A lot of people have been asking me how I care for my own skin, so to satisfy the curiosity, here goes:
I have always taken good care of my skin, even as a child. I believe that how your mother cares for her skin will decide how you may take care of yours. If your mother didn’t do much to her skin, then chances are, you have learned not to do much to yours.
My Mother got facials regularly. I’m sure it’s from her years of growing up in her own mother’s (my grandmother) hair salon and being exposed to the art of beauty, pampering and self care. (Read why my grandmother was my beauty role model.) So while my mother didn’t necessarily teach me how to care for my skin, just watching how she cared for hers had a positive impact on me.
In High School, I struggled with breakouts. My face produced a lot of oil, but where I really had problems was with breakouts on my back. I took antibiotics and used many topical creams (that bleached out all my clothes from the Benzoyl Peroxide), only to discover years later that my hair conditioner was the culprit! Read why hair conditioner can cause back acne.
I was also a very serious skin picker and luckily have cured my bad habit. Read: Are you Guilty of Picking at Your Skin?
These days, reducing oil production, lessening sensitivity, keeping clogged pores under control and keeping my skin looking young, smooth and even-toned are my main concerns.
My skin type: Of my nine skin types, I’m a skin type #2, which is Oily/Combination/Occasional Breakouts/Anti-Aging. (What is your skin type?)
My morning routine:
Step 1: Cleanse with Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel. I used Purifying Face Wash for years, but I now really love the pick-me-up that the Luxe Mint gives in the morning. I absolutely love it!
Step 2: I primarily use Elderberry Toner, but sometimes in the winter I’ll use Moisture Infusion Toner if I’m feeling dehydrated. I gave up cotton balls years ago and always apply toner to our Toning Cloths. They are amazing.
Step 3: Apply a few drops of Vitamin C& E Complex. My skin can be really sensitive sometimes, so using a stable no-sting antioxidant serum works great for me.
Step 4: Apply Daily Protection SPF 30 to my entire face, including the neck and sides of the neck. If I’m wearing a shirt that exposed my chest area, then I’ll be sure to apply it to this area. Sunscreens and my skin never got along until I created this amazing product formulated for acne-prone skin. The Zinc Oxide used has natural anti-bacterial properties so it’s actually helping to prevent breakouts when worn on the skin. Who knew that a sunscreen could actually lessen breakouts?
When I’ve completed these steps I then proceed with makeup. I use mineral powder since it not only offers additional protection but it’s so compatible with my oily skin. I use ColoreScience SPF 50 mineral powder in the fair shade.
I wash my skin faithfully every night. The few times throughout the years that I went to bed without washing, I would always develop at least one blemish in the morning. Bacteria breeds in oil. When you’re sleeping with a day’s worth of oil and makeup you’re more prone to getting blemishes.
My evening routine:
Step 1: Cleanse with Aloe Cleansing Milk or Rosemary Mint Cleanser. It’s so important to use cleansing lotions at night for makeup removal. Even though they don’t feel like you’re getting as ‘clean’ as a cleansing gel, they will clean effectively and do a better job at removing makeup. Plus, mine are formulated to be water-soluble so they won’t leave a greasy residue. I wipe over my skin with our Facial Sponges in lieu of a washcloth after cleansing.
Step 2: Apply Elderberry Toner and leave damp.
Step 3: For seven nights in a row, I use our AHA Smoothing Serum 17%. The 10% isn’t strong enough for me and the 20% is too strong, but this one works great for me. It’s so important to avoid not overdo it when it comes to exfoliation which is why I only suggest using our AHA Smoothing Serums for a week at a time. My love for Glycolic Acid is strong. Hands down, it has improved my skin tremendously through the years by making my pores appear smaller, reducing my clogged pores, fading post-breakout marks, and giving my skin a smooth look.
For the next seven nights, I apply one of our specialty serums. I’m always changing these up depending on what my skin needs. If I’m breaking out, I’ll use Skin Correcting Serum, if I’m going through chemical peels, I’ll use Soothing Relief Serum and if all is normal, I use Skin Drink.
Step 4: Using moisturizer at night is a must. I alternate between Phytolipid Comfort Cream (for when I’m doing peels), Sheer Moisture during summer and Hawaiian Nourishing Cream during winter. Every one of these is lightweight and greaseless.
Step 5: Apply Total Eye Repair Cream in the winter, and Vitamin C Eye Brightener in the summer. I personally use eye cream only at night, but you can certainly use it during the day too. Our eye creams are the best—if you don’t mind me saying so.
Twice a week: I use Mint Buffing Beads in the shower to give a physical exfoliation and then about twice a month I use our Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. I love, love, love these products and how they make my skin look and feel smooth.
Monthly: I do a facial mask about once a month at home. I should do it more often but I just get busy. I love our Bio Calm Repair Masque in the summer and Pure Radiance Cream Mask in the summer. Whenever I use a mask, my skin looks so refreshed after that I always say, “Why don’t I do this more often?”
Professional Treatments: About every six weeks, I have one of my estheticians give me a facial. I alternate between the Essential 5 Facial, Synergy 3 or Cranberry Brasion Facial. (See our list of facials offered.) I LOVE giving facials and I sure enjoying getting them. I also get them when I travel. I love meeting other estheticians and learn what they are doing.
And then every other month or so, I’ll give my skin a professional chemical peel at home. I borrow it from the spa and do it at home. My skin will flake for several days but the results are great. I’m careful not to exfoliate too much since it can harm the skin. Read: Are Laser Treatments and Chemical Peels Damaging Your Skin?
Overall, I’m pretty happy with my skin. At 41, I’m definitely seeing more aging kick in, but I try not to worry about it. I’m not obsessed about looking older, I simply want to look good for my age and I believe that’s what most people want. I see too many people going overboard with cosmetic procedures and it can look so unnatural. Aging gracefully is good enough for me.
So there you have it. I really do practice what I preach and take good care of my skin. Sure, I have my skin issues, but they are under control by using the right products for my skin type and using them faithfully.
Have you picked out your skin type yet?
Watch my skin care tip videos!
Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
