Building a skincare routine can be very overwhelming. There's tons of different products and ingredients and it can be hard to know what is best for you and what kind of products you need. Not only that, but also which order they go in. Finding a good esthetician with products you like is going to be my first word of advice for you on this. Your esthetician can help you build your routine and make it as simple or complex as you need. They will be able to pair the best products for your skin types and concerns.
Here I will break down a basic, everyday skincare routine and then include some added treatments that can really help you customize your own routine if you feel like. I will include some examples of Eminence Organic products that are good for all skin types and great beginner products.
Daily Basic Routine: Done AM and PM
1. Cleanse - If you want any of your products to work at their fullest potential, you must first have a clean canvas aka face. Plus, not cleansing leaves dirt and oil to build up and cause inflammation, faster development of lines and wrinkles, and clogged pores or acne. Cleansing in the morning takes off any buildup or excess products from the night before and sets your following skincare products up for success. It is hard for creams and moisturizers to penetrate the skin when they have to go through dead skin, dirt, and grime. Cleansing at night takes off the dirt, oil, makeup, and even pollution of the day. You can double cleanse for extra cleanliness and even just use the same cleanser twice. If you wear makeup, a double cleanse is extra helpful and an oil cleanser is a great makeup remover for even stubborn mascara and eye liner. Check out my other blog for more double cleansing details, Double Cleanse, My Friends.
Cleansers for all skin types: Stone Crop Cleansing Oil, Stone Crop Gel Wash, Rice Milk 3 in 1 Cleansing Water (also a toner)
2. Tone - Toning is more important than a lot of people think. It removes any excess cleanser left behind as well as other makeup and dirt that the cleanser didnt grab. Toning also helps do exactly what the name suggests, tone. It can tighten the pores, balances the skins ph (which is important for product absorption), and refreshes the skin. This all preps it for your next step. I have another blog post all about toners you can check out Guide To Toners.
Toners for all skin types: Stone Crop Hydrating Mist, Soothing Chamomile Tonique, Rice Milk 3 in 1 Cleansing Water
3. Moisturize - Every skin type needs a good moisturizer, even oily skin. Oily skin may need something very light, while drier skin tends to like the heavier creams. Moisturizers help to protect and hydrate the skin and can address certain concerns such as aging or breakouts or anything in between.
Moisturizers for all skin types: Arctic Berry Peptide Cream, Tropical Vanilla Day Cream, Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer
4. SPF (am) - SPF is super important and seriously one of the easiest things to do to prevent aging and sun damage, and not to mention, skin cancer. This just needs to be used in the morning and maybe throughout the day depending on what your day looks like if your going to be outside a lot. This should be used daily, even on cloudy day and winter days, as you still need protection during those times. If the sun is up, your SPF should be on. So, every dang day. Check out my other blogs about sun care and my favorite products in Sun Care #SPF365 and My Favorite Sun Care Products
SPF for everyone: Sun Defense Minerals, Vanilla Latte Tinted Moisturizer w/ SPF, Tropical Vanilla Body Cream, Bright Skin Moisturizer
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Added Daily Treatment: AM, PM, or both
Serums - If you have more specific issues with your skin you'd like to correct, prevent, and treat, add in a serum or concentrate. Serums are highly concentrated with active ingredients to treat certain conditions such as dryness, acne, aging, sun damage, or redness and rosacea. Their molecular size is made to be smaller to penetrate the skin at a deeper level. Use after you tone and before you moisturize. Use AM or Pm or both.
Serums for all skin types: Eight Greens Youth Serum, Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate, Strawberry Rhubarb Serum.
Eye Cream - Another daily treatment you can add in to customize your routine is an eye cream. Eye creams are made specifically for the thinner skin around that area, helping to reduce lines and wrinkles, dark circles, or puffiness. Since the skin is pretty thin around the eyes, they are going to show signs of aging much faster than the rest of your face. Use AM, PM, or Both.
Eye Creams for all skin types: Cucumber Eye Gel, Bearberry Eye Repair, Neroli Eye Serum.
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Weekly Treatments: AM or PM, typically done in the PM
Exfoliation - Exfoliation is so important and important to understand. Everyone is going to be different with their exfoliation process. Exfoliation is important for your skin as you age to get rid of clogging dead skin cells, clearing out pores, and reducing signs of aging. It will help with collagen production, brightening dark spots and even out the skin tone.
It is important to know that you can over exfoliate. Pay attention to your skin and how it feels. If it feels burning or sensitive or you are breaking out way more than before, you may be over exfoliating. Over exfoliating can compromise our skins natural barrier that protects underneath from outside elements.
Be sure to know what acids are in your products as some people over exfoliate without knowing by using a cleanser, cream, and some sort of retinol, that all have acids in them. If you dont know, go to your esthetician. They will guide you on the best process for you and your lifestyle.
Exfoliation safe for all skin types: Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant, Stone Crop Fizzoliant, Rosehip & Maize Exfoliating Mask.
Masks - Masks are super fun way to treat your skin. We know that sheet masks are all the rage and they are really fun as well. Masks will help to treat certain issues you may have like acne or aging or brightening. Make sure to use one that suits your skin type, so if you have dry skin make sure its hydrating, and if you have oily skin, make sure it is going to soak up some of the excess oil. For you combination skin types, you can also multi-mask and use a hydrating one in your dry areas and some sort of clay mask for your oily areas
What I like about masks is that they are fun to switch up and play with. If you are unsure of a mask, test a spot first to see how it does on your skin.
Masks for all skin types: Stone Crop Mask, Clear Skin Probiotic Mask, Strawberry Rhubarb Mask, Eight Greens Phyto Masque.
Basic Routine Order: Am/Pm
1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Moisturize
4. SPF (AM)
Added Treatment Daily Routine: Am/Pm
1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Serum or Concentrate
4. Eye Cream
5. Moisturize
6. SPF (AM)
Weekly Routine with added Treatments:
1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Exfoliation
4. Mask
5. Serum or Concentrate
6. Eye Cream
7. Moisturizer
8. SPF (AM)
Pick what works best for you and your daily life. Believe it or not there are actually 10 and 12 step routines out there but I wanted to show you more basic routines that anyone can do. You can make your routine as simple or as complicated as you want. If you are a beginner, it is totally okay to start simple and build as you go if you so choose.
Please feel free to shoot me any questions about your skin care routine! As an esthetician, I want to help you build the best routine for you to get the best skin of your life! I am not even opposed to having you bring in other products that you are already using and seeing what can stay, what can go, or what we can switch.
Thanks for reading! xoxo
Sara Taylor