Getting into the habit of a well-rounded skin care routine can be difficult. It can be hard to know what products to use, what order to use them, and what time of day to use them (morning or evening). Sometimes it can be overwhelming, and you might even wonder why a skin care routine matters at all. That is why it can be beneficial to use a pre-packaged skin care kit. A skin care kit will include all the essential products and instructions to explain how to use them. Our favorite kit is Jan Marini’s Skin Care Management System. It comes in four different variations, normal/combination, dry/very dry, normal/combination MD, and dry/very dry MD.

Jan Marini’s Skin Care Management System has five steps (six in the MD kits) and all the products are formulated to work synergistically. Five or six steps can seem like a lot but, once you get in the habit, it is quick and easy to get through. So, let’s take a deeper dive into the Skin Care Management System.

• STEP 1- CLEANSE: BIOGLYCOLIC FACE CLEANSER
  • Why? Cleansing the skin helps to avoid clogged pores, dullness and acne.
  • What is it? A cream-based cleanser that deeply cleanses the skin without irritation. It contains glycolic acid to aide in cell-turnover and sorbitol for hydration.
  • How to use it? Apply to dry skin and remove with a damp washcloth. Splash face with water and blot dry.
  • When to use it? AM/PM
• STEP 2- REJUVENATE: C-ESTA SERUM
  • Why? Environmental exposure to free-radicals, pollutants, infrared, blue light and UV are the number one cause of premature aging of the skin. Antioxidants protect the skin from the environmental factors that cause premature aging, while tightening, lifting and smoothing the skin.
  • What is it? A blend of antioxidants including Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and DMAE.
  • How to use it? Shake bottle well and apply to clean skin on the face and neck.
  • When to use it? AM/PM
• STEP 3- RESURFACE: BIOCLEAR FACE LOTION (normal/combination) or BIOCLEAR FACE CREAM (dry/very dry)
  • Why? Increasing cell turnover improves the overall appearance of the skin. Resurfacing smooths the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to clear blemishes on the skin.
  • What is it? A combination of glycolic, salicylic and azelaic acid that provide a broad range of benefits.
  • How to use it? Apply sparingly in the morning and evening. To minimize sensitivity, start with one application daily and gradually increase to twice a day.
  • When to use it? AM/PM
• STEP 3- RESURFACE: MARINI LUMINATE FACE LOTION MD (MD kits only)
  • Why? This step is for those who have concerns about hyperpigmentation.
  • What is it? A non-hydroquinone approach to reduce the appearance of discoloration and fine lines and wrinkles. This product includes a long list of lighteners and brighteners derived from various plants including, turmeric, berries, licorice root and green tea. These lighteners and brighteners to help lift existing pigment and prevent future pigment from appearing. It also includes retinol to assist in lightening pigment and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
  • How to use it? Applying sparingly over entire face every other evening then slowly increase to 1-2 times daily. *Product increases photosensitivity and should be used with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
  • When to use it? AM/PM
• STEP 4- HYDRATE: TRANSFORMATION FACE CREAM (normal/combination)
  • Why? Moisturizers hydrate and soften the skin and hydrated skin is the key to a youthful appearance. With age, the ability for the skin to hold moisture decreases and a moisturizer will help to prevent the skin from losing moisture through the outer most layers. A quality hydrator will reduce the appearance of damaged or aging skin.
  • What is it? An advanced hydrator that includes patented growth factor peptides, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to stimulate collagen and elastin, retain moisture and reduce fine line and wrinkles.
  • How to use it? Apply over the entire face and neck.
  • When to use it? AM/PM
• STEP 4- HYDRATE: AGE INTERVENTION FACE CREAM (dry/ very dry)
  • Why? This hydrator has all the benefits of a quality moisturizer, but is designed for dry, sensitive, or mature skin.
  • What is it? An intense hydrator that combats visible signs of aging from hormonal changes and sun exposure. It includes soy and red clover isoflavones to brighten the skin, decrease redness and boost collagen production. Other key ingredients include plankton extract for calming and healing benefits, Coenzyme Q10 for its antioxidant properties and essential fatty acids to aid in cell function.
  • How to use it? Apply to face and neck.
  • When to use it? AM/PM
• STEP 5- PROTECT: ANTIOXIDANT DAILY FACE PROTECTANT SPF 33
  • Why? Wearing sunscreen is arguably the most important step of a skin care routine. It helps to prevent premature aging, hyperpigmentation and skin cancer.
  • What is it? A quick absorbing and hydrating broad spectrum sunscreen with the addition of antioxidants and microscopic particles for oil control.
  • How to use it? Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating immediately after towel drying. A nickel-sized amount of product will give the full SPF benefits.
  • When to use it? AM

There are a few things to keep in mind when starting a new skin care routine. Firstly, it is important to be consistent and to give the products a chance to do their job. Although there can be some immediate benefits, it usually takes 6 weeks of consistent use (1-2x daily) to notice significant change. Secondly, when introducing new products into your routine, it is best to ask how to incorporate your new product into your existing routine. However, a few rules of thumb are: after cleansing apply serums from thinnest to thickest and then finish with moisturizer; Vitamin C and other antioxidant serums are usually most beneficial for day time use unless otherwise stated and Retinol products are most beneficial at night.

Wherever you purchase your skin care products should be able to assist you in any questions you have about your skin care routine. At Skin Care By Design we are always happy to help with any questions!

Skin care product launches nearly doubled over the past ten years and the same active ingredient is still used in most of these products. That’s good old retinoid. Retinoid is a class of vitamin A used for skin care since the 70’s. It was developed as an acne treatment in the 60’s by Dr. Albert Kligman, a professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. Kligman noticed that his acne patients had reduced wrinkles and improved skin tones.

Retinoids are amazing multitaskers! They act directly on the DNA of skin cells, boosting cell functions that slow down once we hit our 30’s. Retinoids increase cellular turnover by sloughing off dead, damaged skin cells, which improves the health and enhances the radiance of your skin. Retinoids also thin the top layer of your skin (the stratum corneum) while thickening the lower layers of the epidermis, helping to achieve a firm and luminous complexion. The benefits continue deeper below the surface. Retinoids boost the production of collagen (the skin’s primary support structure) and prevent collagen breakdown. They also increase the levels of glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid that keep your skin plump and hydrated.

Which Retinoid is Right for You?

If you are a newbie, over the counter products are a good place to start. Look for retinoids labeled as “encapsulated” or “stabilized” and retinoids called “retinol” or “retinyl palmitate”. These ingredients convert to retinoic acid in the skin. We suggest that you purchase your retinoid in an airless pump because all retinoids are sensitive to light, heat, and air. Vitamin A is prone to breaking down and losing its potency so store your retinoids appropriately.

Prescription retinoids contain pure retinoic acid, which is up to 20 times stronger than OTC products. Higher retinoid levels mean that you will see quicker results but it’s very important not to jump right into prescription strength because of the side effects. The most common side effects include redness, burning, peeling, flaking, and dry skin.

OTC retinoids can give you a brighter, smoother complexion in just a few days but you should allow at least 6 weeks to see noticeable results. After six months, consider moving to a prescription retinoid, but only if your skin feels comfortable and can tolerate the higher strength.

How to Care for Your Skin

You finally achieved great skin! Now what? You need to protect your skin daily with an SPF of 30 or higher because retinoids thin out the top layer of dead skin cells, making you more prone to sunburn. So it’s best to apply retinoids only at night to avoid any discomfort during the day. Here are some quick and simple instructions to ramp up faster results:

1. Wash your face at bedtime with a mild cleanser. You may use an alpha hydroxy acid or a salicylic acid but avoid cleansers containing rough beads. Wait about 20 minutes after cleansing before applying your retinoid to avoid stinging.
2. Apply a dime sized amount of retinoid (total) to your face, neck, and chest. Do not apply a retinoid inside your orbital bone because it could irritate your eyes. The heat from your face will liquefy the retinoid outside the orbital bone and push it toward your eyes, addressing any fine lines and wrinkles in that area.
3. Follow the retinoid with a night moisturizer as needed. If your skin is very sensitive, apply a thin layer of moisturizer before applying the retinoid.
4. If you can’t tolerate the irritation, wash off the retinoid after 15 minutes. This is known as a “short contact” method, which can greatly increase your comfort while slightly lessening the benefits.
5. Begin using your retinoid twice weekly for two weeks, then increase to three times weekly. If you encounter too much irritation, reduce the frequency until your skin can tolerate the increase. Try to work your way up to nightly applications but, if your skin is most comfortable at three or four times weekly, then stay there.

Retinoids are probably the best single product you can use to improve your skin’s health and beauty.  Follow the simple steps above to make your retinoid experience painless and effective.