Skin.to

The great thing about nourishing serums is that the ingredients can be layered for greater benefits without damaging your skin. Knowing which one to choose depends on what your skin needs to improve. The difference between these serums and acid serums are that their main purpose is to heal and protect, rather than stimulate your skin into action.

For acne and resulting inflammation and healing, you can look into anti-acne and anti-bacterial treatments such as tea tree, green tea, and propolis.

For dehydration, sun damage and eczema, soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as snail, beta glucan would be most appropriate.

If your skin is red, dull, or you feel that your barrier feels damaged or exposed, a buffet serum such as the Purito centella unscented serum may be appropriate, though niacinamide could be irritating for certain skin conditions.

Finally, if your skin barrier is dry and compromised and needs something more nourishing, you could consider fatty acids like those in the Great Barrier Relief to help rebuild your barrier.

Vitamin C is known to be a powerhouse ingredient for everything from lightening acne scars to anti-aging to preventing sun damage.

L-absorbic acid is the most pure form of vitamin C, however, it is also the least shelf stable. So products like the Klairs & CosRx vitamin C should be finished in 2-3 months

Vitamin C is most effective at lower skin pH levels, this means it's super important to make sure you balance your skin with a toner or use a low pH cleanser before applying vitamin C right after

Vitamin C can be stripping since it's stimulating the skin, this means starting at a low concentration with a hydrating formulation is important. Applying only once a day and using sunscreen after applying vitamin C is also critical.

A product you could add or replace in each step of your routine to brighten it up

You've probably heard by now for smooth glowing skin, skincare is more important than makeup. But especially in the winter microdust, pollution, oxidants and dry air leave your skin looking dehydrated, tight, tired and overall greyish.

Changing one product in your routine to a brightening product could make a world of a difference. Brightening could happen in many ways - exfoliating clears up the skin, anti-oxidants protect your skin against external stimulants and reduces production of melanin, ferments and propolis hydrate, etc.
Finally, if your skin needs a boost, without caking on lots of primer and foundation try a tone-up sunscreen or the Missha glow skin balm to get it there

Featuring products that will enhance your hair routine

While our focus is skincare, taking good care of your hair is very complementary in your overall self care. We wanted to make sure you know your options:

Hair oils: Hair oils are made of cold pressed oil, in the case of Oshima Tsubaki it's 100% red camellia oil, which adds anti-oxidants to protect and balance to the hair while strengthening and adding shine. camellia japonica used in the Oshima Tsubaki is a much more effective ingredient than camellia oleifera, which is used in a lot of other camellia hair products.

Hair serums: serums are a concoction of oils and extracts to nourish your hair and keep it shiny and soft. Massaging it into your scalp will also strengthen roots and prevent hair breakage.

Hair masks: Hair masks are wash off masks that increase the moisture retention and shine of your hair, reducing frizz, dryness and split ends. I'll apply after conditioner and clip it up while finishing the rest of my routine before washing out. Typically it's a good idea to leave it in for 10-15 minutes. Hair masks aren't meant to be applied to the scalp, just the rest of your hair.

Treating acne depends on whether you have active breakouts - which focus on soothing and healing, and post breakouts - which focuses on reducing blemishes and marks while repairing the barrier.

Adding these steps will ensure that your breakouts heal properly, don't get bacteria in them, and doesn't leave lasting marks.

The Fall for Skincare is here, with markdowns for most products on the site this month, while supplies last

If you ask me for help in choosing a serum, my first question will be whether there are any specific issues you want to address. Since in a skincare routine your serum typically has the highest concentration of active ingredients, choose the most high priority issue or benefit to address with a small bottle that makes a punch.

People with oily skin come to me often with a dilemma during the winter because the environment is getting dryer but they're getting oilier or their skin is acting up.

Having a soothing winter cream for oily skin is really critical because it's the most essential step in keeping you barrier in good shape from the bipolar weather and trapped pollutants that come with Canadian winters.

Luckily, a lot of soothing creams are formulated for people with oily skin, so there is plentiful choice depending on what you want to prioritize and the texture.

DM me if you still don't know how to choose!

Layering for oily skin

Often times having oily skin means that you have to worry about congestion and making sure you don't strip your skin but not add extra oil either. This means light products that are nourishing, so sometimes a few layering products are better for oily skin than using creams, since they're light but compact with active ingredients

When it comes to skincare more is not always better, finding a routine and being consistent with it over time is the goal

Some actives, especially for pores and acne, require your skin to grow tolerant to it, so starting with 1-2x a week and building up is important to not damage the barrier.

Breakouts are never fun, but how you treat your skin during a breakout has lasting effects on how it heals and whether it leaves its mark on your skin.

A lot of acne scarring is genetics, if your skin produces a lot of melanin that congregated in the area as your acne is healing, then you'll still have to use post-acne ingredients to treat them. However, new scars are always easier to fade than older scars, and keeping the area bacteria free and not picking at it or irritating it will go a long way

When recommending moisturizers they usually fall into 2 categories, gel-types that are more hydrating and meant for oily/combo skin types, and thicker creams that are heavier emollients for normal/dry skin types.

Some people may also choose to use a lighter moisturizer during the day, and a thicker moisturizer at night.

Morning routine vs. Night routine

A common question is the difference between products that go in a morning vs. night routine. You probably don't need a brand new routine between day and night, but there are certain types of products that are more effective in one or the other.

Another reason you might switch in and out products is consistency. In the morning you might use easily absorbed and layerable products so your makeup sits well on top or look shiny. At night you might use thicker products to lock in everything even if the finish is heavy or shiny.