Skincare. It’s important for everyone, not just “girls”. You see, skincare in this day and age is seen as feminine, when it really shouldn’t be. Skincare can do a variety of things, such as help with acne, add moisture to the skin, build your skin barrier, help with aging, protect, and many more. Building your skin routine with products that help with your skin needs will help in the long run for its health.

Figuring out a skincare routine can be challenging. There are so many resources out there in regards to what to use and not use. Although there are many resources, you may not know what to use. You can use trial and error, or you can talk to a skincare professional, also known as an esthetician. Estheticians are licensed skincare professionals who have completed 300-1000 hours of cosmetology. They can guide you, giving tips about products and what routine you should follow. If you have any complicated skin issues or painful lesions, you should go straight to a dermatologist.

A dermatologist is a board-certified medical doctor who has completed four years of medical school, a one year internship in their department of choice, and a three year dermatology residency. The most common skin concern along skin is cystic acne. Cystic acne is a type of inflammatory acne that forms below the skin barrier causing painful symptoms. You can get prescribed topical ointments/creams to improve your symptoms.

Skincare isn’t just concerned with your face, but your whole body as well! Skin is the largest organ in the body, which means keeping it healthy and hydrated is a must. The epidermis layer of skin is renewed about every four weeks, which causes the skin to flake and become dry. Exfoliation is the key to solving the flakiness while helping the skin throughout the renewal process. After exfoliating, the skin will need to be moisturized to avoid dryness. The skin must be moisturized with oil or lotion to prevent this.

As someone who enjoys skincare, it took awhile for me to figure out what products work/don’t work for me. At the beginning of my journey, I watched many videos on products as well as using the trial and error method. After a couple years of using different products, I decided to consult with Danielle Bartsh (“dapperskinbydan” on Instagram), a licensed esthetician, of Serenity Couture Rochester. She assessed my skin and recommended products that would work best for me.

The world of skincare is wondrous and complicated—but with the help of professional guidance—you can look and feel the best you ever have!