Skincare can get pretty confusing. There are so many questions and concerns regarding a skincare routine. “How many products should I use?” “What products are right for my skin?” “In what order should I be applying my products?” Here at Live Young Wellness Spa, we spoke to our licensed aestheticians to help you figure out your ideal skincare routine.
The Basics
The easiest way to remember your skincare routine is to follow these 4 easy steps:
- Cleanse (Washing your face)
- Tone (Restore and renew)
- Moisturize (Hydrating the skin)
- Protect (Sunscreen)
Patience
Good things come to those who wait, including your skincare routine. Even the top-tier medical-grade skincare products take time to work, don’t expect to see results overnight. If you are consistent with your skincare routine daily, you can most likely see results within six to twelve weeks. It can take up to three to four months to notice if your new routine is working.
Your Daily Morning Skincare Routine
Your daily skincare routine will slightly differ from morning to night. The nighttime routine is the perfect time to make sure your skin is getting as many nutrients as possible hence the term getting your “beauty sleep.” You will still follow the basic steps-cleanse, tone, and moisturize but at night you won’t have to worry about sunscreen and you can apply your treatments instead. We will talk about that later on in this article.
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Cleanser
Cleansing your face should always always always be the first step in any skincare regimen. Cleaning your face can help get rid of excess dirt and oil that can clog our pores. Always be gentle when cleansing. Many people often time over-cleanse their face with harsh cleansers. If you have sensitive skin, you can opt for only cleansing at night and in the mornings you can rinse your face with just water. The best cleansers will gently cleanse your skin without stripping your skin of its healthy oils. We recommend using the Alastin Gentle Cleanser or the Alastin Ultra Calm Cleaning Cream since the products are gentle on the skin.
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Toner
Toners come in a water-based liquid and are applied to the face after cleansing with fingers or a cotton ball. It can help ensure that your skin is clean and gunk-free they can give an extra dose of active ingredients. Toners aren’t necessary but it is a great way to refresh the skin by removing any leftover dirt and balancing pH. We recommend the ZO Calming Toner pH Balancer because it is calming and removes impurities and invigorates weak and sensitive skin.
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Serum
Serums are powerful skin allies. They can both treat and protect while delivering powerful ingredients for your skin issues. They can help with dark spots, wrinkles, and any complexion issues that you may have. Be sure that you read your serum labels closely because some are only ideal for nighttime while others can be used day and night. An antioxidant serum will prevent the formation of free radicals and lessen the signs of aging over time. Now that’s something everyone can benefit from! A serum that is perfect for everyone is Vitamin C, it is a great antioxidant serum to use in the mornings. The ZO 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating serum is perfect! While there are plenty of serums to choose from, we wanted to list off a few of the favorites that we carry here at our spa! Alastin IMMERSE Serum delivers instant hydration for smoother, more radiant-looking skin — while helping amplify the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels over time, and the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex because it helps combat all visible signs of aging, brightening the complexion and lifting the skin for a more youthful glow.
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Eye Cream
Since the skin around the eyes ages faster than the rest of the face, eye creams are important. Eye creams are different from face creams because they are formulated specifically for the eyes. Eye treatments are worth it if you have concerns about the lack of firmness, dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles. We recommend the Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment, ZO Intensive Eye Cream, ZO Growth Factor Eye Serum, and the ZO Eye Brightening Cream.
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Moisturizer
Now it’s time to moisturize. Moisturizing is important because it keeps your skin soft and hydrated and helps strengthen the skin barrier. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for lighter moisturizers such as the Alastin Ultra-Light Moisturizer or the ZO Hydrating Crème and ZO Renewal Crème. If your skin is drier, look for a thicker formula such as Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer or the ZO Recovery Crème. Moisturizing is crucial for keeping your skin looking more youthful.
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Sunscreen
The most important step- is SPF! If you’re not wearing sunscreen then you might as well not be doing a skincare routine at all. Sun damage is the main reason why skin ages prematurely. You can opt for a moisturizer that contains SPF in it if it helps to make your morning routine go by faster or if you’re running late. You want to look for products that have at least an SPF of 30 or higher and apply it 30 minutes before heading out the door. Our favorite is the Alastin Hydratint as it is a tinted formula that has an SPF of 36. ZO has some great SPF products as well such as the Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50, Daily Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50, and Sunscreen + Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 50.
Your Daily Nighttime Skincare Routine
Your nighttime routine will look very similar to your morning routine but there are a couple of additional steps to take.
- Remove Makeup and Cleanse
- Toner
- Serum or Treatments
More ideal for nighttime with products like alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid or retinol. They work while you sleep to penetrate the skin. We love using the Alastin .25 and .5 Retinol.
- Eye Cream
- Acne Treatments
If you have a blemish or two, the nighttime would be perfect for applying any acne or spot treatments.
- Night Cream
Night creams create a barrier that seals your skin’s natural hydration and active ingredients to counteract moisture loss as you sleep. Night creams also contain active ingredients that can assist with improving the skin beyond adding moisture.
- Face Oil
Face oils are completely optional but are helpful for a nourishing boost. You always put face oil on last by pressing it onto the skin and not rubbing it in the skin. This will help lock in moisture overnight.
We hope that this breakdown helps you with your skincare routine. We are always happy to help our patients with their skincare needs.
Call Live Young Wellness Spa today!!
At Live Young Wellness Spa, we want you to walk in our front doors and feel confident that you will receive the best care for your individual needs. It is our job to ensure that happens. We have locations in Flower Mound at 2931 Long Prairie Rd. Flower Mound, TX 75022 and Castle Hills (Carrollton) at 4541 N. Josey Ln. #120 Carrollton, TX 75010.
Give us a call today! For more information about Dr. Drew Sanderson, click here.
