The Complete Skin Care Routine
I’ve recently written a series of posts about the various skin care products that can be used in a routine.
Having been an esthetician, I very quickly learned that you never assume anything when it comes to how people will use things at home.
Stories about women drinking facial serums as opposed to applying them to the skin come to mind.
So here you go! The order in which your skin care routine should happen. Please keep in mind to ALWAYS follow the instructions on the actual product and please, please, please ask your esthetician if you aren’t exactly sure how to use something. Certain lines may have you use things in a different order, or have additional kinds of products available. This is an overview of the basics with links to articles that will expand on the product.
***Sunscreen. Always. Every day. Sun damage is responsible for up to 90% of aging in the skin, and it takes years for it to show up. This is the greatest thing you can do for your skin next to getting a lot of sleep.***
Step 1: Cleanse. You can’t effectively do anything else to the skin if it’s covered in a layer of oil, sweat, makeup, dirt and leftovers from the air outside. Don’t be scared to do it twice either if you’re particularly oily of have a lot of makeup on.
Step 2: Tone. This step isn’t always necessary, but does have added benefits. They can have a variety of purposes depending on the formula, but most notable they really ensure the face is completely clean.
Step 3: Exfoliate. This is a flexible step. It can be done gently every day, or slightly more aggressively a few times a week. Either way, everyone can benefit from exfoliating. It brightens skin, evens texture and tone, reduces lines and helps control breakouts. Why would you skip it?
Step 4. Mask. This is done once a week. It is also the most frequently not done at all. Like toning, it’s not critical to a skin care routine. But the will be definite, added benefits to using one. They have a high concentration of ingredients and are the most effective way to see immediate (if temporary) results. Fantastic for special occasions.
Step 5. Serums. These come in many forms. Usually as a treatment, they don’t necessarily need to be used year round. Applied under your moisturizer they can provide a boost to your current routine when you find skin just needs a little oomph in a certain direction.
Step 6. Eye Cream. If you are at all concerned with puffiness, dark circles or those pesky little lines starting at the corners of your eyes, this is an important step. Most skin care professionals are of the opinion that eye cream use should start in the mid 20’s at the latest. Eyes are where we see aging first, and those signs are difficult to reverse.
Step 7. Moisturizers. The last step before makeup application. Most often people choose the wrong one for their skin type. It’s important to have a firm grasp on your actual skin type and use the appropriate one. 1 or 2 pimples does not mean you need an anti-acne one, just because you fear aging while in your 20’s does not mean you should find the most intense anti-aging cream you can get your little mitts on. It will not work and you will not be happy.
If you are in a position where you can only invest in the minimal products I would suggest the following in order of importance:
1. Moisturizer. This is the one that sits and stays on your skin. Go for the best quality you can, which does not mean the most expensive. Learn what works with your skin.
2. Cleanser. While you do rinse this off, using the wrong one can affect the rest of your skin care. Go gentle and soap free.
3. Exfoliant. Find a gentle one (no crushed nuts, pits or shells). I’ve always found cheaper, poorly formulated ones sensitized and irritate the skin like crazy. A good one will give you beautifully smooth, bright skin almost immediately.
That’s a stripped down, bare bones routine.
What’s your routine? What products do you scrimp on and what can you not live without?
Tags: beautiful skin, beauty routine, cleanser, exfoliation, eye creams, masks, serums, skin care, skin care routine, skin tips, toner
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
3:31 pm on October 17th, 2009
Awesome article!
Since implementing B. Kamins toner into my routine, my skin has a wonderful glow and the oiliness is toned down before applying my moisturizer. I seem to splurge on the entire cleansing routine. The toner, I must say, is a must (when you find one that works with you).
7:11 pm on November 20th, 2009
I agree Karen, once you find one that works, it does become critical. I’m noticing a trend in the more medically based lines that toners are starting to take a bit of a backseat. But the B Kamins ones are by far the most active we carry. Thanks for the comment!