To get the most from your skincare products, we are answering the hottest questions google is asked daily!

How to Know Your Skin Type?

Determining your skin type is essential to know what products you will use on your skin. Your skin barrier health is paramount here so we do not damage the skin and exacerbate any issues you may experience.

To determine your skin type we looked to board certified dermatologist Dr. Shah for answers.

His recommendation is to wash your face and wait two hours. After two hours if your skin is oily all over, you have oily skin. If you are dry and tight all over, you have dry skin. If your skin is oily only in the t-zone, you have combination skin.

What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?

Skin dryness can is frustrating for many and leaving us feeling uncomfortable in our own skin. There are some simple changes you can make to alleviate the uncomfortable feeling. In a recent blog post, we discussed dry skin vs dehydrated skin and gave you some essential tips how to manage it. You can read about it at this link. Dry skin and dehydrated skin are different, so let's discuss the differences.

What are the basic skincare products we all need?

Not everyone needs or wants a 9 step K Beauty routine. There are however some basic skincare items that should be in everyone's vanity.

First, a non drying cleanser. You should be washing your face at minimum once daily. Evening if just washing in the evening you are removing dirt, excess oil and makeup that builds-up during the day. Cleansers unclog pores and remove dead skin cells keeping a healthy microbiome. Use a gentle cleanser like the Soothing Cream Cleanseror a Cleansing Oil for at least one minute! You could also use a double cleanse which we've explained in great detail in another blog.

Second, a toner or facial mist. Toners replenish moisture to the skin after a cleanse. It resets the pH of your skin to ensure the actives in your facial serums can target problem areas.

Third, a serum. A20% Vitamin C Serum to be precise. Think of a Vitamin C Serum like your skins daily Vitamin. Look for one that is combined with other actives such as ferulic acid and vitamin e and hyaluronic acid to ensure stability and effectiveness.

Last a moisturizer and SPF . Adding a moisturizer to the skin acts as a barrier to lock in all the renewed hydration after a cleanse, sets the serums in place and ensures a long lasting moisture barrier for the skin. Always, use an SPF to prevent sun damage.. Whether it be mineral or chemical an SPF can protect your skin from premature aging.

What order do I use skincare?

The order in which you use your skincare is important when it comes to active ingredients. You'll always want to start with a cleanser however and move from there.

Active ingredients need to penetrate the skin on a deeper level so applying them in the correct order will ensure you see the results you expect. Always use your thinnest viscosity serums moving towards the thicker ones. Thinner textures mean smaller molecules and are able to penetrate and work more effectively.

For ease, we've included both a morning routine and an evening routine to refer to.

Morning Routine

• Cleanser
• Toner or Facial Mist
• Serum (Thinnest to Thickest)
• Moisturizer or Face Cream
• Face Oil
• SPF

Evening Routine

• Cleanser
• Toner or Facial Mist
• Serum (Thinnest to Thickest)
• Moisturizer or Face Cream
• Face Oil

What does vitamin C do exactly?

Vitamin C is a powerful nutrient with potent with antioxidant benefits. It has the ability to fight free radicals that cause early collagen breakdown leading to premature skin aging. Collagen production depends on vitamin c to renew cellular turn over in the skin. As we age the amount of vitamin c available in the skin deteriorates so adding a topical Vitamin C can replenish the lost vitamin.

Applying a stable 20% form of Vitamin C Serum combined with ferulic acid and vitamin e can prevent further breakdown of collagen leaving a tighter younger looking appearance of the skin. Vitamin C can lighten dark spots, help with wound healing and acne scarring. It's simply one of the best products for the skin. For best results it should be used daily and is most effective in the AM routine.

What age should I start using skincare?

Skin is as personal as your skin care routine. At bare minimum when entering into the double digit age range a cleanser should be used. A gentle cleanser to wash dirt and grime so pores are not clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells. When signs of stress like hormonal changes and puberty begin, skin can change and so the needs of the skin should be assessed at that time.

Does washing your face in the shower cause dry skin?

Washing your face in hot water is causing damage by stripping its natural oils and drying the skin. A damaged skin barrier can cause a chain reaction of events leading to acne, rosacea and surface burns. Instead, wash your face with tepid warm or cool water to prevent any damage to the surface.

What is Niacinamide and what does it do?

Niacinamide is nutrient form of vitamin B3. Not to be confused with niacin B3 which is ingestible.

Niacinamide for this skin has so many incredible benefits like reduced inflammation, treats hyperpigmentation and reduces darkness in the eye area. Niacinamide can help your skin grow a lipid (ceramide barrier which can, in turn, helps retain moisture. It's beneficial for all skin types, especially if you have eczema, cystic acne or mature skin.

When to use oil in a skincare routine?

Think of your facial oil like a raincoat after a sweater. Facial oils create an occlusive layer on top of your water based products to block water from evaporating from the skin. TEWL or Trans-epidermal water loss can lead to dry and dehydrated skin and premature skin aging.

How should you apply a face oil? Unlike humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glyercine, facial oils do not attract moisture to the skin surface. If using a facial oil after a cleanser, apply the oil to damp hydrated skin. Oils should always be applied to damp skin to ensure proper absorption.