Salon Skincare Systems

Older clients also have special needs. Their skin requires heavier moisturizers and more gentle cleansers and toners. They usually use moisturizers more frequently too, since their skin has a very small amount of oil.

Don’t forget about your younger customers, those in their teens and early 20s. They too have particular skin characteristics. Their skin tends to have an abundance of oils; therefore, they typically need astringents, stronger cleansers and more intense toners.

Before making a decision on a product line, do a breakdown of your clientele to see who makes up the majority, be it businesswomen, housewives, men, elderly clients or teen agers. After you’ve done this, you’re ready to choose a product line.

Though each skincare system varies in regard to the products of which it is comprised, most include at least one or two products in the following categories.

Cleansers liquefy and absorb makeup, debris and oils to purify the skin’s surface and prepare it for further treatments.

These products generally contain some kind of gritty, abrasive material and are very simple to use. They literally slough off debris and dead cells on the surface of the skin, leaving it fresh and smooth. Skin that has a misty, gray tinge needs such treatment to remove the dead cells that are giving it that color. These products are not for everyone though. Thin-skinned people should stay away from them, as should people with acne, because they tend to irritate such conditions. There are also stronger exfoliants and peels that can be administered only by a professional in
a salon.

There are two basic formulations for facial masks. One is a clay-based mask that sits on the face to dry and absorb oils. However, it does absorb moisture, so it should never be left on long enough to crack and turn powdery. When it gets to this stage, it stops putting moisture into the skin. The mask should be left on only until it is dry to the touch; then it should be rinsed off. The other type of mask is a gel or cream formula with very high water content. It should be applied in a steamy bathroom. This type of mask moisturizes by introducing water to the skin, causing it to plump and soften.