wash, rinse, repeat

i have two types of clients. those who obsess, and those who do not.

by obess, i mean, those who have a perfected skincare regimen with specific steps. they can recite the name of every brand name product they use along with its key ingredients. by those who do not obsess, i'm speaking of those who say "well, I use whatever soap is in the soap dish".

who is right? who is wrong?

the answer: neither

it goes back to each individual being unique. what works for one person doesn't work for the rest. i've seen plenty of clients who use the old soap and water method: some have excessive acne and others have clearer skin than a freshly cleaned window. it's hit or miss. i also have clientele who have all the top rated products in their arsenal, yet they can't seem to get rid of that one persistent pimple or clean out the pores over their nose.

what someone chooses to use is entirely up to them. the bottom line should be: is it working for you? for example:

• if your problem is acne and you're using soap and water everyday to cleanse the skin but don't see a difference, you might want research a more potent face wash or cleanser. You don't have to invest in a full system, but rather, you can keep your one product routine - just choose a better product. drugstore or department store you can find a suitable product that's still rub on, rinse off.

• if your $100 moisturizer is all the rage but you seem to be getting oilier as the days pass, maybe look into another moisturizer.  you don't have to go drugstore if you don't want to, but maybe the $50 moisturizer from the counter across the department store would be better for you.

• And who says your cleanser, toner, face cream and eye cream all have to be one brand? as much as sales help will tell you "these must go together" ... you know yourself best. if there is an ingredient in one of those products you don't like - don't use it. if you already have one product you love but just want to switch out the other products around or associated with it - do it.

if you're still unsure of what you want to do with your skin, then at least take this advice with you: read all you want from magazines, reviews and blogs like this one ... process the information, and then make a decision. do not take my word, or sales help advice, or your best friend's recommendations and run with it. process it, and then make an informed decision on what YOU know works best for YOU.