YOUR GUIDE TO GREAT SKIN
As a woman in her 30’s (that loves looking like she’s in her 20’s!!!), I have always been a big believer in a consistent skin care routine to keep your skin in tip top shape. Having a skincare routine that you use morning and night is imperative to keep your skin balanced and feeling healthy.
This is my guide of what works for me. Here I’ll walk you step by step through the stages of a skincare routine: what products to use; how to use them.
Let’s begin: GREAT skin awaits!!!
STEP 1: CLEANSE
It’s important to cleanse your skin everyday, twice a day. Cleansing allows dirt oil and makeup to be moved from the skin and preps the skin for exfoliation. Some cleansers even have the exfoliator built in: but that may be too harsh for daily use.
Cleansers - Every day, twice a day. I use my most potent cleanser in the AM and save my luxurious, creamy cleanser for night time when I’m winding down, cleansing and removing makeup. Rinse thoroughly, pat dry!
WHAT A CLEANSER DOES: cleansing removes excess oil, dirt, environmental pollution, makeup (sometimes, with the right one!,) and keeps your skin healthy.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: to allow your skin to breathe! Cleansing loosens up dead skin cells and removes dirt, grime and more from the surface of your skin.
WHAT YOU NEED: depending on your skin type (mine is pretty normal, so my exact routine is below): but you will need an AM and a PM cleanser.
AM Cleanser
The Cure Soap Bar. Saves me so much time since it’s a bar soap (so personally, for me: this soap is my end all be all). I use all over my face, chest, shoulders: honestly my whole body. I LOVE the smell of the botanical extracts that immediately put my mind and body at ease.
When I had the opportunity to speak with the founder of this company, I told him, “I think I’m addicted to the scent!” There’s something about it that feels so good!
PM Cleanser
La Mer, The Essence Foaming Cleanser: I love saving my more luxurious skin care for evening time, because that’s where your skin is able to rest and repair! Your evening cleanser should be a creamy consistency that will effortlessly melt away makeup and leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed.
This one by far is my absolute favorite, the feel; the smell, the experience. It just FEELS like luxury!
beautybooster
Exfoliation (as recently featured on Instagram with Zo Skin Health): is a great way to get that extra deep clean when you need it, maybe 1-2 times per week, to buff and perfect the skin.
Step 2:
TONE + TREAT
If you’ve ever asked “WHY do I need to use a toner?” we’ve got your answer below.
Toners are often overlooked but very important in balancing the skin.
Toning the skin each day provides mild exfoliation and refreshing benefits. I LOVE feeling like my skin is really clean. It allows your serums and moisturizers to better absorb + increases cell turnover for fresh healthy skin cells.
Use a toner that really makes a difference on your skin. Twice a day.
SKII Facial Treatment Essence is absolutely my favorite. This is a Korean skincare product that refines the texture of the skin, giving you that “glass skin” look.
To use: More than just a toner… this product has very special ingredients that work to give you that glass skin clarity. Works amazing on pores, fine lines and over all texture.
Day and Night: Dispense a small amount of the product to the inside of your palm after cleansing. Pat into skin all over for a smooth, silky finish.
Murad’s Essential C Toner is another great option for those that want more of a brightening effect, with the benefits of Vitamin C. I noticed this toner makes me feel really re-freshed in the summer time!
Available through murad.com, click the image above to view.
STEP 3: SERUMS
Time to treat! Serums are amazing bc they are penetrate the skin deeper than a moisturizer can so they are jam packed with healing + repairing benefits. You can cocktail per say based off of concern! You can get serums based off of concern: discoloration, lack of elasticity, fine lines, blemishes, etc.
SUPER SERUM
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR ROUTINE IS MAKING SURE YOU’RE USING A VERY POTENT, ACTIVATED TREATMENT! AM And PM, I start my treatment ceremony with Herbal Facefood “The Serum.”
If you haven’t heard of this product before: STOP RIGHT NOW, and take a look at my results with this stuff. All the details HERE including before and afters!!!
THE DETAILS :
Everyone starts with Serum I. You want to use this level for the first few months, or until you feel like your skin has adjusted. Once you’re ready for more, you move up each level. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The Cure is a spot treatment, super concentrated serum. Never meant to be used all over the face, but just where some things seem to be concentrated. Lines, pores, blemishes, etc.
How should serums be applied?
SERUMS should be applied thinnest to thickest. After cleanser or toner, before moisturizer for optimal product penetration.
For Herbal Facefood: Use your all over serum first, and spot treat with The Cure.
CUSTOMIZATION
The great thing about serums + treatments is that, they can be totally tailored to your preferences! There are specific needs that I KNOW need to be addressed, and it depends on the person. The main categories are: Anti-Redness and Calming, Texture and Smoothing, De-Aging (lines, wrinkles and firmness), and Brightening and Evening the Skin tone. For more ideas on how to pamper your skin, click the link below.
Step 4: HYDRATE
I call this the ICING on the cake. The creme to your brulee! Hydration is key, for your face and for your eyes and lips. We will start with face but DON’T forget your body too, it needs love and care as well!
AM Moisturizer
Here you want to use something light but hydrating, that gives you barrier protection. Something with a bit of SPF is preferred by myself, but not necessarily a deal breaker. Right now, I’m loving Clarin’s Multi Active Anti-Aging Day Moisturizer with SPF 20. Ultra hydrating yet light and protective, it’s one that’s kept my skin feeling smooth and supple.
RECENTLY FEATURED ON IG!
Available at MZ Skin.com - click the image above to view. The calming moisturizer has been a game changer for my skin in the summer time!
PM Moisturizer
Night time is when you want to use something with a little extra care. A bit of a whipped texture: something that really helps to lock in and repair the moisture barrier, so that you can wake up feeling refreshed.
The Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair is one of my FAVORITES right now! It’s a luscious, luxurious experience that will leave you feeling OH so dreamy.
Eye Cream
And let’s talk eye cream. Just do it, lol. Just use it! It’s important because, the skin around your eyes is 10X’s thinner than the rest of the face. So we need to work extra hard to keep that moisture barrier intact and happy.
My pick: Herbal Facefood “The Eye Cream”
I have used many eye creams but I just LOVE the feel and results with this one!!! Herbal Facefood is quickly becoming one of my favorite skin care brands and this eye cream will last you quite a while. I combine the stainless steel roller with the application for an instant “de-puffing” effect!
Your BEAUTIFUL skin awaits….
Thank you for taking the time to go through my list of favs! I genuinely hope this step by step guide has helped you navigate what may work for your personal skin care routine. These are my best recommendations on what works, for me.
Do you have more questions and just really need someone to walk you through??? Send me a message and let’s chat! As a virtual consultant: I can help tie a bow around your perfect routine.
Step 5: SPF
Sweet friends, this one is a non-negotiable! I used to be afraid of SPF because of all the chemicals, and then I started exploring the option of physical spf’s (like titanium dioxide), that would protect and feel nice and light weight.
It’s safe to say I have found a favorite! The Elta MD daily facial SPF is so lightweight and almost acts as a primer before I put my makeup on. It doesn’t clog my skin either, which was super important to me!
