My SkinMedica Regime

Sometimes when I get down to it and think about all of the stuff I use for my face, body and hair, I stop and think, ‘am I a product junkie?’ But, the truth is, if our bodies could naturally do all of the stuff we needed it to do then we wouldn’t need to it or drink water, or, in my defense, apply moisturizer, body cream, hyaluronic acid, and all that fun stuff.

The market is flooded with amazing skincare products, but it’s also inundated with trash. To sift through it all, I do some of my own testing, but I also turn to trusted dermatologists, skincare practitioners and my own personal favourite, facial guru Michelle (@beautynursemichelle) at Dr. Papnastasiou Montreal-based practice in Westmount & also Victoria Park.

I’ve been seeing Michelle for a while for my Botox and fillers (more about that in an upcoming blog). She recently recommended that I try the SkinMedica line. She curated a special regimen for my skin type: oily and dilated pores complete with blackheads and dark spots (yippee me!).

Here’s a closer look at my evening routine:

AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Exfoliating cleansers are crucial for maintaining good, clear skin. Working to scrub away all the dead skin and dirt your skin accumulates throughout the day, a gentle rub of AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is your skin’s best friend (even if you didn’t know it until now!). Jam-packed with benefits, the cleanser improves skin texture, tone and smoothness, while also cleansing the skin. The AHA is alpha-hydroxy acid combined with BHA, which is beta-hydroxy acid – both working to exfoliate the skin and reduce appearance of wrinkles.  

Retinol Complex 0.5

I then apply the Retinol Complex 0.5. There are a few key benefits to Retinol, but before using, speak with someone who can properly assess your skin to be sure that Retinol is right for your skin type. You first have to start off with the .25 serum before moving up to the 0.5 – and so here we are, at this point in my skin game. Enhancing and renewing skin tone, texture and resiliency, while also reducing appearance of fine lines. I’ve been using this stuff (the whole kit and caboodle) for a few months, and I’ve seen (and feel) visible changes to my skin. So, this stuff for real works. Start slow every few days before applying moisturizer and after cleansing, and then, over time, you can increase frequency.

Lytera® 2.0 Pigment – Correcting Serum

Back to my dark spots. I thought I’d have to laser them away, but then, Lytera® 2.0 came along and slowly but surely my dark spots are starting to fade away. SkinMedica formulated an advanced pigment correcting serum that works specifically to target skin discoloration, and believe it or not, it works! Evening out my skin and reducing hyperpigmentation, this one might be my favourite out of the bunch. Plus, this is the product that has gained some serious speed: it won Cosmo Beauty Awards and InStyle Best Beauty Buys.

TNS Essential Serum®

Yet another treatment for my aging (yes, I said the dirty word) skin. The TNS Essential Serum® rejuvenates the skin by improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, tone and texture. I use the all-in-one treatment after the brightening serum. I gently massage it into my skin and over time I’ve seen great effects. It’s got hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin and antioxidant properties that help prevent free radical damage (break out your high school biology textbooks for free radical definition!)

TNS Eye Repair®

Finally, I get to the TNS eye repair step. The SkinMedica formula is so rich, it feels indulgent as I apply it to my under eye area. So, keep me up all you want kiddos, because this formula says goodbye to dark circles. There are a gazillion eye repair serums out there, but I can say, from my years and years of trying product after product, this one was very well thought out. It’s got repairing properties along with highly effective moisturizing ingredients, making it the perfect combo of everything I look for that sensitive area.

Unlike the stuff you can grab at a pharmacy, the SkinMedica line was formulated with highly effective organic and natural ingredients, however, it is still important to see a specialist who can provide you with a regime that is customized to your skin type. I’ve seen real improvements and the extra time it takes every evening to apply my skin care routine has quickly become the 5 minutes of me time I need at the end of the day. So, thanks SKinMedica for that (lol!).

Photography but Patricia Brochu