Clinique, founded in 1968, started the world on a three-step system craze for skincare that consisted of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Throwback, anyone? If you were interested in skincare around the early 90s, the picture to the left probably looks familiar to you.

Clinique has since updated their 3-step system to include a new cleanser, and a plethora of "add-on" treatments, from serums to lightening masks to even a make-up line. But building off their 3-step system launched Clinique's brand image as the simplest and best way to daily take care of your skin.

How true is the 3-step system in modern day skin care regimen? Market analysis shows that the demographic of people paying attention to their skin is becoming consistently younger - individuals are more interested in maintaining youth than recapturing it after it's too late.

In honor of May Melanoma Awareness Month - the first most important thing to stress about maintaining healthy and youthful skin is sun protection. The sun's ultraviolet rays are the most damaging environmental factor to your skin. So whether you use a separate sunscreen or have it included in your make-up or moisturizing routine, ensure that you are protected! SPF30 or higher is usually what is recommended, as often, the higher the SPF, the more chemical the ingredients. However many steps your skin care regimen is, make sure applying SPF is included or added!

Step 1: CLEANSE.

This is the most basic and most straightforward of any skin care regimen. Avoid bar soaps, as they tend to be harsh on the skin. Liquid cleansers come in different textures and with different ingredients. For normal to dry skin, use a creamy cleanser that can be washed off or wiped off. Wiping off creamy cleansers eliminates the potential to strip your skin of essential oils, and further hydrates dry or damaged skin. For normal to oily skin, look for small percentages of glycolic or similar acids, that will not only reduce oiliness, but even out imperfections and smooth fine lines.

Step 2: EXFOLIATE.

Exfoliation really gives you the most bang for your buck. I recently started using Malin + Goetz's Jojoba Scrub two or three times a week, and it really makes a noticeable difference. Exfoliating sloughs off dead skin cells that have collected at the upper dermis of your face, which gives your skin a dulled look. Using an exfoliant a few times a week will not only eliminate those dead cells, but revive and encourage skin cells to produce more rapidly. The biggest factor in looking for a good scrub is the size of the bead - the more sensitive your skin, the smaller the bead should be. (Generally speaking, always go for smaller beads as they are easier on your skin. Depending on the manufacturer of the product, the smaller beads should still do the same work as the larger ones!)

Step 3: MOISTURIZE.

I cannot even begin to describe all the different varieties and types of moisturizers out there on the skincare market. In fact, 64% of consumers maintain moisturizing as their #1 method of skin care! Moisturizers range from full body to face, anti-aging to spot treatments, natural and organic to lightening and brightening... Constantly, chemists and dermatologists are developing and expanding on their moisturizers. The major thing to remember when considering moisturizers is that their aim is to hydrate and maintain hydration in your skin. Applying moisturizers right after the shower, for example, locks in the water in your skin as you towel off. There are a few key ingredients to look out for when searching for moisturizers (check out the blog post of last week for details!), but much of it depends on a consumer's individual needs.

It may be surprising that this three-step method doesn't include toning, one of the primary entities in Clinique's original three-step process. Toning, while a good option for people with combination to oily skin, is purely elective. For many people, especially those with dry or sensitive skin, toning should be avoided altogether, as its alcoholic nature can further irritate your skin. Furthermore, with the right cleansing and exfoliating methods, toning can be somewhat redundant.

What cleansers and exfoliating scrubs do you use and recommend? Do you tone? Any particular moisturizers you swear by? Let me know in the comments section!

Inside-Out Skincare - Vitamin C, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Lycopene

Recently in the beauty industry, there's been a surge of stressing the importance of "inside out" skincare. Phrases like omega-3 fatty acids and "induce collagen production" are tossed about casually, without any in-depth explanation. With the beauty industry's increasing emphasis on natural and organic skin care, it's important to understand exactly what these ingredients are and how they affect your body and skin - from the inside out.

Vitamin C. Most people know of the benefits of Vitamin C, commonly found in citrus fruits and vegetables like broccoli, hot red peppers, and spinach. Besides ingesting the vitamin, though, topically applied Vitamin C does wonders for your skin. As an ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids the growth of cells and blood vessels. Collagen gives skin its firmness and pliancy. Furthermore, as a naturally occurring antioxidant, Vitamin C slows the rate of free-radical damage. (Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles.) In some studies, dermatologists have found that ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a derivative of Vitamin C, not only neutralizes free radicals but actually reverses DNA damage.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are most commonly found in fish, and probably most popular as an oral supplement of fish oil. It reduces inflammation and keeps skin's moisture levels balanced by plumping skin cell membranes so for higher water retention. This simultaneously improves the elasticity of hydration of skin. Omega-3 Fatty Acids also reduce the body's production of chemicals involved in the aging process. In skincare products, look for marine elements rather than actual fish ingredients - algae absorbs more efficiently into the skin when topically applied than ingredients like fish oil.

Lycopene. One of the most damaging entities to your skin is increased sun exposure - this has been proven through research and experimentation time and time again. So in addition to applying an SPF daily, or ensuring that your make-up carries a bit of SPF in it, try to consume vegetables like carrots or tomatoes that have a high content of lycopene. (Be careful though - the lycopene in raw tomatoes is bundled with indigestible fiber, so eat cooked or processed tomatoes instead.) Lycopene is a bright red carotene pigment and phytochemical that is found naturally in red fruits. It's responsible for yellow, orange, and red pigmentation, photosynthesis, and photo-protection. Lycopene neutralises the harmful effects of UV light and improves the processes of cell metabolism and membranes. It can also reduce the signs of aging by enhancing collagen production and reducing DNA damage that leads to wrinkles.

Healthy, youthful skin comes primarily from two things - collagen and hydration. The purpose of many of these ingredients is to retain water more effectively and to boost the collagen protein production. It's important as the seasons begin changing to rejuvenate your dull, dried winter skin, using naturally occurring ingredients. Understanding why these acids and vitamins help your skin is an important step to keeping yourself naturally healthy and beautiful.

 Here at Skintology, we believe strongly in the individualization of all our treatments - whether it be a facial or laser hair removal, no two people are the same, and we make every effort to ensure that we don't treat you, or your concerns, that way!

However, at-home skincare regimen remains the first priority for beautiful and consistent skin care. While we advise visiting our Skintology experts for specialized facials on average once a month for below-the-surface cleansing, it is imperative that skin care at home is smoothly integrated into our treatments.

Rest assured though; Skintology's got you covered! Skintology's products are all specially designed and tailored for our treatments and elite clientele in-house by our resident chemist. Our products are built around all-natural ingredients like Japanese green tea, sugar cane, and various fruit extracts, so your skin is hydrated with the most organic of elements.

As with all our services & treatments here at Skintology, we're always searching for the newest and best technologies, ingredients, and methods - so our new line of Skintology products was launched earlier in the year (check it out in our Chelsea store!). It's also the perfect opportunity for you to try our existing line of Skintology products. Take 60% off selected Skintology products in stores (and coming soon online!) - we are confident in our ability to make you a true believer of the Skintology name.

Pictured above:

1. Skintology Skin Renewal Package - includes our Skin Renewal Cleanser with Alpha Hydroxy Acids, to be followed up with our base Skin Renewal Complex and topped off with our Skin Renewal Creme with SPF4; for all skin types.

2. Calming Chamomile Package - includes our Calming Chamomile Cleanser with tea extracts, a Calming Gel Masque, and our Calming Chamomile Day Lotion; for sensitive skin.

Call or visit us today!