By now, many of you have been able to get to know Maddie, our amazing esthetician and educational trainer. If not, head over to this post for an intro. She has been an esthetician for 5 ½ years and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to caring for the skin. Today, Maddie covers some of the most frequently asked questions she gets on a daily basis in the treatment room. Read on for skincare wisdom!

Is double cleansing necessary?

Yes! Double cleansing is an important step in a regimen as it allows for you to thoroughly cleanse the skin and removes debris, makeup, and sunscreen. A double cleanse will also better prepare your skin for a better absorption of the next skincare products in your routine. Bonus: use one of our Bamboo Facial Cloths for an even more elevated cleansing routine.

Is this going to break me out?

This is a very common question amongst all estheticians, and most of the time you will get similar answers. Skincare is not universal and it is not a one size fits all (most of the time). You and your best friend could both purchase the same product and have completely different results, but that doesn’t mean it's a bad product, it just means it wasn't best suited for your specific skin needs. Purging is common when incorporating a new product into your skincare routine, especially if there are active acids in the product. 

What is hyaluronic acid and should I be using it? 

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is actually my favorite skincare ingredient! HA is a naturally producing molecule in our bodies, commonly found in the eyes, joints, and skin. Most everything I use has a form of HA within the other ingredients. Regularly applying a topical HA will give you endless benefits like hydration, clarity, a plump/protected skin barrier, smooth texture, and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. HA holds about 1000x its own molecular water weight, so upon application your skin will feel like it just took a big sip of water. HA is also considered acne safe because it provides an ideal water-oil ratio upon application, thus balancing and maintaining what your skin lacks without excess.

Can I use vitamin C morning and night?

Yes! Using a vitamin C in your morning routine is key to fighting off environmental stressors and free radical damage. It's a common belief to incorporate vitamin C in the morning time only because the stabilized molecule acts as a shield against  daytime environmental stressors. It won’t hurt you to use your vitamin C in the evening, but it is not necessary especially if you are using a retinoid at night. Daily use of vitamin C results in a more radiant and toned complexion with immense brightening properties.

My dermatologist recommended Cetaphil, why don't you? 

This has to be one of the most common questions I get from clients, and it's a totally valid question! Dermatologists treat skin diseases and disorders of the skin with oral supplements, creams that come with contraindications, and surgical implements. Cetaphil and Cerave are two of the most common drugstore brands that carry little to no risk to a patient under the physician's care because they do not have powerful enough ingredients to cause an adverse reaction to the medications prescribed by their physician. Esthetician’s recommend products with more active/nourishing ingredients that offer minimal down time, no medications, a custom AM & PM routine, and guidance on how to properly care for their skin at home.