What does your skincare routine look like? If it’s just a quick wash and rinse with cleanser and slathering on lotion afterward, you’re missing out on key steps that will give you the skin you desire.
Even the best skincare products aren’t enough on their own to take your skin to the next level. It takes a combination of effective products for your specific skin type plus skin-loving tools to really give you that facial experience at home.
A spa day at home sounds awesome, right? But if you think it has to take hours upon hours, think again! The latest technology has ensured that you can achieve that perfect science-based skincare routine in just minutes a day.
What Does the Perfect Skincare Routine Entail?
There are some key steps to getting that healthy, radiant, and glowing youthful skin. It all begins with a cleanse to eliminate dirt and dead skin cells. Then, you need to detoxify your skin by penetrating deeper into your pores. Exfoliating is the next step in rejuvenating your skin, and finally, hydration to seal in moisture down to the deepest layers.
These 4 steps are science-backed ways for you to reveal your healthiest skin. This routine ensures your skin will look and feel better than ever before!
Step #1: Cleansing
Ok, we’re sure you’re already washing your face daily. Hopefully, you’re using the right cleanser for your skin type too. Not sure? Your cleanser should never leave your skin feeling dry or tight. Look for formulations made specifically for your skin type. For example, if you have dry skin, a salicylic acid cleanser may not be for you.
Beyond the cleanser itself, it takes more than just your fingertips to get the best cleanse. That’s why you should choose a facial cleansing brush. But with so many options, how do you choose one that’s right for you?
Choosing the Right Cleansing Brush
You need a cleansing brush, but just like the cleanser you use, it needs to be the right one. Two of the most popular options are silicone facial brushes and bristle facial brushes. While both provide a deeper cleanse than simply cleansing with your bare hands, there are distinctive advantages to using a silicone brush over a bristled one.
Silicone brushes are covered with skin-safe silicone nubs. These are much gentler on the skin than bristled brushes. It’s true that bristled facial brushes do soften over time, but they still can be very irritating to your skin. Silicone facial brushes are always a kinder choice for any skin type.
Additionally, silicone facial brushes are prone to resisting bacteria buildup. Keeping them clean will always be a simple task. In time, a bristled facial brush can clump together, making it less effective and less sanitary.
Another factor to note in researching facial cleansing brushes is that there are both manual and powered options. The right silicone facial cleansing brush will feature ultrasonic technology which can remove 99.8% of the dirt and dead skin buildup to keep pores free and clear. In fact, that’s the secret to your brightest, cleanest skin right there.
This ultrasonic technology aids in improving blood circulation to the skin’s surface. That means more oxygen gets delivered and promotes collagen and elastin production for more youthful, supple skin.
How to choose? Simple! Look for an ultrasonic silicone facial cleansing brush that produces over 8,000 ppm and you’ll be on your way to your best skin! Check out Microderm GLO's Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush for inspiration.
Step #2: Detoxifying
Next up, you’ll need to incorporate a weekly detoxifying session. The best way to really draw out pollutants, dirt, debris, and makeup that leads to a congested complexion is to use a facial steamer. Facial steaming is the tried-and-true way to soften skin and loosen oil and buildup in your pores. Take it from esthetician Stephanie Diliberto as she explains what facial steaming can do for you.
This is another way to increase circulation. That warm steam boosts perspiration to dilate the blood vessels in your skin. That means more oxygen for thriving collagen and elastin production and a nice, healthy glow.
Facial steamers help hydrate your skin too by bringing balance to your oil production in a natural way. That balance reestablishes proper pH so your skin’s natural microbiome is in order.
And yes, all those expensive skin creams and serums will absorb better too. The steam increases the permeability of your skin so topicals melt right in. You’ll want to smooth those serums and creams on after your facial steaming session to help you achieve those desired results.
Detoxifying with a facial steamer is also one of the most soothing things you can do in your weekly skincare. Warm steam relaxes more than your skin. It helps you relax too! And, if you feel a little congested, you can even use it as a humidifier to help you breathe easier.
DIY facial steaming is always an option, but dealing with boiling hot water is always a risk! One slip and you can burn yourself. Choosing a facial steamer is a much safer and more effective option. You’ll want to look for one with nano ionic steaming technology that delivers the best results in just minutes. Nano ionic steam can penetrate 320% deeper than regular steam particles, so if you’re looking for results, try nano ionic. With this technology, you’ll also enjoy minimized pores meaning a smooth, clarified, and unified complexion fast!
Step #3: Exfoliating
Another part of your weekly skincare regimen needs to be exfoliation. While there are chemical treatments in the form of AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) they can only do so much. There are also physical scrubs or special abrasive gloves that can honestly do more harm than good. To really benefit your skin, you should be exfoliating by way of microdermabrasion.
With young skin, exfoliating isn’t much of a concern because skin cells turn over fairly rapidly. No wonder children have such a rosy-cheeked complexion! But once adulthood takes over, even in those early 20s, the process for your skin’s own natural exfoliation power slows down.
Microdermabrasion takes exfoliation to the next level. It not only removes that dulling dead skin buildup but also reveals the growth of smooth, new, and healthy skin. It resurfaces and refreshes beyond what regular exfoliating techniques can do.
Additionally, it can help remove hyperpigmentation and unify skin tone and texture. It’s something that’s safe for all skin types. However, if you have any concerns about your skin and how it will respond to microdermabrasion, you should speak with your dermatologist.
You can get microdermabrasion treatments performed by a professional dermatologist in-office. These need to be scheduled regularly to see results as it’s not a one-and-done technique. Over the course of weeks, you’ll have to return for each treatment. Once initial treatments are finished, you’ll have follow-up in-office in longer intervals.
With professional dermabrasion, you can expect great results, though the cost might be more than you’re able to bear. Luckily, there are microdermabrasion devices designed for at-home use that cost a fraction of what you’d spend visiting the office for professional treatments.
Naturally, they’re not all created equal. You’ll want to make sure your microdermabrasion device comes from an FDA-registered and approved company and is made in the USA. This will assure you that you’re getting the quality and safety you deserve.
Microdermabrasion with an at-home device makes it easy to remove those dead skin cells while suctioning them away to brighten and tone your skin. Diamond-tip microdermabrasion is considered the best option for both in-office and at-home microdermabrasion treatments.
In addition to being FDA-approved, look for a microdermabrasion device that ensures special suction technology to prevent you from cutting your face. You might see cheaper options, but the ones that offer this patented technology are the safest way to get the skin results you’re looking for.
On top of exfoliating away dead skin cells, brightening skin, and revealing a better complexion, microdermabrasion helps your skin rebuild collagen and elastin. It further stimulates the oxygen flow to your skin cells just like the other 2 steps in your perfect science-based skincare routine.
The best microdermabrasion devices can be used weekly and take just minutes, like this one. You won’t need to use filters in photos to find an airbrushed look anymore. Everyone will clamor to know what your beauty secret is!
Step #4: Hydrating
Like cleansing, hydrating is an important daily step. It should immediately follow any cleansing to seal in hydration and moisture to your skin. Naturally, it’s especially important following microdermabrasion to help your skin heal, repair, refresh, and glow.
What’s even more dizzying than finding the right skincare routine that gives you real results? Finding a hydrating product that will help your skin thrive as it did in its prime!
You’ve likely seen dozens of serums and moisturizers with collagen in them. However, the collagen molecule is far too large to absorb right through your skin. You can fill your diet with collagen-rich foods or supplements, but you have to stimulate collagen growth from the exterior.
By using a facial cleansing brush, facial steamer, and microdermabrasion device at home, you’ll be working to stimulate that collagen and elastin production in a natural way. Topically though, you can help that along by selecting a serum to infuse skin with hydration that contains medical-grade active peptides. Here are a few reasons why you should look into peptides.
Peptides can be absorbed by your skin with ease. They serve to improve your skin’s barrier to protect it from environmental aggressors. Additionally, peptides can assist with reducing wrinkles by plumping the skin. They work wonders, but there’s something you should know before you simply slather them on and hope for the best.
After all, peptides have become a bit of a buzzword in beauty. They’re very effective, but they must be used in the right composition. With clever marketing, many cleansers try to push peptide-rich formulas. However, peptides are most effective when they have prolonged contact with your skin. That means you should look for peptides in serums and creams that will stay on your skin for a greater duration, allowing them to really get to work.
Peptides are often paired with other skin-loving ingredients. But not all of them are a match made in heaven. For example, if you use peptides with AHAs, those peptides will lose their efficiency. Instead, you want to seek out ingredients that will work well with peptides to achieve the results you want to see in your skin. Check Microderm GLO's Peptide Complex Serum for some all-star ingredients.
Serum Ingredients That Work Well with Peptides
Always check the labels of the skincare products you choose. Not only do you want to avoid nasty chemicals like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and fragrances, but you will also want to choose ingredients proven by science to work.
The following 4 ingredients pair well with peptides to help bring out the best in your skin!
- Hyaluronic acid
One of the most remarkable things about hyaluronic acid is that it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture. A naturally-occurring substance in your body, it depletes as you age, making it all the more important to get your hands on it.
Hyaluronic acid feels like a quenching drink for your skin. It boosts skin hydration and leaves it looking radiant and healthy. Since it can draw in so much moisture from the atmosphere, it plumps up skin to smooth away wrinkles. Deep down, it services those skin layers beneath the surface, keeping them filled and preventing new wrinkles from forming. It’s also an antioxidant so it helps your skin chase away those pesky free radicals.
- Aloe vera
We all know and love aloe vera for the cooling, soothing, and anti-inflammatory relief it provides for sunburns. But aloe vera is a treasure in serums too as it retains moisture in the skin. Working with hyaluronic acid, it locks in that extra hydration and infuses skin with more antioxidants and minerals to keep it healthy.
Even though aloe vera may seem heavy, it doesn’t clog pores. It serves to soften skin while helping it repair and regenerate, speeding up skin cell reproduction as much as 8 times, making it an ideal ingredient for your post-microdermabrasion skincare!
Aloe vera also naturally contains stores of vitamins C and E. These two vitamins are perfect partners for peptides, helping you achieve the success you want to see in your skincare routine.
- Japanese green tea
It’s relaxing to sip on Japanese green tea. It will serve your internal organs well and is one of the best beauty secrets in Asia, but using it in your skincare routine will also help speed up results. Those nasty UV rays unleash so many free radicals, even if you’re not spending your days lazing in the sunshine.
Japanese green tea has special antioxidants called polyphenols. These protect your skin’s natural structure, collagen, and elastin within. By using skincare products with this special ingredient, you restore elasticity and bounce to your skin to prevent the ravages of sagging that come from aging.
- Honeysuckle
Sweet honeysuckle is an often overlooked skincare ingredient. It’s especially beneficial for use after exfoliating by way of microdermabrasion because it’s so soothing. It’s long been used for skin concerns like rosacea, eczema, and acne because it can help with skin irritation.
Honeysuckle extract is plentiful in antioxidants that include saponins and flavonoids so you get more free radical protection. That’s exactly what you want when you’re working so hard to restore your skin through these skincare routine steps. It’s a wonderful ingredient that improves skin tone and brightens it up too.
Take Your Skincare Routine to the Next Level Through Science
Your skincare routine is so important to get right. Without following the science, you’re not going to get the results you’re looking for. Every day, you should cleanse and hydrate your skin. Weekly, you need to detoxify with a steam and exfoliate with microdermabrasion to get the best out of your skin.
The key is in the quality of the products you choose. Use a cleanser that effectively works for your skin type and isn’t formulated with harmful ingredients. Choose skincare tools that are FDA-registered and approved and made in the USA. Follow up cleansing and microdermabrasion with a serum that doesn’t just throw buzzwords on the label to get you to buy it. Peptides are only beneficial when they’re medical-grade active peptides and paired with ingredients that work harmoniously with them.
The health of your skin is within reach when you activate all these steps the right way. You’ll soon see toned, tighter skin with fewer blemishes and dark spots. Pores will seemingly vanish away and skin will be soft, smooth, radiant, and glowing once again!
