A Bismarck Esthetician's Guide to Building a Skincare Routine That Lasts
Hi, I'm Natasha Hoff, the lead esthetician here at Shine Beauty & Co. Nearly every day, a client sits in my chair feeling completely overwhelmed. They'll show me a picture on their phone of a bathroom counter cluttered with half-used bottles and tell me, "I bought all this stuff from TikTok, but my skin is still freaking out. I don't even know where to start." Just last week, someone had thirteen different serums. Thirteen!
I get it. The skincare world is enormous, with new trends and "must-have" products popping up constantly. It's projected to become a nearly $200 billion industry, which tells you just how much is out there.
But great skin isn't about having the most products. It's about having the right products for you and using them consistently. My goal is to cut through the noise and give you a simple, effective starting point that works right here in our unique North Dakota climate.
Let's build a routine that makes you feel confident, not confused.
First, Why Does a Routine Even Matter?
Think of a skincare routine as daily maintenance for your body's largest organ. Your skin is your first line of defense against everything from the sun's rays to the dry, cold wind we get every winter.
A consistent routine really does two main things:
It Protects: During the day, it shields your skin from environmental damage.
It Repairs: At night, it helps your skin heal and regenerate while you sleep.
Consistency is what creates real change. You can't go to the gym once and expect results, and the same is true for your skin. Committing to a simple daily practice is the single best investment you can make in your skin's long-term health.
The Simple Steps Every North Dakotan Needs
Forget the complicated 10-step routines for now. For a routine to be sustainable, it has to be manageable. We're starting with three foundational steps that everyone, no matter their skin type, should be doing every single day.
Step 1: Cleanse Gently (Morning & Night)
The goal of cleansing is to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. So many people think their face needs to feel "squeaky clean," but honestly? That tight feeling is actually a sign of a damaged moisture barrier.
Especially here in Bismarck, where the air gets so dry, you want a cleanser that supports hydration.
Here's the right way: Use lukewarm water (never hot!) and gently massage a nickel-sized amount of cleanser onto your skin for a full 60 seconds. Pat your face dry with a clean towel. Don't rub.
What should you grab off the shelf? If you have dry or sensitive skin, a cream or milky cleanser is your friend. Oily skin? A gentle foaming cleanser works well.
Step 2: Moisturize for a Strong Barrier (Morning & Night)
Your moisturizer? That's your real shield. It locks in hydration and strengthens your skin's natural barrier, which is crucial for keeping moisture in and irritants out. A healthy barrier means skin that is calm, plump, and resilient.
Pro Tip: Apply your moisturizer to slightly damp skin. This helps trap that extra water for a bigger hydration boost.
For Winter: In those cold, dry months, don't be afraid of a richer cream with ingredients like ceramides. Game-changer for preventing that tight, chapped feeling.
For Summer: During our hot, humid summers, you might prefer a lighter lotion or gel-based moisturizer that won't feel heavy.
Step 3: Sunscreen Every Single Morning
This is the non-negotiable step. If you do nothing else, wear sunscreen. Over 90% of visible aging comes from sun exposure. It's the best anti-aging product on the market. Period.
A common question I hear is, "Even in the winter?" Yes! Absolutely. UV rays year-round. And they reflect off snow, hitting your skin a second time. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
Ready to Level Up? Let's Talk Targeted Treatments
Once you've mastered the foundational three steps for a few weeks, you can start incorporating treatments to address specific concerns like fine lines, dullness, or dark spots.
The Golden Rule: Thinnest to Thickest
The order you apply your products matters. A good rule of thumb is to go from the thinnest consistency to the thickest. This allows the lightweight products, like serums, to penetrate the skin before you seal them in with a heavier moisturizer or oil.
Always wait a minute or so between layers to give each product a chance to absorb.
Power-Packed Serums
Serums are where you'll see the most targeted results. They're lightweight but pack a serious punch of active ingredients. Two of my favorites:
Vitamin C is my go-to morning serum. It's a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin throughout the day and really helps brighten things up. I tell clients to apply it after cleansing but before moisturizer and sunscreen.
For hydration, hyaluronic acid is incredible—morning or night. It's like giving your skin a tall glass of water. Draws moisture right in and leaves everything looking plump. Works for literally everyone, too.
How a Professional Facial Elevates Everything
You can build a fantastic at-home routine, and you absolutely should. But think of a professional facial as the personal training session that supercharges your results.
At-home care is for daily maintenance. A professional facial is for targeted, deep treatment that you simply can't achieve on your own. We use professional-grade products and techniques to:
- Deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin safely
- Perform gentle, effective extractions
- Analyze your skin up close to see what's really going on
- Create a customized treatment that addresses your exact needs at that moment
Getting a facial with a professional esthetician is also the best way to get personalized advice. We can adjust your home routine and ensure the products you're using are truly working for your skin and our local climate, taking all the guesswork out of it for you.
Your Journey to Healthy Skin Starts Now
Building a routine is a marathon, not a sprint. Start simple, be consistent, and listen to your skin. What it needs in January when the wind is howling might be different from what it needs in July.
Feeling ready to get a personalized plan? I'd love to help. Come see us at Shine Beauty & Co., located at 4401 Coleman Street #105 in Bismarck, ND 58503. We're right near Cash Wise and Nothing Bundt Cakes, so you can treat yourself after your appointment! We help clients from all over the area, including Mandan, Lincoln, and Wilton, achieve their skin goals.
Give us a call at (701) 415-7750 or book your consultation online. Let's find what makes your skin truly shine.