Has the pursuit of glow left you (and your skin) feeling stressed? This year, ditch restrictive routines and unlock a healthier complexion with your own approach to skincare.

Skincare is personal. 

So while consistency is key to great results, everyone is unique. What works for you won’t always be the same as what works for your friends, coworkers — or that radiant-skinned influencer online. But want to know a secret? That’s a good thing. 

In the world of nutrition, more and more people are rejecting rigid, strict diet plans in favor of a concept called “intuitive eating”. Often described as the anti-diet, this mindfulness-oriented approach focuses on honoring your own natural cues: eating when you’re hungry, stopping when you’re full, and trusting that your body knows what it needs to feel healthy and nourished. By eliminating food-related stress and guilt, it’s designed to promote a more balanced attitude that empowers you to feel your best. Sounds like something we can all get behind, right? 

It’s a self-honoring approach that puts you in charge of your own body — and its principles can be applied to your skin, too. 

How? Instead of stressing over a hyper-prescriptive skincare regimen that’s not actually tailored to your individual needs, try stepping back and paying attention to what your skin is telling you day to day. If it’s feeling tight and dry, add an extra moisture boost. If it’s feeling oily or congested, skip the booster serum or reach for a clarifying weekly exfoliator. And don't forget that hormonal fluctuations, stress, hydration and environmental factors can all play a role in the way your skin looks and feels on a daily basis.

“I see a lot of clients confused and overwhelmed with their skincare routine,” says Victoria Collotta, expert esthetician and General Manager of Silk Therapeutics. “But unless you’re being treated by a doctor for a specific skin condition, there’s no need to have your regimen set in stone.”

Victoria recommends consistently sticking to the basics (a great cleanser and moisturizer) and using targeted products to build out from there. “If you’re looking to achieve a more youthful, radiant glow, serums with ingredients such as vitamin C and hyaluronic acid will be a great option for you. AHA exfoliators are excellent for sloughing off buildup and dullness — and if you struggle with breakouts, they can even be applied directly to areas of concern. It’s completely up to you, your unique skin type and your personal skincare goals.” 

It’s totally okay to switch things up day by day, too. In the cold winter months, extreme temperature fluctuations (dry, heated offices and cars, we’re looking at you) can wreak havoc on even the most stable of complexions. Pay attention to how your skin feels: if it’s drier than usual, you might want to incorporate a hydrating booster serum into the mix, or even repurpose an emollient moisturizer as an intensive hydrating mask. On oilier days, you might prefer to reach for lighter options, such as a balancing moisturizer — or simply using a moisturizing serum on its own.  

Knowledge is power, and the more you know about what each of your products really does for your skin, the easier it will be to respond intuitively to your own daily needs. We’re big fans of resources like the EWG Skin Deep database and the Think Dirty app, which are designed to help you make safe, informed choices about the ingredients you’re putting on your skin. And at Silk Therapeutics, we’re proud to have a team of in-house estheticians on hand to answer your questions and help you find solutions to support your individual skincare goals. 

At the end of the day, it’s your skin, and no one knows it better than you do. This year, let's tune in and listen.