Skin Consultation: How do you care for the delicate eye area? How often should you be wearing sunscreen? Vitamin C for dark spots?

Summarized from a consultation originally recorded on September 13, 2023.

Annmarie Skin Care Skin Consultations are FREE, virtual group sessions, hosted live by our in-house skin experts, to provide personalized recommendations and directly answer any skin care related questions. Learn more about our skin consultations.

Look of Dark Spots

How do sun damage and hyperpigmentation occur, and what are the common reasons behind them?

Sun damage and hyperpigmentation can result from various factors, including post-treatment scarring, sun exposure, or post-acne hyperpigmentation. The melanin in the skin gets activated due to these factors, causing darkened areas.

Which products and ingredients are recommended to address the look of dark spots or skin that has gotten too much sun?

Ideal solutions include products containing skin lighteners such as azelaic acid, retinol (or a retinol-alternative), and plant-derived versions like malic acid and lactic acid. Vitamin C is also effective in brightening and improving skin tone. 

Eye Care

How do I incorporate eye serums with other skin care products?

Apply the eye serum first to the damp skin around your eyes, followed by the facial serum and facial oil. Finish with the eye cream, especially if addressing fine lines and puffiness.

Is it essential to cleanse around the eye area?

It’s recommended to use a gentle cleanser around the eye area to remove any makeup or dirt, ensuring a thorough cleanse.

I don’t usually wear eye makeup, so do I need to cleanse my eyes?

While not wearing eye makeup may reduce the need for intense cleansing, it’s still beneficial to cleanse the delicate eye area to maintain muscular strength and prevent signs of aging.

How should I cleanse around the delicate eye area?

When cleansing around the eyes, use your ring finger with gentle swipes. The delicate skin around the eyes doesn’t require much pressure, so be gentle with your motions.

How about using a tool like the gua sha for around the eyes?

The gua sha, a jade stone tool, can be helpful for depuffing and shaping the muscle orientation around the eye area. It’s a great addition to your skin care routine for maintaining a lifted face.

Can the gua sha application affect subsequent makeup application?

Before each time you gua sha, you’ll want to apply a facial oil to allow the tool to glide across the skin without stretching it. After your gua sha application, there should still be enough moisture, but if you feel drier, you may choose to apply a little more moisturizer before starting your makeup routine.

How can I deal with drooping around the eyes?

For pronounced drooping, consider using both the Fruit Ceramide Eye Serum and the Anti-Aging Eye Cream. However, if you must choose one, opt for the eye cream—which is a richer formula—for immediate benefits in addressing the look of loss of elasticity.

Sunscreen

Is sunscreen the last step in a skin care routine?

Yes, sunscreen, like our Sun Love, should generally be the last step, after you apply your moisturizer.

How often should sunscreen be reapplied?

Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours for effective protection. The SPF percentage indicates the blocked UVA and UVB, with higher SPF providing slightly more protection. However, the difference in protection and effectiveness is marginal the higher in SPF you go. So, wearing a really high SPF doesn’t mean you can stay in the sun longer or skip reapplying sunscreen. It’s more important to apply sunscreen correctly, reapply it, and wear other sun protection like hats and sunglasses to keep your skin safe from overexposure in the sun.

Can sunscreen be applied over makeup?

Sunscreen can be applied over makeup, but it may impact the look of your makeup. Another option is to mix your sunscreen with a mineral powder to create a base for foundation that has sun protection. Otherwise, you can apply your sunscreen first, then your makeup on top of that.

General Product & Routine Education

Is the Phytonutrient Cleanser suitable for dry skin?

Yes, the Phytonutrient Cleanser is excellent for dry skin due to its rich and nourishing properties.

Can I alternate between the Aloe Herb Cleanser and the Phytonutrient Cleanser?

Yes, you can integrate both cleansers into your routine, perhaps using the Aloe Herb Cleanser all year round and the Phytonutrient Cleanser during the drier months or when your skin needs a little more nourishment.

Tell us about the toning mists and their benefits.

Toning mists hydrate the skin and help rebalance the skin’s pH, especially if the cleanser you are using is harsh and stripping the skin of its natural oils. Toning mists also act as a bridge between serums and oils. Different toning mists cater to various skin types, offering soothing, moisturizing, and oil-absorbing properties.

How can I ensure optimal absorption of products like serums and facial oils?

Mist your face generously before applying serums and oils to ensure better absorption. Mixing the serum or oil in your hands before applying to the face can also help distribute the products more effectively.

Can you explain the different serums you offer and their benefits?

Certainly! We have a range of serums catering to different skin care needs. Here’s a brief overview:

• Anti-Aging Serum: Ideal for addressing the look of fine lines and signs of aging. Contains hyaluronic acid and plant extracts to maintain skin lift.
• Probiotic Serum With Tremella: Great for sensitive or irritated skin, helps rebalance the skin’s natural flora. For urban city-dwellers where pollution may be especially prevalent, this is a great serum option.
• Citrus Stem Cell Serum: Targets the appearance of dark spots. Contains citrus-derived stem cells and skin-brightening ingredients like licorice root and uva ursi.
• Wild Fruit Serum: Combats the look of fine lines, loss of elasticity, and discoloration. Rich in vitamins and hydrating and brightening components.
• Activated CBD Serum: Features full-spectrum, oil and water soluble CBD for optimal absorption and effectiveness. Beneficial for various skin issues and suitable for night use.

Can you provide guidance on the order of applying skin care products like serum, facial oil, and eye cream?

Between these three products, you’ll want to apply serum first, followed by facial oil, and then eye cream. Eye cream is typically the last step due to its rich consistency. A general rule of thumb is to go from products with a thin to thick consistency.

How should the Illuminating Pearl Mask be used?

The Illuminating Pearl Mask is ideal for sensitive, uneven, or dry skin. For a quick session, leave the mask on for 10-20 minutes and rinse off with water. However, this mask is gentle enough to keep on for hours (which a few of our team members enjoy doing), which allows the skin ample time to take in all of the hydrating and brightening benefits.

Is the Rejuvenating Facial Oil worth trying if already using the Anti-Aging Facial Oil?

Yes! The Rejuvenating Facial Oil is more concentrated in addressing signs of aging. It can be alternated with the Anti-Aging Facial Oil.

Is it worth trying different serums like Probiotic Serum With Tremella or Wild Fruit Serum if already using the Citrus Stem Cell Serum?

Yes, trying our different serums is beneficial to explore various benefits and address specific skin concerns. Each serum promotes hydration, but they are also uniquely formulated to address other specific skin concerns. The Probiotic Serum With Tremella is great for sensitive skin types and helping soothe temporary redness. The Wild Fruit Serum is wonderful for targeting signs of aging, brightening, and overall revitalization.

Are there any recommended clean makeup brands?

We vetted a clean makeup line—one that adheres to our standards of quality—to recommend to our audience. You can find this brand’s (Au Naturale) Semi-Matte Powder Foundation in our Favorite Brands Marketplace. If you are looking for more options, you can also check out Credo Beauty, The Detox Market, and Follain. Another idea is to stop by local stores or spas that might reveal clean makeup options. 

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