Application starts with clean, product-free lower-face skin. Skincare residue under the adhesive is the most common cause of both reduced adhesion and skin irritation.
Clean Your Lower Face
Use a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup, sunscreen, sweat, and accumulated daily product. Pat dry completely - moisture under the adhesive reduces hold and can trap against skin.
Skip Active Skincare Under the Strip
Retinoids, exfoliating acids (AHAs, BHAs), and other active ingredients applied directly under the adhesive can cause significant irritation over the eight-hour wear. Apply actives elsewhere on the face that the strip will not cover, or apply them at a different time of day.
Hydrate Before, Not Under
A light moisturizer can be used on the lower face if you finish with a fully absorbed, non-tacky surface. Anything still moist or sticky reduces adhesion. When in doubt, skip moisturizer under the strip area and apply elsewhere.
Patch Test First
For your very first use, consider applying a small piece to the inner forearm for a few hours during the day. Skin tolerance varies, and a patch test catches the rare allergic response before overnight facial use.