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Skin Care: Top Tips & Tricks
Why is it important to get a good skin care routine and not just get frequent facials?
Still unsure where to start on your 2025 glow-up journey? Confused by the long list of serums and facial treatments with their complicated names? – You’re not alone!
In this article, we’ll break down the properties of each skincare product, making it easier to understand what your skin needs.
Remember, you can’t expect lasting results from facials or body treatments without proper self-care. Whether it’s incorporating aftercare treatments or maintaining your skin post-treatment, a good skincare routine is essential. A skilled beautician will always recommend the right products to keep your skin glowing long after your treatment.
Why is it important to have a good skin care routine before and after facial treatments?
Facials will only give temporary results without maintenance
A facial can give you that instant glow and make your skin look amazing for a few days, however if your daily routine is lacking or damaging for the skin, it will return back to normal pretty quickly. For example, if you got a hydrating facial to plump your skin but you are not regularly using a moisturiser or hyaluronic acid afterwards it will quickly dry out again.
Dirty or congested skin reduces facial effectiveness
If you’re not cleansing and exfoliating properly, dead skin cells, oil, and dirt will build up → blocking products from penetrating your skin during the facial. The aesthetician will usually spend most of the session just cleaning your skin rather than focusing on deeper treatments (like brightening or anti-aging).
For example, a vitamin C facial won’t work as well if your pores are clogged with oil and dead skin.
Skin Needs to be in a balanced state to absorb treatments
A good skincare routine balances your skin’s pH, oil production, and moisture levels — this allows facial treatments to work better. If your skin is too dry, too oily, or irritated from poor care, the products used during the facial might cause more sensitivity or breakouts. For example, chemical peels work better when the skin barrier is healthy and hydrated beforehand.
No Routine = higher risk of post-facial Breakouts
Facials can purge your skin (bringing up underlying pimples) — but if your skin is already inflamed or poorly cared for, this can cause more breakouts or irritation. A weak skin barrier can make your skin react to facial extractions or active ingredients, for example if your skin isn’t used to exfoliating acids, a facial with glycolic acid might cause redness and peeling.
Consistency > one-time fixes
Facials are like a “boost” — but real skin health comes from consistent daily care.
If you have a solid skincare routine in place, facials can enhance the results instead of trying to “fix” underlying issues. For example, a brightening facial will give you glowing skin — but using vitamin C + SPF daily will make that glow last much longer!
For an ideal skin care routine you can use the following guidelines:
Morning Treatments:
- Cleanser – Start with a gentle cleanser to remove oil and impurities. You can get various types of toners depending on your skin type.
- Toner – Use a toner to balance your skin’s pH and prep it for other products. There are many different types of toners to choose from.
- Serum – Apply a serum with antioxidants (like vitamin C) to protect against environmental damage. Please keep reading to find out more about different serums and their properties.
- Eye Cream – Gently tap an eye cream to reduce puffiness and fine lines.
- Moisturizer – Hydrate your skin with a lightweight moisturizer.
- Sunscreen – Finish with SPF 30+ to protect against UV damage. In the winter months, a SPF moisturiser will do the job.
Evening Routine:
- Cleanser – Double cleanse if you wore makeup or sunscreen.
- Exfoliant (2–3 times a week) – Use a chemical exfoliant (like AHA/BHA) to remove dead skin cells.
- Toner – Rebalance your skin.
- Serum – Use a serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid (for hydration) or retinol (for anti-aging).
- Eye Cream – Apply to nourish the delicate under-eye area.
- Moisturizer – Use a richer moisturizer to lock in hydration overnight.
- Facial Oil (optional) – Seal in moisture with a facial oil if your skin feels dry.
✨ Weekly Add-Ons:
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- Face Mask – Use a hydrating, detoxifying, or brightening mask 1–2 times a week.
- Spot Treatment – Apply a spot treatment if you have breakouts
- Gua Sha Tools or Jade Stone Roller – helps with lymphatic drainage, circulation, and skin tone
✨ Monthly add- ons: Facial Treatments
Facial treatments can provide you with quick visible benefits that can bring out the skin and enhance the results of a good skin care routine.
If you’re a beautician looking to offer facial treatments that target specific skin concerns, we’ve got you covered! Here are some of the facial treatments we recommend at The Online Beauty Courses. We also offer online courses to help you provide these services in your salon:
- Acne
- Chemical Peels: Utilize beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin, unclog pores, and reduce acne lesions.
- Hydra dermabrasion: Combines exfoliation with the infusion of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory serums to cleanse pores and reduce acne.
- High Frequency Facial: It accelerates cell turnover and promotes healing of acne scars, fine lines, and other skin imperfections.
- Dull and Dry Skin
- Hydra dermabrasion: Exfoliates dead skin cells while infusing hydrating serums, resulting in smoother and more radiant skin.
- Chemical Peels: Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peels, such as glycolic or lactic acid, remove dead skin cells and promote moisture retention, enhancing skin brightness.
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles
- Facial Chemical Peels: Stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines.
- Hydra dermabrasion: Enhances skin thickness and fibroblast density, leading to smoother skin and diminished fine lines.
- Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Facial: The massage increases blood flow to the skin which leads to delivering more oxygen and nutrients to skin cells. Improved circulation encourages collagen and elastin production which makes the skin more plump and elastic, which reduces the appearance of fine lines.
- Gua Sha Facial Massage: Gua sha boosts blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the skin, which promotes collagen production for firmer, smoother skin. It also enhances product absorption, allowing anti-aging serums and oils to work more effectively and improve skin elasticity, reducing fine lines over time.
- Hot Stone Facial Massage: The stones help stimulate lymphatic flow, reducing puffiness and swelling, especially around the eyes and jawline. It also increases product absorption so it allows skincare products to penetrate deeper and work more effectively.
- Microdermabrasion: Stimulates collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and make skin look more youthful.
- Uneven Skin Tone or Texture
- Chemical Peels: AHA peels exfoliate the skin, reducing hyperpigmentation and promoting an even complexion.
- Hydra dermabrasion: Combines exfoliation with the infusion of brightening serums to address uneven pigmentation.
- Facial Cupping: Increases blood flow and promotes lymphatic drainage- which results in getting an even skin tone.
- Microdermabrasion: Helps with rough or uneven skin texture, promoting a more even surface and helps fade post-acne scars and dark spots by promoting skin regeneration.
- High Frequency Facial: Stimulates collagen and elastin production, helping to firm and tone the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
- Galvanic Facial: Can help to cleanse and detoxify the skin by encouraging the removal of impurities and debris from the pores.
If you are just beginning on stepping up your skin care routine or perhaps want to know more about all the confusing scientific sounding names for serums, here is a guide for you.
First, think about the skin care concerns you want to address: is it fine lines and wrinkles, is it acne and breakouts, is it dullness and dry skin?
Once you have an idea in your head about the main concerns, you can find the best skincare products for you. Here is our serum guide:
Serum guide:
Retinol (Vitamin A)
What it does:
- Boosts cell turnover which means you will get smoother skin and fewer wrinkles
- Increases collagen production for firmer skin
- Treats acne by unclogging pores and preventing breakouts
- Fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation
How to use:
- Start with a low concentration (like 0.25%–0.5%)
- Apply at night only (makes skin more sensitive to sunlight)
- Always pair with SPF during the day
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
What it does:
- Regulates oil production and reduces shine and acne
- Minimizes pore appearance
- Strengthens the skin barrier which improves moisture retention
- Fades dark spots and evens out skin tone
How to use:
- Works well with most ingredients (except high-strength vitamin C)
- Use 2%–10% concentration for best results
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)
What it does:
- Brightens dull skin and boosts radiance
- Fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation
- Fights free radicals which protects the skin against environmental damage
- Promotes collagen production which reduces fine lines
How to use:
- Best in the morning under sunscreen
- Look for concentrations between 10%–20% for maximum effectiveness
- Pair with ferulic acid for better stability
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
What it does:
- Penetrates deep into pores and unclogs and dissolves oil buildup
- Reduces blackheads, whiteheads, and acne
- Mild exfoliant which smooths skin texture
- Anti-inflammatory that calms redness
How to use:
- Best for oily and acne-prone skin
- Start with 1%–2% concentration
- Can be drying so use with a moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid
What it does:
- Attracts moisture to the skin so skin plumps and hydrates
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines (due to hydration)
- Improves skin elasticity which makes skin look dewy and smooth
How to use:
- Apply to damp skin for better absorption
- Works well under moisturizers and serums
SPF (Sunscreen)
What it does:
- Protects against UV damage → prevents sunburn, wrinkles, and skin cancer
- Stops hyperpigmentation from getting worse
- Preserves skin elasticity and collagen
How to use:
- Apply SPF 30 or higher daily (even indoors)
- Reapply every 2 hours if exposed to sunlight
Glycolic Acid (AHA)
What it does:
- Exfoliates the surface of the skin, removing dead skin cells
- Improves skin texture by making the skin smoother and brighter
- Helps with hyperpigmentation and dark spots
- Increases collagen production which helps reduce fine lines
How to use:
- Start with low concentration (5%–10%)
- Best used at night (can make skin sensitive to sunlight)
- Follow with moisturizer
Tri-Cinamide (Blend of 3 active ingredients)
What it does:
- Often combines niacinamide, peptides, and other brightening agents
- Targets multiple concerns at once such as: oil control, brightening, and anti-aging
- Improves skin barrier function and reduces sensitivity
How to use:
- Usually found in serums or moisturizers
- Can be used morning or night
Things you should know:
- Retinol + Vitamin C → Don’t use together (can cause irritation)
- Salicylic Acid + Retinol → Can be too harsh together (alternate nights)
- Niacinamide + Vitamin C → Safe together now (newer formulations are stabilized)
- Hyaluronic Acid → Can be layered with everything (perfect for extra hydration)
- Glycolic Acid + Retinol → Too strong together (alternate days or use one in the morning and the other at night)
To wrap it up, healthy, glowing skin is all about consistency! Facials can give you that instant glow, but they work best when you have a good skincare routine in place before and after. Make sure to cleanse, moisturize, and protect your skin with SPF daily, and use the right products to target your skin concerns. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a mask or facial tool every now and then for that extra boost. You can find some on our website or on ProSpa Beauty, our beauty supplier. When you make skincare a daily habit, the results will last much longer and keep your skin looking fresh and radiant!
