The Routine- Skin

The Skin Care Routine. Just when you have it down pat, a problem surfaces or a new product comes out. The cleanser that you've used and loved for years now dries your skin out, and you're completely lost amongst the sea of skin care lines. Believe me, becoming an esthetician didn't make things much easier. As a student, I was given so many different products to try out from several different companies. To this day I am still overwhelmed by all of the different offerings I see at trade shows, in stores, spas, and in magazines.
What to do? If you have a chronic skin condition, see a dermatologist. Estheticians cannot and should not diagnose problems. Many dermatologists work with estheticians and can recommend products and services that will work with whatever issues you are having. If you're just in the market for a new product, especially if you're planning to spend some money, get samples first. Department stores, medispas, any of these places should have no problem providing samples. Obviously they want you to buy their product, but should be willing to help you with your decision if they want to keep you as a loyal client.
Budget-wise, the economy is rough these days. You can find products in the drugstore that are just as good as ones in the department store, consider that L'Oreal owns companies like Lancome and SkinCeuticals. However, there are reasons some products are more expensive; research, ingredients, and development, to name a few. It may be a daunting task, but check active ingredients in a department store product, and see if you can find a similar counterpart at the drugstore. Tip: Skimp on cleanser, but make sure you get one that is right for your skin and does the job. Aveeno makes some great cleansers. Spend your money on a good antioxidant and proper moisturizer.
Another tip: Make your products last! Don't pour or pump a glob of cleanser into the palm of your hand and go at it. Start out with a little bit on your fingertips, apply dabs to your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and neck. Add water, start washing, and then if you need more cleanser, you can add it. Same with your moisturizer and other products. It's really surprising how little product you need to do the job.
That said, here is the routine I finally settled on. It is chock-full of SkinCeuticals, their products just work really well for me and are well worth the money, even though I do get a discount. :) I would still pay full-price.

DAILY:

Cleanse with Philosophy Purity Made Simple and Clarisonic Classic Sonic Skin Cleansing System
Apply SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF (A.M. Only)(Antioxidant Plus)
Apply SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel (Anti-Redness, Calming)
Apply SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel (Moisturizing)
Apply Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (Moisturizing)
Apply Clinique All About Eyes (Target Moisturizing)
Apply Lip Balm (especially in the P.M., I am an addict) Hempz Herbal Lip Balm, Aveeno Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 , Maybelline Baby Lips (Quenched), Pangea Organics Lip Balm (Egyptian Fennel, Grapefruit and Sweet Orange)

*My Clarisonic exfoliates to an extent, and I don't like to be too aggressive with my skin, so a few times a week I'll use Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser in place of my regular cleanser. A couple of times a month I'll use something stronger like Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion.
*I use Jane Iredale's Sugar Butter Lip Exfoliator/Plumper, the sugar lip exfoliator is wonderful to use at night, you just rub it on and you can just eat it when you're finished! I also use it and the plumper before date nights.
*Once or twice a week I mask with SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque or SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque, or both (Clarifying on the T-Zone and congested areas, Hydrating on the drier areas).
*In the AM, if I don't apply makeup with SPF, I apply SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30.
*A few times a week in the PM during summer, I skip the Phyto and B5 Gels and use Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse as my moisturizer, it is fabulous, Clarins has the BEST self-tanners!
*I rarely break out, or get a pimple, but when I do, I use Environ B-Active Sebuspot. Their whole B-Active line is fabulous for acne.

It seems like a lot, I know, and there is a point where you can do too much to your skin. I learned this going through esthetics school, getting peels and microderm and using products that were way too harsh for my skin. I have a good routine now, though, and it is important, especially as I age. I'm in the sun a lot, and even though genetics are on my side, I need to take care to have healthy skin. It's a whole-body thing, too- taking my vitamins, eating properly (most of the time!), drinking plenty of water, and exercising. And being nice to people. You can have perfect skin and be a butt-ugly person if your insides suck. Thus the name of this blog, which comes from a Dorothy Parker quote that my grandmother often used: "Beauty is skin deep, but ugly goes straight to the bone." Or something like that.

Next up: The Routine: Makeup