Don’t let social media fool you- your skin care routine doesn’t have to be 10 steps to be elite. In fact, the simpler the routine, the better. Just remember to K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Stupid, with just 5 steps! The order of skin care routine is almost as important as the products themselves, so be sure to pay attention to the timing.

Before you start investing in a routine, be sure you know your “why.” Dryness? Dullness? Fine lines and wrinkles? All of the above?! Get a really clear understanding on what your skin is asking for. From there, you can pinpoint which products have the ingredients that will target those concerns. You also want to ensure that no ingredients counteract the concerns & make your skin feel worse than when you started!

1.Cleanser:

Have you heard of the term “double cleanse?” Sounds repetitive, and for the most part, it is. When cleansing, it’s important that you thoroughly remove your makeup before slathering on the numerous skin care products.

You will want to pick up two cleansing items for your elite skin care routine: an oil cleanser / cleansing balm, and a gentle cleanser. Both oil cleansers and cleansing balms remove your makeup without tearing and stripping your skin barrier. After use, make sure to rinse and lightly dry your face with a towel.

Then, it’s time to cleanse! For a successful wash, you will want to select a cleanser based on your skin type. Dry skin should opt in for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Oily skin works best with oil-absorbing ingredients such as glycolic or lactic acid. Combo skin, God’s favorites, can typically lean in either direction, so long as the cleanser is gentle. Acne prone skin, depending on the reason for acne, could benefit from more intense ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

2. Toner / Essence

A question I often get when working with clients is: “what is the difference between a toner and an essence spray?” Truth be told, not much. They can be interchangeable in this step of the skin care routine depending, again, on what your skin is craving. If your skin is in need of hydration, opt in for an essence spray. If you are targeting acne or oil control, go for the toner.

Essense sprays prepare your skin to receive hydration, which is why this step comes prior to moisturization. Spray your face about a hands length away, and wait roughly 60 seconds for the product to settle in before moving on to the next step. When using a toner, consider the ingredients. A great addition to your skin care routine could be a toner with BHA and AHA, as these ingredients unclog pores and prevent breakouts over time. Toner’s generally advise that you use your hands to press the product into the skin. However, I have also found success in dampening a makeup pad (or cloth to be more ecofriendly) and gently pressing into the skin using these tools. Ultimately, you will want to find a method that works best for you!

3. Serums

Serum is likely the most personal step in your skin care routine, as everyone’s serums should and do look and act differently. So, how do you know which serums are right for you, and which serums will escalate your existing skin care concerns?

To K.I.S.S, aka keep things simple, I will make recommendations based on the most common skin concerns. The most common skin concerns that serums can assist with are firming / toning, fine lines, radiance, dark spots, and hydration. Keep in mind, most of these serums will need roughly 60-120 seconds to fully sink into the skin, but you will want to pair hydration serums (hyaluronic acid) almost immediately with your moisturizer. For more on hyaluronic acid and why it is different than other serums - check out my full article here.

4. Eye Cream

The most common under eye concerns come in the form of bags, fine lines, and dark circles. The under eye area is extremely sensitive, so you will want to ensure that your products are just as gentle. The best ingredients to target each of these issues include caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and retinol.

5. Moisturizer

Ahh, so many products already! Who's ready to wrap this up and lock it all in with a little moisturizer? From oily to severely dry skin & all those in between - every skin type will benefit from added hydration. To K.I.S.S opt in for ingredients that your skin already produces - squalene, peptides, and proteins. How will you know when additional ingredients are needed, and what those ingredients are? By scheduling a call and working with me, of course! Let’s chat today!