As a teenager in the early 2000’s, my skincare regimen consisted mainly of PondsⓇ makeup remover wipes and using body lotion on my face. At that time, I had no clue that there was even such thing as a facial from a spa. Nearly 18+ years later, navigating through life from retail to corporate, I found myself working in the spa industry, and I’ve had the chance to learn the what’s and why’s to the perfect routine skincare regimen.

When I say a “routine skincare regimen,” I don’t mean washing my face at home, using an over the counter anti-aging cream and hoping for the best (and then trying cream after cream looking for results that you just can’t seem to achieve). I’m talking about making time and budgeting for a routine facial from a professional and engineered product suited for your skin. Trust me, I wasn’t convinced at first but the more I learned, the more I started to understand the difference it made on one’s skin, which is why I could never revisit my 2000’s skincare regimen.

There’s a good reason why the skincare industry is blowing up right now: people want to look their best. And with so many options to choose from, it can get overwhelming. But with a little research and consultation with a professional, you will find what works best for your skin. For me, it’s the Oxygenating (O2) Lift Facial by IMAGE Skincare at AgeLess SPA and a few at-home products that have transformed my skin.

I already know what you’re thinking, “This is supposed to be about a facial and she’s already trying to talk about buying products to use at home,” I can see your eyes rolling. But yes, an at-home product or two is required for your regimen to work. I mean, you don’t stop brushing your teeth at home because you just went to the dentist for a cleaning, right? Skincare works in the same way.

For me personally, I’ve always struggled with rosacea on my cheeks, oily skin in my t-zone (center of my face), light acne underneath my cheeks, and dryness around the outside of my face. But with the help of IMAGE Skincare, I stress less about my skin.

So what exactly is the O2 Lift Facial? See the deets below!

The O2 Lift Facial is suited for any skin type and is designed with a combination of oxygen, plant-derived stem cells, peptides, and concentrated enzymatic botanicals. All of which come together to increase the collagen in the deeper layers of your skin, gently exfoliate the dead skin cells, blast your pores with oxygenating hydration and soothe your skin back to life.

First comes the peel, which is going to soothe your skin, and help to gently remove the dead skin cells. It then works with the masque to increase the collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin.The oxygen and peptides in the masque do make it a slightly more “active” facial than the Signature Facial by IMAGE Skincare offered at AgeLess SPA, so don’t be alarmed by the warm, bubbling sensation that comes with the masque (think of it like champagne bubbles). The more warmth and bubbles you feel, the more it’s getting in there to get all of the junk out of your pores! I tend to feel this sensation the most around the apples of my cheeks where most of my congestion is.

I’m always a little pink on my cheeks after this treatment and for most of the day, but my skin is so clean, smooth, and dewy. I don’t suggest wearing makeup after this facial, as you will want your skin to breathe. And honestly, you will be glowing so much, you won’t even need it. On day two, my skin tone is so even and glowing with hydration and those little fine lines, look a little finer.

While the post-O2 Lift Facial glow is something I look forward to, remember my corky dentist analogy from above? As much as I would love to tell you this facial is the “cure all” to my skin type, it is not. So my esthetician recommended that I use an IMAGE Skincare moisturizer and cleanser.

The items she chose for my skin type were the IMAGE Skincare Vital C Intense Moisturizer, because of it’s potent kick of vitamin C to help with my rosacea, and it’s time-released hydration formula to give my skin hydration throughout the day and night. The IMAGE Skincare Ormedic Balancing Cleanser, because of gentle formula that soothes and balances skin with ingredients like aloe and organic green tea.

These products combined, along with O2 Lift Facial, help prevent breakouts, and help win the battle against my oily/dry skin. Trust me when I say, I understand that it can seem costly to maintain a regimen. So to help break down the idea, I get one of these facials twice a year, and I purchase these two products every six months or so (a little bit goes a long way!).

So how much does this perfect (and simple) skincare regimen really cost?

• The O2 Lift Facial is $100.00 x 2 = $200.00 per year
• The Vital C Intense Moisturizer is $62.00 x 2 = $124.00 per year
  • Using twice a day, that’s .17 cents per use for the year
• The Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser is $29.00 = $58.00 per year
  • Using twice a day, that’s .08 cents per use for the year

That’s $382 a year for ALL of my skincare essentials. Think about all those products you go through so fast because they’re either not working or you simply just don’t like the product; it probably adds up to more than that. I’m so relieved that I know exactly what I need and don’t have to play guessing and hoping games at drugstores and beauty stores on what might work for my skin. With the O2 Lift Facial, cleanser, moisturizer, and a little help from a skincare professional, I’m able to put my best face forward because of the products and services that work for my skin and budget.

I can tell you right now, you don’t have to stop here, but sticking to the basics will definitely help your skin if your budget is tight. However, there is always the option to do seasonal facials or upgrade your facials to a Stem Cell Facial or HydraFacial, and incorporating other products into your regimens like serums and retinoids, but your esthetician will be able to guide you through all of the products suited for your skin type.

I hope this helps, dear friends! Wishing you and your skin happiness!

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– Amy Gessi