How to Create a Skin Care Routine

How to Create a Skin Care Routine

This simple, step-by-step routine covers the basic types of products everyone should use and the order in which to use them every day. These steps apply regardless of your skin type (oily, dry, normal, or combination).

EVERY MORNING

1. Cleanse - Oily and Combination skin types may find that a gel-based cleanser works better for them, while often times dry and sensitive skin types will find a cleansing milk better suited to their skin type.
2. Tone - Toner’s role in your skin care routine is to: remove any traces of cleanser left behind after cleansing, tighten skin, prepare skin for the absorption of serums and creams, reduce the appearance of pores, and help to regulate oil production and secretion.
3. Day Serum - Apply 1-2 drops and smooth in gently all over face and neck area.  If your skin feels sticky or tacky, you've used too much product.  Try decreasing the amount of product you apply.  What are serums, and why should you use them? 
4. Eye Serum - Apply 1-2 drops for both eyes. Gently massage around the eye area on the orbital bone.
5. Essence - If you are using the essence as a preventative method, you can replace your serum morning and night with the Essence for one week of the month. If you are using it as a restorative method, use one drop essence and one drop serum to cocktail.
6. Day cream - Listen to your skin.  In drier winter months, you might need the protection of serums and creams.  In warmer summer months, you might prefer to omit either the serum or the cream.
7. Eye Cream - Dab a small amount around your eye area.  Using your ring fingers, lightly dab a under the orbital bone and around the eye area, but never on the eyelid.  Never rub, as this pulls the delicate eye area, and can damage the skin, causing the look of pre-mature aging.  Even if you are not seeing any signs of aging, proper hydration and maintenance can help your skin stay youthful looking for longer.

Masks -  Masks help to address a myriad of concerns - from redness, to acne, to dullness, to purifying - find the mask that speaks to your concerns, and incorporate it into your routine.  Always remove make up before using a mask, and thoroughly cleanse afterwards.  Use it as a great way to relax before your evening skin care routine.

Exfoliate - If you're not using a product line that includes exfoliating agents (e.g. glycolic acid), it's a good idea to include a gentle exfoliator 1-3 times a week, to slough off any build up of dead skin cells, which may make your skin look dull, and can cause break outs.  When including an exfoliator in your routine, use it after your cleanser and follow with toner.

Pads - Eye Pads / Face Pads are your instant gratification fix, if you want to give your appearance a little boost.  Eye pads help to reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines.  Face pads plump up the look of skin for a firmer looking skin.  They're perfect for getting ready for a big night out and getting yourself red carpet ready.