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How to Build Your Own At-Home Skincare Routine

May 14, 2018

Skincare routines are one of my passions. A good routine with quality products goes beyond just protecting you from aging: it can actually help renew and rejuvenate current damage. But if you are like many people, you may be confused about where to start when building a customized care plan for your skin. So let’s break it down together!

By: Kaitlyn, NP

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What Skincare Products Do I Need?

First things first. The most basic regimen includes:

  • Cleanser
  • Moisturizer
  • Sunscreen

I also recommend exfoliating every day or every other day with a scrub or brush (think Clarisonic brushes).

How Many Skincare Products Should I Use?

The number of products you should use depends on:

  • Your skin type
  • How disciplined you are in doing multiple steps both morning and evening

For example, I personally use 5-6 products in the morning and in the evening. If you struggle with oily or acne-prone skin, you will need to use more products like toner, scrubs, masks, and retinol to keep your acne under control. If your skin is sensitive, you’ll only need basic, gentle products. Whatever you do choose, make sure you enjoy using them. If you don’t like them, ditch them and find something you do love!

Can I Add New Products into a Current Routine?

Of course! If you currently have a basic regimen and are looking for better results or additional products, try a vitamin C serum such as SkinBetter’s Alto Defense or a retinol product such as SkinBetter’s AlphaRet. These two products are the perfect anti-aging duo and will protect your skin without causing flaking or redness.

What Skincare Brand is the Best?

My favorite sunscreen line is EltaMD. All of their products contain Zinc Oxide, which has shown in studies to be the most protective against UV rays. In terms of a broader skincare line, it all depends on your skin and its unique needs. For example, for sensitive skin, I recommend a gentle line such as Cerave, Cetaphil, or Avene.

We also carry three quality lines: SkinBetter, ZO Skin Health, and Revision Skincare. For anyone interested in these lines, I offer free consultations to help you craft a good regime.

What is the Best Way to Layer Skincare?

A great rule of thumb is to always apply skincare products from thinnest to thickest, with SPF the last step.

Any More Tips?

  • Don’t give up on a new line too soon, because it takes 8-12 weeks to see results from topical products.
  • Finish the product bottles before switching.
  • Add one product at a time and wait 2 weeks before adding the next. If you add too many products at a time and experience breakouts or irritation, you’ll have no idea what product caused it!

I hope this has helped shed some light on personal skincare. If you are interested in more guidance, call 513-791-9474 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll walk through your concerns, goals, skin type, and all options that are available to you.