The start of a new year is the ultimate reset button. It’s a chance to refresh your goals, your mindset, and, yes, your skin care routine! If your current product lineup feels lackluster or isn’t delivering results, it’s time to shake things up. The best part? Starting fresh means getting to choose products tailored to your skin’s unique needs. From cleansers to toners to specific ingredients you should be looking for, let’s dive into some esthetician-recommended at-home agendas for every skin type. 

For dry skin 

Signs you have dry skin: Your skin rarely experiences any oil in the T-zone area and often feels tight, a common sign of dryness. You may notice a few or no visible pores on your nose, and your skin tends to have a thin, delicate texture. This fragility can make your skin more prone to developing fine lines and wrinkles over time. 

Dry, flaky skin craves hydration and nourishment. Saturate it with these rich, emollient ingredients: 

• Ceramides: Help restore skin’s barrier function, enhance moisturization, prevent moisture loss and deliver mild desquamation (shedding of dead skin cells)

• Vitamin E: A potent topical antioxidant that is incredibly moisturizing, protective and soothing. 

• Squalane: A natural moisturizing agent with antioxidant and fatty acids. It works on top of and below the skin barrier to lubricate skin cells. 

Esthetician-recommended routine:

1. moisture positive cleanser: A rich, hydrating creme cleanser with balancing adaptogens for dry skin. 

2. power peptide: A revitalizing toner mist to brighten and hydrate with renewing peptides.

3. plump start: An intensive plumping concentrate that instantly improves fullness, nourishes and smoothes out fine lines. 

4. crucial moisture: An emollient creme moisturizer for dry skin to improve the look of lines. 

For oily skin

Signs you have oily skin: Your skin tends to become oily shortly after cleansing, with visibly enlarged pores often appearing on your T-zone and cheeks. You may frequently experience clogged pores and breakouts, along with persistent shine that breaks through throughout the day, making oil control an ongoing challenge. 

Oily skin needs balance. Target and remove oil without over-stripping skin, while also getting the hydration your skin needs, with these ingredients:

• Phospholipids: Water-binding lipids composed of glycerol, fatty acids and phosphate that deliver needed hydration without making skin look or feel oily. 

• Iris root extract: Natural extract that helps skin control oil and refine the appearance of pores.

• Nordihydroguaiaretic acid: A powerful antioxidant ingredient that helps regulate skin’s oil production. 

Esthetician-recommended routine:

1. decongestant cleanser: A deep cleansing, lathering gel cleanser with balancing adaptogens for oily skin.

2. equalizer: A hydrating toner mist to refresh and nourish with natural plant extracts. 

3. oil control sleepwear: An overnight creme with calcium, retinol and peptides for more youthful, rested skin. 

4. beyond hydration: A gel moisturizer with vitamin B5 and adaptogens to refresh oily skin.

For combination skin

Signs you have combination skin: Your skin gets moderately oily a few hours after cleansing, and you often notice excess oil on your T-zone and dryness on your cheeks. Pores in your T-zone are visible, and you may experience occasional clogged pores or breakouts. 

Target and rebalance combination skin – without making dry areas drier or oily areas oilier – with these ingredients: 

• Sodium PCA: A skin-softening, moisture-binding humectant that helps replenish skin in the areas that need it most.

• Xylityglucoside, Anhydroxylitol + Xylitol: A vegetable-derived, anti-dehydration sugar blend that reserves water circulation and reinforces your skin’s barrier. 

• Adaptogens: Natural herbs that work to naturally balance and strengthen the skin.

Esthetician-recommended routine:

1. flash foam cleanser: An exfoliating cleanser that washes away makeup, dirt and impurities. 

2. equalizer: A hydrating toner mist to refresh and nourish with natural plant extracts. 

3. vc10 daily glow: A glow-getting serum with triple-sourced antioxidant 10% vitamin C. 

4. absolute moisture: A lightweight facial moisturizer with self-adjusting hydrators to balance combination skin. 

For acne prone skin

Signs you have acne prone skin: Your skin frequently shows signs of congestion, such as blackheads and whiteheads, which can appear across various areas like your T-zone, cheeks, or chin. You may experience multiple breakouts at once, often accompanied by redness and swelling – signs of visible inflammation. 

Treat acne prone skin with effective and innovative clinical ingredients: 

• Sulfur: An OTC acne treatment that treats and clears acne, absorbs excess sebum, unclogs pores and denies the growth of acne bacteria. This ingredient is a gentler alternative to benzoyl peroxide. 

• Salicylic acid: A sebum-soluble, beta hydroxy acid OTC acne treatment that helps exfoliate dead, pore-clogging skin and reduce breakouts, blackheads and whiteheads.

• Glycolic acid: This pH-balanced alpha hydroxy acid targets clogged pores, dark spots, rough texture and more. 

Esthetician-recommended routine:

1. pore thing: A daily cleansing gel with 1.5% salicylic acid + azelaic acid to target problem pores. 

2. daily meds: An acne clearing serum with medicinal beta + alpha hydroxy acids plus niacinamide to target lines, tone and dullness. 

3. oxygen boost barrier treatment: A skin supplement with a 2.5% triple oxygenating complex to amplify cellular respiration and purify skin. 

4. spot defy: A 5% sulfur overnight acne spot treatment to clear active blemishes. 

Bonus product pick - peel breaker: A 2% BHA + PHA leave-on liquid exfoliating treatment to break up pore blockage oils and dead skin cells. We recommend interchanging this formula with daily meds 1-3x a night.  

For sensitive skin 

Signs you have sensitive skin: You often see redness or your skin stings, itches or gets irritated. You may notice your skin flushes easily or develops red blotches. Your skin might experience bouts of flakiness or dryness. 

Sensitive skin can be tight, uncomfortable and red – all signs of a weakened skin barrier. Target your skin concerns with strengthening, calming ingredients: 

• Silver ear mushroom: A natural alternative to hyaluronic acid that helps form a barrier-protective hydration film to keep skin nourished over long periods of time.

• Hemp seed oil: Packed with anti-inflammatory Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids to restore elasticity and soften skin.

• Bakuchiol: A natural alternative to retinol without potential irritation. It helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles while improving elasticity and firmness. 

Esthetician-recommended routine:

1. sensitive skin cleansing oil: A gentle 2-in-1 oil to cleanse away makeup, dirt and irritating skin impurities. 

2. soothing reset mist: A hydrating toner mist to leave sensitive skin nourished and protected.

3. time sensitive: A retinol-free, multi-benefit serum for delicate skin with bakuchiol, peptides and deep hydrators. 

4. barrier fix daily hydrator: A clinical moisturizing treatment to target irritation and strengthen sensitive skin’s barrier. 

Why now is the time to switch

A new year brings a fresh start, and your skin deserves the same attention. Transitioning to a skin care routine expertly tailored to your needs can address persistent skin concerns more effectively. With the right products and ingredients, you’ll be well on your way to glowing, healthy skin in 2025 – a resolution worth sticking to! 

If you’re hesitant about overhauling your entire current routine, start with one or two tailored products and build from there. Small, consistent changes can lead to big results.