Let’s be realistic there isn’t ONE magic product or treatment that will fix everything, but the combination of a few products, facials, and/ or treatments can most definitely do the trick! Your skin is the largest organ you have, and it deserves to be spoiled. A great skincare routine isn’t about a 12-step care routine, or what product is trending on socials. It’s about giving your skin exactly what it needs to stay healthy, balanced, and glowing, every single day.
A full routine takes care of your skin in five ways: it cleanses, exfoliates, hydrates, treats, and protects. Even if you don’t do all five right away, cleansing and SPF are the two you can’t skip. Cleansing does half the work ( I can’t say this enough, CLEANSING IS 50% OF YOUR ROUTINE! If you’re not getting rid of dirt, sweat, makeup, and pollution, then your serums and treatment creams can’t do what they’re supposed to. And that “squeaky clean” feeling some people talk about? That usually means your cleanser is too harsh, stripping your natural oils. Your skin should feel refreshed, not tight or dry. I want to feel deeply cleansed but not like I just left the desert.
Vitamin C is another daily must-have. It’s a shield against pollution, UV rays, and all those invisible stressors that age your skin over time. When applied every morning, it helps keep your complexion bright and healthy. And here’s the secret: not all vitamin C is created equal. A professional-grade serum like Alto Advanced or Pro-Heal will deliver far better results than the bargain bottle you might find online. Molecular size and formulation matter. Vitamin- C is actually a very hard product to make and keep stable. INVEST in high quality if you’re serious about results and reducing prematurely aging.
When it comes to addressing more specific concerns like stubborn spots, redness, or uneven tone (this can be from acne, sun exposure, melasma, etc.) treatment products are game changers. One of my favorites is Even Tone Intensive Cream from SkinBetter Science — it works quickly on discoloration and preps the skin beautifully for professional treatments like lasers, microneedling, and peels (my favorite is Moxi laser!) At Javan, we have options for every skin type and tone, and skin color, so we can go after deeper pigmentation concerns safely and effectively. And don’t forget sunscreen!! This is often looked over, especially with my clients of color! SPF is your ultimate insurance policy, especially if you’re using retinol or doing treatments to smooth texture, fade spots, or soften lines. Without it, you risk undoing all that progress. All skin types need sunscreen, every ethnicity, race and gender can get skin cancer or sun damage.
People often ask why we can’t guarantee results if they’re using products I don’t recommend. The truth is, I only stand behind what I have personally used, researched, trained on, and seen deliver consistent results for myself, family, friends and patients. When products I don’t know get mixed in, things become unpredictable — like changing ingredients in a chef’s recipe. Sometimes they just don’t work well together, and in some cases, they can even cause irritation or worsen acne. My goal is to protect your investment in your skin and make sure you’re achieving the results you want.
Since every face is different, I always start by looking at what you’re already using. I encourage everyone to bring their products in or send photos beforehand, that way we can figure out what’s helping, what’s not, and build a plan that’s truly made for you. When your skin barrier is healthy, everything falls into place — fewer breakouts, less irritation, and a balanced glow that lasts and everyone notices.