It’s easy to walk into Sephora or a Department Store and get overwhelmed by all the choices of skin care products! Not only are there so many different kinds of products, but they are all for different purposes. I’m going to break it down and make it as simple as possible for you.
Makeup Remover-
What is it? Whether it is wipes or a liquid, this is made to remove all the makeup off your face and eyes.
When to use? This is the first step, before you cleanse your skin. Use only when you are wearing makeup.
Cleanser-
What is it? Use to wash the face and neck to get off dirt, oil, makeup and clean the skin.
When to use? Both morning and night. Some cleansers are also makeup removers and safe to use on the eye area, like Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and Purity Made Simple. In this case, you don’t need to use a makeup remover first. If you are using a cleanser that is unsafe for the eye area or isn’t also a makeup remover, you will need to use a makeup remover first before cleansing.
Clarisonic-
What is it? Gently deep cleans the skin, removing impurities, dirt, makeup and oil. Cleans 6 times better than just using your hands.
When to use? Use with cleanser morning and/or night.
Toner-
What is it? Delivers to your skin the specific help your skin needs. There are toners for oil control, minimizing pores, extra deep cleansing, hydrating, etc.
When to use? Apply to cleansed skin, morning and/or night.
Serum-
What is it? A serum will sit on your skin all day and work hard to bring you the results you are looking for. Serums are made to deliver help to your specific skin concerns. There are many different kinds of serums. There are serums to help with wrinkles, dryness, oiliness, brightening, etc.
When to use? Use in the morning to cleansed skin, before moisturizer.
Moisturizer-
What is it? Applying moisturizer to your skin will bring moisture to the skin, or help to regulate excess moisture; whichever your skin needs. For oily/acne skin you will apply an oil-free moisturizer to help regulate oil and leave an overall smooth finish. For normal, dry, combination skin you will be looking for adding moisture back into your skin.
When to use? Both morning and night. Apply either to cleansed skin, or on top of a serum or toner.
Beauty Oil-
What is it? This is a moisturizer in oil form. Because it’s an oil it’s able to deliver things to your skin in a different way. A beauty oil will give more of a dewy look. I recommend this for dry, normal or combination skin.
When to use? Can be used both morning and night as your daily moisturizer. I like to use it at night for extra moisture. In the winter I will apply my moisturizer then beauty oil on top, before bed, to give my skin all the moisture it needs.
Eye Cream-
What is it? Brings moisture to the eye area, reduces wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles and more. For what eye cream to use click here, how to apply click here.
When to use? At night only, to cleansed skin before your moisturizer.
Night Cream & Sleep Mask-
What is it? A power packed product that works on improving your skin while you sleep. Whether your skin needs extra moisture, brightening, smoothness, clearer complexion, etc, this will bring it to you in your sleep.
When to use? Use at night, to cleansed skin. Don’t layer a moisturizer or beauty oil with it, use a night cream or sleep mask all by itself to get the full benefits.
Mask-
What is it? A mask is designed to bring your skin any help or improvement or balance that your skin needs. So many different kinds of masks! It’s easy to find one that will help you with your specific skin needs. There are masks for clarifying, oil control, moisturizing, detoxifying, smoothness, radiance, calming and more.
When to use? Use as much as 1 time a week, as little as 1 time a month. Apply to clean skin, let sit for 10 minutes then rinse off. Be sure to read any specific directions of your mask. Follow with your morning or night time routine.
Exfoliator-
What is it? Exfoliating gets the dead skin off the surface, revealing more radiant skin. To read more in depth about exfoliation click here.
When to use? Exoliate 2-3 times a week, after you have cleansed the skin, before you moisturize. You can exfoliate, then use a mask for a mini facial at home.
Peel Pads & Peels-
What is it? This is more of a clinical level product, most of them have glycolic acid as an ingredient. Peels are made for resurfacing the skin, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, acne scars; revealing brighter, more youthful looking skin. Because this type of product is resurfacing, there is no need to exfoliate if you are using this on a consistent basis. Over exfoliating will only irritate your skin. I will use peel pads 1 time a week and exfoliate 1 time a week, and that works well for me.
When to use? Use at night to cleansed skin, follow with night time routine of eye cream and moisturizer. Glycolic makes the skin sun sensitive. Be sure to wash your face in the morning to get the product off your face. If using in the morning always use a sunscreen after.
Acne Spot Treat-
What is it? A product that spot treats any break outs or acne.
When to use? Morning and/or night on clean skin, before you moisturize.
You do not need to use all of these products. And you certainly don’t want to use them all at once. One night I will use a sleep mask, the next night I will use a beauty oil, and the night after that I will use peel pads. You can switch it up as often as you want to. Here is what a morning and night time routine looks like:
Morning
- Cleanse, with Clarisonic
- Acne Spot Treat (if needed)
- Toner and/or Serum -If using together, use toner first then serum. (optional, only if there are skin concerns)
- Moisturize
Night Time
- Makeup Remover (if cleanser isn’t a makeup remover)
- Cleanse, with Clarisonic
- Exfoliate or Peel Pads (2-3 times a week)
- Mask (1-4 times a month)
- Toner (optional)
- Eye Cream
- Acne Spot Treat (if needed)
- Moisturize or Beauty Oil or Night Cream/Sleep Mask