Have you ever wondered if all these skincare steps are truly necessary? Do you really need to use 10 different products to see the results you’re looking for? The answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. I’m here to help you sift through the why’s behind product usage and help you identify the signs that your skin may be overworked.

Let’s first talk about the home care essentials that you absolutely should be using no matter who you are.

The first product is a cleanser. Every skin type no matter how dry or oily must use a cleanser 2 times per day. Why? In the morning, cleansing your skin will prep the surface for the application of your other products so they can properly absorb. Cleansing will also remove extra residue that your skin made contact with while sleeping, such as matter from your pillowcase, extra product on your skin from the night before, and extra oil buildup. In the evening, cleansing your skin removes makeup and particles your skin has come into contact with in the environment. Pollution and UV rays create free radicals which come into contact with your skin, and cleansing helps to counteract that.

The second product is an exfoliant. Every skin type must use some type of exfoliant, even if it’s super gentle. Why? It’s natural for dead skin cells to build up on the surface of the skin, especially as we age. If we allow dead skin to continue to accumulate without the aid of an exfoliant, it begins to create issues pertaining to pore clogging, dryness/dehydration, dull complexion, and slowed product absorption. Basically, if you are using other products but skipping an exfoliant, you might be wasting your money, since buildup can block other products from absorbing into your skin.

The third product is a moisturizer. Every skin type, even oily and acne prone must use some type of moisturizer 2 times per day, even if it’s super lightweight. Why? Skin that is not being moisturized has a compromised barrier. The skin’s microbiome is very delicate and it has a PH of 4.5-5.5. It also has a balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria. When the skin is not hydrated enough, the PH can become altered, which makes it more susceptible to bad bacteria overgrowth and signs of sensitivity and irritation. This can lead to an increase in breakouts and an increased chance of skin redness and reactivity. Basically, using the correct moisturizer creates a healthier microbiome so your skin can function and heal more effectively.

The third product is SPF. Every skin tone must use SPF, even those who are not prone to sun burn. Why? There are some benefits to being out in the sun, such as the production of vitamin D. However, more than 5-30 minutes in the sun (depending upon your skin tone) can have negative consequences such as overexposure, sun burn, sun rash, overproduction of melanin leading to hyperpigmentation, depletion of collagen and elastin leading to premature aging, and of course, skin cancer. Unfortunately because of factors like pollution, our ozone layer has been compromised and does not protect us from the sun as well as it used to. Scientists say that our ozone layer is healing, but will still take over 20 years to return to its normal state. That means it’s more important than ever to protect your skin with the use of SPF.

At Sienna Skin & Beauty, I believe it’s important to not introduce too many new products at once. If you are a new client, I like to slowly integrate Dermalogica products into your routine so you aren’t overwhelmed. It’s important to be mindful of what you’re using, so you’re not putting too much on your skin, as this can also throw off your PH and compromise your skin’s microbiome. We live in a world of instant gratification where we see something exciting on TikTok or Instagram and it’s just a couple clicks away from purchase.

Sometimes when I work with new clients and I ask what they’re using on their skin, they will list off many things, most of which they don’t know the name of. And sometimes when I look at their skin, it’s apparent to me that something they’re using is irritating their skin. Some products can have very strong ingredients that the client is not aware of and if they’re using more than one product with strong ingredients, it can be irritating for their skin. My philosophy is to start with the basics and slowly build from there.

It is true that certain skin conditions such as acne hyperpigmentation and aging skin may require a more complicated regimen to see results. It is also true that sensitive skin may require a more basic regimen because too many products may create irritation.

If you feel like you might be using too many products, then it’s time for us to have a chat! I can start you on a simple routine or restructure your existing one to better suit your skin’s needs.