Skincare 101

Skincare101

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.”

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.”

Buying skincare products isn’t necessarily an expensive habit, but Luke acknowledges that high quality products cost more. “The good products tend to be on the higher price point, but that’s because you pay for what you get,” Luke says. “However, you don’t have to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars to start a skin regimen. You really just need the basics and you can usually do it for 50 to 100 dollars, and that’s a medium price point.” Luke also recommends what one should have in a basic skincare kit. “Everyone needs a cleanser that’s basic. Then you want a toner, and then a serum. A serum will help get you the results you want. If you’re looking to brighten the skin, you would want to use a Vitamin C serum and that would help a ton. Then you also want a moisturizer.” Luke makes clear, again, how important exfoliating is. “Everyone needs an exfoliate.”

Lastly, no matter what gender, it is important for all individuals to take care of their skin. “Women tend to take better care of their skin because it has been so normalized, but skin is skin. I don’t look at it as male or female,” Luke says. If you want healthy skin, hydrate, use exfoliants once a week, apply serums and be conscious of your treatment habits. Your skin covers your entire body; make sure you’re taking care of it.

For those interested, Luke recommends the brand Eminence; any brand of hyaluronic acid, a moisture absorbing compound that helps reduce wrinkles and jojoba oil, which provides a boost in oil for your skin if it is not oily enough.