How to take care of your skin

The Basic Routine

A basic, easy-to-follow skincare routine has three main (but essential) parts: cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing. Knowing the correct order to apply products makes your skincare routine more effective.

Washing your face with water alone isn't enough to rid the skin of impurities, and traditional soaps can be too harsh. A cleanser removes dirt, debris, oil and makeup from your skin - we suggest doing this twice a day, especially before bed. Choose a cleanser based on your skin's needs. If you have oily skin, it may benefit from additional acne-fighting ingredients. If you have dry skin, choose a cleanser that won't strip your skin of moisture. By cleansing your skin, other products will work better and your skin will benefit overall.

Buildup of dead cells on the skin's surface can cause acne, dull complexion or wrinkles. An exfoliator gets rid of the buildup, giving your skin a healthy glow. Exfoliate according to product instructions.

All skin types, even oily skin, benefit from a moisturizer. Moisturizers help balance the skin's natural moisture levels and give a healthy, refreshed appearance. Opt for an oil-free moisturizer if you have oily or combination skin. A moisturizer with SPF is best for daytime, as it protects against sun damage. Use a night cream suited to your skin type, which offers deep moisture when you need it most. Day and night, an eye cream, designed specifically for the delicate skin around the eye area, should also be applied directly after moisturizing.

All skin types need a basic routine. However, an advanced treatment routine is recommended for those with particular skin needs. If you have oily, dry skin or blemished skin you may benefit from advanced treatment. Advanced treatments can also help prevent signs of aging like fine lines, dullness, and deeper wrinkles. Products for a more advanced skin care treatment, in addition to the three basic steps, include:

Toner is designed to prime your skin for further treatment. After cleansing, toner helps soften and calm the skin, eliminating any remaining residue and priming it for further steps. Unlike a cleanser, toner remains on the skin - there's no need to wash it off.

Those with particular concerns, such as acne control or age prevention, can look for toners that help treat or prevent acne and wrinkles. If you have sensitive skin or wrinkles, look for a toner that is alcohol-free to prevent irritation and over-drying.

After exfoliating, and before applying moisturizer, use treatment products that target your specific skin concern, such as an acne cream or an anti-aging serum. If you have more than one specific skin concern, you'll benefit from layering the products to maximize their efficacy. Lighter products, like serums, go on first. Heavier creams and ointments go on last, just before the moisturizer.

Facial masks provide an additional therapeutic boost to help treat any skincare woes. Masks are designed to target everything from acne to dry skin to dark spots, depending on the ingredients they contain. Unlike serums and creams, masks rest on the skin for a short period of time to deep clean the skin and improve texture. Typically, they are in a cream or gel form, and gradually dry and tighten the skin as they draw out impurities and add moisture to the skin.

Tissue masks are fabric cloths that are designed to give your face a more intensive treatment, during a short period of time. Depending on the mask, they can be used once a week or nightly, read the instructions for application details. Each tissue mask contains a heavy dose of serums and the application via the mask on your face creates an occlusive environment for the ingredients to penetrate. Tissue masks are usually recommended as part of a nighttime skincare regimen, followed by a night moisturizer.

Cleansing waters remove dirt, oil and makeup like a cleanser. They are different from typical cleansers because they do not need to be rinsed off. Cleansing waters are a favorite for people with a busy schedule because they are easy to use and require only one step to remove makeup and clean the skin before treatments and moisturizers. They work well for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, dry skin and sensitive skin.

If you have dark spots, treatments are available in the form of serums, masks, and creams that help to lessen the appearance of dark spots over time. Depending on the application, dark spot treatments can be used as part of your nightly skincare routine, or as a once-a-week mask treatment.

By establishing an effective skincare routine, you will see noticeable long-term benefits. After all, your skin should glow just as bright as you do!