I get it, you’re no newbie to at-home microneedling pens, especially if you’ve landed here. These little tools have a bunch of needles that create micro paths into your skin. They help your skin regenerate stronger and, most importantly, increase the absorption of what you apply to your skin afterward. Considering you decided this is a good day for microneedling —no severe acne breakouts, no wounds or active irritations, and not planning to apply foundation for the next 24 hours—you’re in the right spot. Now, you only need to know what products work best after microneedling and what you should steer clear of.
Below, we share some of the best serums and facial oils to use after microneedling for faster skin recovery and better results. Scroll on!
What should you avoid after microneedling?
After microneedling, it’s best to avoid direct sun exposure, harsh skincare products, excessive physical activities that induce sweating, and swimming in chlorinated water for at least 48-72 hours. That’s because microneedling makes tiny wounds in your skin to start your body’s own healing process, and all of these things can slow down the process.
Direct sun exposure can damage the skin and cause hyperpigmentation. Needless the say, protect your skin with at least SPF 30 for the following week after microneedling—these sunscreens with SPF 50 will definitely come in handy. Moreover, harsh skincare products, particularly those containing retinoids, chemical acids, vitamin C, alcohol, and fragrances can irritate the freshly treated skin. Intense physical activities increase the risk of swelling and inflammation. On the other hand, chlorinated water can exacerbate dryness and introduce harmful pathogens to the open micro-channels.
What products should I use after microneedling?
After microneedling, your skin is more receptive to absorbing the active ingredients in your skincare products, so choose products that are soothing and restorative and address your skin concerns.
Look out for products that contain the following ingredients:
- Hyaluronic acid (restores skin moisture)
- Panthenol (restores skin moisture)
- Aloe vera (calms inflammation)
- Allantoin (calms inflammation)
- Centella asiatica (calms inflammation)
- Peptides (support skin regeneration)
- Ceramides (support skin regeneration)
The best products to use after microneedling for acne-prone skin
Frankly, this would be me. From the bottom of my heart out loud: Avoid anything that contains comedogenic oils after microneedling if you have acne-prone skin. These can clog your pores and lead to breakouts and even more scars. Oily and acne-prone skins need lightweight formulas that pack sebum-regulating ingredients, such as niacinamide, zinc, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, after microneedling.
The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc
My favorite product to apply after microneedling is The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc. It goes without saying that it’s oil-free, vegan and cruelty-free, but it has a clean formula with 10% niacinamide that restores skin’s moisture, controls excess oil and reduces the appearance of blemishes. What’s more, the serum is made with 1% zinc, which reduces excess sebum and relieves inflammation.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Serum
One of the best products to use after microneedling is Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Serum. Thanks to squalane, it regulates sebum production, minimizing acne breakouts while moisturizing and soothing the skin. The form of vitamin C in this serum works at a higher pH, being gentle to the skin while working to brighten dark spots alongside mushroom and licorice extracts. All these work together to minimize dark spots left by pimples and reveal luminous skin. And it’s all vegan and clean!
Kiehl’s Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Or you can calm the skin with the power of herbs with Kiehl’s product. It’s a lightweight face oil infused with cannabis seed oil, known to calm and soothe the skin, reduce redness and relieve discomfort — right what the skin needs after a dermarolling session. Besides, this face oil is made with a blend of herbaceous oils that don’t clog pores, and vitamin E to strengthen the protective barrier and balance skin. Oh, did I mention is non-acnegenic and non-comedogenic?
The best products to use after microneedling for dry and flaky skin
If you have dry skin, look out for products with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and squalane. All are effective ingredients to use after microneedling to restore moisture to dry skin.
SkinCeuticals Hydrating Vitamin B5 Gel
Rich in two of the most potent humectants, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, SkinCeuticals Hydrating Gel is one of the best serums to use after microneedling for dry skin. The product lacks drying ingredients, such as alcohol or fragrances, having a minimalist formula with just four ingredients. The calcium pantothenate is great at stimulating fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin, leading to more resilient and moist skin. A winner!
Microderm GLO Peptide Complex Serum
Microderm GLO Peptide Complex Serum is the ideal product to use after microneedling to hydrate and soften your skin. This is because it’s enhanced with active peptides, hyaluronic acid, plus a slew of natural extracts, such as honeysuckle, cucumber, and aloe, which are known to relieve dryness. The lightweight formula gets absorbed into the skin in no time, just perfect after microneedling.
Drunk Elephant Intensive Hydration Serum
Quench your thirsty skin with Drunk Elephant Intensive Hydration Serum that instantly hydrates and calms after every microneedling session. It’s all due to the ceramide, amino acids, vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, plus a blend of soothing fruit extracts. It’s definitely that drink your skin needs after dermarolling.
The best products to use after microneedling for hyperpigmentation
Using a microneedling tool to get rid of hyperpigmentation makes so much sense. The treatment removes dark cells and reveals brighter skin underneath. And with the right products applied afterward, you’ll see results without a doubt. All you need is a serum with ingredients known to brighten skin and correct dark spots but gentle enough not to trigger irritation.
Beauty Of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
Beauty Of Joseon Glow Deep Serum is a fantastic choice after microneedling if you have dark spots. The serum is made with 68.6% rice bran water, a popular ingredient in K-beauty that contains natural brightening enzymes. Moreover, the formula is spiked with 2% arbutin, a gentle skin brightener that fades dark spots, and the addition of humectants and moisturizers makes this serum gentle enough after dermarolling sessions. Bonus points because it’s free of fragrances and alcohol.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Serum
This serum aims to brighten the skin and improve hyperpigmentation with Viniferine, a natural complex exclusive to Caudalie that corrects and illuminates dark spots. There’s also glycerin and squalane to soften and plump the skin, reducing dryness. Caudalie Vinoperfect is definitely a product you should consider using after microneedling if you want to diminish dark patches.
PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum
PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum works hard to banish dark spots with a complex made of mulberry, green tea, and oligopeptide-51 that brightens skin and reveals a clear, even complexion. The 6% niacinamide in this formula gives it hydrating and soothing benefits, and the fact that it lacks potential drying ingredients makes it a go-to after microneedling.
Paula’s Choice Discoloration Repair Serum
This serum promotes bright skin and fades dark spots with 5% niacinamide, and 3% tranexamic acid, while bakuchiol, a retinol alternative, targets the causes of aging signs. Besides, Paula’s Choice Discoloration Repair Serum has a formula gentle enough to use after dermarolling yet effective in fading hyperpigmentation. Simply put, it has what it takes to be one of the best products to use after microneedling.
The best products to use after microneedling for aging signs
Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, niacinamide, coenzyme Q10, and vitamin E are the best to use after microneedling to address aging signs.
Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Serum
This serum has what it takes to be effective at diminishing wrinkles and fine lines. Apple juice, aloe vera, shea butter, coenzyme Q10, squalane, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 — all these ingredients encourage skin hydration and minimize aging marks, making your complexion look and feel restored. P.S: The serum also works great for fading dark spots and discolorations.
Vichy Mineral 89
Vichy Mineral 89 is powered by pure hyaluronic acid to plump wrinkles and boost skin hydration, plus glycerin to bind water into the skin. The best part about this booster is its base, Vichy’s volcanic water, which empowers the formula with minerals that strengthen the skin’s protective barrier.
Aveda Tulasara Concentrate
Aveda Tulasara Concentrate is a natural serum made with mature skin in mind. The concentrated formula provides nourishing ingredients, including a mix of natural plants and oils, among which cucumber, caffeine, squalane, and peptide. Briefly, the serum firms the skin, enhances texture, and smooths rough patches, revealing a radiant and dewy complexion. This makes it one of the best products for microneedling to address aging signs.
Why use a serum after microneedling?
By their nature, serums have small molecules that penetrate the skin, so they’re better to use after microneedling than a moisturizer that sits on the skin’s surface. Additionally, serums are highly concentrated in active ingredients, delivering more benefits when applied after microneedling.
Can I use a serum to prime before microneedling?
Yes, it’s fine to apply a serum before you start to roll since it’ll act as a barrier between your skin and the needles. Just pick a gentle serum.
