It’s a brand new year and you may have set some sort of “self-improvement” resolution that might not last very long. We’ve all been there, so don’t feel alone. One of the things you should try to improve in the new year is your skin care routine. The skin on our face is extremely sensitive when it comes to outside factors such as the changing of seasons. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when infomercials are tossing product lines at you with step by step systems, but everyone has a different skin type so those systems tend to not always work the way that we expect. Here’s a guide to help better understand the different types of skin care products and when to use them so you can start the year off with a fresh, glowing complexion.
You should always begin your process with a cleanser. These are essential to start with because this is what’s going to remove the dirt, oil and makeup that have accumulated throughout the day. Aveda carries approximately five different cleansers for you to choose from, all varying on your specific skin type. If you have sensitive skin, the all-sensitive moisturizer helps remove makeup and dirt without any harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin. For normal/oily skin types, go for the purifying gel cleaner, which are oil-free and help control the natural oil production on the face. However, if your skin is on the dryer side, the crème cleanser is the one for you. The formula of these cleansers are moisturizing enough to keep your skin hydrated. If your skin is a little bit of both, the exfoliating or the foaming cleansers are your best bet. These are your basic cleansers that will do the work without any of the extra help.
When you wash your face, you’re messing with your skin’s natural PH balance. This is where toner comes into play. They help get your skin back to the PH level it should be by helping calm the skin after a good cleaning. There are two types of toners Aveda carries: One for oily skin (Toning Mist) and one for dry skin (skin firming/toning agent). If you’re somewhere in the middle, reach for the one that’s going to do the most. If you’ve got extremely dry patches on your skin, try using the toner for dry skin. If your forehead gets really oily, go for the toner for oily skin. Both toners will benefit your face, but certain areas tend to need a little more.
After you tone, exfoliating is your second to last step! Exfoliating gently removes dead skin, product and any other type of build-up you may have on your face to reveal softer, smoother skin underneath. If your skin is super sensitive or dry, you might want to narrow this step down to once a week. Aveda’s exfoliate is also in liquid form so it won’t scratch at your skin.
At this point, you can use a treatment masque, but it’s not necessary. Once you apply a masque (or don’t), you can apply your moisturizer. Moisturizers are your last step in a skin care routine. They help hydrate your skin, sooth it and seal in moisture so your face looks and feels baby smooth.
There you go! Now that you’ve got all the essentials you can start looking as radiant as you feel. These are the basic necessities you need to have a skin routine you can stick with, but feel free to branch out to other products such as serums and oils. As always, ask your XEX Stylist about anything else they might suggest to help you have the best skin of the year!
