Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Back when I did my microdermabrasion benefits post I also switched up my skincare routine and began using Skinceuticals, per my esthetician's suggestion (I see Jamie at Touch Med Spa). I like to give any skincare products some time before suggesting them to you. It has been 6 weeks, which is a good amount of time to try something out in order to give you my thoughts and a full Skinceuticals review.
In early September I had my first facial with Jamie, during which we did a concise skin analysis using VISIA, which gives a deep read on everything going on with your skin such as sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, pores, spots, and texture. She followed that up with a full facial, including microdermabrasion (read about my VISIA results and microdermabrasion experience here). Based on her thoughts after getting a good sense of my skin she recommended a number of new products from Skinceuticals.
As always, I like to really give things a chance on my skin before reporting back on my thoughts to you which is why I waited to give a Skinceuticals review. When I started using their products I stopped all other products because I really wanted to get a sense for just Skinceuticals. Skincare can be so difficult. I often go through an initial purging phase, where I completely break out, and this was no different. Around the 3 week point, right before I was due to see Jamie again for a follow up facial, my skin had finally started to calm down, but I couldn't yet say, "I love these products!" Aside from when a product can quickly clear up acne, it's really difficult to see changes on our own skin, which is why I'm so glad we did VISIA again. The decrease in fine lines around my eyes was unbelievable! I was shocked and elated!
Fine Lines prior to using Skinceuticals
Exactly one month later...already a visible decrease in lines
Amazing right?! So here's a breakdown of all the products I'm using...
Skinceuticals Replenishing Cleanser
Perfect for dehydrated and aging skin, and all skin types. I'm using this morning and night, the tiniest bit goes a long way so the product lasts forever!
Skinceuticals Serum 10 AOX+
This is the perfect introductory Vitamin C thanks to its 10% L-Ascorbic Acid. Many people can experience sensitivity when they start using Vitamin C serums so this is a great place to start, which I use every morning. Vitamin C serum helps to protect your skin from environmental pollutants and treat signs of aging, including fine lines and pigmentation issues. This one is responsible for helping with the pigmentation issues I have on my forehead! I dive a little deeper if you want to learn more about Vitamin C serums in this post.
H.A. Intensifier
We just added this on during my second session with Jamie. Hyaluronic acid is best known for helping with dry skin, which I felt I needed. I tend to already be very dry, couple that with frequent traveling, being in a dryer climate, and adding Retinol to my routine (more on that in a minute), it was necessary. I've added the H.A. Intensifier on in the morning (as well as right after getting off a plane--it's perfection!) and am so happy with it.
Skinceuticals Metacell Renewal B3
A lightweight moisturizer, works for any skin type which can help with discoloration, aging, and dehydration. As I always say, I have very dry skin so we found this may not have been enough for me which is why we added on the H.A. Intensifier. I use this product morning and night.
Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
One of Allure's Best of Beauty winners, I love this tinted sunscreen because it's not just helpful but also has a beautiful finish. Its broad spectrum UVA/UVB provides great protection so I've been using it every morning.
Skinceuticals AOX+ Eye Gel
Great for any skin type, this under eye gel helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness, and under-eye circles--all thing I'm always looking for help with! I've been using this morning and evening and I was shocked by the difference VISIA revealed in the fine lines around my eyes. It's so hard to tell if you're noticing a difference when you look in the mirror everyday, but there was no denying the amazing difference, just in one month, when looking at the VISIA images.
Skinceuticals Retinol 0.3
Retinol helps stimulate the production of new skin cells; however, Retinol can also be quite harsh on the skin, so Skinceuticals just added this 0.3 strength, which is perfect for people just starting to use Retinol. Because of its intensity and my skin's sensitivity, Jamie advised I only use it 3 evenings a week (which after a month we upped to 4) and will continue increasing from there. Retinol helps with wrinkles, pore size, skin discoloration, and acne...but only after you get through some of the initial havoc it can reek. Some Retinol side effects can be irritation, dryness, redness, breakout--all of which I experienced! I make sure to really apply the H.A. Intensifier the mornings after I use my Retinol. Also, it's important to know Retinol can increase your sensitivity to the sun so all the more reason to need the Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense. You'll want to skip using any retinol a couple days prior to any kind of facial treatments.
After seeing my story on Instagram about the facial Jamie did at Touch Med Spa, she called it a Red Carpet facial, I received a lot of messages asking more specifics about it so I thought best to let her explain! She said, "The treatment I did on you was a gel peel with both Glycolic and Lactic acid. I called it Red Carpet as it gives you a beautiful radiant glow!! You will leave looking better than when you come in, with no downtime. The treatment I did consisted of a double cleanse, micro-polish in leu of the dermaplane, facial massage for circulation, and then ending with a pore refining clay mask which is great for reducing redness and inflammation. To conclude we used a warm towel to remove the mask and then applied Vitamin C serum and Physical Fussion 50, which has a light tint to it. As you know we offer a club membership so that we see you monthly. The treatments are designed to hit sun damage on different layers of the skin, starting with the most superficial and working your way deeper with each monthly treatment." I love that Touch Med Spa has a club so that you're seen on a monthly basis. This is great for staying proactive and on top of your skin rather than having to repair and correct. I also really love Jamie's approach to working her way up to some of the more extreme treatments, versus just diving in.
I cannot believe the holidays are upon us. Sometimes I don't know where the time goes. Sending you all love and well wishes!
xo, JB
