I believe that you can really move mountains by using medical grade skin care products at home. I have spent years perfecting my skincare regimen and finding and using products that are actually working for my skin. Now, I know what you’re thinking, maybe you’re a mom and a wife and you work – and cook, and clean. You’re thinking, “I don’t have time to spend 30 minutes on my face twice a day!” Trust me Mama, neither do I! This may seem like a lot of steps, but it truly takes no time at all! Feeling amazing in your own skin is the best gift you can give yourself!
Skin Care ProductS I Use in My Morning Routine
Gentle Cleanser
In the morning I start with a gentle cleanser and right now I’m loving RFA Gentle Foaming Cleanser. I like to keep the morning cleanser gentle because I use a lot of exfoliant acids in the evening.
Hydration
I use HA Peptide Serum. It’s hyaluronic acid that your skin can drink up like a tall glass of water. I’ll let it sit on my face while I brush my teeth and make sure it has time to really seep into my skin. It leaves my skin feeling super hydrated! This product helps balance out the drying effects of the exfoliating pads I use, which is super important!
Make SPF a Priority
Do we really need to go over the importance of sunscreen?! Prioritize your health and the largest organ on your body this year and start wearing a sunscreen that will protect your face without irritation. Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 provides UVA/UVB protection and contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and niacinamide to help clear acne-prone skin and improve circulation. I LOVE the tinted version to combine your foundation and sunscreen in one simple step!
Eye Cream
I have 2 that I LOVE and rotate through. I love the Hydrating Eye Serum. This eye serum is especially good for more mature skin and fine lines and wrinkles and has plump and anti-aging benefits! I apply this in the AM all underneath my eye, then onto my eyelid and underneath my brow. A great tip is to actually use your eye cream on your lips as a moisturizer! If you are especially concerned with wrinkles or milia around the eye I suggest an eye cream with retinol and I absolutely love The Youthful Eye Cream Retinol + Niacinamide. This is use at night. It contains a retinol cream and a moisturizing cream.
Neck Cream
A neck cream because it’s important to treat our neck just like we do our face. A few times a week I use Youthful Neck GF. This contains micro peptides that are so tiny they are scientifically proven to penetrate and help rebuild elasticity! You don’t want to see a clear difference in your face and neck later in life…don’t neglect your neck!
Evening Skin Routine
Double Cleansing
My evening skincare routine is where correction happens. First up, I recommend double cleansing because it’s time to stop sleeping in makeup and instead go to bed each night with a cleansed and hydrated face. Cleanse your skin by using a dime-size amount of cleanser. Next, use a makeup wipe to remove any residual makeup and eye makeup (I like to use Neutrogena makeup wipes for this). Lastly, cleanse again with another dime-size amount of cleanser (the same one is fine). This is the best way to ensure all of your makeup is removed. Rinse, cleanse, wipe, cleanse, rinse! This is exactly how we remove makeup in the office before any kind of treatment.
Pro Tip: If you’re cleansing your face in the shower make sure it’s the LAST thing you do! You don’t want shampoo, conditioner or body wash residue running over your face after you cleansed it!
The Importance of Exfoliating Acid
Consistent use of an exfoliating acid makes all the difference. I always recommend that when prioritizing your skincare you should “splurge” on your exfoliating acid. As we age, our skin cell turnover slows and slows and we are left with dull skin. These products not only brighten you back up but they also can be used to treat pigmentation and acne. Your exfoliating acid could be retinol, Koji-C pads, lytic, and/or Lux pads. By implementing a product like this into your routine we are increasing skin cell turn-over leaving you with brighter, tighter, and glowing!
- Retinol is great for anti-aging, wrinkles and fine lines, and acne.
- Koji-C Pads are excellent for evening out the skin tone and erasing sun damage and pigmentation.
- Lux Pads – think a once per week pore reduction, tightening, and brightening treatment – I think anyone can benefit from that!
You can always start with one and add the rest over time! If you wanted to start with just one new medical-grade product, my recommendation is to go for the Lux Pads! This is my one-stop, overnight, facelift in a jar. Cleanse, apply pad with no moisturizer or additional product, go to sleep, and wake up to noticeably tighter, brighter, and GLOWING skin!
Take it Slow
When you start off with these exfoliating products, take it slow and even use some nights “off” if you find yourself irritated. On those off nights, you can moisturize. I use HydraLipid Moisturizer for hydration. On nights when I am feeling a little dry I will even go ahead and moisturize directly on top of the pads – it is totally OK to do that from time to time. It is important to listen to your skin!
Radiant Vitamin C Serum
When I’m not using the Lux Pads, I like to use Radiant Vitamin C Serum. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and will heal your skin from the inside out. You can use this in the AM or PM before the pads, after the pads or however it works best for you! This Radiant Vitamin C serum is special because we worked so hard to make it absolutely perfect! It contains the highest potency of Vitamin C&E and it does not contain ascorbic acid which many do (that blocks some of the penetration!)
The Rest of the Essentials
You can use your eye cream and neck cream every PM in addition to the AM. Sometimes I will use these solely in the PM. There is no right or wrong way to do it – its truly what is best for you!
Last but not least, a few times per week I use Latisse. This is a prescription eyelash serum that helps your lashes grow longer, thicker, and darker. I have been using this for over 10 years and it is truly one of my best (unkept) lash secrets! Long lashes really anti-age and brighten the eye. This is definitely one of my highest satisfaction treatments among my patients and it’s super easy and you can use it at home! Good news is I can prescribe this and ship nationwide if you are interested read more about how it works and how to obtain a prescription through my blog.
Important Tips
Investing in Quality Products is Majorly Worth it!
Medical grade skincare means that these products can only be sold by medical professionals because they contain the most active and effective ingredients. These are going to be a lot more powerful than products you can get at the drug store or beauty counter. I always make sure to point out ot my patients that although the initial investment can seem like a lot there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Most of the products last 3-4 months because a little really goes a long way. You are going to find that you go through these more slowly than your previous products (The Lux pads even last 6-9 months!!)
- Even if you just start with a single item or a few foundational staples I know you’ll feel and see a big difference! I always say to start with a cleanser, retinol/Koji-C/or Lux pads, and a moisturizer. We can always add on from there!
Self Tanner
I don’t recommend tanning solution or tanning drops on the face. I do love my spray tans but I never spray my face. Self-tanner can cause issues with pigmentation and uneven skin tone. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news…I just have a hard time recommending something that could interfere with what the products are set out to do.
Never, Ever Pick your Blemishes
I know, I know this can be easier said than done, but it’s time to commit to STOP. I beg you, please stop picking at your blemishes! It only exacerbates the problem and transfers bacteria from your hands onto your face – right where you DON’T want it.
Not only that, but the inflammation caused by picking creates broken skin, sores, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (little red marks/scars) that can take weeks to months to fully heal. Instead, use a treatment cream that contains salicylic acid. It works to slough away dead skin cells, minimize excess oil production and unclog pores of unwanted debris for a clear and calm complexion! Picking at your skin now will only require more expensive treatments down the line to help heal scars and discoloration. Save yourself now!
Consistency is Key
In order to see amazing results you have to commit to using the products consistently & regularly. Like anything, it becomes a habit. It’s super quick and honestly enjoyable. Once you start seeing those results..you won’t want to stop! Your results will only continue to improve over time with consistent use.
Gut Health = Skin Health
It is without question that our diet affects our skin. Our skin is actually our largest organ and if it’s presenting blemishes, rashes or discoloration it can often be a result of something being off in our gut. If we eat foods we might be intolerant too, or foods that are toxic to our body they can actually ruin the lining of our intestine. If the lining of the intestine is compromised then particles from our food may get into our bloodstream and cause irritation and inflammation which can show up as skin problems. Crazy right?! To keep my gut health in check I take Opti-Greens 50 every day and sometimes twice a day! It’s an immune-boosting greens powder which includes powdered vegetables, digestive enzymes and probiotics. Basically it’s equal to taking a 2oz shot of juiced greens + a probiotic + digestion support!
Skin Care Is Not One Size Fits All
Remember, skincare is not one size fits all so it’s important to find what works best for you! I provide complimentary, custom regimens online!
Whether you are looking for anti-aging, acne treatment, or even pregnancy-safe regimens – I can help! I help patients nationwide achieve their best skin by using medical-grade skincare. I love being able to reach and help people all over the country with the very same products I use daily in my practice.
If you’re ready to start working towards healthier balanced skin today fill out the form here and click ‘Request Now’. I’ll create a plan that fits your needs with product recommendations. I ship nationwide. What are you waiting for!? This is your year to have CLEAR and GLOWING skin baby!
Skincare Summary
All skincare products can be purchased here.
AM:
1. Cleanse with RFA Gentle Foaming Cleanser or Cream Cleanser
2. Koji-C Pad (every other day or so)
3. HA Peptide Serum or Hydralipid Moisturizer
4. Elta Daily 40 SPF
5. Hydrating Eye Serum
PM:
1. Double cleanse to remove makeup
2. Alternate nights with Koji-C Pad and Retinol
2.1 Off nights I use HydraLipid Moisturizer for hydration
3. Youthful Eye Cream Retinol + Niacinamide
4. Latisse
