For New York-based skincare expert and esthetician Sean Garrette, a healthy appearance starts with examining your skin type and developing a routine with products that deliver results. S/ recently spoke with the newly-appointed Dior Beauty skincare expert in New York City on building an essential routine, must-have Dior beauty products, and how to reset dry winter skin for the spring and summer seasons ahead.
What is your advice for someone looking to streamline their skincare routine?
“To build a typical facial routine, first you acknowledge your skin type, whether you are oily or dry, which will lead you to products that will satisfy your individual concerns. If you have acne, hyperpigmentation, or just want to help diminish fine lines and wrinkles or acne scarring, then you must look for targeted products. For those prone to dryness, you want to get milky, creamy cleansers or low foam gel cleansers. Opt for hydrating toners, serums, and rich emulsions that will hold that moisture to the skin. If you’re someone who has combination skin, you might want lightweight textures that are also hydrating. For acne, you’ll look for ingredients that target those issues, which is the same for hyperpigmentation. The most basic routine you can have is really cleansing, hydration, moisturizing, and a sunscreen. If you start with those four steps, you can plug in your treatment products or whichever skin concern your’e trying to mend.”
What is the most essential skincare step?
“Definitely cleansing. The La Mousse OFF/ON cleanser is our newest product and I feel like its our most universal formula—it really can work across all spectrums. Whether you have oily, dry, combo, or more mature skin, it really is a cleanser that has universal properties. You want to start with a clean palette, and after that, the Super Potent Serum is a hero product that again would fit into anybody’s routine. It has great stem-cell rejuvenation properties, such as vitamin C and niacinamide, so it’s going to help brighten the skin, even its tone, improve texture, and promote a plump appearance. It also has antioxidants, so it’s a great product for anyone who’s looking for a miracle formula that’s going to work in their skincare routine.”
Dior La Mousse OFF/ON Foaming Cleanser
Dior CAPTURE TOTALE C.E.L.L. ENERGY Super Potent Serum
Which Dior Beauty products are you most excited about?
“La Mousse OFF/ON, and then after that the Intensive Essence Lotion. I talk about it non-stop, it’s the easiest form to just get hydration, and after La Mousse, it can work as your first hydrating step. Dior doesn’t have a typical toner-like product, so the Essence is really like your toner/hydration step. It’s going to prep your skin for the rest of your serums and routine, and you can layer it in between steps. It’s a multi-use, really effective product.”
Dior CAPTURE TOTALE Intensive Essence Lotion
How can someone prep their skin after the winter season when the weather gets warmer?
“After winter, I would say I always go for lighter textures, and I also start preparing my skin for summer. If I am using retinoids and exfoliations, I’d use them not as often and really focus on my skin’s barrier health. As the season gets warmer, you’re going to be out in the sun more, so you just want to focus on hydration, rejuvenating that skin, and a serum like Super Potent is great because it’s going to give you those moisture and antioxidant benefits—it has the vitamin C, but it’s not super heavy to wear, and it’s not suffocating during the summer.”
What would be your most underrated and overrated beauty secret or tip?
“Overrated is exfoliation because our skin naturally does that, but I think there is an obsession with exfoliating your skin. People think the more you exfoliate, the better your skin is going to be, the clearer it’s going to be, but what happens is a lot of people over exfoliate and so their skin gets dryer, and it gets tighter. Overusing retinoids and exfoliants really can damage the skin, so you really want to make sure you’re focusing on your barrier health first and then using retinoids and the exfoliants as weekly treatments, not everyday. So, I would say focusing on the skin’s barrier health is underrated and overrated are these treatments we overuse.”