Every skin care regimen needs to include certain basic elements to be truly effective. The type of element used will depend on your skin type, the overall condition of your skin, your age, your environment and your lifestyle.
Here’s an outline of a basic daytime skin care regimen. Changes may need be made depending on the variables listed above, and at night you may want to add in an occasional face mask. Feel free to make adjustments to suit your particular situation.
Before beginning any skin care regimen, you’ll need to know your skin type. Dry skin is usually flaky and rough. Oily skin is greasy and tends to look shiny. If you have both dry patches and some oily spots, you have combination skin.
If you have sensitive skin, you may need to be extra careful with the products you choose, as sensitive skin tends to burn or sting fairly easily. You’ll want to look for products formulated especially for sensitive skin.
If you don’t fit into any of those groups, your skin is probably normal, meaning it’s not sensitive, and it’s clear, even-toned, and smooth.
Step 1 – Cleanse
Cleansing is the all-important first step. Dirt, toxins and other impurities can clog your pores and create all kinds of problems with the health of your skin. What you cleanse with will likely change, based on your skin type, but regardless of the product you use, cleansing should always be done gently.
Once or twice a week you may choose to exfoliate after cleansing, and that should also be performed gently. We recommend the Purifying Foaming Wash or Facial Cleanser by SkinMedica® or the Purifying Cleansing Gel or Brightening Facial Wash by Revision® Skincare.
Step 2 – Toner
Toners were originally used to return the skin to its normal pH after cleansing with harsh soaps may have knocked it out of balance. Today’s cleansers are so much gentler, using a toner may no longer be a necessary step, and many women choose to omit this step. If you choose to use a toner, try the Revison® Soothing Facial Rinse, which hydrates and conditions skin while keeping pH levels balanced.
Step 3 – Antioxidant Serums
Antioxidant serums are concentrated applications, usually dense with nutrients, that treat specific skin issues you may be having, so you want it as close to your bare skin as possible. Antioxidants help protect the skin from harmful UV rays and pollution found in the environment. If you are experiencing discoloration, use the Lytera® 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum by SkinMedica®. To reduce wrinkles, fine lines, skin tone and texture, apply TNS Essential Serum®. For an extra nutrient boost, try the Vitamin K Serum by Revision®.
Step 4 – Eye Cream
This is especially effective if you start early. Eye creams help the skin around the eyes retain elasticity, delaying the appearance of the fine lines known as “crow’s feet” The earlier you incorporate eye cream as part of your skin care routine, the better. If you haven’t started already, try the TNS Illuminating Eye Cream®, which reduces dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, or the DEJ Eye Cream, which is clinically proven to refresh the eye area and eyelid by retaining moisture and hydration.
Step 5 – Moisturize
Moisturizer should be applied every day, preferably while your skin is still damp to help seal in the moisture. And yes, even oily skin needs moisturizer. That’s why it’s so important to determine your skin type because your skin needs to be moisturized with a product designed for your specific type. Intellishade® TruPhysical is daily moisturizer that corrects, conceals, protects, hydrates and brighten skin, and even includes a mineral sunscreen. The HA5® Rejuvenating Hydrator fights signs of aging and helps the skin to naturally replenish hyaluronic acid.
Step 6 – Use Sunscreen
Even if your moisturizer has a built-in sunscreen, it’s still a good idea to use additional SPF protection. Sunscreen should be worn even on cloudy days, as the sun’s harmful rays easily permeate the clouds. To protect skin all day long, use Multi-Protection Broad-Spectrum SPF 50, which is an oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen, or try Total Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50+.
One Last Tip – Take Your Makeup Off Before Bed
It can seem tempting to sometimes skip this step, but this is a crucial step. If you go to bed often with makeup on your face, it can cause clogged pores, and over time, lead to acne.