As someone who takes care of other people’s skin for a living, I’m often asked what I do for myself. Like most people, my skin naturally changes throughout the year, so I try to plan around that by planning quarterly.

Below is a general guide based on what I personally do and what you could consider, but remember that everyone’s skin is different and what works for one person might not work for you.

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when they're choosing in-studio treatments is that they try to use something that they don't necessarily need or aren't going to see results from. Just because something is trendy on Instagram doesn't mean that you're the right person for it. For example, a client might come to me and say, "Oh, I want to get microneedling done for my acne,” but their acne is really inflamed and out of control. I would say that's like washing a car when it's raining outside — like, let's get the acne under control first, and then deal with texture. I always think you have to treat the condition of the skin before scar correction.

That being said, this is an optimized skincare plan that I do as a professional, but you should pick and choose what works for you. Always talk to your service provider about your unique skin and issues to ensure you’re getting your best plan for your best skin yet.

Q1: January - March

Focus: Correction

Maintenance: I like to get a facial every six to eight weeks. This is a regular skin maintenance facial with extractions, professional grade exfoliation, and a mask treatment to really hydrate. Do one in January and another in March.

Treatment: Generally speaking, we’re indoors a lot more during Q1, which makes it the perfect time to do corrective treatments like the Deep Clean Facial we do at the studio, chemical peels for pigmentation, oxygen therapy, or liquid microneedling, which is our Korean microneedling treatment that I love and think is really fab.

Products: Most skin types are going to want to focus on hydration for Q1; it’s just about finding the right moisturizer for your skin type. I switch to a thicker non-comedogenic moisturizer, a moisture-rich cleanser, and a hydrating SPF for daytime (I know I don’t need to remind you that you still need SPF in the winter… right?) and keep the rest of my routine really simple.

Q2 + Q3: April to September

Focus: Protection

Maintenance: Continue getting facials every six to eight weeks, focusing on deep cleaning and hydrating.

Treatment: Think of April to September as your protect months and September to April as your correct months. In the spring and summer, we’re spending more time outside, going to the beach, getting more sun exposure, etc. These are harsher conditions for your skin, so you’ll want to be more careful with it. Definitely avoid any corrective treatments like lasers, microneedling, or peels because you’re likely not going to heal correctly or be able to enjoy your results. Instead, go for deep cleans and nourishing hydrating treatments in these warmer months.

Products: Here, you’ll want to focus on protecting your skin from environmental factors like sun and heat. Most people know the sun can damage your skin, but heat can cause damage, too, like general hyperpigmentation or making melasma worse. If you’re going to the beach or park for a long day, consider bringing a mini fan and cooling products like Fridge to Face (or Nice Ice in a cooler if you’re fancy).

I like to have a “wardrobe” of moisturizers, so I’ll switch to a lighter formula when it starts to get hot out. And SPF always, of course.

If you’re feeling really sweaty, especially during high summer, I love to add an extra double cleanse midday. I prefer using micellar water for the first step in my double cleanse since oils or balms can leave a film on the skin. It’s also really important to keep up with your exfoliation in the spring and summer to slough off all of that sweat, sunscreen, etc. You already know my favorite.

Q4: October to December

Focus: Correction

Maintenance: Continue regular facials every six to eight weeks, but switch your focus back to correcting pigmentation and texture.

Treatment: When October comes around, I switch back into correction mode. After summer, the skin tends to feel really dull and dry and pigmented, so I like to do a big treatment then. For me, its Ultherapy or a C02 laser, which I only do once a year. (I don’t think anyone needs to do it more than that — it’s too much.)

If you like microneedling, consider adding it to your facials every six to eight weeks, or a peel or two. If you do these consistently and keep your at-home skincare consistent, you’re really going to see results.

Products: Continue daily exfoliation with something gentle like Mandelic Clearing Serum to help slough off dead skin cells and keep your skin glowy and smooth. Switch back to your thicker moisturizer, and — I know I sound like a broken record here — keep using SPF.

Any questions? You know where to find me.

Xx Sofie