Essentials of Skincare: Skincare Foundations

 

Nov 12, 2019

So you’re new to the skincare game and are just trying to figure it all out. And right now, you’re really just trying to piece together a way to keep it simple. Right?

Well, what if I told you that there already WAS a ridiculously simple way to simplify skincare so that you can enjoy a healthy complexion (without a bajillion products or fancy techniques)?

What if I told you that to get the glowing skin you’re scouring the internet for, you only need 3 products?

Of course, there is a myriad of products one can add to their arsenal, but if this is all new or overwhelming for you we can just start with the basics.

 The ABCs of Skincare
Let’s start at the very beginning, it’s a very good place to start, when you read you begin with A, B, C when you sing you begin with Do, Re, Mi and when you do skincare you start with Cleanse, Hydrate, Protect.(Any other Sound of Music nerds out there? Who’s with me?)

MOST people are under the impression that skincare is something everyone just knows how to do, that there is an innate instinct to it. That figuring out what kind of skin you have and what products you should use is common sense.  The truth is …it’s not. And just to add confusion, our skin is always changing, as should our products.

“My dad always says, ‘it’s only easy if you know how to do it’. But what about before knowing how to do it? What then?”

My dad always says, ‘it’s only easy if you know how to do it’. But what about before knowing how to do it?  What then? We watch youtube videos on how to do everything: how to braid your hair, how to use a foam roller to stretch your muscles, how to apply makeup… I watched a youtube video on how to change the hubcap on my car. Even one on how to fix my dishwasher (although I did call a professional in for that one).

So why would anyone think that they should know how to use skincare or what products to pick? Especially without professional support?

It’s never too late to start using the essentials of skincare!

A lot of my clients tell me they didn’t start caring for their skin until they were in their late 30s. I certainly didn’t. Prior to my career change into skincare, I worked in the film industry from my mid-20s to mid-30s. I never washed my face or wore sunscreen. I was awake and outside for 18-20 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. I could see the lack of self-care in my face. I could see how aged and damaged my skin looked, how tired my eyes were, how broken out I was, and how very dirty and greasy I felt. That’s when I realized it was time for a change (and it’s never too late to begin caring for your skin).

So I am here to help you sort out the essentials you need to achieve that elusive healthy glowing skin with a great (yet simple) routine.

Step 1 – Cleanse

You may have heard me say over and over again during my #facewashchallenge, cleansing 2x a day every day is the best foundation for attaining your skincare goals. It allows all your secondary products to do their jobs, also you are more likely to put on your serum and moisturizer when your skin feels clean. There is a lot of pressure out in the world to have a large arsenal of products and I highly support having a lot of skincare options. BUT… you don’t have to start there. Just like with anything new, begin with baby steps. If you feel confused or overwhelmed about doing something, chances are you are less likely to do it.

The 3 products listed below are the main ones needed for a functioning skincare routine. But remember the tricky part is they also have to be appropriate for your specific skin type, and that might take some trial and error.

Not sure where to start at all? Let’s set up a consultation

Essential step: find a trusty cleanser

Your cleanser does not have to be glamorous or expensive. But it does have to clean by removing dirt, oil, sunscreen, and makeup. I know that Cetaphil is the most popular cleanser out there (especially for sensitive skin), but unfortunately, it does not have any beneficial ingredients to support the health of your skin. So If you are using Cetaphil, use it all up and let’s step into a more robust cleanser that will still be gentle for your skin type, but effective.

Need a recommendation? Let’s talk about skincare coaching

Step 2 – Moisturizer (Hydrate)

I don’t believe that you need two different moisturizers for day and night. Now there are circumstances when you would, but if you are just starting out or trying to hone your skincare routine, let’s begin with one good skin-appropriate moisturizer.

Remember we are trying to keep the overwhelm to a minimum. As with all products, it’s important to pick a moisturizer that will keep your skin glowing as well as feel good on your skin. And you must apply it every day, twice a day after cleansing.

Moisturizer is important to seal in your natural oils, preventing your skin from going into shock and over-producing oil which can lead to breakouts. One of the most common mistakes someone with dry skin can do is use moisturizers that are too heavy for their skin. Most people with dry skin have very small pores which in part defines dry skin.

Small pores can’t absorb the larger molecules of a heavy moisturizer which results in those hard small underground whiteheads or the feeling that the product is just sitting on top giving a slimy or slick sensation to your skin.

Unless you really love the feeling of a thick cream, most dry skins should use medium weight moisturizers that absorb easily and feel like nothing when wearing.  

Pro tip: this is normal

Pro Tip: It’s typical to feel like a hot mess at the end of the day. You may feel like your products and makeup are sliding down your face. Only folks with a makeup artist touching them up throughout the day don’t feel greasy or dirty by the end of the day.

Think about it, if you put your moisturizer on at 7:30am and you feel gross around 4p or 5p, that’s 9 ½ -10 ½  hours. So yes it’s ok to feel like you are melting. Either dust on a bit of powder before you go out for the night or wash your face and start over. OR wash your face when you get home and consider that your bedtime routine.

RELATED: Simplify Your Skincare >>>

Step 3 – Sunscreen (Protect)

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of SPF. If it’s day time you should be wearing SPF. Even if you think you aren’t going to be outside, even if it’s gray and rainy. Even if you are in a polar vortex. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE wear sunscreen.

If you really want to slow the aging process, nothing works better than sunscreen. And like Suze Orman, the financial guru, says, about saving for retirement, ‘it’s never too late to start!’

 

“It’s never too late to start!”

Suze Orman

Congrats on graduating Skincare 101

So listen, that’s skincare in 3 easy steps. It’s not the end-all be-all, but it’s where it starts. Once you feel comfortable with those steps and you have done them consistently enough that they have become a habit and part of your daily routine, then we can start to ease you into additional targeted products that will focus on your specific concerns. But like any new skill, you have to master the art of Cleanse, Hydrate and Protect.

Don’t worry I’ll help coach you while you are in training wheels and will eventually ease you into stepping up your game, but only when you are ready. And we all move at our own pace.

Book a discovery call to discuss which coaching program would be right for you. 

 

Be kind to your skin…. Go wash your face.