Secrets Your Esthetician Wants You to Know

I have been in the skin and beauty business for some time now. And honest conversation, I’ve pretty much seen and heard it all. I always joke with my girlfriends that I should write a tell all book about the things I’ve come across in my twenty-three years in the skincare industry. But just like a therapist, an Esthetician never waxes and tells. So instead, I will let you in on some insider information and share with you the things every esthetician wishes her clients knew.

A quality toner is a game changer. A toner is the foundation of your skincare routine. It’s one of the most important steps and probably the most overlooked. Environmental factors and even stress can cause your skin’s pH to be acidic. Every time you wash your face (even with a good chemical free cleanser) you strip your skin. Using a toner after brings it back to its neutral pH level.  Also choosing the right toner is important. Always look for toners that don’t contain alcohol. Many good organic toners contain anti-aging and restoring ingredients to support the skin. Remember this is step #2 after you cleanse, but before a serum. I typically see major changes in the skin once a client begins to regularly use a toner. I promise, it’s worth it!

The right scrub helps, the wrong one hurts. DO NOT over use an exfoliating scrub. 1-3x weekly is more than enough. Any more than that and you risk microscopic tears in the skin which can cause pigmentation. This goes for choosing the right type as well. Please, please, please use nothing with microbeads or seashells. We aren’t deserted on an island, we don’t need to resort to that nonsense. In my practice I use deeper exfoliants which are extremely powerful like fruit or pumpkin enzymes. These are great without damaging the skin and getting your glow back.

Don’t try to dry out a zit. I know none of us love to look 15 again minus the retainer and still be in our 40-year-old bodies, but you actually make them worse when you pick or use strong or harsh chemicals like alcohol in an attempt to rid yourself of them. Instead remember that moderation is key in skincare. So be patient, give it time to heal.
 

Cream? Yes, for the love of God... you still need to use a cream if you are oily or have acne. By foregoing cream, you only make your skin oilier. Your body will supply it either way. So be in control and find one to help balance out your skin type. I find switching products quarterly works well, especially if you live in a seasonal region.

Trust us. Please trust your Esthetician, if you trust them enough to work on your skin, trust them enough to recommend a product for you. This is especially true for all my holistic gals out there. If your Esthetician uses good product, trust them to recommend something organic for your skin. We can’t help your skin if we don’t know what you’re using. When we recommend a product, it is because we know what it does.

Do your homework, know your product source. Please don’t buy skincare lines from just anywhere. Yes, it’s work, but it’s your skin. Just like oils, unless you have a quality product source you won’t be able to tell if it’s been tampered, diluted, or who it’s coming from. It’s so important to get it directly from an approved, reputable source.

Let the magic happen. Allow your skin 4-6 weeks when you use a new product. It takes about that long to see a true difference. I know we live in a pretty result and time focused society, but patience is key.

Don’t be embarrassed. Like I said, we’ve seen it all and a good, passionate Esthetician wants to help you. We are always our worse critic and almost 100% of the time you think your skin is worse than what it actually is. So just relax, take a deep breath and ask your questions then listen to our suggestions.

Serum is where it’s at. Serum is an extremely important step. Europeans have been big on serums for decades. Here in the states it’s a new thing for you all, but it’s a huge skincare game changer. I’m here to tell you it’s been a lifesaver for my aging process over the last 10 years. Many serums are packed with pure goodness like hylaronic acid, vitamin C, or collagen. Serums actually penetrate the dermis deeper than a cream can, so they do more. A serum is always after toner, but before cream.

Love your skin and it will love you. Remember your skin is your largest organ. We tend to forget that as we are buying our chemical filled cleansers, makeup and lotions. Be just as smart about what goes on your body as what goes in it. Unfortunately, here in the US we still get away with putting harmful, cancer causing, endocrine disrupting chemicals in our beauty products. It’s sad, but that’s a whole other blog. So, start swapping out to more organic, natural products for better skin and health.

And remember, going to the esthetician is not like going on trial for skincare crimes. We are not here to judge or to put anyone in the hot seat. We are here to guide you on your journey toward the skin health you want for yourself. Ultimately, I just want to see my clients happy in the skin they are in. Finding the right information on how to achieve that can be tricky, there is a lot of bad advice out there. But, remembering these few steps can save you a lot of time, money, and blemishes. And honestly, it doesn’t get better than that!