The Acne Lab Skincare 101 Tutorials

Properly washing, hydrating, and protecting your skin is the foundation of healthy and hydrated skin that can get clear. 

For the best results, watch the videos below to learn how to properly use the products in each step of your Skincare 101 routine. 

Skincare 101 Daily Routine

AM: WASH, (ICE), TONE, HYDRATE, MOISTURIZE, SPF

PM: WASH, (ICE), TONE, HYDRATE, MOISTURIZE

STEP 1: CLEANSER 101

WASH every AM & PM

Dispense a quarter-sized amount on dry hands. Apply directly to your dry face (on top of makeup if wearing any) and massage all over face for 5 seconds.

Next, get your hands wet and continue to massage the cleanser over your face and neck for 45 seconds. It should feel slippery, but it won’t foam. Keep it slippery throughout the whole cleanse.

Use your hands to rinse with warm water (no washcloth, no devices). Pat skin dry with a clean towel. 

STEP 2: (ICE)

ICE every AM & PM

Using ice can dramatically reduce inflammation. During breakouts, using ice 2x/day is strongly recommended.

Apply ice directly to the skin for 20-30 seconds to drastically reduce inflammation (applying for longer is counterproductive). Keep the ice moving/gliding across your skin.

Don’t hold ice over individual breakouts for more than 2-3 seconds.

STEP 3: TONER 101

TONE every AM & PM

Apply a quarter-sized amount of toner onto the center of a cotton pad (the entire cotton pad does not need to be fully wet).

Wipe the toner over your entire face.

Immediately, while your face is still moist, apply hydrator and/or enough moisturizer to cover the full face.

STEP 4: HYDRATOR 101 or ADVANCED HYDRATOR 101

HYDRATE every AM & PM

Hydrating gels (usually containing hyaluronic) are applied immediately after the toner to help retain moisture from the toner.

Dispense 1 pump to the palm of your hand, distribute serum on palms, and massage it into the face/neck.

The right amount should be absorbed within 15-20 seconds.

STEP 5: MOISTURIZER 101

MOISTURIZE every AM & PM

Apply a blueberry-sized amount of product in your hand. Rub the product between your hands to evenly distribute over the palms and fingers.

Use both hands to evenly apply to your face and neck by blotting moisturizer and then massaging it into the skin until absorbed.

How much is the right amount of moisturizer? 

  • If you are rubbing in the moisturizer for longer than 20 seconds and it’s not absorbing, use less product. 
  • If it soaks into your skin in under 20 seconds, use more product.

STEP 6: SPF

SPF every AM

Apply 2-3 pumps to your hand and rub between your hands to evenly distribute the product.

Use both hands to evenly apply to face and neck by blotting SPF onto skin and then massaging it into skin until absorbed.

Note: The application of SPF is similar to the moisturizer, so you can watch that video for application tips.

STEP 1: CLEANSER 101

WASH every AM & PM

Dispense a quarter-sized amount on dry hands. Apply directly to your dry face (on top of makeup if wearing any) and massage all over face for 5 seconds.

Next, get your hands wet and continue to massage the cleanser over your face and neck for 45 seconds. It should feel slippery, but it won’t foam. Keep it slippery throughout the whole cleanse.

Use your hands to rinse with warm water (no washcloth, no devices). Pat skin dry with a clean towel. 

STEP 2: (ICE)

ICE every AM & PM

Using ice can dramatically reduce inflammation. During breakouts, using ice 2x/day is strongly recommended.

Apply ice directly to the skin for 20-30 seconds to drastically reduce inflammation (applying for longer is counterproductive). Keep the ice moving/gliding across your skin.

Don’t hold ice over individual breakouts for more than 2-3 seconds.

STEP 3: TONER 101

TONE every AM & PM

Apply a quarter-sized amount of toner onto the center of a cotton pad (the entire cotton pad does not need to be fully wet).

Wipe the toner over your entire face.

Immediately, while your face is still moist, apply hydrator and/or enough moisturizer to cover the full face.

STEP 4: HYDRATOR 101 or ADVANCED HYDRATOR 101

HYDRATE every AM & PM

Hydrating gels (usually containing hyaluronic) are applied immediately after the toner to help retain moisture from the toner.

Dispense 1 pump to the palm of your hand, distribute serum on palms, and massage it into the face/neck.

The right amount should be absorbed within 15-20 seconds.

STEP 5: MOISTURIZER 101

MOISTURIZE every AM & PM

Apply a blueberry-sized amount of product in your hand. Rub the product between your hands to evenly distribute over the palms and fingers.

Use both hands to evenly apply to your face and neck by blotting moisturizer and then massaging it into the skin until absorbed.

How much is the right amount of moisturizer? 

  • If you are rubbing in the moisturizer for longer than 20 seconds and it’s not absorbing, use less product. 
  • If it soaks into your skin in under 20 seconds, use more product.

STEP 6: SPF

SPF every AM

Apply 2-3 pumps to your hand and rub between your hands to evenly distribute the product.

Use both hands to evenly apply to face and neck by blotting SPF onto skin and then massaging it into skin until absorbed.

Note: The application of SPF is similar to the moisturizer, so you can watch that video for application tips.