Once you’ve identified your skin type, you’re ready to create the perfect skincare routine for your needs. The best skin care routine covers the basics that everyone needs, with some adjustments for skin type. We call this a “Micro” routine. Using the essentials as a base, use additional products to target specific issues or areas of concern, as needed. We call this expanded routine a “Macro” routine.
Micro Skin Care Routine
Every “Micro” Skin Care Routine has 3 core products (in order):
- Cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Facial Oil
BONUS: We should all be wearing SPF 30 Sunscreen.
This approach is designed to clear your skin of debris, restore hydration, and rebuild your skin’s natural defenses.
Cleansers come in many types and formulas for each skin type and concern. In general, we recommend gel cleansers like Detox Wash for oily or combination skin to help remove excess oil, pollution, or debris on the surface of the skin.
For dry or sensitive skin, cream or “milk” cleansers, like Sensi Wash, help clear your skin as gently as possible. For makeup removal or generally dry skin, we find oil-based cleansers like Buriti Purifying Cleanser easily melt away face makeup and restore your skin’s natural oil balance.
No matter which type of cleanser you choose, make sure it is free of artificial chemicals and detergents. The most common ingredient to look for is sodium lauryl sulfate, also known as “SLS”, a known irritant that weakens your skin’s natural defenses and is generally harsher than anything we want to put on our face.
Moisturizer
After your skin is clean and dry, follow with a moisturizer. The best basic skin care routine should include a strong multitasker, with 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 functionality, like Detox Daily Moisturizer, which is high in both antioxidants and botanical actives to nourish skin while maximizing your skin’s natural healing.
Facial Oil
Follow your moisturizer with a facial oil targeting your skin type. This seals moisture into your skin, balancing your skin’s natural oil production, and promotes your skin’s natural elasticity and texture. Not all face oils are created equal! Avoid mineral oil, choosing a natural oil instead, preferably one with a balanced Omega Oil complex, like our best-selling Organic Omega Oil, which has a blend of Omegas 3, 6, and 9.
WAIT! BEFORE YOU FINISH...
Lastly, every skin care routine MUST include sunscreen, like Daily Shield. Sun damage is the #1 cause of premature aging and collagen loss, leading to age spots and melasma. When applying sunscreen, make sure to apply it to all exposed skin, including your face, décolleté, and the tops of your hands. Remember there is no substitute for sunscreen.
Macro Skin Routine
Level up your skin care routine by adding targeted high-performance treatments to your Micro ritual. Specific products that target your individual concerns create a customized solution for your exact needs, whether that’s acne, redness, or fine lines.
Sonya Dakar’s Best Macro Skin Care Routine (in order):
- Cleanser
- Exfoliator
- Serum
- Moisturizer
- Face Oil
- Eye Cream
- Face Mask
BONUS: SPF 30 Sunscreen
Exfoliator
Starting with clean, dry skin, an exfoliator removes additional debris from the surface of the skin, including dead skin cells. Starting as early as your 20’s, dry flaky skin creates the appearance of dullness and fine lines. Additionally, these dead skin cells create a partial barrier, blocking nutrients and soaking up the moisture that belongs in your skin, rather than on it. A good exfoliator removes that layer of dead skin, revealing your fresh skin underneath and maximizes the impact of serums and moisturizers.
Exfoliators come in two main versions: chemical and physical. Chemical exfoliators bind with dead surface skin, washing off with water, while physical exfoliators use particles to agitate the surface of your skin and remove that dead outer layer.
Our favorite chemical exfoliator is Flash Facial, which uses hylasome (a super-charged hyaluronic acid) and prickly pear to bond with that dead skin layer and remove it with a little friction and water.
If your skin is more congested or you’re worried about skin texture, we recommend a physical exfoliator, like our Omega Polish and Activator, a dual-stage skin polish that combines into a fine paste that can be used as a mask, polish, or peel.
We strongly recommend against scrubs, which cause micro-tears in the surface of your skin, resulting in premature aging and damaging your skin’s ability to heal.
Serums
Once your skin is completely clean and clear of dead skin cells, a targeted serum can be applied before your Moisturizer. Serums are great for targeted concerns like anti-aging or breakout prevention. Our current favorite is Ultima C Serum, which combines Vitamin C with hyaluronic acid to brighten skin tone and increase firmness. Alternates include Super Clear, for acne-prone skin, or Retinu, to combat skin damage and signs of aging.
Eye Cream
Follow your facial oil with an eye cream or eye balm. The skin around your eyes is more delicate than the rest of your face and needs special attention to counter the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This area, in particular, deserves preventative care - the earlier the better. Eye creams or balms often have targeted aspects, like Eye Need to plump the eye area, or Jade Energy, which energizes and hydrates your eye area.
Lastly, using a face mask a few times a week can help further detoxify skin and minimize pores for a clean, fresh foundation for your full skin care routine. Fan favorites include Volcano Mask and Rose Gold Radiance Mask.
Remember, no skincare routine is complete without SPF 30 Sunscreen!
