As an aesthetic doctor, I have treated patients at Cosmetica London since 2012. One question comes up after almost every treatment: what should I put on my skin now?
The answer is usually simpler than people expect. After a treatment, your skin is busy recovering. What helps most is a short, gentle routine that supports the skin barrier and stays out of the way.
Your practitioner's aftercare instructions always come first. Every treatment, product and skin is different. Use this guide alongside their advice, never instead of it.
Why skin needs a gentler routine after treatment
Many aesthetic treatments work by creating controlled stress in the skin, which then prompts it to renew. Laser, microneedling and peels do this on purpose. Even injectables involve small punctures in the skin.
For a while afterwards, the skin barrier is more vulnerable. It can lose water more easily and react more readily to ingredients it normally tolerates. Your aim in these days is simple: keep the skin clean, hydrated and protected, and avoid anything that adds more stress.
What to pause
Until your skin has settled and any redness has cleared, and for as long as your practitioner advises, pause:
- Retinoids and retinol, including strong retinol alternatives.
- Exfoliating acids such as glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid, and scrubs.
- Fragranced products and essential oils.
- Strong vitamin C or other high-strength actives.
- Heat: saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga and very hot showers.
A simple recovery routine
This is the routine I recommend to my own patients once their practitioner says the skin can be cleansed and moisturised again.
- Cleanse gently. Use a soft, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water, and pat the skin dry. Our Sensitive Skin Oil-to-Milk Cleanser lifts make-up and SPF without stripping.
- Hydrate. A light mist adds comfort and hydration without rubbing. Our Microbiome Prebiotics Face Mist also supports the skin's natural microbiome.
- Support the barrier. A barrier-friendly serum such as our Bioactive Prebiotics Jelly Serum helps restore balance and calm the look of redness.
- Seal it in. A rich, fragrance-free cream locks in moisture. Our Sensitive Skin Overnight Cream is designed for reactive skin.
- Protect, every morning. Treated skin is more vulnerable to sun damage. Use a mineral SPF daily, such as our Glass Skin Mineral Sunscreen SPF30, and keep out of strong sun.
The first four steps make up our Recovery Kit, which brings them together at 10% off.
After specific treatments
After injectables
Avoid touching, pressing or massaging the treated areas, and skip make-up, exercise and heat for as long as your practitioner advises. Then return to a gentle routine. There is rarely a need to change products, but it is a good moment to keep things simple.
After laser or microneedling
These treatments work deeper, so recovery takes longer. Keep to the simple routine above until your skin no longer feels tight, warm or sensitive, then reintroduce your usual serums one at a time, a few days apart.
After a chemical peel
Let any peeling happen on its own; don't pick or scrub. Hydrate generously and be strict with SPF.
When to bring your actives back
Once your skin feels completely comfortable and looks calm, reintroduce one active at a time, starting a couple of times a week. If anything stings or flushes, step back and give your skin more time.
Professional support for recovering skin
We created the D.E.N. Recovery Facial at Cosmetica London for exactly this stage: a slow, cool, 60-minute facial with no acids and no steam, designed to calm, hydrate and support the barrier once any redness from a treatment has cleared.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use moisturiser after Botox or fillers?
Usually yes, once your practitioner says so. Apply it gently with light pressure rather than massaging the treated area.
When can I wear make-up after a treatment?
This depends on the treatment, so follow your practitioner's advice. After treatments that break the skin, such as microneedling, it is usually best to wait longer.
Should I use vitamin C or retinol after laser?
Not until your skin has fully settled. Bring them back gradually, one at a time.
This article is general skincare guidance and does not replace the aftercare advice of the practitioner who treated you. If you notice anything unexpected after a treatment, contact your clinic.
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