What?

Using a cleansing oil/balm as your preliminary cleansing step in order to remove all makeup and sunscreen from the skin; therefore allowing your regular cleanser to actually work on the skin and not to have to push through all of the other gunk.

‍

Why?

Makeup, sunscreen, and the pollution our skin comes in contact with every day can create an imbalance of free radicals in the skin. Meaning that you may not be producing the protection your skin needs, leading to pigmentation, wrinkles, and a loss of p=collagen production. It's really important to have squeaky clean skin at the end of the day.

‍

Who?

People who wear transfer-resistant makeup or someone, like me, who wears an SPF every day that has an ingredient like Zinc in it. Also great for those with oily skin because the oil cleanser will break through some of that extra sebum to help make your second cleanse more effective.

‍

Why it works

• It's a depigmenting agent that decreases the formation of melanin.
• Actually could be safe for use if it's THOROUGHLY rinsed and not meant for continuous use. Unfortunately, it's normally used as a topical that you leave on your skin.
• From my experience, once you stop using it, the effects are gone as well.

Why it's toxic

• Known human respiratory toxicant
• Banned in Canada -meant for limited dosage.
• Can cause: skin turning dark or too light thinning of the skin visible blood vessels in the skin, kidney, liver or nerve damage abnormalities in a newborn baby (if used during pregnancy).

What is it?

Small oil deposits

What?

A skincare product, usually in the form of a spray or lotion that, when applied to the skin, is meant to balance the pH of the skin surface.

‍

Why?

Many cleansers will strip the pH of the skin, when this happens, your skin works overtime to return to balanced (between 4.5 and 5.5). This can result in an overproduction of oil. A toner will assist in this process so your skin doesn't have to overwork. Your pH is also disrupted when you sweat. Many toners can also be sprayed throughout the day for a refresh on dry or oily skin.

‍

Who?

Anyone who works out, people who get oily or acne prone skin, people who tend to get dry or oily throughout the day.

‍

‍

What it is

• First and foremost, it is an antioxidant! Antioxidants help to protect our skin from free radicals in the environment (think pollution, other elements that cause early aging.
• Very important to follow with sunscren!
• Stimulates collagen production and can help fade existing hyperpigmentation.

Who doesn't need it

• Those in direct sunlight - a good alternative is licorice root or use it at night instead of the morning.
• People sensitive to citrus.

What to look for

• Ascorbic Acid - 15-20% concentration will have greatest effects, however these can be very sensitizing. Find a product with other complimentary actives can help.
• An opaque container - clear containers can cause oxidation (turning it to a brownish color, making it less effective).
• Pro-tip - use a toning mist or hydrating essence to prep the skin for absorption.

‍

What it is

• It is a plant extract that has antioxidant properties. However, it's antioxidant content is too high to the point that it sensitizes the skin. This can make the skin feel stripped and extra dry.
• It is usually distilled with alcohol at a percentage of 14-15% which sensitizes the skin even more.
• It's understandable for it to be recommended for acne, however, it is just too much for the skin and can lead to dry, flaky skin, making the acne more sensitive and severe and causing you to need to add more moisture, which could potentially break you out even more. When it comes to acne, less is more.

Who is better

• If you have DRY skin - gllycolic acid 2-3x per week
• If you have OILY skin - Salicylic Acid or Willow Bark Extract 2-3x per week, depending on the ingredient standards you set for yourself.
• Use a clay mask once a week. For toner, I would choose something more soothing and gentle, or no toner at all.