LIFE HACKS
Skincare 101 Story by Chuck Dickson | Photos by Kassandra Eller | Design by Morgan Rosentrater When it comes to skincare, the desire to glow and look vibrant is a much sought-after attribute, but what may actually be more important is the health and science behind skin. Many people study to become estheticians and skincare professionals in order to advocate for skin health and maintenance. But for those who are not professionals, many questions linger. Is an avocado mask better than a charcoal peel? What is the difference between an exfoliate and a cleanser? And how the heck do I know what brand to buy? For those who are concerned and lost, never fear, your answers lie within. Sit back, put your listening ears on and get ready to learn about skin health. Lexi Luke, a graduate of Western Beauty School in 2012 and an esthetician and cosmetologist, formerly employed at the Suncadia Spa in Cle Elum for 5 years, explains what esthetics is. “Esthetics is the study of skin. We study skin, the way it works, diseases and disorders, and how to treat it,” Luke says. “We do facials and waxing and do everything to improve the health of the skin.”
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WINTER 2022
Diving deeper, Luke shares that there are different types of skin that require different treatments. “Everyone has a different skin type. The basic ones are oily skin and dry skin, sometimes a combo of the two. Treatments, such as facials, are catered to the skin you work on. Each skin type requires different treatments.” Luke tends to work on people with dry skin, especially during the winter season. “We don’t have a ton of humidity [in Ellensburg],” she says. “If you have oily skin, you have oily skin, but it can still dry out.” Luke also recommends a daily regimen of skin care. Depending on your skin, you’ll want to use a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer. Those products could vary based on your skin type. Exfoliating is a huge part of the skin care process. “You can do all of these things to get your skin hydrated, but if you’re not exfoliating at least once a week, those products are getting soaked up by dead skin and they are not going deeper into the skin and so it’s not doing anything.”
