Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Time to Adjust Your A.M. Skin Care Routine?

[Yvonne's question, Is It Time to Adjust My Skin Care Routine?, appeared yesterday.]

Hi Yvonne,

Most of your routine is excellent – and the condition of your skin shows it!

I do see a few areas for improvement. Of course, you know one of them is your nighttime routine. Not to worry – I have some suggestions to help.

Your A.M. Routine

You’ve chosen some nice Clinique products, but I’m not sure why you’re using two clarifying lotions.

Clarifying Mild Lotion, which you’re using as a second cleanser, is for dry to very dry skin; and Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3, which you use as a toner, is for oily skin.

I suggest eliminating one of the clarifying lotions, depending on your actual skin type.

It’s not surprising that Clinique All About Eyes helps with your a.m. eye puffiness. It contains a lot of lovely anti-inflammatory botanicals. In addition it has a small amount of Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Oligopeptide) to stimulate collagen production.

You’ve made an excellent choice of broad spectrum sunblock. It’s high SPF, oil-free, and contains antioxidants. Clinique City Block is formulated to, not only block out harmful UVA and UVB rays, but also to fight free radicals caused by other environmental irritants.

You’re correct to put the sunblock on after cleansing and moisturizing but before make-up. Many women are confused about when to apply a sunblock versus a sunscreen.

Physical sunblock agents, like the Titanium and Zinc Oxides contained in Clinique City Block, reflect or scatter UV rays before they reach your skin, so sunblocks should be applied on top of treatment products.

Chemical sunscreen ingredients (e.g. Octylcrylene, Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Mexoryl) work by absorbing the energy of UV radiation before it affects your skin. It’s best to apply them to dry skin after cleansing and let them absorb before continuing with your treatment products and moisturizers.

Jean's answer to Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Time to Adjust Your Skin Care Routine? will conclude tomorrow. Please come back.

Tags: skin care routine, skin care advice, should you adjust your skin care, sun protection, Clinique for puffy eyes, Clinique cleanser, Clinque clarifying lotions, Step Up Your Skin Care