Category: At-Home Rituals

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth it to switch from your drugstore products to a luxury skincare routine — such as the Lancer 3-step skincare sets — the short answer is definitely yes. The long answer is that luxury skincare products offer many different benefits, from unique formulations to higher concentrations of ingredients. Here are seven reason why you should consider switching to luxury skincare products like those offered by Lancer:

Research and Development

Every new skincare ingredient first needs to be discovered or developed in the lab, then extensively tested in various formulations — all of which requires investing in staffing and equipment. Part of the reason why drugstore skincare products are so cheap is because they use older ingredients that don’t require much research. Meanwhile, luxury skincare companies like Lancer invest in research and development to help discover innovative new ingredients that aren’t as widely available.

Concentration and Potency

Luxury skincare products like ours also typically include ingredients at a higher concentration level and/or ingredients in a more potent form when compared to drugstore products. This means that you will see results faster when using a luxury skincare product versus a drugstore product that will work more slowly because of the lower concentrations. Using higher concentrations of these ingredients raises the price, which is why drugstore products typically keep the concentrations as low as possible.

Sourcing

Another thing that sets luxury skincare products apart isn’t just what ingredients they include; it’s how they source them. Not all ingredients are created equal, and luxury skincare brands typically source premium ingredients that are higher in both quality and purity. So even if the name of an ingredient is the same on both a drugstore and a Lancer product label, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the ingredients are identical. Many luxury brands also focus on sustainably sourcing their ingredients in a way that is better to the environment.

Formulation

If you’ve ever thought that a lot of drugstore products seemed the same, there’s a reason for that. Many drugstore skincare companies license a base formula from the manufacturer, a process known as white labeling. Then they make a few tweaks to the formulation before putting it on the market. While this keeps costs low for drugstore skincare companies, it means that many of the products are fundamentally not that different from each other.

Meanwhile, luxury skincare companies such as Lancer Skincare develop their own formulas from scratch. Many of these formulas are also proprietary and not shared with any other companies. This results in unique formulations, such as decollete creams, that aren’t available from any other skincare brands. If you want to experience Lancer Skincare products, you’ll have to order them from us!

Texture and Feel

These unique, extensively tested formulations mean that most luxury skincare products have a much more pleasant texture and feel when compared to drugstore formulas. This makes the product more elegant and pleasant to use, resulting in a truly luxurious self-care experience. This is especially important for products like makeup removers and sunscreens, which many people skip using because they don’t like the feel of the product on their face. All of our Lancer skincare products are extensively tested to ensure they deliver the best experience possible. They also make for a great skincare gift for anyone who loves a quality beauty product. 

Packaging

Drugstore skincare typically uses plastic packaging, which is cheap and lightweight — but not good for the environment or aesthetically pleasing to look at or handle. In contrast, luxury skincare products use glass, metal, and other premium materials in their packaging. Not only do these materials look good on your vanity and feel great in your hand, but they are also more recyclable than plastic, making them a better choice for the environment.

Faster Results

As a result of all the other factors we’ve just delved into, luxury skincare usually offers faster and superior results when compared to drugstore skincare. Drugstore skincare is totally fine if you’re on a budget and can’t justify self-care splurges — but if you’ve got the money, then it’s worth investing at luxury skincare. After all, you only have one face, so you might as well take care of it!

At Lancer Skincare, we understand that not everyone is used to buying luxury skincare online. That’s why we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can shop our products with confidence. Grab a skincare travel kit if you’re looking to sample a bunch of products at once, or jump up to the value size if you’re looking to stock up.

Your skin’s needs change through your life, which means that you need to be updating your routine as you age. If you’re still sleeping in your makeup and using harsh cleansers even though you’re in your thirties, it’s time to update your skincare routine. Here are eight steps to follow to put together the best skincare routine for people in their thirties:

Cleanse gently.

Once you hit your thirties, you want to remove your makeup and cleanse your skin without stripping your natural oils. Once you’ve removed your makeup, it’s time to follow it up with a gentle milk or cream facial cleanser that will leave your skin feeling clean, but not dry or tight. You should follow this routine at night for sure — but if your skin feels dry when you wake up, then just rinse it off with some lukewarm water to remove residue.

Hydrate your skin.

If your skin doesn’t have enough water content, it will look dry and dull instead of plump and bouncy. That’s why it’s essential to incorporate moisturizing creams and serums into your skincare routine in your thirties. Choose serums that feature ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and glycerin — all of which will attract water to your skin and boost your hydration. These products should be used in both your morning and nighttime skincare routine for optimal results.

Incorporate antioxidants.

Antioxidants help to fight free radical damage from UV rays and air pollution that can hasten the appearance of premature aging. If you’re not already using antioxidants, then you definitely need to add them to your skincare routine in your thirties. Vitamin C is the most well-studied antioxidant, but there are plenty of others to choose from as well. We recommend applying your antioxidants in the morning to protect your skin against environmental stressors throughout the day.

Use a retinol.

Your collagen and elastin production slows down as you age, which can contribute to signs of aging. However, applying a topical retinol product like our Advanced Retinol Treatment can help to promote the development of both collagen and elastin, slowing down signs of premature aging. For best results, apply the retinol treatment at night, since it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Retinol can cause dryness as you get adjusted to it, so don’t hold back on your hydrating serums and nourishing moisturizers!

Treat acne and dark spots.

In your thirties, you might continue to struggle with hormonal acne breakouts, making acne self care a must-have addition to your skincare routines. You might also see dark spots develop, either from healing acne lesions or from sun exposure. Incorporating a dark spot remover into your routine can help to lighten the appearance of existing dark spots and prevent new ones from forming.

Moisturize and nourish.

Our skin produces less sebum as we age, which means that you might notice your skin becoming rather dry in your thirties. That’s why we made the Nourish moisturizer the crucial final step in our Lancer Method 3-step skincare routine. You should be applying a moisturizer every time you rinse or wash your face to promote a healthy balance of natural oils, which will help prevent your skin from becoming so dry.

By fizkes / Shutterstock.com

Apply an eye cream.

Speaking of moisturizers, in your thirties you might want to start applying a dedicated eye cream if you haven’t already. While some moisturizers are safe to dab around the eye area, they aren’t really developed specially to treat the delicate skin around the eyes. Using a dedicated eye cream ensures that the skin around your eyes gets the nourishment that it needs, and also that any active ingredients in the cream won’t irritate your delicate skin.

Wear sunscreen always.

You should be applying quality sunscreen every single day as the last step in your morning skincare routine, no matter the season or forecast. You should apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, not just your face but also your ears, neck, and chest. You might even want to apply it to your hands if you are worried about getting age spots there.

Ready to get started on building the best skincare routine for your thirties? Grab a Lancer Method set today to start your new routine on a solid foundation. All of our products ship for free within the U.S. and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can buy with confidence.

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Loss of skin elasticity is part of the aging process, but it can also be increased by certain environmental and lifestyle factors. On the flipside, having a high-quality skincare routine and protecting your skin from certain stressors can help to improve skin elasticity and slow down its loss. Read on to learn more about what skin elasticity is, why it matters, and how to improve skin elasticity.

What is skin elasticity and why does it matter?

Skin elasticity refers to your skin’s ability to “bounce back” after it is touched or you make a facial expression. Skin elasticity is what makes our skin look plump, tight, and youthful, and it helps to prevent dynamic wrinkles from becoming permanent. Collagen and elastin are the two main compounds that help create skin elasticity.

Unfortunately, we lose collagen and elastin starting in our twenties, with the loss being greatly accelerated after menopause. This loss of elasticity is also accelerated by environmental factors, including exposure to UV rays, smoking, pollution, and an unhealthy diet. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to improve your skin elasticity.

How to Improve Skin Elasticity

Drink enough water.

If you’re dehydrated, then your skin won’t bounce back as quickly even if you are doing everything else on this list. Therefore, staying hydrated is extremely important. Most people need approximately three to four quarts of water a day, depending on individual needs and how much they sweat. Try to limit consumption of beverages that can have a dehydrating effect, such as caffeine and alcohol.

Wear sunscreen.

Wearing sunscreen every single day is one of the most effective things that you can do to improve skin elasticity. You should be applying a high quality sunscreen of at least SPF to all exposed skin — not just your face but also your ears, neck, and chest. Do this every single day, even if you are just sitting inside, since UV rays can penetrate windows.

Use a retinol.

Retinol and retinoid skin tightening creams help to encourage skin cell production and boost collagen and elastin layers in your skin, making them a powerful anti-aging skincare product. Retinols are best applied at night since they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. You should also be extra diligent about wearing sunscreen during the day when using a retinoid.

Pick a peptide product.

While peptides haven’t been studied as extensively as retinols, there is some evidence that they can help to improve skin elasticity. That’s because peptides contain the building blocks of proteins, which encourages the skin to build collagen. Try our Lancer Skincare Triple Peptide drops if you’d like to incorporate them into your skincare routine!

Incorporate a hydrating serum.

Hydrating serums that are rich in ingredients like hyaluronic acid attract water to your skin, which helps it to appear plump. Hyaluronic acid serums hydrate your skin from the outside in, while drinking water hydrates it from the inside out, resulting in a powerful combination that supports skin elasticity. If you’re wondering “Why is my skin so dry even when I moisturize,” not using a hydrating serum could be the answer!

Exfoliate your skin.

Exfoliating serums and masks help to remove dead skin cells and encourage the production of new ones, promoting a more youthful complexion and improving skin elasticity. In fact, we think that skin exfoliation is so essential, we made it the first part of our Lancer Method 3-step skincare routine! You can also try our award-winning Caviar Lime Acid Peel if you’d like a more powerful exfoliation experience.

Get enough sleep.

Your skin repairs itself while you sleep, which is why getting good sleep is absolutely essential to improving skin elasticity. You should be getting at least seven to nine hours of deep sleep per night whenever possible. Observing good sleep habits, such as avoiding screens the two hours before bedtime, will contribute to you getting better sleep.

Consider an in-office treatment.

If your at-home treatments and lifestyle changes aren’t getting you the results you want, consider booking a professional treatment at a dermatology office like Dr. Harold Lancer’s. Treatment options include chemical peels, laser treatments, and dermabrasion; your dermatologist will work with you to create a treatment plan that will address your skin elasticity concerns.

Shop Our Skincare For Fine Lines & Wrinkles

At Lancer Skincare, we have formulated numerous products to help maintain and improve skin elasticity, from nourishing moisturizers to hydrating serums to smoothing exfoliators. All of our products come with a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can shop for skincare online with confidence, and many are available in mini-size skincare travel kits that are perfect for sampling. Our products also ship for free within the continental United States, no order minimum required. Order Lancer Skincare to start improving your skin elasticity today!

Fall is in the air, which means that it’s officially time to start transitioning from our summer to winter skincare routines. If you’re not sure what your fall skincare routine should look like during this transitional season, we’ve put together a guide to help you figure that out. Here are eight essential fall skincare tips to help you figure out your best skincare routine as you drink pumpkin spice lattes:

Choose a soothing cleanser.

Cleansing can be one of the most stripping and drying steps of a 3-step skincare routine. While this can help to control oil in the summer, it’s often too harsh for your skin once the weather starts to cool down. As we enter fall, switch to a more soothing cream or milk cleanser that won’t be as harsh on your skin.

Add in a hydrating serum.

Depending on your skin type, using a quality moisturizer like our Ultra Hydrating Serum may not be necessary during the summer months. However, as we move into fall, you might want to consider adding one into your daytime and/or nighttime routine. These serums help to attract water into your skin to keep it feeling plump, hydrated, and youthful.

Reassess your exfoliation routine.

Most people increase the frequency of their exfoliation in the summer to get rid of dead skin cells and control oil. But once the weather starts getting cold, you might want to reduce the frequency of exfoliation in order to prevent drying out your face. Exfoliation is a necessary part of any skincare routine, but it’s also quite potent; you want to hit the sweet spot of doing it often enough to get a smooth complexion, but not so frequent that you strip your skin barrier.

Switch to a thicker moisturizer.

If you’ve been using lightweight lotion for summer, fall is the time to think about switching to a thicker anti-aging cream for winter. Moisturizers help to seal in your skincare products and maintain a healthy oil balance so that your skin doesn’t become too dry or too greasy. When used in conjunction with a hydrated serum, a thicker moisturizer can stop dry skin before it even has a chance to get started.

Use an eye cream.

While dedicated eye care products and creams aren’t a required part of our 3-step skincare routine, we highly recommend them for anyone struggling with dry or crepey under-eye skin. The skin around your eyes is very delicate and often becomes dry and dehydrated before the rest of your face. Eye creams are also specifically formulated so that powerful ingredients like retinol and vitamin C can be applied to the eye area without issue.

Experiment with facial oil.

If even a thick cream isn’t cutting it for your dry skin, then you might want to experiment with a facial oil as we get further into fall. Facial oils like our Omega Hydrating Oil form an occlusive barrier on the surface of your skin, which helps to stop moisture loss. This can be applied as a layer over your moisturizer, or you can mix a couple drops into your moisturizer before applying it.

Keep using SPF.

During fall, the days get shorter, you spend less time outside, and the sun doesn’t seem as bright. So this means that you don’t have to wear sunscreen anymore, right? Wrong! You should still wear sunscreen every day to protect your face from UV rays that get through windows. Wearing sunscreen every day is one of the most effective things that you can do to prevent signs of premature aging such as wrinkles and dark spots.

Don’t forget about your lips.

While lip care is often considered an add-on, it should be an essential part of your fall skincare routine as the weather gets colder. Lips are exposed to the elements as well as foods and beverages, which means they often get chapped quickly. Apply a lip balm not just at night when you sleep, but throughout the day to help form a protective barrier on your lips.

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Ready to upgrade your skincare routine for fall? Grab one of the Lancer skincare travel kits to sample some new products or prepare holiday travel, or get one of our full-size sets if you need to replenish your routine. All our products come with free shipping in the contiguous United States as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee, so that you can shop for skincare online with confidence. Order today to start seeing and feeling a difference in your skin!

It’s never too late or too early to put together the best skincare routine for anti-aging. In fact, the earlier you start thinking about anti-aging, the more effective your skincare routine will be. To help you put together the perfect skincare regimen for your needs, we’ve rounded up seven essential ingredients that any anti-aging skincare routine should include. Then we’ll cover 10 steps (both necessary and optional) that you should consider when putting together an anti-aging skincare routine.

What are the key ingredients for an anti-aging skincare routine?

Certain ingredients form the building blocks of an anti-aging skincare routine, no matter what specific products that you use. Prioritizing evidence-backed ingredients instead of vague marketing claims will also ensure that the products you have chosen will actually deliver the anti-aging benefits they have promised. Here are the ingredients that you should prioritize if you are looking to prevent or treats signs of premature aging:

• Retinol: Retinol and retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that increase your skin cell turnover, which encourages cell regeneration and helps to prevent or reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help to treat adult acne by unclogging pores and getting rid of dead skin cells.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to protect your skin from free radical damage that can exacerbate the signs of aging. 
• Ceramides: Ceramides work to maintain and repair the skin’s natural barrier, locking in moisture and helping to prevent water loss that can dry out your skin. This is important because sebum production slows down as we age, so it’s important to keep skin hydrated.

• Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts water, helping to keep the skin hydrated and plump looking. This also helps to counteract the lower production of sebum that we mentioned above.
• Collagen: Collagen is a protein that helps to improve skin elasticity and fill in visible wrinkles. Some people like to take collagen supplements, and you can find it as an ingredient in topical skincare products as well.
• Peptides: Peptides are amino acids that form the building blocks of important skin proteins like collagen and elastin. Having peptides in your skincare products can help to promote healthy, smooth skin.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): AHAs form a family of chemical exfoliators that help to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to be washed away and exposing smooth, glowing skin. Dry skin worsens the appearances of wrinkles and fine lines, so regularly exfoliating with AHAs makes them less apparent.

To avoid overwhelming your skin, look for products that contain multiple ingredients at once. For instance, you can find single skin-tightening creams that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and peptides for a powerful moisturizer, instead of looking for four separate products that contain each ingredient on their own.

Be sure to pay attention to the ingredient concentrations as well. Some products only put a tiny percentage of an active ingredient in the formulation so they can market it as being “made with vitamin C” and so on. Pay close attention to the labels to see how much of an ingredient a product contains; the higher the percentage, the closer it will be listed to the top of the label. Some brands are also very transparent about the concentrations that their products contain; i.e., 10% glycolic acid.

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What are the steps in an anti-aging skincare routine?

Now that you know what ingredients to look for, it’s time to discuss what products to include in your anti-aging skincare routine. Here are both the required and optional steps to help you put together the ultimate routine:

Makeup remover

Removing your makeup and sunscreen at the end of the day is an important first step in your nighttime routine. Leaving makeup residue on your face can cause dryness, clog pores, and increase the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Removing makeup and sunscreen completely also ensures that your other skincare products are applied directly to your skin, improving their penetration and making your overall skincare routine more effective.

If you wear a lot of makeup and/or a water-resistant sunscreen, look for a cleansing balm or oil cleanser that can remove heavy-duty products. If you wear a non-water-resistant sunscreen, then a micellar water might suffice for your makeup removal needs. Makeup removing wipes are also a great option especially if you’re short on time or are traveling! 

Cleanser

In the morning, you can either rinse your face with clean water if it’s very sensitive and dry or wash it with a cleanser to remove any residue that accumulated overnight. At night, you should alway follow your makeup remover with a quality facial cleanser to wash away any last traces of dirt and debris and ensure that you start your routine with a fresh, clean face.

If you have already noticed that your skin is producing less oil as you age, then we recommend switching to a gentle cream or milk cleanser that won’t strip the skin. Foaming and gel cleansers are great for oil control, but they are often too harsh for aging skin, so you might find that they leave your face feeling dry and tight. After cleansing, your face shouldn’t feel like it still has a residue on it, but it also shouldn’t feel dried out either.

Also be careful to wash your face with lukewarm or cold water, not hot water. Hot water will further dry out the skin and exacerbate signs of aging, so try to keep the temperature down when you can.

Face mask

Anti-aging face masks are an optional part of your routine, but they can be a nice addition to your routine. Some people like to do them every day, while others save them for a longer skincare routine on the weekend. Face masks can do many different things for your skin depending on the ingredients; choose from hydrating, brightening, exfoliating, or soothing depending on your needs.

Face masks also come in several different formulations, including sheet masks that you stick to your face and creams that you smear on your skin, allow to dry out, and then rinse off. Choose whichever style of masks suits your preferences, or switch between them to add some variety to your skincare routine.

Protect Your Face with Quality Sunscreen

Serum

Serums are the powerhouses of the skincare routine, offering strong active ingredients that can make a serious difference in the appearance of your skin when applied consistently over time. For an anti-aging skincare routine, we recommend choosing a vitamin C serum in the morning to protect against free radical damage from UV rays and dirt. At night, we suggest choosing a retinol serum to encourage skin cell turnover and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

There are plenty of other types of serums to choose from as well, but we recommend being selective of what serums you include in your routine to avoid overdoing it on active ingredients. Look for single serums that incorporate multiple ingredients for an effective and well-balanced approach to skincare.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators come in many different forms — including cleansers, face masks, serums, and scrubs — so you can choose the ones that work best for you. Exfoliators contribute to an anti-aging skincare routine because they remove dead skin cells and dry patches that can worsen the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Most people need to exfoliate between one to three times a week depending on their skin’s individual needs and how powerful the exfoliating product is.

Moisturizer

Moisturizers are a key part of any anti-aging skincare routine because they help to counteract the slowdown in oil production that occurs as we age. Look for skin-tightening creams that contain beneficial ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, and marula oil. Many people prefer to use a lighter cream during the day so that it won’t pill underneath their makeup, and then switch to a heavier cream at night to help prevent water loss from the skin while they sleep.

Eye cream

Eye creams aren’t a strictly necessary part of an anti-aging skincare routine — you can just apply your regular moisturizer around your eyes if you want. However, they are a great addition if you are starting to notice fine lines forming around your eyes. The skin around your eyes is extremely thin and delicate, which is why it’s one of the first parts of your face to show signs of aging. Eye creams that contain powerful ingredients such as retinol are also specifically formulated so that they won’t irritate your eyes, which is a big plus.

Sunscreen

If you only do one step of your anti-aging skincare routine, then it should be applying sunscreen in the morning. That’s because exposure to UV rays is the no. 1 contributing factor to visible signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, not to mention it increases your risk of skin cancer. Choose a sunscreen that offers protection of at least SPF 30, and higher if you’d like, and apply the recommended amount to all of your exposed skin, including your neck and ears.

Sunscreen should be worn every day, even when you are sitting indoors; windows don’t do a very good job of blocking UV rays. If you are outside, sweating, or getting in the water, then it should be reapplied every two hours. Also try to limit your sun exposure, especially when the sun is at its peak between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Seek shade whenever you can, and try to cover your exposed skin with hats, sunglasses, and clothing that offers UPF protection.

Facial oil

Facial oil is another optional step in your skincare routine, but it can be a beneficial addition if you have very dry skin, especially in the winter. Facial oils can be applied over your moisturizer or mixed into the cream before applying it, as you prefer. We suggest only applying facial oil at night because it can compromise the formulation of sunscreens and makeup, causing them to break down prematurely.

Ready to get started with your anti-aging skincare routine? Check out the skincare for wrinkles available from Lancer Skincare, including cleansers, creams, and more. All of our products receive free, fast shipping in the United States — no order minimum needed — and come with a 30-day money-backed guarantee so that you can shop with confidence.

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