to lend your skin a helping hand. If your skincare routine is in need of a boost, give them a call.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
