The goal of skincare is healthy, beautiful skin that is strong and protected. What’s the best way to achieve and maintain optimal skin? I have used my experience and knowledge from over two decades of working with clients as an esthetician/cosmetologist to develop an essential skincare regimen that can help you achieve these skin goals. The following is an outline of the importance of each step and basically why I developed this system. 

Step 1: Cleanse 

From acne to lines, many skin issues can begin with or are aggravated by improper skincare. Proper cleansing is one of the most important (but often overlooked) steps in skincare with many not being concerned about cleanser quality or even properly cleansing skin on a regular basis. This is why this section is rather long. Although cleanser remains on your skin for a short time, if skin-damaging ingredients are used repeatedly, it eventually becomes a problem for skin health that can lead to a myriad of skin concerns including acne, dermatitis, redness, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. 

Proper skin cleansing involves removing pollutants and impurities from your skin while supporting its healthy microbiome and essential moisture barrier.

Currently, nearly all foaming, cream and even many oil facial cleansers on the market break down or remove crucial barriers responsible for healthy skin. These include the hydrolipidic barrier, essential for protection against external aggressors and irritants, and the important microbiome -  the good bacteria and good natural oils on your skin that help to keep skin's protective barrier strong and keep skin comfortable and healthy. If your skin feels squeaky clean or powder-smooth after washing your face (whether from cleansers or exfoliants), you've already weakened your skin barriers and stripped your skin.

Even naturally-derived oils with no surfactants that require washcloths for removal can put skin out of balance. Many we have seen do not have a proper balance of linoleic and oleic acids which can be a problem if you use the wrong ones for acne-prone skin or irritated, compromised skin. 

Although in many cases the damage does not show right away, habitually compromised skin becomes weaker, less able to hold moisture, stressed and more vulnerable to breakouts, rough skin texture, blotchy or uneven tone, lines and other signs of damage.

THE SOLUTION - CLEAN POTION

 

Step 2: Antioxidants (Cellular Protection & repair)

Cleansing and moisturizing alone is simply not enough to help skin defend and repair against the continuous daily onslaughts it faces. Whether caused by internal stress or external stressors such as UV/environmental assaults and things you do to your skin, science has proven that DNA damage is the root cause of all visible signs of aging. However, using a single antioxidant, such as vitamin c, is not enough. Visible and some under-the-surface damage from free radicals can be best countered topically with broad-spectrum antioxidant formulas rich in ingredients that synergistically work to support each other's specific antioxidant powers. This helps to address damage on a comprehensive scale and best supports skin’s essential repair and renewal processes. 

 

THE SOLUTIONS - ANTIOXIDANTS & REPAIR SERUMS

 

Step 3: Hydration (Replenish Skin Layers & Nourish Cells)

Hydration is an essential part of skincare that starts beneath the surface. When skin is not properly hydrated, it can become dehydrated, dull, flaky and even show more signs of irritation and sensitivity. It does not reflect light as well due to an uneven surface that may make it appear rough and unhealthy.  A properly-formulated hydrator allows your skin to absorb and receive sustained hydration on multiple levels and needed channels - even to the deepest layers. Hydrated skin looks plump and seems to glow from within. Beyond beauty, properly hydrated skin leads to improved basal strength that can not only support structural and protective functions but helps to remove toxins while improve channels that carry nutrients to cells.

THE SOLUTION - HYRATIVE HA+

  

Step 4: Moisturize (Supplement surface lipids & strengthen skin barrier)

Beyond smoothing and softening the skin surface, proper moisturization is crucial to help skin rebuild a stronger barrier, replenish crucial lipids skin needs but can’t produce, and better protect against transepidermal water loss (TEWL), irritants and environmental aggressors. Believe or not, not all products that claim to be moisturizers actually contain all of the essential components needed to effectively moisturize skin. Skin needs effective methods to hold and maintain proper moisture levels and balanced lipid barrier to visibly look and feel healthier. The best moisturizers are formulated with proven effective humectants (to pull water into the skin), emollients (to smooth, soften, and fill cracks), and occlusives (to keep hydration and moisture in skin). 

THE SOLUTIONS -  THE LEX AND JONG ADVANCED MOISTURIZER COLLECTION

 

Step 5: Sun Protection

Sun protection is arguably the most important aspect of any skincare regimen, but this alone is not enough. Research has proven that UV and environmental damage are the primary causes of DNA changes that affect visible skin aging. Their effects are cumulative and harmful beyond the surface layers, and beyond concerns of beauty, may cause skin cancer. The most effective sun protection products are formulated to provide stable, broad-spectrum UVA/UVA/Infrared protection and also act to provide defense from environmental aggressors.

 

THE SOLUTIONS: THE LEX AND JONG ADVANCED SUN CARE COLLECTION 

 

Invitation

I hope this helped to clarify the steps for you, and I am confident following these steps will ensure your most beautiful and healthiest skin now and for years to come. If you have any questions or need individual recommendations for your specific needs, please don't hesitate to contact me. I can’t wait to help you achieve the skin of your dreams.