The surge of cleansing oils to the market is not for nothing: They really are better for your skin, Su-Man says. "A common mistake I see in my clients is that they over-wash their faces," she explains. "It strips the skin’s natural oil which can lead to possible breakouts, dry skin, and irritation. It can also result in even more oil-production as the skin attempts to restore the lost oils." No good. Su-Man recommends her Purifying Cleansing Gel-Oil as an oil that absorbs excess oil on your skin but leaves behind enough hydration to keep the balance. Other fan favorites include the DHC version (one sells every second or something ludicrous like that) and the newer True Botanicals Pre-Cleanse Oil. All three also do a bang-up job removing stubborn makeup.
Eat right—spinach, eggs, salmon, yada yada yada—and your skin will show it. You know that, you still eat pizza, live your life. But the nutrition you put on your skin can be just as important as what you eat for your skin. Su-Man recommends more oil—like rosehip, apricot kernel, and sea buckthorn—to up your topical doses of vitamins and essential fatty acids. Also Udo’s Choice Ultimate Oil Blend if you're looking for something to swallow.
The best part. It improves circulation, helps products sink into your skin, and feels so damn good. But how??? Su-Man directs: "Always start by spreading enough moisturizer across your face and neck—you should never do facial massage on dry skin, so be generous with product! Work from the bottom of your collarbone up to the forehead, and from the center of your face to the sides. Don't forget your ears, too." That last part is my favorite.
As the weather gets colder, "It is tempting to use heavy creams to moisturize," Su-Man allows. "But heavy creams will only suffocate the skin and leave it unable to regenerate itself. Don't overwhelm the skin with one heavy product—instead layer skin with moisture." She starts with a hydrating toner—I can attest to her Rehydrating Toning Essence as a soothing counterpoint to hard water and polluted air. Further steps include but are not limited to: hyaluronic acid serum, balancing oil, and a weekly mask. Basically an at-home facial, but every day.
"If you can, go at least two makeup free days a week," Su-Man pleaded with me. "It's important to let your skin live in its natural condition. Then you can start seeing makeup as an enhancer instead of a concealer." Words to live by, for sure. But maybe easier said than done.