Before and after her days in the spa, 2nd Street District esthetician, Jessica, takes care to practice what she preaches. As in — she takes her morning and evening skincare routines very seriously. We asked Jessica to share her Holy Grail products and processes with us in the hopes that you, too, will be inspired to kick up your skincare game a notch or two.
From Jessica:
Now that I’m in my 40s, I’ve begun to use products that stimulate cell renewal. I have always been preventative when it comes to my skincare routine, but now I’ve redirected my approach to stimulate renewal and repair. Come Fall, I will use a retinol-based serum when I am not in the sun as much. In the Summer, I load my skin with as many antioxidants as I can to help prevent the damaging effects of pollutants and toxins from the sun, all of which cause premature signs of aging. Vitamin C is a great ingredient to use to get you antioxidant protection. Antioxidants are your second line of defense after SPF and support sun defense. Hydration is so important and I can’t stress that enough — both internally and externally. Most of the clients I see are dehydrated when they come in and they always say I drink so much water but what they don’t realize is that their skin is dehydrated because they are not using anything to help trap the water in the skin on the surface. Hyaluronic Acid holds 1000 times its weight in water and creates a water reservoir on the surface preventing trans-epidermal water loss (evaporation). Look for this key ingredient and incorporate it into your daily skincare routine to give your skin a gallon of water a day.
AM Skincare Routine
- Cleanser: Shea Moisture African Black Soap
“It’s made with shea butter, oats, and aloe to cleanse, moisturize, and absorb excess oil. Meanwhile, palm ash, tamarind extract, tar, and plantain peel calms and clears blemishes. It makes my skin feel super soft but super clean and the smell is heavenly.” - Toner: Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist
“This is a peptide toner, which creates a shield over your face with antioxidants to help reduce fine lines associated with dryness. It’s both refreshing and has a light botanical scent.” - Eye Treatment: Perk™ Revitalizing Eye Serum
“I love this eye serum because it instantly tightens and reduces puffiness. When you receive a Perk™ eye treatment at milk + honey, you’ll take home the remaining eye serum, which lasts for up to 30 days. Win-win.” - Serum: HydraFacial Antiox
“This serum is ultra-light and feels like silk on my skin. You never want a serum to feel tacky or heavy.” - Moisturizer: Aveda Inner Light Mineral Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
“It’s hydrating, evens out my complexion nicely, has SPF in it, and doesn’t feel too heavy. I love that it provides broad spectrum protection for UVA and UVB rays but isn’t jam-packed with nasties found in many sunscreens.”
PM Skincare Routine
- Cleanser: Cosmedix Purity Solution
“With its blend of olive, moringa, kukui, safflower, sesame and argan oils, this Cosmedix cleanser breaks down excess dirt and oil trapped within your pores. You can also use it as a makeup remover.” - Cleanser No. 2: Sothys Glysalac Skin Preparer
“After cleansing with an oil cleanser, you should always cleanse with a water-based cleanser. This one contained glycolic and salicylic acids, which go deep into the pores to remove any clogging debris. I’d say it’s especially great for those with oily or acne-prone skin. I personally love it because it instantly erases any rough texture and preps my skin for other treatments to work more effectively.” - Eye: Cosmedix Eye Genius
“It’s like a little miracle worker — turning back the hands of time. After using it regularly at night, the skin around my eyes is firmer and younger-looking.” - Serum: Cosmedix Cell ID mixed with Cosmedix Pure C
“Cell ID stops signs of aging and Pure C improve skin elasticity. Together, they help to boost the benefits of my moisturizer.” - Moisturizer: ilike Organic Skincare Hyaluronic Time Erase Moisturizer
“This is one of my absolute favorite moisturizers because it instantly hydrates and plumps my skin without feeling heavy or greasy.”
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