Skin Consultation: How to apply facial serums & oils? Exfoliants—physical vs. chemical and lactic acid? Benefits of oil cleansing?

Summarized from a consultation originally recorded on January 17, 2024.

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.

What are the two most important products recommended for a skin care routine?

For the most basic skin care routine you need to at least have a cleanser and a moisturizer/facial oil. Once you have those two products you can then add a toning mist, serum, etc. to build a full routine. 

What is Annmarie Skin Care’s recommended routine?

Annmarie Skin Care recommends a 4-step routine both morning and evening that consists of cleansing, toning, applying a serum, and moisturizing with a facial oil. 

What makes Annmarie Skin Care’s cleansers different from others on the market and can you provide details on each?

All of Annmarie Skin Care’s cleansers are pH balanced. Our skin’s pH is around 4.5 to 5.5 and all of our cleansers have a pH between 5.5 and 5.6. This ensures that your cleanser is not “stripping” the skin of its natural oils or disrupting its protective barrier—its acid mantle. Also, many conventional cleansers use harsh surfactants such as lauryl sulfates to produce suds/lather. Our cleansers contain a safe low foaming surfactant called sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, which may sound like a chemical but it is actually just saponified oils, plant starches, and sugars. 

Annmarie Skin Care offers four cleansers: 

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• Aloe Herb Cleanser: A pH balanced, aloe vera based cream cleanser ideal for all skin types. This cleanser leaves skin feeling clean, calm, and nourished.
• Citrus Mint Cleanser: A pH balanced, aloe vera based gel cleanser ideal for normal, combination and oily skin types. It contains an infusion of both purifying and calming herbs. 
• Restorative Cleansing Oil: A cleansing oil, ideal for removing makeup. This cleansing oil is great for all skin types. It can be used on its own or as the first step in a double cleanse routine. 
• Phytonutrient Cleanser: Our most rich, luxurious cleanser. The Phytonutrient Cleanser brightens skin with apple extract, deeply moisturizes with mango seed butter and provides a dose of antioxidants with acai oil.

How is the Restorative Cleansing Oil to be used?

It can be used on its own or as the first step in a double cleanse routine. It is to be applied to dry skin with dry hands. Then massage and rinse or use a warm cloth to remove. If using as the first step in a double cleanse routine, follow with your preferred facial cleanser. The Restorative Cleansing Oil is excellent for removing makeup, mascara, sunscreen, etc. to ensure a thorough cleanse.  

Is morning cleansing necessary if one has thoroughly cleansed before bed?

While it’s not mandatory, cleansing your face in the morning is a great way to set the tone for the day, and offers you a clean base to work with so that your other treatment products can be better absorbed. However, morning cleansing really is a personal preference. A splash of water or using a toning mist can be alternatives for those who don’t want a full morning cleanse.

Do all cleansers from Annmarie Skin Care have the same scent?

No, each cleanser has a unique scent based on its ingredients. For those sensitive to smells, the Renew Cleanser from the Essentials Collection may be a good option as it is a simple formula that does not contain our herb infusions and has a fairly mild scent.

Are there alternatives to using an Annmarie Skin Care cleanser if a customer does not like the scent of any of them?

While it will not remove makeup, one could use the Ayurvedic Facial Scrub as their cleanser as it contains fenugreek, which is a natural source of saponins that act as mild cleansing agents on the skin. 

Honey cleansing is another alternative (honey can also be used as a face mask). Apply the honey to damp skin, massage, and rinse. Raw or manuka honey are particularly good options. One that we love is the Beekeeper’s Naturals – B Powered Superfood Honey, which we sell in our Favorite Brands Marketplace.

How long is it recommended to leave the Phytonutrient Cleanser on the skin before rinsing?

We encourage taking your time and doing a thorough cleanse with any/all of our cleansers, but especially the Phytonutrient Cleanser due to its higher level of activated ingredients. Massage your cleanser into your skin focusing on any areas prone to congestion and being sure to include areas that are often missed (i.e. near your hairline or by your ears). Allow your cleanser to be on your skin for 30 seconds to one minute at the very least, so that the activated ingredients have a chance to be effective vs. just quickly applying and rinsing down the drain. 

What is the purpose of including a toning mist in a skin care routine?

Toners help to complete the cleansing process, offer a dose of hydration and skin supporting nutrients, enhance product absorption, and depending on the formula can help to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores.

More About Annmarie Skin Care and What Sets Us Apart

How did Annmarie Skin Care get started?

Annmarie Skin Care was co-founded by Kevin and Annmarie Gianni. The line was officially launched in 2009. This husband and wife team were initially healthy living bloggers with a popular Youtube show called The Renegade Health Show. Their journey began when they traveled across North and South America in a vegetable oil-powered RV to find the best natural care products and protocols to share with their viewers. Viewers began asking what products Annmarie was using on her skin, which eventually led to the creation of Annmarie Skin Care.

What sets Annmarie Skin care apart from other clean beauty lines on the market? 

Annmarie Skin Care stands out due to its commitment to creating clean products as well as being fully transparent when it comes to ingredients and sourcing. We are proud that the majority of our product line is certified by MADE SAFE®—an independent third party verification that screens personal care products for toxic ingredients. MADE SAFE is committed to protecting not only human health, but also the health of the ecosystem. 

Aside from our commitment to transparency and creating clean products the process that we use to create our products sets us apart. We use a proprietary 3-step Energized Botanical Infusion Process that consists of hand selecting organic and wildcrafted ingredients, infusing these ingredients into organic aloe vera and skin nutritive oils at low heat (never about 95 degrees) and energizing these infusions with crystals, then adding antioxidant rich botanicals, high performance seed oils and plant stem cells to deliver skin supporting nutrients and aromatherapy benefits.

Lastly, our commitment to helping create a more sustainable future differentiates Annmarie Skin Care from others. We’ve made efforts to reduce our carbon emissions, minimize our use of plastic, produce our boxes with wind-power, etc. We outline our efforts in our annual sustainability report.  

Serums, Elixirs, and Facial Oils 

How should serums and oils be applied?

After cleansing and toning, apply your serum followed by your facial oil. If you would like, you can allow your toning mist to dry and then apply your serum. However, it can be beneficial to apply your facial serum and oil while skin is slightly damp from your toning mist. This can increase absorption and even help your serum and facial oil “go further”/last longer. This tip can be especially helpful for someone who is new to using an oil as their moisturizer because it can help to prevent the oil from just sitting on top of the skin and feeling heavy or greasy. 

Describe the Anti-Aging Serum. 

The Anti-Aging Serum is Annmarie Skin Care’s best selling serum. It is very antioxidant rich—it includes life everlasting flowers and buddleja extract. It is also deeply hydrating and plumping. We use a non-GMO vegetable sourced hyaluronic acid in this serum that can hold 1,000 times its weight in water. The Anti-Aging Serum is ideal for all skin types, including sensitive. 

What is unique about the Activated CBD Serum?

The Activated CBD Serum is an all-encompassing serum that is ideal for any skin type and can be especially beneficial for soothing sensitive skin. When we created this serum we chose to partner with Ojai Energetics, a pioneer and leader in the CBD space. It includes both a water soluble and fat soluble CBD providing instant as well as long-lasting effects. The texture of this serum is slightly thicker and creamier than our other serums, making it an excellent choice if dryness and dehydration are a concern. 

What is the purpose of the Activated Night Serum?

The Activated Night Serum is designed for nighttime use, as the name suggests. It contains our bioactive A-complex. This ingredient is our MADE SAFE approved retinol alternative. It offers many of the same anti-aging benefits as a traditional retinol without being harmful to reproductive health, thinning the skin, causing reactions or hypersensitivity, etc. We’ve paired this activated ingredient with soothing lavender and blue chamomile for a perfectly balanced experience. It is recommended to use this serum with an SPF like our Sun Love Everyday Sheer Sunscreen during the day due to potential increased sensitivity to the sun. 

Can different serums be used together?

Yes, different serums can be used together. It is recommended to use them at different times, such as one in the morning and another in the evening, or alternating them on different days. This is an excellent way to take advantage of the benefits offered by multiple serums in your routine. 

What are the Concentrated Boosting Elixirs, and how are they used?

The Concentrated Boosting Elixirs come in a set of three that includes the: Hydrate, Brighten, and Revitalize Elixirs. They are meant to be added to your serum or facial oil, not applied directly to the skin. The Concentrated Boosting Elixirs allow customers to further customize their skin care routine as well as add additional activated ingredients to their products, which will help deliver visible results. 

What is the purpose of the Herbal Facial Oils, and how are they different?

The Herbal Facial Oils cater to different skin types: Normal & Combination, Oily, and Sensitive. They all have a grapeseed oil base, which is a light textured, fast absorbing, skin balancing oil that is rich in vitamin E. In addition to the grapeseed oil base, each formula contains a unique herb-infusion designed to either balance, purify, or soothe the skin. 

What is the Anti-Aging Facial Oil, and what makes it popular?

The Anti-Aging Facial Oil is a popular choice for dry and mature skin. It contains a jojoba oil base and a blend of potent antioxidants from various, unique seed oils and CO2 extracts, including carrot seed oil, broccoli seed oil, and chia seed oil. Gogi berries provide a dose of vitamin C and plantago helps to deeply cleanse and soothe the skin. This facial moisturizer will leave skin looking supple and dewy. 

What is unique about the Rejuvenating Facial Oil in the Wild Alchemy Collection?

The Rejuvenating Facial Oil is the most potent and activated facial oil that Annmarie Skin Care offers. While our other facial oils contain an abundance of infused herbs, this oil contains just one—butterfly pea flower. It also contains far fewer seed oils and CO2 extracts, which allows us to include them in much higher concentrations.

Can the Rejuvenating Facial Oil be mixed with other products?

Yes, the Rejuvenating Facial Oil can be mixed with other facial oils, such as the Anti-Aging Facial oil or the Herbal Facial Oil for Sensitive Skin, to adjust its potency according to personal preferences. It also pairs beautifully with the Activated Night Serum or Revitalize Concentrated Boosting Elixir for an activated overnight skin treatment. 

Annmarie Skin Care Eye Products

What eye products does Annmarie Skin Care offer?

The Anti Aging Eye Cream and the Fruit Ceramide Eye Serum are the two eye care products offered by Annmarie Skin Care. They can be used on their own or together. When using together, layer the Fruit Ceramide Eye Serum underneath the Anti-Aging Eye Cream. 

The Anti-Aging Eye Cream is deeply moisturizing and contains cooling cucumber to depuff, damas rose plant cells, and CoQ10 a stimulating nutrient that provides protection against environmental stressors. 

The Fruit Ceramide Eye Serum is an excellent choice if dark undereye circles are a main concern as it contains sake peptides that can help to lighten and brighten the appearance of the under eye area. 

Annmarie Skin Care Masks, Scrubs, and Exfoliation 

What exfoliants does Annmarie Skin Care offer?

Annmarie Skin Care offers 3 different exfoliants: Ayurvedic Facial Scrub, Kaolin Micro Exfoliant, and Resurfacing Facial Exfoliant. 

How often can the Ayurvedic Facial Scrub be used?

The Ayurvedic Facial Scrub is gentle enough to be used daily. This dry, powdered exfoliant, can be mixed with water or with your cleanser of choice to exfoliate, cleanse, and soften even the most sensitive skin types. 

What is unique about the Resurfacing Facial Exfoliant?

The Resurfacing Facial Exfoliant is a chemical exfoliant that contains a honey-derived lactic acid. This is a very gentle alpha hydroxy acid that gently dissolves build-up and impurities to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. We always recommend using this product in the evening and using it with an SPF during the day. 

What is the primary aroma of the Kaolin Micro Exfoliant?

Lavender essential oil gives the Kaolin Micro Exfoliant a calm-inducing aroma while also soothing skin.  

How is the Charcoal Cacao Mask described?

The Charcoal Cacao Mask is a deeply purifying, antioxidant rich mask that contains activated coconut charcoal, turmeric, and cacao. It is recommended to remove this mask with a dark cloth as it can stain. Some customers find it helpful to exfoliate after using this mask as opposed to before to help with thorough removal. 

Other Skin Care and Product Questions 

What is recommended for reducing shininess that may occur when layering multiple skin care products?

A few things may be helpful… Apply serums and oils when your skin is still slightly damp from applying your toning mist. This can help with absorption. 

Incorporating an exfoliant into your routine can also be beneficial in helping products to be absorbed to their complete potential. 

The Rosemary Toning Mist has a bit of a mattifying effect. It can be misted after completing your skin care routine and throughout the day to minimize shine. 

Can I use the Radiant Skin Silk as a facial moisturizer?

Some customers do like to use the Radiant Skin Silk body lotion as a facial moisturizer. It has been formulated for your body due to its richness and essential oil selection. If your facial skin is very dry and you would like to use it on your face we recommend doing a patch test prior to use.

What products are recommended for redness & sensitivity

We recommend choosing calming, soothing products if sensitive skin is something that you struggle with. Our Aloe Herb Cleanser, Botanical Hydration Mist, Probiotic Serum With Tremella and Activated CBD Serum, as well as our Herbal Facial Oil for Sensitive Skin are all products that may be helpful. 

How often should sunscreen be reapplied?

For everyday wear, applying sunscreen in the morning is sufficient. Reapplication every 2 hours is more crucial for prolonged sun exposure, like being at the beach, swimming, or sweating.

I have small bumps on my dry skin, should I exfoliate?

Yes, adding exfoliation to any skin care routine can be beneficial. It not only helps improve skin texture but can also address dryness by allowing hydrating and moisturizing products to be properly absorbed, so that they are able to work effectively. 

What do you mean by the word “treatment?”

When you see the word “treatment” here at Annmarie Skin Care, we are not advising a healing remedy to some sort of ailment. We simply are using this word to better explain the application and use of a particular product for cosmetic / beauty purposes.

Want to join us for our next skin consultation? (It’s totally free!)

Our team of experts has been on a mission to inspire beauty, health, and wellbeing, and we believe there’s no better way to do this than through directly sharing our knowledge and passion for natural skin care. 

Join us for a live session with one of our licensed estheticians where we’ll explore the power of organic, bioactive ingredients, how they interact with your unique skin type, and how to incorporate them into your routine for optimal benefits. You’ll walk away from this consultation feeling empowered to make informed decisions for your skin’s health. Our in-house skin experts are eager to answer your questions, dispel myths, and share tailored advice for each participant.

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