Esente Skincare

Short answer: A formulated facial mist usually fits after cleansing and before serum and moisturizer, and some mists can also be used over makeup or during the day. What it offers depends on its ingredients and formulation. Some mists are mostly water and feel refreshing, some are toners in spray form, and some include hydrating or antioxidant ingredients chosen for a purpose. Used in the right place, a well-formulated mist can contribute to how hydrated and comfortable your skin feels as part of a complete routine. Victoria considers an appropriate toner or antioxidant mist after cleansing an important step for most skin. Follow each product’s directions, including when to use it.

A mist is a way of applying a formulation, so start with what that formulation is designed to do.

Kinds of facial mist

Water sprays. Water, sometimes mineral or thermal water, with little else. They feel cooling and pleasant.

Toner-like mists. A toner in spray form: a water-based formulation with ingredients chosen for a purpose, applied after cleansing instead of on a pad.

Hydrating mists. Sprays that include ingredients selected to help the skin hold water.

Antioxidant mists. Sprays that include antioxidant ingredients, often alongside hydrating ones.

The categories overlap. Toners and facial mists can share functions, but the intended function of any product depends on its formulation, so read what the product says it is for and follow its directions.

How a mist can support hydration

Whether a mist helps your skin feel hydrated depends on what is in it. Plain water feels refreshing, though on its own it evaporates from the surface. Some formulated mists include humectants, ingredients that attract water and help hold it in the skin’s outer layer.

Humectants tend to work well alongside a moisturizer, which helps slow the loss of water from the skin. That is one reason a mist sits early in a routine: it is part of a sequence, followed by the products that come after it. Humectants, Emollients and Occlusives explains how these ingredient groups work together.

How hydrated your skin looks and feels also depends on gentle cleansing, lukewarm rather than hot water, a moisturizer that suits you and the air you spend your day in. A mist works with those, as one step among several.

Where a mist fits in your routine

A formulated mist has its clearest place after cleansing, before any serum and moisturizer. A sensible sequence is cleanse, an appropriate toner or mist, serum, then moisturizer, each according to the product’s directions, plus daytime sun protection. Apply the moisturizer after the mist and any serum, following its directions.

Cleansing and toning are separate but complementary steps. A mist is not there to remove what the cleanser left behind. Healthy skin normally has a mildly acidic surface. Whether a particular toner or mist helps support it depends on the product, not on the format, so it is not something every mist offers. Which product you use, and how often, depends on the individual. Some people prefer a toner on a pad, some prefer a spray, and either can fill the step. What Does Toner Do? covers the toner side.

Antioxidant mists

Some mists include antioxidant ingredients. What any antioxidant mist contributes depends on which antioxidants it contains, how they are formulated and the evidence behind them, so the benefits of one product do not carry over to every mist. What Antioxidants Do for Your Skin goes into the detail.

An antioxidant mist complements daily broad-spectrum sunscreen. It does not replace it, and a mist offers sun protection only if its label says it is a sunscreen.

Mists and makeup

Mists differ in when they are meant to be used. Some are intended primarily as part of the skincare routine, while others may also be used over makeup or throughout the day. Esenté Hydro Mist, for example, can be used after cleansing before other skincare products and makeup, after makeup to help set it, and throughout the day as desired. Follow the directions for the particular mist you are using. How to Prepare Your Skin for Makeup covers the order of steps before makeup goes on.

Using a mist well

Follow the directions. They tell you when to use a mist, how to apply it and where it belongs.

Keep it out of your eyes. Close your eyes when you spray. If some gets in, follow the product’s directions.

Store it sensibly. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct light and excessive heat or humidity. If a product significantly changes, separates or develops an unusual odor, stop using it or check with the manufacturer.

Choose with your skin in mind. An aroma is neither automatically gentle nor automatically irritating. If you have known sensitivities, check the complete ingredient list, not only the key ingredients.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. Victoria considers an appropriate toner or antioxidant mist after cleansing an important step for most skin; whether a particular product helps support the skin’s normal mildly acidic surface depends on its formulation. Which one, and how often, depends on the individual.

Two examples from the Esenté range for that step are Hydro Mist, an antioxidant spray that can be used after cleansing, after makeup to help set it and throughout the day as desired, and the Octet Herbal Toner, which is directed for use after cleansing over the face, neck and décolleté, avoiding the eye area. Other Esenté formulations may suit your routine as well, depending on your skin, preferences and budget. Follow the directions for whichever you choose. Esenté works with boutique manufacturers to develop and select formulations that meet the brand’s ingredient, performance and quality criteria. If you are deciding between a toner and a mist, the Ask Victoria page can help.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.

Short answer: The four formats tend to differ in their balance of water and oil, and in how they feel. A gel is often water-based and tends to feel lightest. A lotion is usually thinner and spreads easily. A cream tends to be thicker and often contains more oil than a lotion. A balm usually contains little or no water and is made mostly from oils, butters and waxes. These are general tendencies, not rules. The complete formulation, its purpose and your own skin matter more than the format, so no format belongs to a particular skin type.

The format tells you something about how a product will feel, and much less about whether it suits you.

Gels and lotions

Gel. Gels are generally water-based and thickened so they hold their shape. They tend to feel light on the skin.

Lotion. Lotions and creams are usually emulsions: oil and water held together by emulsifiers so they do not separate. A lotion is generally the thinner of the two, often thin enough to pour.

Creams and balms

Cream. A cream is generally thicker than a lotion and usually holds its shape when you take it out. Creams often contain more oil than lotions, though the balance varies from one formulation to the next. “Crème” is the French word for cream, and some brands, Esenté among them, use it in product names.

Balm. Brands use the word “balm” in different ways. It usually means a product made mostly or entirely from oils, butters and waxes, with little or no water, so it feels dense. The closest pharmacy relative is the ointment, which dermatology sources describe as the thickest format of all.

What each format tends to be used for

These are common uses, not rules.

• Gels are often chosen for a light layer under sunscreen or makeup, for warm, humid weather, or by people who dislike the feel of a heavier product.
• Lotions are popular for the body, because they spread quickly over arms and legs.
• Creams are common for the face, for night use and for areas that feel dry.
• Balms often turn up for small, dry areas such as lips, cuticles and heels, and some are made to melt makeup off before cleansing.

Why the format does not decide your skin type

It is tempting to sort formats by skin type: gels for oily skin, rich creams for dry skin. Texture tells you something about feel, but on its own it is not a reliable guide to suitability.

A gel can contain ingredients that support hydration, and a cream can be formulated to feel light. What decides how a product performs on your skin is the complete formulation: which ingredients it contains, in what amounts, how they work together and what the product is designed to do.

You also cannot tell how gentle a product is from its texture, or whether it will clog pores from how rich it feels. “Non-comedogenic” on a label is a manufacturer’s claim, so read it as a guide rather than a guarantee and watch how your own skin responds.

Heavier formats often feel more substantial, and whether that suits you depends on the formulation, your skin and your conditions. Humectants, Emollients and Occlusives explains the ingredient groups that do the work inside any format.

How to choose between them

Start with how your skin feels. Notice it after you apply a product and again later in the day. Comfortable and settled is a good sign. Tight, rough or greasy suggests trying a different formulation; stinging or redness is a reason to stop.

Consider your environment. Dry indoor air, a dry climate or a cold spell can change what feels comfortable, and so can a humid summer. Let your skin’s condition guide you rather than the calendar.

Think about the time of day. Many people like something that sits well under sunscreen and makeup in the morning and something more substantial at night. Day Cream vs Night Cream covers that choice.

Read the directions. They tell you where a product belongs and how much to use. Apply moisturizer after cleansing and any appropriate preceding steps, following its directions. Using more than directed does not make a product work better.

Jars and spatulas

Creams and balms often come in jars. Take product out with a clean cosmetic spatula each time, so fingers stay out of the open jar, and apply it with clean fingertips. The Spatula Rule explains why.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. In Esenté’s approach, ingredients are selected for their suitability and contribution to the complete formulation, and the same thinking applies when you choose a product: the whole formulation and its purpose matter more than its format. Victoria believes informed product selection comes first: understand what a product is intended to do, whether it suits your skin, how to use it and what it contains.

Esenté’s examples here sit in the crème category only: the Hydra Day Crème, the Hydra-Plus Night Crème, the Hyaluronic Hydration Crème and the Recovery Crème. They are examples from a broader range rather than the only choices, and which one suits you depends on your skin, your routine and your budget. All four come in jars, so use a clean spatula, and follow the directions for whichever you choose. Esenté works with boutique manufacturers to develop and select formulations that meet the brand’s ingredient, performance and quality criteria. Weighing one texture against another? Put the question to Victoria on the Ask Victoria page.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.

Short answer: Often, yes, when the product’s formulation suits facial use. “Body” on a label does not automatically mean a product is wrong for your face, and some body crèmes are made to be used on both. What decides it is the complete formulation, the product’s directions and your own skin. Start with the directions, and if facial use is not included, check with the manufacturer or a qualified skincare professional first. Read the full ingredient list if you have known sensitivities, and keep any product away from the eye area unless it is directed for it. A crème that suits both face and body can be a practical, economical choice.

The directions on the label are the first place to look.

Why “body” does not automatically rule out your face

Products are usually named for their main use, not for every place they can go. Some are formulated and directed for the body only. Others suit both face and body, and can be a sensible everyday choice rather than a fallback.

The useful question is whether the formulation, used as directed, suits your facial skin.

How face and body skin differ

Your face and scalp have more oil glands than anywhere else on your body, and the palms and soles have none. The skin of the eyelids is the thinnest on the body. Facial skin also meets sunscreen, makeup, weather and your own hands every day.

Those differences make it worth checking a product before you use it on your face, without ruling out products that suit both. Does Your Body Need a Skincare Routine? covers what body skin tends to need.

What to check first

Directions. Start with the label to understand the product’s intended use and how it should be applied. Some products marketed primarily for the body may also be suitable for facial use even when that secondary use is not specifically stated on the label. When facial use is not included in the directions, check with the manufacturer or a qualified skincare professional before using it that way.

Ingredients. Some body products made for rough areas such as elbows and heels include exfoliating ingredients. On your face, that adds an exfoliating step you may not have planned, which matters if you already use an exfoliating product or a non-prescription retinol product. If you use a prescription retinoid, follow the guidance of the healthcare professional who prescribed it. If you have known sensitivities, check the complete ingredient list, not only the key ingredients.

Aroma. A scent sits much closer to your nose and eyes on your face. An aroma is neither automatically gentle nor automatically irritating.

Sunscreen. In the United States, moisturizers marketed with sun-protection claims are regulated as both cosmetics and drugs. Read the label directions, including where the product may be applied and when to reapply.

Your skin’s response. If your skin stings, itches or turns red, stop using the product on your face.

The eye area is a separate question

A product can suit your face without being directed for the eye area. Keep any product that is not directed for use around the eyes away from them, and use an appropriate eye product there, according to its directions. If something gets into your eyes, follow the product’s directions, and if irritation continues, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional. Do Eye Creams Work? covers eye products in more detail.

Budget and practicality

Body care uses far more product than facial care, because it covers so much more skin. Larger sizes and economical pricing make sense for that, and a crème that suits both face and body can keep a routine simple and affordable.

Specialized facial products are optional choices, and some people prefer them for particular needs. Good care does not depend on buying the most expensive products, and suitable care can fit different budgets. Is Expensive Skincare Worth It? looks at that question.

Choosing what goes on your face

Texture alone will not settle the choice. A richer crème is not automatically right for dry skin, and a lighter lotion is not automatically right for oily skin; Lotion, Cream, Gel or Balm: What Is the Difference? explains why. Apply moisturizer after cleansing or bathing and any appropriate preceding steps, following its directions. If your skin is particularly reactive, a small test in an area that makes sense for the product’s intended use can be an additional precaution; How to Patch Test a New Product explains when that helps.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. Victoria believes informed product selection comes first: understand what a product is intended to do, whether it suits your skin, how to use it and what it contains. She respects budgets and values effective, affordable options, and she leaves the spending decision to the client.

In the Esenté range, both the Cellaris Body Crème and the Shea Butter Ultra Rich Hydra Crème can be used on the face as well as the body. Their larger sizes and economical pricing suit the quantities body care needs, and Cellaris Body Crème can serve as an ongoing face-and-body option rather than merely an occasional substitute. They are examples, and other Esenté formulations, including specialized facial products, may suit your needs better. Both come in jars, so take the crème out with a clean spatula and apply it with clean fingertips, following each product’s directions, including any guidance about the eye area. Esenté works with boutique manufacturers to develop and select formulations that meet the brand’s ingredient, performance and quality criteria. If you are unsure what belongs where, the Ask Victoria page is the place to ask.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.

Short answer: Many people notice their skin changing in their 40s. It may feel drier, look duller, show fine lines more readily or look less even in tone, and for many women perimenopause starts to play a part. The changes vary from person to person, and so does what helps: some people need a few adjustments, while others benefit from a broader update with professional advice. Gentle cleansing, a suitable moisturizer, daily broad-spectrum sunscreen and products chosen for your skin and budget form the core.

Your skin’s needs, not the decade, decide what changes.

The changes people commonly notice

Dryness. Skin that was comfortable for years may start to feel tight after washing or by the end of the day.

Dullness. Skin-cell turnover generally changes with age, and many people find their skin looks less bright than it did.

Fine lines. Lines tend to look more obvious when skin is dry, so hydration plays a part in how they look.

Uneven tone. Years of ordinary sun exposure can show up as spots and patchiness.

A spot that is new or changing, or any change that worries you, belongs with a dermatologist.

Hormones and environment

For many women, perimenopause, the transition toward menopause, begins in the mid-to-late 40s, though timing varies widely. Falling hormone levels can affect how skin behaves: some people notice more dryness, some find their skin more easily irritated, and some see breakouts return. Menopause and Skin: What Changes covers the transition. Hormones are only one possible explanation.

Your surroundings matter too. Climates with little humidity, such as desert climates, and cold, windy weather can leave skin drier, and sun exposure adds up over the years.

Let your skin’s needs guide the changes

Some people reach their 40s needing only a few adjustments. Others find that a routine that suited them at 35 no longer fits, and a broader update makes sense. Your skin’s condition, and advice from a professional who can see it, should decide how much changes.

Introducing new products one at a time helps you see how your skin responds to each. Victoria’s “less is best” principle means purposeful, individualized care: the appropriate amount of each product at the appropriate frequency. Good care can also fit different budgets, and the spending decision is yours.

Cleansing, moisture and body care

If your skin feels tighter than it used to, look at cleansing first. In the evening, remove eye makeup with a dedicated eye makeup remover, then cleanse your face gently with lukewarm water. Go to bed with a completely clean face. Why Does Skin Get Drier as You Get Older? covers other common reasons for dryness.

A sensible order is cleanse, an appropriate toner or mist, serum, then moisturizer, each according to the product’s directions, plus daytime sun protection. If your moisturizer no longer feels like enough, a different formulation may suit you better than more of the same one. The complete formulation and your own skin decide suitability, not richness alone.

Arms, legs, hands and chest can feel drier too, so a body crème used regularly after bathing belongs in a complete routine. Does Your Body Need a Skincare Routine? goes further.

Peptides and retinol: options, not requirements

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Some specific peptides have been studied in cosmetic formulations for the appearance of fine lines, and the strength of the evidence varies from one peptide to the next. What Peptides Do explains how to read the claims.

Retinol is a form of vitamin A used in skincare for the look of fine lines and uneven tone. It is an option, not a requirement. If you choose it, it is generally used at night; follow your product’s directions and make daily broad-spectrum sunscreen part of the routine. Using a non-prescription retinol product more than directed, or more often, can lead to excessive dryness, flaking, redness or sensitivity rather than faster results. If you use a prescription retinoid, follow the guidance of the healthcare professional who prescribed it.

Introducing a new peptide or retinol product gradually does not mean the two cannot share a routine. Many suitable routines include both, used according to each product’s directions. Visible change needs consistent use over time, and the timeline varies with the concern, the product and the person.

Exfoliation and sun protection

How often to exfoliate depends on age, skin condition, method and response; no fixed schedule suits everyone. If exfoliation leaves your skin red, sore or stinging, pause non-prescription exfoliating products or treatments and allow the skin to settle before reconsidering the frequency or intensity. Persistent irritation should be discussed with an appropriate skincare or healthcare professional.

A Broad Spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, used as directed with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun. For exposed skin, including the face, ears, neck, chest and backs of the hands, use broad-spectrum sunscreen according to its label directions, including directions for application and reapplication.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. Victoria views good skincare as a lifelong commitment: as skin changes, the products and treatments that support it may change too. A professional can recognize changing needs, from maturing skin and hormones to climate and season, and advise adjustments over time.

For a typical client around 45 without obvious underlying skin problems, examples Victoria might consider include the Cellaris Body Crème for body care; the Recovery Crème; and the Matrix-Cell 3000 Concentrate, a serum used beneath a moisturizer according to its directions. They illustrate a broader range rather than a prescribed set, and the right choice depends on your skin, preferences and budget. Both crèmes come in jars, so take each out with a clean spatula and apply it with clean fingertips. Esenté works with boutique manufacturers to develop and select formulations that meet the brand’s ingredient, performance and quality criteria. For help deciding what to adjust, try the Ask Victoria page.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.

Short answer: Your 30s are a good time to put prevention at the center of a routine built around your own skin. The habits that tend to pay back are daily broad-spectrum sun protection, removing eye makeup and cleansing thoroughly so you go to bed with a clean face, and a moisturizer that suits your skin. An antioxidant step and retinol are options, not requirements. Choose each product for a clear reason and expect your routine to change as your skin and circumstances do.

None of it needs to be complicated.

Why prevention fits this decade

Many visible changes people notice later, such as uneven tone and sun-related lines, build up through years of ordinary daily exposure. Habits that limit that exposure have time on their side.

Individual needs, not a birth year, decide what belongs in your routine. Add one new product at a time so you can tell how your skin responds.

Daily sun protection comes first

The sun plays a major role in premature skin aging, and exposure adds up, including on days that do not feel sunny. In an Australian trial published in 2013, 903 adults under 55 were followed for four and a half years; those assigned to daily sunscreen showed less skin aging on the backs of their hands than those who used sunscreen at their own discretion.

In the United States, sunscreen is regulated as an over-the-counter drug. A Broad Spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, used as directed with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun. For exposed skin, including the face, ears, neck and backs of the hands, use broad-spectrum sunscreen according to its label directions, including directions for application and reapplication. Do You Need Sunscreen Every Day? covers cloudy days and winter.

A clean face at bedtime

By night your skin holds sunscreen, makeup and the day’s oil, and none of it belongs on your pillow.

Eye makeup first. Remove it with a dedicated eye makeup remover before you cleanse your face. Victoria uses small sterile, non-impregnated gauze squares for this step and discards each one after use. Removal should never turn into scrubbing.

Then the face. Cleanse with the appropriate cleanser and lukewarm water. Victoria’s preferred tool is a professional facial sponge, used gently; fingertips are acceptable. If you reapplied makeup for an evening out, cleanse again before bed. Sponge, Gauze or Washcloth explains the tools, and How to Remove Makeup goes through the steps.

A moisturizer that suits your skin

A better guide than the age on a label is how your skin feels through the day. Texture is not a reliable shortcut: suitability depends on the complete formulation and on your own skin, as Lotion, Cream, Gel or Balm: What Is the Difference? explains. Apply moisturizer after cleansing and any appropriate preceding steps, with clean fingertips, following the product’s directions.

A typical routine runs cleanse, an appropriate toner or mist, serum, moisturizer, each according to the product’s directions, plus daytime sun protection. If you want eye care, use an appropriate eye product according to its directions.

An antioxidant step, if you want one

Antioxidants are ingredients intended to help defend the skin against everyday environmental stress, such as sunlight and pollution. Vitamin C and vitamin E are familiar examples. An antioxidant product complements sunscreen and never replaces it.

Retinol is an option, not a requirement

Retinol is a form of vitamin A used in cosmetics for the look of fine lines and uneven texture. Some people try it in their 30s, some later, and some not at all.

If you use it, retinol is generally used at night. Follow the directions for your individual product, and daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is recommended as part of the routine. Using more than directed, or more often, can lead to excessive dryness, flaking, redness or sensitivity rather than faster results. Combining exfoliating products and non-prescription retinol can increase irritation for some people, so check each product’s directions. If you use a prescription retinoid, follow the guidance of the healthcare professional who prescribed it. Starting Retinol Without Wrecking Your Barrier goes further.

Expect your routine to evolve

Climate, season, hormones and the way your skin matures can all change what it needs. A product that continues to suit you does not need replacing because time has passed, and a new need may call for a new step.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. Victoria views good skincare as a lifelong commitment to improving and maintaining well-conditioned skin. As skin changes throughout life, the products and professional treatments used to support it may change as well, and a professional can recognize changing needs and advise on changes along the way. Her “less is best” philosophy means purposeful, individualized care: each product chosen for your skin and used in the appropriate amount and frequency.

Examples from Esenté’s range include the Vital Rx – Vitamin C+E Serum, which its directions say to use morning and night beneath your moisturizer, and Eye-Onizer Gentle Makeup Remover for the evening eye makeup step. They are examples, not the only suitable choices, and good care can fit different budgets; the spending decision is yours. Esenté works with boutique manufacturers to develop and select formulations that meet the brand’s ingredient, performance and quality criteria. For sun protection, Esenté offers Derma-Defense SPF 30 in the Legacy Skincare collection and Derma Defense Z-Cote SPF30 in the Elite Skincare collection. Both are labeled Broad Spectrum SPF 30; follow the label directions for either, including reapplication. If you are deciding where to begin, Ask Victoria.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.

Short answer: Here, mixing brands means using products from different brands in the same routine, not blending products together. Yes, that can work well. What matters is the products themselves, not the logos: select compatible products for your individual needs, follow each one’s directions, introduce new products one at a time, and ask a licensed skincare professional when you are unsure. A shared ingredient name on two labels does not, by itself, mean the products duplicate each other or cannot be used together; the complete formulation and purpose matter.

If your shelf already holds more than one brand, the useful question is how to combine them sensibly.

What “mixing” means here

Mixing brands means a routine in which, for example, your cleanser comes from one brand and your serum or moisturizer from another. Each product is still applied on its own, in sequence, according to its directions.

It does not mean blending products together in your palm or in a dish before you apply them. Applying products one after another is layering; combining finished products into a homemade mixture is not recommended.

Why the question comes up

A product’s directions are written for that product, and they cannot account for everything else on your shelf. When products come from several brands, checking how the pieces fit falls more to you. Mixing brands can also let you build a routine around your preferences and your budget, and that decision is yours.

Choosing products that work together

Start with what each product is meant to do. A routine generally runs cleanse, an appropriate toner or mist, serum, moisturizer, each according to the product’s directions, plus daytime sun protection. Each product should have a clear purpose for your skin.

Watch most closely with exfoliating and retinol formulations. An exfoliating cleanser from one brand and an acid serum from another may both exfoliate, and several separate exfoliating products in one routine can add up to more than your skin wants. Combining exfoliating products with non-prescription retinol products can increase dryness or irritation for some people. That is not a ban. Check the directions for each individual product, and ask a licensed skincare professional or your dermatologist if you are unsure. If you use a prescription retinoid, follow the guidance of the healthcare professional who prescribed it.

Shared ingredient names: what they tell you

Ingredient lists help you recognize what kind of product you are holding. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are common alpha hydroxy acids, and salicylic acid is the ingredient usually described as a beta hydroxy acid. Retinol, retinal and retinyl palmitate are vitamin A derivatives found in skincare products. How to Read a Skincare Ingredient List explains how to find them.

A shared name on two lists is a reason to look more closely, not proof of a problem. The same ingredient can appear in very different products, for different purposes and within different complete formulations, and products with no ingredient in common can still overlap in purpose. Read the directions, consider what each product is for, and ask a professional when the picture is unclear.

Introduce one new product at a time

Add two new products from two brands at once and your skin reacts, and you have no way to tell which one may be responsible. Add one, use it consistently according to its directions, and you are in a better position to tell. Can You Use Too Many Skincare Products? covers the same principle.

For particularly reactive skin, a small test in an area that makes sense for the product’s intended use can be an additional precaution, following the product’s own directions. How to Patch Test a New Product explains when that helps.

Each product’s directions still govern

Mixing brands does not change how any single product should be used. Retinol is generally used at night; follow the directions for your individual product, and daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is recommended as part of the routine.

As a general tendency, thinner textures go on before richer ones, but a product’s own directions take precedence. Skincare Order and Product Storage covers sequence in more detail. If two products’ directions seem to conflict, ask a licensed skincare professional or your dermatologist.

What a single line can offer

Products developed within one line often come with directions that describe how the steps fit, which can make a routine easier to follow. It is a convenience rather than a requirement.

Two common myths

“Products from different brands cancel each other out.” There is no general rule that they do. Concerns about specific combinations come down to the products and their directions, not the logos.

“A product only works with the rest of its line.” If a product’s directions call for particular companion steps, follow them. Otherwise, nothing requires your serum and your moisturizer to share a label.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. Victoria believes informed product selection comes first. Before introducing a new skincare product, understand what it is intended to do, whether it is appropriate for your skin, how it should be used and what ingredients it contains. Suitable products may be layered at home, and in professional protocols at Younger You Clinique, by applying each one individually in sequence; products are never mixed together into cocktails before application. Her “less is best” philosophy means purposeful, individualized care, with each product chosen for a reason and used in the appropriate amount and frequency. Retinol is a good example: increasing the amount or frequency beyond the directions can lead to excessive dryness, flaking, redness or sensitivity rather than faster results. If you want a second opinion on how your products fit together, the Ask Victoria page is there for it.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.

Short answer: The home tools that come up most often in a skincare routine are mask brushes, cosmetic spatulas and facial sponges, and they need the same basic care: wash with a gentle liquid soap, rinse thoroughly, let them dry properly, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which come first because materials differ. Keep your tools to yourself and replace them when they wear out. Small sterile gauze squares used for eye makeup removal are not cleaned and reused: they are discarded after use. Professional hygiene protocols in a treatment room are a separate subject from home care.

A minute after each use keeps most tools in good order.

Why clean tools matter

Every tool touches two things: your skin and your skincare. Whatever it picks up from one, it can carry to the other. A wet brush that goes back toward a jar, or a sponge left wet in a warm room, gives residue and moisture a place to sit.

A clean tool protects the products you chose for your skin, and the habit is easiest to keep when it happens straight after each use.

The basic home method

Check the instructions first. The manufacturer’s care instructions override general advice, especially for materials that may not tolerate soaking, heat or stronger cleaners.

Wash. Use a gentle liquid soap and lukewarm water, and work it into bristles and crevices where product collects.

Rinse thoroughly. Keep rinsing until no soap or product is left.

Dry properly. Let the tool dry in open air on a clean surface. A wet tool shut in a drawer or a zipped bag stays wet.

Store it clean. Keep dry tools away from steam and heat. The Bathroom Is the Worst Place to Store Skincare explains why the same logic applies to products.

Keep it yours. Do not share tools that touch your face or your products.

Mask brushes

Rinse a mask brush after each use, working a little gentle liquid soap through the bristles with your fingers until the water runs clear. Squeeze out the water gently, without wringing, and reshape the head. Dry it flat or with the bristles pointing down, so water does not sit where the bristles meet the handle.

The other half of mask-brush hygiene happens before you start. Do not dip the brush directly into the jar. Using a clean cosmetic spatula, remove the amount of mask needed and place it onto a clean, appropriate nonporous surface or container before loading the brush. How to Use a Mask Brush walks through the full method.

Cosmetic spatulas

Wash a spatula with gentle liquid soap and lukewarm water after each use, rinse it thoroughly and dry it properly before you put it away. Do not leave it sitting inside the jar between uses, where it stays in contact with the product. Use a clean spatula each time you take product from an open jar. The Spatula Rule covers choosing and using one.

Facial sponges

After each cleanse, rinse every trace of cleanser out of the sponge with lukewarm water. A little gentle liquid soap can help if cleanser or makeup is still visible, followed by thorough rinsing. Squeeze out the water gently, without wringing, and let the sponge dry fully in open air.

Replace a sponge according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and sooner if it tears, discolors, smells unpleasant or no longer rinses clean. Sponge, Gauze or Washcloth explains where a facial sponge fits in cleansing.

Gauze squares are discarded

Small sterile gauze squares used with an eye makeup remover are single-use. After you remove your eye makeup, throw each square away. There is nothing to wash, dry or store, and each use starts with a fresh square.

Other tools in your kit

Makeup brushes and sponges follow a similar method. Materials vary, so check the manufacturer’s instructions before using anything stronger than a gentle soap.

When to replace a tool

Some signs mean a tool has reached the end of its life:

• Bristles that shed or no longer return to shape.
• A sponge that tears, crumbles or keeps a smell after washing.
• Cracks, chips or rough edges on a spatula.
• A loose handle or a head that wobbles.
• Discoloration that stays after a proper wash.

There is no universal replacement interval. How often you use a tool, and how well you clean and dry it, decide how long it lasts.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. For masks, Victoria prefers a mask brush rather than fingers, and a clean cosmetic spatula each time product is taken from an open jar. For facial cleansing she prefers professional facial sponges, and for eye makeup removal she uses small sterile gauze squares that are discarded after use. At home, leave-on products are applied with clean fingertips, following the directions for each product. In professional treatments at Younger You Clinique, she follows strict hygiene protocols, which are separate from home care.

The Esenté range includes the Face Mask Brush, an accessory in the Legacy Collection supplied by another company, and Professional Facial Sponges, also in the Legacy Collection and supplied by another company. They are two options among others that may suit you; for either, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. If you have a question about keeping your routine hygienic, the Ask Victoria page is the place to send it.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.

Short answer: An automatic bristled facial cleansing device will get your face clean, and plenty of people like the way it feels. The concern is what else it does. You cannot easily judge how firm the bristles are against your skin, the motor adds pressure and friction, and because you cleanse every day, the device can add repeated mechanical exfoliation you never intended. For those reasons, Esenté does not recommend automatic bristled facial cleansing devices for routine cleansing. That does not mean every brush harms every person. Victoria’s preferred approach is a professional facial sponge, used gently with the appropriate cleanser; fingertips are acceptable too.

The answer turns on bristles, pressure and how often you cleanse.

What an automatic bristled cleansing device is

An automatic bristled facial cleansing device is a handheld, battery-powered or rechargeable tool. Its head carries bristles that rotate, oscillate or vibrate. You apply cleanser, wet the head and move it over your face. These devices do cleanse; the motor supplies the movement, which is the part worth thinking about.

Victoria’s three concerns about bristle brushes

Unknown bristle firmness. Bristles differ from one device and replacement head to the next, and a description on a box tells you little about how a head will feel on your skin day after day.

Pressure and friction. A moving head adds speed to any pressure you apply, and it is easy to press harder than you realize while the device does the work. Friction adds up on a step you repeat once or twice a day.

Unintended repeated mechanical exfoliation. Any tool that rubs the skin creates some mechanical action, and pressure, texture and frequency decide how much. Exfoliation is something you choose, at an interval that depends on your age, your skin’s condition, the method and how your skin responds. A bristle brush used for daily cleansing can turn cleansing into repeated exfoliation that nobody chose.

Adding it up with the rest of your routine

The brush does not work alone. If your routine already includes an exfoliating cleanser, an acid serum or a rinse-off exfoliant, a daily bristle brush adds another source of mechanical action on top. More exfoliation does not mean better results. Physical vs Chemical Exfoliation explains how mechanical and ingredient-based exfoliation differ.

Signs worth noticing after you cleanse

• Your face feels tight straight after washing.
• Products that used to feel comfortable start to sting.
• Redness lingers after you cleanse.
• Rough or flaky patches appear that moisturizer does not settle.

These common signs of irritation have many possible causes, so read them as a prompt to look at your routine, not as a diagnosis. Lighter pressure and gentler cleansing are the first things to try. Do not exfoliate skin that is currently irritated, cracked or sore. If the discomfort persists, ask a dermatologist or licensed skincare professional.

Professional procedures are a separate category

A cleansing brush is sometimes compared with professional procedures. They differ in equipment, intensity and who performs them.

Microdermabrasion is a controlled, nonsurgical professional mechanical exfoliation, performed with a handheld device that removes the top layer of skin.

Dermaplaning is a professional mechanical exfoliation technique in which a trained practitioner uses an appropriate sterile blade to remove superficial dead skin cells and fine vellus hair.

Dermabrasion is a substantially more aggressive medical resurfacing procedure, a form of skin-smoothing surgery performed by a doctor. It should never be confused with microdermabrasion or with a home facial brush.

A qualified practitioner selects these for the individual; a home brush is not a gentle version of any of them.

Victoria’s sponge approach instead

Victoria’s preferred approach is a professional facial sponge. Used gently with an appropriate cleanser and lukewarm water, a professional facial sponge helps thoroughly remove cleanser, makeup and the day’s sunscreen without the need for heavy pressure. You also stay in control of how firmly it touches your skin. Fingertips are acceptable as well; Victoria prefers a sponge for more thorough cleansing.

Eye makeup first. Remove eye makeup with a dedicated eye makeup remover before you cleanse your face. Victoria uses small sterile, non-impregnated gauze squares for this step and discards them afterward. Gauze is for eye makeup removal, not for cleansing the whole face.

Then the face. Cleanse with the sponge, rinse with lukewarm water and pat your face dry. Go to bed with a completely clean face.

Care for the sponge. Rinse out all the cleanser after each use, let the sponge dry fully in open air and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Sponge, Gauze or Washcloth compares the options side by side, and What Is the Skin Barrier? explains why gentle cleansing matters.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. Her objection is to automatic bristled facial cleansing devices: the firmness of the bristles is unknown, the device adds pressure and friction, and daily use can create unintended, repeated mechanical exfoliation. For facial cleansing and general makeup removal, she prefers professional facial sponges used gently with the appropriate cleanser, and she considers fingertips acceptable.

The Esenté range includes Professional Facial Sponges in the Legacy Collection, which are supplied by another company. They are one option for the sponge approach, and other soft facial sponges may suit you and your budget. If you are weighing what to use in place of a brush, the Ask Victoria page is open for your question.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.

Short answer: Different tools suit different jobs. For facial cleansing and general makeup removal, Victoria’s preferred tool is a professional facial sponge, used gently with the appropriate cleanser. Fingertips are acceptable, but she prefers a sponge for more thorough cleansing. For eye makeup, she uses small sterile, non-impregnated gauze squares with Eye-Onizer Gentle Makeup Remover, then discards them. Gauze is for eye makeup removal, not for cleansing the whole face. Whatever you use, take eye makeup off first, cleanse gently, and go to bed with a completely clean face.

Here is what each tool does, and where it fits in an evening routine.

Two jobs, two tools

Removing eye makeup and cleansing your face are separate steps. Take eye makeup off first with a dedicated eye makeup remover, without scrubbing, then cleanse your face gently with lukewarm water and light pressure. If you reapplied makeup for the evening, cleanse again before bed. How to Remove Makeup goes through the steps in more detail.

Eye makeup removal: small sterile gauze squares

For eye makeup, Victoria uses small sterile, non-impregnated gauze squares with Eye-Onizer Gentle Makeup Remover. “Non-impregnated” means plain gauze that has not been soaked in anything beforehand, so the remover is the only product on it.

Apply the remover according to its directions and use the square gently over the closed eye, without pressure or rubbing. Use a fresh square as needed and discard each one after use. These plain squares are not the same thing as commercially pre-moistened makeup wipes, and in Victoria’s approach they are not used to cleanse the whole face.

Facial cleansing: a professional facial sponge

For facial cleansing and general makeup removal, Victoria prefers a professional facial sponge. Used gently with an appropriate cleanser and lukewarm water, a professional facial sponge helps thoroughly remove cleanser, makeup and the day’s sunscreen without the need for heavy pressure. Victoria prefers it to fingertips for more thorough cleansing.

After each use, rinse out all the cleanser, squeeze the sponge gently and let it dry fully in open air. Follow the manufacturer’s care and replacement directions, and replace a sponge sooner if it tears, discolors, smells unpleasant or no longer rinses clean. How to Keep Your Skincare Tools Clean covers sponges alongside mask brushes and spatulas.

Fingertips

Fingertips are an acceptable way to cleanse. They are always with you, and you can feel how hard you are pressing. General dermatology guidance often suggests fingertips, lukewarm water and no scrubbing. Wash your hands first, and rinse well so no cleanser or makeup is left behind. Victoria’s preference for a sponge comes down to thoroughness.

A washcloth

A washcloth is familiar and inexpensive. Its weave adds some mechanical action, and that texture can be more than your face wants, depending on how rough the cloth is, how hard you press and how often you use it. Hygiene is the other drawback: a cloth folded over the tap stays wet between uses and is harder to keep clean. If washcloths suit you, use a fresh, fully dried one for each cleanse and keep the pressure light.

Friction depends on how you use the tool

Every option here, fingertips included, creates some mechanical action. That does not turn every cleansing tool into an exfoliant: pressure, texture and frequency decide how much a tool does. Physical vs Chemical Exfoliation explains where mechanical action ends and exfoliation begins.

If your skin feels tight, stings or looks pink after cleansing, try lighter pressure or a softer tool. These signs have many possible causes; if redness or discomfort persists, ask a dermatologist or licensed skincare professional. Automatic bristled facial cleansing devices are a separate question, covered in Are Facial Cleansing Brushes Good for Your Skin?

The tool does not replace the cleanser

A soft tool cannot make up for a harsh cleanser, hot water or scrubbing. Choose a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin, within your budget; Why Your Cleanser Matters covers what to look for. Finish with a lukewarm rinse and pat your face dry with a soft towel.

Cleansing tools are for cleansing. The rest of the routine goes on with clean fingertips: an appropriate toner or mist, serum and moisturizer, each according to the product’s directions.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. Her choice of tool depends on the job. For facial cleansing and general makeup removal, she prefers professional facial sponges, used gently with the appropriate cleanser; fingertips are acceptable, but she prefers a sponge for more thorough cleansing. For eye makeup, she uses small sterile, non-impregnated gauze squares with Eye-Onizer Gentle Makeup Remover and discards each square after use. Eye makeup comes off first, then the face is cleansed, so you go to bed with a completely clean face.

Examples from Esenté’s range for these steps include the Orchid Reviving Cleanser, a non-foaming cleanser, and Eye-Onizer Gentle Makeup Remover. Other formulations may suit your skin, preferences and budget equally well. Esenté works with boutique manufacturers to develop and select formulations that meet the brand’s ingredient, performance and quality criteria. The Professional Facial Sponges in the Legacy Collection are supplied by another company; their directions say to submerge them fully in warm water so they expand before use. If you are unsure which tool fits your routine, send your question through the Ask Victoria page.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.

Short answer: Start with clean skin, then build your skincare in order: an appropriate toner or mist, any serum, an eye product, moisturizer and sunscreen, each according to its directions. Let each layer settle before makeup goes on. Makeup with an SPF number does not replace sunscreen, so apply sunscreen as its own step, generously and evenly as its label directs. The other end of the day matters as much: eye makeup off first with a dedicated remover, then a gentle, thorough facial cleanse, so you go to bed with clean, makeup-free skin.

Makeup sits on whatever is underneath it, so the base is worth getting right.

Start with clean skin

After a thorough evening cleanse, Esenté’s professional approach for most skin is a warm-water rinse in the morning rather than a second full cleanse, where that suits the skin. A cleanser suits skin that wants one, such as oilier skin. General dermatology guidance is to wash morning and night, and individual needs vary.

An appropriate toner or mist follows as its own step. What it contributes depends on its formulation. If you use a facial mist, check its directions for timing: some mists are used only as part of this step, while others can also go over finished makeup. What Does Toner Do? explains the step.

Serum and eye care

Any serum you use goes on next, one product at a time, in the amount its directions give.

Then comes an appropriate eye product. The skin around the eyes is delicate, so apply the product gently according to its directions, avoiding unnecessary pulling or dragging. Let any eye product settle before concealer goes over it.

Moisturize, then let it settle

Apply moisturizer after the preceding steps, following its directions, with clean fingertips and light strokes. Makeup tends to cling to dry patches and flaky edges, so comfortable, moisturized skin gives you a smoother surface to work on.

Then wait for it to settle. There is no fixed time: the layer is ready when it no longer feels wet or slippery under your fingertip.

Sunscreen is its own step

A broad-spectrum sunscreen goes on after moisturizer and before makeup. Apply it generously and evenly as its label directs. If your moisturizer is labeled with an SPF, it is a sunscreen as well, and its label directions apply.

Makeup with SPF is a different case. The SPF number on a foundation or powder comes from laboratory testing at a set amount of product, and most people wear far less foundation or powder than that. Makeup with SPF does not replace sunscreen, so rely on the sunscreen underneath rather than counting on the makeup. Does Makeup With SPF Count as Sunscreen? goes into the detail.

If you will be outdoors, follow your sunscreen’s label directions for reapplication, and add a hat, clothing and shade as well. Do You Need Sunscreen Every Day? covers why daily sunscreen matters.

Keeping it light

Keeping skincare light under makeup works when “light” means the appropriate amount of each product, not leaving out moisturizer or sunscreen.

Too much product underneath can make makeup slide or look patchy, so use the amount the directions give and spread it evenly. Primers are optional; a well-settled moisturizer and sunscreen are the base either way.

The other end of the day

Preparing your skin for makeup includes taking it off again, because makeup, sunscreen and the day’s oil do not belong on your skin overnight.

Eyes first. Eye makeup generally warrants a dedicated eye makeup remover before you cleanse the rest of your face. Follow the remover’s directions, let it soften the makeup, then lift it away gently. Removal should never turn into scrubbing.

Then cleanse your face. A thorough, gentle cleanse with lukewarm water, light pressure and an appropriate cleanser takes off what is left. A soft professional facial sponge gives a thorough cleanse, and fingertips are acceptable too.

Reapplied makeup means cleansing again. If you took makeup off earlier and put it back on for an evening out, cleanse again before bed.

Choosing between a sponge, gauze or washcloth explains which tool suits which job, and How to Take Your Makeup Off Properly goes through the whole method.

Victoria’s approach

Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. Her central rule is going to bed with a thoroughly clean, makeup-free face. Whatever your routine, don’t go to sleep wearing makeup. For eye makeup, Victoria uses small sterile, non-impregnated gauze squares with Eye-Onizer Gentle Makeup Remover, then discards them. These are plain gauze squares, not commercially pre-moistened makeup wipes. Facial cleansing follows, and for that and for general makeup removal she prefers professional facial sponges, used gently with the appropriate cleanser. Fingertips are acceptable, but she prefers sponges for more thorough cleansing.

For the morning, examples from the Esenté range include the Hydra Day Crème and Hydro Mist, an antioxidant spray that can be used before makeup, after makeup to help set it and throughout the day as desired. For the evening, there is the Eye-Onizer Gentle Makeup Remover. The Hydra Day Crème is not intended for the eye area, and it comes in a jar, so take it out with a clean spatula. These are examples among other Esenté formulations that may suit your skin, preferences and budget. Esenté works with boutique manufacturers to develop and select formulations that meet the brand’s ingredient, performance and quality criteria. Follow the directions for each product you use, and if you have a question about your own routine, send it through the Ask Victoria page.

Frequently asked questions

About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.

Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.