DAILY SKINCARE ROUTINE
Step 1: Wash Up
Remove makeup and dirt caused by daily activity every night before bed. This will keep your pores clear so that your skin can naturally regenerate while you sleep.
Recommended Products:
All Skin Types: An all-in-one makeup remover that cleanses and tones. Try Avène Miscellaire Lotion, $29 (US), drug stores.
All Skin Types: Eye-makeup remover. Try MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover, $22, maccosmetics.com.
Step 2: Cleanse
It's especially important to wash your face every morning and night in the summer, when you tend to perspire more due to the high temperatures and humidity.
Recommended Products:
Normal/Combination: A cleansing gel or lotion. Try La Roche Posay Physiological Cleanser, $21, Shoppers Drug Mart.
Dry/Sensitive: A cleansing cream or milk. Try Care by Stella McCartney Gentle Cleansing Milk, $40, Holt Renfrew.
Oily/Acne Prone: An oil-free foaming cleanser. Try Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, $12, drug stores.
Step 3: Tone
This is an optional step, but all skin types can benefit from using an alcohol-free toner. It removes cleanser residue and dirt, restores skin’s pH balance and helps to close pores. Note: Toners containing alcohol can dry out skin.
Recommended Products:
All Skin Types: An alcohol-free toner. Try Fresh Rose Marigold Tonic Water, $48, Beauty Mark, beautymark.ca.
Step 4: Moisturize
It’s important to keep skin hydrated and protected with a light moisturizer during the summer months. Tip: Look for one that has SPF 15 protection.
Recommended Products:
Normal: A lightweight moisturizer. Try Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15, $20, Kiehl’s, kiehls.com; Holt Renfrew.
Dry/Sensitive: A heavier moisturizer or cream. Try Clarins Moisture Quenching Hydra-Care Cream, $48, The Bay; Shoppers Drug Mart.
Oily/Acne Prone: An oil-free moisturizer. Try Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care, $30, Vichy Laboratoires, vichy.ca, drug stores.
Combination: A light moisturizer that balances skin. Try Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion, $33, Sephora, murad.com.
WEEKLY SKINCARE STEP UP
Exfoliate
Exfoliating is essential for increasing circulation and cell turnover, improving skintone and keeping pores clear. It should be done only after you’ve removed your makeup and cleansed your skin. There are two types:
1. Mechanical Exfoliation: Granular scrubs help rid the face of dead skin cells. Oily, acne-prone, and oilier-combination skin types benefit from this type of exfoliation twice per week because skin is more tolerant. People with rosacea should be very careful when selecting an exfoliator (choose a very gentle one).
