\nHow I build my care routine<\/a>\u00a0*<\/p>\n
In this post, I want to focus on questions that I have often been asked in my professional life. You have to think carefully when you want to build the perfect skincare routine for your skin\u00a0because you can’t do just anything with that beautiful\u00a0skin on\u00a0your face. It’s your face skin<\/strong>, it’s unique. And it’s fragile. First step: determine your skin type. And yes, I know it is not easy at all!<\/p>\n My advice? In this post, I won’t speak about specific skin types, or even specific cosmetics brands. You can find some great products everywhere, and at every price. And the only way to know if a product is good for your skin is to try it! But read on and you’ll see how you can find the right products for your skin, even if\u00a0a bit of trial and error may be\u00a0necessary. The skin renews itself completely in approximately 30 days. And it can take 45 days when we get older. So you need at least one month<\/strong> to decide whether a skin product is working or not. So clearly, a sample you test for\u00a02-3 days is not going to transform your skin, certainly not! If you see an immediate effect you are likely using a\u00a0product that\u00a0provides\u00a0more of\u00a0a masking effect than a long lasting effect. Back to the sample:\u00a0it should allow you to see if you like the texture\u00a0and\u00a0the scent. And of course, if you are not allergic to it. It’s always useful to know it! wink<\/span> <\/p>\n I would love to know more about the term “a while”. Is it 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years, 30 years …? To change it because it doesn’t suit you<\/strong> (skin is tighter, redder or oilier than usual) then of course, I totally understand. And I would say that I strongly encourage you to stop using any\u00a0skincare products that have this effect! To change products because your skin has changed<\/strong>, can make sense, over time your own skin will change so you will need to adapt your skincare products. I don’t see myself using the same cream than when I was 20!<\/p>\n In summary, you really should “listen” to you skin<\/strong>. If it’s different from usual (redder, drier, duller, oilier etc), it’s interesting to change your skincare routine or add skincare products that will focus on a specific\u00a0problem and help the skin to balance itself out.<\/p>\n We can’t always afford a very complete skincare routine with 10 different products. On the one hand it’s expensive, and on the other hand it’s not always necessary (on a young skin without any particular issues for example, it’s not really useful to use thousands of products). So for a minimal skincare routine, I would suggest\u00a0these 4 skincare products<\/strong>\u00a0(for\u00a0morning and evening<\/strong>):<\/p>\n With these 4 products, you have a good base and the beauty of the skin is preserved. There are tons of products to clean the face: foaming gels, cleansing milks, cleansing creams, oils, balms… Frankly, I’d say it’s really a matter of personal preference. Oh, and another very important thing to remember: cleaning the skin and removing\u00a0makeup are 2 different things<\/strong>. So\u00a0what about all these very trendy cleaning brushes I’m seeing at the moment? I heard everything and its contrary about this,\u00a0and for me, it’s better to always rinse your cleanser<\/strong>. I’m not a\u00a0big\u00a0fan of the idea of keeping cleansing ingredients on my skin throughout the day.<\/p>\n But what I also do is that I rinse my cleanser again (after my tap water rinse) with a thermal water spray<\/a> and \/or a toner. It helps avoid\u00a0skin traces of calcium<\/strong> (from the tap water) which eventually will be aggressive and dull your skin. Well, I’d say it’s\u00a0really\u00a0a matter of \u00a0what your skin needs and your age. For a young skin without any particular skin problem, to use the same cream morning and evening is OK. But for the most “demanding” skins, they will require two different skincare products. The day cream hydrates and protects the skin<\/strong> (against pollution, external aggression such as wind, cold and even sunlight\/UV rays) (but not always, sometimes, you will have to add a daily UV protection<\/a>). I insist on the fact that ALL skin types without exception need hydration<\/strong>. Yes, even oily skins!<\/p>\n Night cream is used to treat the skin but also to boost the regeneration of the skin<\/strong>. About the regeneration<\/strong>, the skin renews itself quicker during your sleep. As you grow older, this regeneration is slower and less effective. So from 25-30 years old onward, it is very useful to apply a regenerating night cream to help the skin keep its original appearance.<\/p>\n The eye contour is an area where the skin is thinner and more fragile<\/strong>, but it’s also one of the most used\u00a0areas of the face. You blink several times per minute. Imagine how many blinks you clock over\u00a0a entire day, it will make your head spin!<\/p>\n So, this area ages faster. Using an eye contour product really helps to slow the aging process<\/strong> and the appearance of the first wrinkles. I won’t tell you that anti-aging creams\/serums \/lotions are like miracles and I won’t tell you either that the whole principal is\u00a0a scam.<\/p>\n No. I think that to protect your skin and caring for it from an early age is the only effective solution to preserve the appearance of your skin<\/strong>. That\u00a0being said, I have absolutely nothing against wrinkles. They are normal and inevitable<\/strong>. But I prefer it if they land on my face as late as possible, for that matter! From\u00a030-35 years onward, I really think so. A face cream is not enough to effectively treat the skin after this age. I know, it’s tough to hear… (I’ll be celebrating my 36 years birthday in a few weeks) (and no, I don’t want a face serum as a birthday gift ah aha ha!;))<\/p>\n A face serum is more concentrated<\/strong> in active ingredients, which can treat skin far\u00a0deeper<\/strong> than a cream can. Face serums are very popular at the moment (even if they’ve existed for a very long time!) And you can find so many different kinds of face serum. This post is already very long, I won’t go deeper in this topic but if you want to know more about face serums, feel free to ask me some questions in the comments, I can do a more detailed post!<\/p>\n Frankly, it’s highly variable.\u00a0You can find great products at great prices.<\/strong> What is certain in any case, horribly expensive skincare products don’t guarantee great results.<\/strong> Look at good reviews on the internet (makeup alley <\/a>for example or blogs you can trust)(try to avoid sponsored blog posts) and also have a look at the ingredients before spending all your money on an overpriced product.<\/p>\n Photos credits: bonniegarner.com<\/p>\n
\nI worked for a cosmetics brand as a trainer for spas and beauticians for almost 10 years. I have often met\u00a0regular customers in pharmacies, department stores, beauty counters while I was training the sales personnel…
\nBombarded\u00a0with so many\u00a0cosmetics adverts, magazine articles and of course beauty blogs, why wouldn’t\u00a0you feel overwhelmed. It’s so\u00a0tempting to buy the latest skincare product\u00a0from [fill in the blank]\u00a0because you so want to believe in miracles. And of course at the end, more often than not, you\u00a0feel\u00a0disappointed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nThe skin can be very naughty if you’re not treating it well. It will make you pay a hundredfold, either immediately (redness, pimples), or later (dark spots, skin that looks like an ancient parchment) if you abuse it.
\nYes that skin there on your face requires simple gestures but also those gestures need to happen\u00a0regularly<\/strong> to properly renew and preserve your good-looking skin.<\/p>\n![\"Skincare](\"https:\/\/bonniegarner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/skincare_routine_complete_products.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n1. How do I choose the right products for my skin type?<\/h3>\n
\nCheck your skin type by consulting a proper\u00a0skin professional<\/strong> (beautician, dermatologist…), who knows everything about the skin and who will ask you questions, how you feel about your skin, your skincare habits and also your current concerns (yes they may change depending on\u00a0your age, hormones, stress … there are so many parameters to take into account!).
\nEverything only takes a few minutes but\u00a0it will be so\u00a0helpful to choose the right products for you (if it takes 10 seconds and there are only 2 questions, there is something wrong\u00a0and the person in front of you is not professional).
\nSo yes, it takes a bit of\u00a0time<\/strong>\u00a0but this diagnostic will be the basis for a successful skincare routine.<\/p>\n
\nSo precisely:<\/p>\n2. How long does\u00a0it take to know if a skin product is effective?<\/h3>\n
\nAnd for some products that target\u00a0the lower layers\u00a0of your skin, it’s rather 2-3 months<\/strong>. I’m talking about \u00a0hyper-pigmentation, anti-aging, but also purifying products for acne prone skin.<\/p>\n3. Is it true that the skin gets used to skincare products after a while and that I need to change them often?<\/h3>\n
\nI honestly don’t see the point of changing your face cream every time you finish a tube or a jar,\u00a0especially if your skin feels great with it!<\/p>\n
\nYou must really listen to your skin. If it responds “negatively” to a product, you really should\u00a0stop\u00a0using it. It doesn’t really make sense to ignore the negative feedback from your skin\u00a0and keep on using it. I know it’s frustrating and skincare products are expensive, but personally, I don’t really want to see my face ruined because\u00a0a product doesn’t suit me at all!<\/p>\n![\"Skincare](\"https:\/\/bonniegarner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/skincare_routine_essentials_4_products.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n4. What would the most\u00a0essential products for a quick, easy and not too expensive skincare routine be?<\/h3>\n
\nBut some products are really essential<\/strong> to maintain a healthy skin, hydrated and protected.<\/p>\n\n
\nObviously, if the skin has more specific needs (damaged skin, dullness, mature skin, acne etc), you will have to add more products. Temporarily, to treat the issue or permanently, depending of the skin’s problem.
\nAnd of course, if you want to do more for your skin, especially if you want an anti-aging program, it can be completed with other products!<\/p>\n5. Which cleanser should I\u00a0use to clean the skin effectively?<\/h3>\n
\nThe only thing where you have to pay a little more attention, is if the product is gentle enough for your skin<\/strong>. No soap, no alcohol, no micro-exfoliating grains on a daily basis. Because with those kinds of skincare products, you’re\u00a0no longer talking about a cleanser, they are really abrasive\u00a0for the skin. It’s\u00a0the best way to end up with a reactive skin that no longer\u00a0supports anything!<\/p>\n
\nTo remove makeup and\/or UV protection products, you will need an oil-based product (such as cleansing oils or cleansing balms). And once that is done\u00a0you can start\u00a0cleaning your skin.<\/p>\n
\nI was really against them for a very long time, mainly I was afraid that they would be too aggressive for my skin. But I tried it (I have a Clarisonic Mia 2<\/a>) and I really like it. It provides\u00a0a gentle daily exfoliation, and I like that principle. The important thing is not to overuse it<\/strong>, it’s like everything!<\/p>\n6. Rinsing the cleanser with water: is it an obligation, or should I\u00a0absolutely avoid\u00a0it?<\/h3>\n
\nAnd even if I clean my face with a product without rinsing (some micellar water or cleansing wipes), I still rinse it with my thermal water spray or a toner<\/strong> and I absorb any\u00a0excess with a tissue. It really makes a difference for\u00a0the comfort<\/strong> of my skin!<\/p>\n![\"Skincare](\"https:\/\/bonniegarner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/day_skincare_routine.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n7. Should I use a day cream AND a night cream?<\/h3>\n
\nAnd a day cream and a night cream don’t have the same purposes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nUsing an overnight treatment is more effective because the skin is at rest while you\u00a0sleep and can really benefit the assets of its cream. So if you must use an anti-acne, anti-redness or even anti-aging cream, it’s best to apply it before going to bed. The results will be much better.<\/p>\n8. Why is an eye contour product absolutely essential?<\/h3>\n
\nSo the best moment to start using an eye contour is when you’re around\u00a020 years old<\/strong>. Even a simple basic moisturizer will do the job. The goal here is really to prevent, not to hunt down wrinkles that don’t even\u00a0exist yet!<\/p>\n*My opinion in general about anti-aging products:<\/h2>\n
\nSo, not taking care of your skin when you’re young because you think you don’t really need to and realize at 35 years old that you’re getting wrinkles and buying\u00a0a super\u00a0expensive anti-aging cream thinking that it will set everything, well I’m sorry but it doesn’t work like that.<\/p>\n
\nSo yes, I use the right products for my age \u00a0trying to slow down the inevitable! wink<\/span> *
\n![\"Skincare](\"https:\/\/bonniegarner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/night_skincare_routine.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n9. Do I really need a face serum?<\/h3>\n
\nBasically, a face serum will work in the lower layers of the skin. A face cream is more likely to remain on the surface. It is due to the different formulation. Face serum contains smaller and more “penetrating” ingredients than a cream.
\nThis is also why a face serum should be used under a face cream, never alone<\/strong>. Face serum doesn’t protect the skin, unlike creams.<\/p>\n10. Do expensive skincare products guarantee an effective skincare routine?<\/h3>\n
\nFor example, the only product that I put a little extra money in, is the face serum. As it’s more concentrated in active ingredients, it’s usually more expensive than the other skincare products. It’s precisely the product that will be the most active within your skincare routine, so for me, it’s really worth the investment.
\nI\u00a0also\u00a0think that there are great cleansers and face creams in pharmacies or drugstores for example, and you won’t need to break the bank!<\/p>\nAnd you, have you found your perfect skincare routine or are you still looking for it? Tell me everything in the comments!<\/h5>\n