I'm in Adore’s Customer Service Team & Here Are 9 Common Beauty Questions I Get Every Day

Have you ever opened up a live chat box on a website and wondered if you were talking to an actual human being?

Well, on Adore Beauty, you 100% are.

Adore's Live Chat is where myself and a few of the other Customer Experience Representatives live (during our work shifts, of course).

Pretty much, our job is to answer all of your questions, and we get a tonne of them.

I've heard everything from the usual 'which product do you recommend for me?', to the strangest, like 'Do you have any fragrances that smell like feet?'

Yep, that's a real question I've been asked and no, unfortunately, we don’t.

We also get asked a lot of the same questions again and again, which means there's a good chance you might be wondering about them too.

So, to save both you and my team some time, here are the most common beauty questions Adore Beauty customers ask us every day.

Are yours on the list?

1. Why Is The Ordinary So Affordable?

'How does The Ordinary compare to other brands? And how are the products so inexpensive?'

Our instinct is to be skeptical of inexpensive brands, and with price tags starting at $9.90 for a serum, I don’t blame you for wondering if The Ordinary products are actually legit.

Short answer: Yes, they are.

For a deeper read into why The Ordinary is so inexpensive, check out this article on The Ordinary here.

You can also find out more about navigating The Ordinary range in this YouTube video below.

2. How Many Products Do I Need in My Skincare Routine?

So many people think you need a laundry list of products for an effective routine.

I'm not too sure where this belief stems from, but I'm here to save you time and your hard earned cash.

No, it's not necessary to have a 10-step skincare routine. 

You actually only really need three skincare products: a cleanser to remove makeup and oil, a moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated, and a sunscreen to protect against sun damage.

Add new products slowly and monitor how your skin reacts and feels.

Once you have the basics down, you can slowly start to add in one or two serums, a nighttime treatment, or even a weekly mask if you're feeling fancy.

Learn more about how to build a skincare routine in this episode of our Skincare School podcast below.

How Do You Layer Serums?

I don’t blame you for asking. Serums are bloody confusing.

Before working at Adore Beauty, I wouldn’t even dare to touch active skincare products or try to pronouns the ingredient names.

The easiest way to think about layering your skincare products is to apply from thinnest consistency to thickest, with sunscreen always being the last step during the day. 

OK, but what if both my serums have the same consistency? Do I apply vitamin C before or after my hyaluronic acid serum?

I hear you. Generally speaking, we'd say to apply the one that targets your primary concern first!

Still confused? Beauty Editor Joanna Fleming dives into how to layer your skin care in this video below.

4. What Is Retinol & How Do I Use It?

Retinol is one of the first ingredients you'll come across when researching skin care.

It's loved by many for multiple reasons, including the facial-like glow you get the morning after applying it.

But... what is it? Here's the quick version.

Retinol is a strong form of vitamin A used to manage skin concerns like acne scarring, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.

Some words of wisdom: While overusing retinol and 'burning your face off' sounds like a form of skincare hazing, it's not fun and should be avoided!

Start off slowly. Only use retinol at night. Always wear SPF.

For an in-depth retinol explainer, read our A Beginner’s Guide to Retinol article or check out the Youtube video below...

5. OK, But Is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic REALLY Worth It?

I get asked about this product A LOT.

Spending $228 on a serum is definitely bougie, so it's fair to ask before making a sizeable investment. 

What makes SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum different from vitamin C serums that are a quarter of the cost? And is it really worth it?

Depends on your skin concerns and your budget.

We'd never recommend spending outside of your means because you can get great skincare products at all different price points.

If you have the budget to spend on a serum and you want the crème de la crème, SkinCeuticals is the gold standard of vitamin C serums.

You're paying for the patented formula combining 15% L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E and ferulic acid, all with a pH of 3.2. \

For more on what that actually means, read PhD-qualified scientist Dr Michele Squire's Beauty IQ article on C E Ferulic serum here.

You can also watch the YouTube video below for a full breakdown on the SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums.

6. My Makeup Has SPF in It, Why Do I Need to Wear Sunscreen?

Whenever I tell people to wear sunscreen under makeup, they always rebut with, ‘But my foundation has SPF in it'.

Well, I'm here to tell you that you probably don’t use enough foundation to get its listed sun protection.

For example, M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 Foundation has an SPF15 rating, but you would need to apply a whole teaspoon of the foundation to achieve that SPF15 rating.

That's just a waste of good foundation! You're better off wearing an SPF30+ but ideally SPF50+ sunscreen underneath.

Haven't found a sunscreen you like yet? Check out this article on all our top face sunscreens, or watch the video version below.

P.S. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection! Keep wearing your hat, sunnies and protective clothing, seeking shade and reapplying sunscreen regularly, too!

7. What Is LED Light Therapy & How Does It Work?

LED is short for light emitting diode.

In terms of skin care, LED works by exposing the skin to non-UV light that sends signals into the skin giving it a little kick to trigger processes in the skin.

Which process is triggered depends on what type of light is used:

• Amber LED light therapy (orange and yellow LED light therapy) are used for redness concerns and general rejuvenation of the skin.

• Red LED light therapy and infrared devices speed up healing, stimulate collagen production, and assist with general rejuvenation.

• Blue LED light therapy reduces acne-causing bacteria on the skin.

Want to see if our editor thinks LED light therapy is worth it?

Read this at-home LED review article here, or watch the YouTube video below to find out more about at-home LED devices.

8. What Are the Best Foundations For Dry Skin.

'I have tried so many foundations for dry skin but none of them sit nicely, do you have any recommendations?'

You'd be surprised how many times I've been asked this question on the Adore Beauty live chat!

Foundations with a dewy finish won't stay put as long as matte foundations, but the hydrating formulas make them the best option for dry skin.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation and Designer Brands Hydrating Luminous Foundation are two foundations for dry skin I recommend all the time.

Another important point - if your foundation does that annoying thing where it clings onto dry skin (seriously, why does it do that?), the best advice I can give you is to prep your skin before events.

Event skin prep could look like:

• Exfoliating to buff off all the dead skin a few nights beforehand.

• Moisturising with a nourishing cream like Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser or even Aspect Probiotic Mask applied under your sunscreen.

• Using a sheet mask like Aspect Intense Hydration Sheet Mask (5 pack) a couple of hours before you apply foundation (or minutes if you're in a rush).

Want even more dewy foundation recommendations? Have a watch of the YouTube video below.

9. Skincare For Teens, Where Do I Start?

Another super common question we hear is from parents worried about changes like pimples and congestion in their teen's skin.

Teen skin is a tricky one because it's driven by constant hormone changes, but going in with an invasive scrub or harsh products twice daily is not the answer.

Always seek advice from your GP or dermatologist, but a great starting point is getting your teen in the habit of sticking with a basic but solid skincare routine.

Again, it's a cleanser to help regulate oil and manage congestion, a moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated, and the all important sunscreen.

I always recommend La Roche Posay for teens because the formulas are affordable and effective, but also gentle enough for delicate skin.

A match made in heaven for this period of time. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Anti-Acne Starter Kit is a perfect place to start, then add on a sunscreen like the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ and call it a day.

And there you have it, the answers to just nine of the most common questions I get working in the AB Customer Experience Team!

Got any other beauty questions, or any questions about your AB order?

Don't hesitate to reach out to us on the Adore Beauty live chat, we're here to help!

You can read more of Chloe's beauty advice and product recommendations in these articles:

• I Tried This New Black Tea Ampule to See if It Can Plump Your Skin While You Sleep

• What Good & (Really) Bad Lash Extensions Actually Look Like, According to a Lash Tech

• I Tried the Viral Hismile Teeth Whitening Strips That Promise to Work in 30 Minutes