The Grocery Store Question
I was minding my own business in the grocery store when a lovely woman stopped me to compliment my skin. Then she told me she could NEVER leave the house without makeup and how "brave" I was for going bare-faced.
I laughed and told her it was an occupational hazard. She paused for a second, like she wasn't quite sure what I meant! So I explained that I'm an esthetician and I offer skincare and in-office treatments.
Her very next question? "So what should my granddaughter be using?"
I told her I'd LOVE to help. She could bring her granddaughter into the office, or her granddaughter could connect with me online. And I could tell she was a little frustrated. She wanted an answer right there in the cereal aisle, and I didn't give her one.
Why I Didn't Just Answer
I get it, I really do! When you meet someone with skin you admire, you want to know their secret. It feels like asking a friend what's good on the menu.
But skincare is NOT a drink menu. There are billions of products out there, and the right one for your best friend could be the wrong one for you. Without seeing her granddaughter's skin, anything I said would have been a guess.
This isn't me gatekeeping to make a sale. I wish it were that simple! A recommendation without the full picture is a coin toss, and your skin deserves better than a coin toss.
When a Friend's Favorite Backfires
Going off a friend's recommendation feels safe enough. Most of the time it isn't, especially if you have a specific goal in mind. Here's what I see over and over...
Clearing acne. Your friend's rich, hydrating cream could be clogging your pores. Or a harsh drying product leaves skin tight and irritated, and the breakouts keep coming.
Sun damage. Dark spots need a plan, not a random brightening serum. The wrong actives can leave sensitive skin red and irritated, and without daily SPF the spots keep coming back.
An impaired skin barrier. If your skin stings, burns or feels tight, adding a friend's favorite exfoliant or retinol can make it WORSE. A damaged barrier needs calming and repair first.
The product isn't bad. It's just not YOUR product. That's how so many of us end up with a bathroom drawer full of half-used bottles and skin that still isn't happy.
What I Actually Need to See
To set someone up properly, I need more than a quick description in the produce section. Here's what goes into every recommendation I make...
Your skin. I need to see it, either in person or on a video call.
Your skin history. Breakouts, sensitivities, reactions, and what's changed over the years.
What you're using now. Every product in your routine, even the ones you only use "sometimes."
Treatments you've had. Facials, peels, prescriptions, or anything done at a doctor's office.
Your goals. Clearer skin, fewer dark spots, less redness, or simply a routine you LOVE and actually stick to.
With all of that in front of me, I can stop guessing and give you a plan built for YOUR skin. That's the whole point.
Let's Find YOUR Products
So to the sweet woman in the grocery store, and to anyone else wondering what they should be using... let's talk! A virtual consultation is the easiest way to get real answers, no matter where you live.
We'll meet on video, I'll look at your skin, go over your history and current routine, and build a plan around your goals. You'll walk away knowing exactly what to use and why, instead of buying the wrong thing five times.
Book your virtual skin consultation here
Local to Evergreen? You're ALWAYS welcome to come see me in the office, too. Either way, I can't wait to meet you (and yes, bring your granddaughter)!
