A distinct memory I have of growing up was watching my mom wash her face every morning and night. The counter was covered in various bottles and tubes, each having its own specific purpose in her daily routine. She started this regimen when she was 25 (ahead of her time). She will be turning 70 this summer but we have been asked if we are sisters more than once. It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I understood the importance of what she was doing. And now that I am in my 40s, I have become as obsessed as she was with my own routine.
I LOVE using Eminence Organic skin care line. I became hooked this Christmas when my mom gave me my first products. She switched to this line after 45 years with Clinique! My routine is based around my shower schedule. Everyday I cleanse my face in the shower and then I use a serum, a toner, an oil and a day or night moisturizer. On days that I wash my hair, I will also exfoliate.
I have Nicholas using a cleanser and moisturizer as well. And Eric is just using a moisturizer, though he should be doing more. I am reluctant to share mine.
Here are some standard guidelines for the order to use skin care products…
A typical morning routine
Cleanser
Spray/mist
Serum
Moisturizer
SPF
A typical nighttime routine
Cleanser
Exfoliant
Spray/mist
Serum
Moisturizer and/or oil
I asked Elsa Fahraeus, owner of Illume Wellness Spa in Stratford, to share the most important products for a healthy skin care routine. #shoplocal!
Thanks, Elsa!
Our skin is our largest organ. Take care of it and take the time for an essential routine to help protect it. Free radicals such as pollution, stress and sun are factors that can change and damage our skin.
Make your facial routine simple. Take 2-3 minutes both morning and night. If you are in a rush, mix your products versus skipping a step. Ease yourself into a routine if you are unsure where to start. Cleanser and moisturizer are maintenance. Serums, oils and masques are treatments and game changers. Here are some must have products…
Cleanser
This is one step you should never live without. We want to clean and then protect our skin. Leave the skin uncleansed and you are leaving bacteria and pollution to remain on your most visible layer; promoting faster aging, breakouts and uneven tone.
Illume Favourites
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser – for acne and oily prone skin
Mangosteen Resurfacing Cleanser – tightens and brightens the skin
Firm Skin Cleanser – anti-aging and hydrating
Exfoliant
Our skin sheds every 28 days, we need to scrub that layer off. Make this step easy, mix with your cleanser 1-2 times a week at night. Exfoliating your skin removes impurities, brightens skin and diminishes fine lines.
Illume Favourites
Strawberry Dermafoliant
Stone Crop Fizzofoliant
Toner/Facial Mist
Toners help to complete the cleansing process by hydrating and balancing the skin.
Illume Favourites
Stone Crop Hydrating Mist – for all skin types, particularly uneven skin types
Soothing Chamomile Tonique – for all skin types, particularly normal to oily skin
Essence
Press a few drops onto the skin. This pulls all of your product further into your skin, like a magnet. Brightens, shrinks pores and hydrates.
Illume Favourite
Birch Water Essence
Serums & Oils
These products are the most highly concentrated products in your whole routine. Press into the skin or if you’re in a rush, mix with moisturizer. Note: Never shy away from oils if you have oily skin. Try a few drops, you will see how much less oil your skin will produce.
Illume Favourites
Facial Recovery Oil – anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, hydrating and silky smooth finish.
Bamboo Firming Fluid – protects and corrects the skin from aging. Your “BFF” for plump, hydrated skin.
Booster Serums – specifically targets your skin type
Moisturizer
Eye creams are specific to the delicate skin around your eyes. Find what your specific target is whether it being puffiness or dark circles, etc. There is an eye cream to help anything. A pin size per eye and work your way around the bone to apply.
Facial moisturizers are to specifically target your skin type and designed to lock in all the nutrients from all the products. Change your moisturizer seasonally as your skin will shift with the weather.
Illume Favourites
Face Creams
Calm Skin Moisturizer– perfect for sensitive types
Eight Greens Moisturizer– for hormonal breakouts/ pregnancy
Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream – light feeling, hydrating and antiaging.
Eye Creams
Snow Mushroom Moisturizer – brightening and nourishing
Hibiscus Ultra Lift – 5 minute eye lift & depuffing
Neroli Eye Serum – light and helps correct aging
Masques & Stimulating Treatments
Have a main concern for your skin? Use these concentrated products once a week. Stimulants are the “hot” masques that give your skin a workout; pushing out toxins and bringing in oxygen. We like to say the redder, the better (this is temporary). The stimulants are spicy ingredients which give you an instant glow and detox.
Illume Favourites
Lime Stimulating Masque – instant glow and less decongested
Balancing Duo Masque – two masques in one jar, for combination skin
Eight Greens Masque – hormonal breakouts
Firm Skin Masque – anti-aging and instant glow
If you have any questions, contact Illume Wellness Spa for all of your skin care needs. illumewellnessspa@gmail.com or Direct Message on social!
Illume is offering free local delivery in the Stratford area and free shipping for orders over $75.
A bit more…on face oils.
