skincare 101: a beginner's guide to building an effective routine

1- Know Thy Skin: Understanding Your Skin Type

The first step in creating an effective skincare routine is identifying your skin type. Is your skin oily, dry, combination, or sensitive? Understanding your skin's unique characteristics will guide you in choosing products that address your specific needs. From there, you can tailor your routine to balance oil production, combat dryness, or soothe sensitivity.

2 - The Basics: Cleansing, Treating, and Moisturizing

Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. We are big fans of the double cleanse...what's that you say? Well, once you start it you'll never turn back.
Double cleansing is a technique that became popular in Japan and South Korea before catching on in Europe and North America. It involves using two different types of cleansers, first oil based then water based, one right after the other. If you wear makeup and or sunscreen, double cleansing ensures you remove both all oil based products, which means your ästhetik water-based cleanser with its active ingredients can really get in there and do its job even better. Properly cleansed skin allows your leave-on skincare products that follow to better work their magic.

Who’s it for?

a) people with oily skin. Two gentle formulas are generally a better way to combat excess oil than one strong formula that could leave skin feeling too dry.

b) acne-prone individuals may also want to gently double cleanse to help remove bacteria that can lead to breakouts, while nourishing the skin.

c) the technique can be useful for those who wear makeup. Oil attracts oil. Makeup, sunscreen and oil our body produces can be removed with our Reset Cleansing Oil and then followed with one of ästhetik’s water based cleansers with active ingredients. Warning, it's addictive, you’ll love how your skin feels!

3 - Next, treat your skin

 This is where you'll want to incorporate a serum, why? Well, serums are formulated with a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to other skincare products. This allows them to deliver a potent dose of beneficial ingredients to the skin, addressing specific concerns more effectively. Our serums are designed to target specific skin issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, or dehydration. Our serums contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide, and peptides, each with its unique benefits. By using a targeted serum, you can address your specific skin concerns and achieve more noticeable results.

4 - And lastly, moisturize

Hydrate and nourish your skin! All that nutrition sinking in while locking in your serums and creating an inclusion that promotes a smooth, supple complexion that glows!    

One additional point to ponder, exfoliation- 

Exfoliation is essential for maintaining a healthy and vibrant complexion. It helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, revealing fresh, smooth skin underneath. By sloughing off these dull and lifeless cells, exfoliation promotes cell turnover, resulting in a more youthful and radiant appearance.

Regular exfoliation also unclogs pores, preventing the buildup of debris, excess oil, and bacteria that can lead to breakouts and acne. It helps refine the skin's texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Moreover, exfoliation enhances the effectiveness of other skincare products by allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Our Refresh Exfoliating cleanser is a great place to start. It serves as both a cleanser and a treatment because of its glycolic acid. It gently helps your skin look and feel more balanced and even. Your skin tone is given a noticeable boost in clarity and glow. Our well chosen plant extracts and oils boost moisture, while MSM optimizes the effects of other active ingredients. The salicylic acid helps with the appearance of both clarity and that soft feeling texture we all love. 

Refresh Exfoliating Cleanser also has plant based beads to provide gentle and effective exfoliation to the skin. They are smooth botanical microspheres of jojoba esters. They are superior to pumice, nutshells and polyethylene exfoliants because they do not cause irritation or micro-lacerations to the skin. As they also deposit jojoba which results in an even smoother skin feel. Start with once or twice a week and adjust as necessary.   

These plant based beads are top of the line in exfoliative facial scrubs and are internationally approved for cosmetic formulations.

Jojoba beads are vegan and 100% biodegradable. They are not part of the micro-bead ban.

Skincare is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Pay attention to how your skin reacts to different products and adjust your routine accordingly. If a product causes irritation or discomfort, let's switch it up. Take note of what works and what doesn't, and be patient as your skin may take time to adjust to new products or treatments.

Consistency is Key: Routine Consistency is the secret ingredient to a successful skincare routine. Consistently using the right products tailored to your skin's needs will yield the best results. Give your skin time to adapt and don't expect overnight miracles. It's the cumulative effect of a diligent routine that will unveil healthier, radiant skin.

Building an effective skincare routine is an empowering journey that starts with understanding your skin, selecting the right products, and establishing a consistent regimen. Remember to listen to your skin, adapt as needed, and be patient with the process. With time and dedication, you'll unlock the secret to healthy, radiant skin - it's worth it!

Real ingredients, real skin, real results!