Ask an Esthetician skincare FAQs cover the most common questions about building an effective routine, treating skin concerns, and choosing the right products. In this guide, professional estheticians answer top skincare questions about acne, hydration, exfoliation, sunscreen, and ingredient selection to help you achieve healthier, clearer skin. As skincare professionals, part of our job is to educate our clients on how to best take care of their skin. A thorough skin analysis and review of the client’s current skincare routine is a natural jumping off point for all kinds of skincare questions that we answer in our Flawless treatment rooms.
“Do I need to use a toner?” (Yes!)
“Should I wash my face in the morning?” (Depends…)
“Is the sunscreen in my makeup enough for everyday?” (No!)
These are few of the burning questions our clients have for us on a daily basis. In this article, we’re bringing the answers straight to you- no treatment room necessary!
Top Skincare Questions Answered by an Esthetician:
1. “What Is a Toner and Do You Need One?”
A proper skincare routine can range for 2-3 steps to a full on spectacle with masks, mists, essences, peels and more. One of the most frequently misunderstood steps is Toner.
A toner is a watery solution can is applied to a cotton round and swiped across the face. What the toner does depends on the formula. Much like serums, there are all kinds of toners with different ingredient profiles to target different concerns. Toner can be exfoliating, hydrating, brightening or soothing.
At Flawless, we believe a toner is a helpful and important step in the most basic skincare routine. It insures the skin is prepped to absorb treatment serums by removing any remaining dead skin cells that might be left after cleansing that could potentially bock penetration of products applied afterwards. Toners usually offer gentle exfoliation that can be performed twice daily, keeping the skin clean and clear without irritation.
2. “Do You Need an Eye Cream in Your Skincare Routine?”
Puffiness, dark circles, fine lines. We all experience these imperfections under the eye. But is a separate cream really necessary to treat such a tiny area of the face? In short, yes.
Eye creams are formulated specifically for the delicate skin under the eyes. Oftentimes, our facial moisturizers have active ingredients and compounds that can be too strong or irritating for the skin around the eyes. Specialized eye products have just the right concentration of active ingredients to brighten, awaken and hydrate the undereyes without burning or stinging.
The skin around the eyes also has little to no pores. This means the delivery system and absorption of ingredients in eye cream must be designed to penetrate this area effectively.
Which eye cream is best for you depends on your specific concerns. Read up on our Favorite Eye Creams.
3. “How to Prevent Acne Scars After Breakouts (Even If You Don’t Pick Pimples)”
Clients are frequently disappointed when the resist the urge to pick at a spot and it still leaves behind a mark. Even when they think they’ve done the right thing, the consequences still seem to appear on their face, and stick around for up to a week.
Unfortunately, popping a pimple isn’t what usually causes the mark left behind. The inflammation present in the pimple is what ultimately cause redness and discoloration. So whether you pick or not, if there’s inflammation, there will most likely be a scar.
This isn’t to say that it’s okay to pick your pimples- it’s definitely not! Picking will make the scar worse and take longer for the skin to heal.
We recommend using a product with Mandelic Acid everyday if you’re prone to post acne marks. Mandelic acid lightens and actively prevents post acne pigmentation. It’s safe to use daily, even for sensitive skin.
4. “Do You Need Sunscreen If You Work From Home?””
Yes! Absolutely. A broad spectrum SPF of 30 or higher is essential, even if you’re not leaving the house. Damaging UVA and UVB rays from the sun come through the windows, even on a cloudy day. A quick 10 minute car ride on your lunch break can result in high UVA/UVB exposure, especially in the middle of the day. And let’s not forget about artificial light in our homes, which has been shown to have an impact on the health of our skin as well.
Sun exposure damages the DNA of our skin cells, causing them to age, darken, become uneven and weak. The sun also increases inflammation in the skin, which can trigger acne breakouts, so those prone to blemishes should be especially diligent.
Sunscreen application should be a non-negotiable step in your morning skincare routine.
5. “How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Skin?”
The answer to this question largely depends on your specific skin type, condition, concern and goals. Generally speaking, most people benefit from exfoliating twice a week.
However, those prone to blackheads and congestion may benefit from gentle daily or even twice daily exfoliation. On the other hand, those with sensitive skin may prefer something a little more potent only once per week.
Meet Our Esthetician Team
Not sure what your skin needs? Our licensed estheticians can help you create a customized skincare plan designed to target your specific concerns and improve your skin over time. Consultations can be done in-person or virtually to help determine your ideal exfoliation schedule.