Skincare Calendar: The Best Daily, Weekly and Monthly Skincare Calendar You Need

Juggling multiple calendars and chaotic schedules is truly a rite of passage into adulthood—so much so, we’ve even made a competition out of comparing them with our friends. But, between all those business meetings, kids’ playdates and happy hours, there is one very important calendar that often slips through the cracks: your skincare calendar.

After all, our face is the one thing we have our entire life, so it only makes sense that it would require the same loving attention that we give to our Outlook calendar.

If you are new to making a skincare schedule or just want to see what it is all about, keep on scrolling for the what to, when to and how to’s of a scheduled skincare routine with our customized Cosmedix Skincare Calendar:

A simple skincare layering order begins with cleansing, followed by targeted serums and moisturizer. Broad-spectrum sunscreen completes the morning sequence. Unless a product’s directions say otherwise, moving from lighter textures to richer formulas can make the process easier to follow.

Do It on the Daily

Cleanser: First things first. Wash away dirt, oil and grime twice a day—morning and night. No matter if you slept on a clean pillowcase or went makeup-free for the day, cleansing your skin is a two-time daily must. If you struggle with an acne-prone or oily skin type, try to incorporate a foaming cleanser or gel cleanser into your skincare routine to help draw out pore-clogging impurities and remove excess oil. If dry skin is your skincare woe, reach for a nourishing cream or oil cleanser.

Your cleanser should also reflect your skin’s current tolerance, not simply a fixed skin-type label. Tightness or reactivity can sometimes signal that the barrier has been overworked. In that case, stepping back to a gentle option such as Cosmedix Benefit Clean Gentle Cleanser may make more sense than adding another intensive treatment.

Serum: Need a product that packs a punch? Look no further than a facial serum. Serums have catapulted into the skincare spotlight over the past few years, thanks to their potent, concentrated ingredients. These multi-tasking skin care products also give you the unique freedom to customize and target specific skin concerns, so that you can take charge of your daily regimen. Looking for a boost of hydration? Add Hyaluronic Acid serum into your AM and PM skincare routine. Vitamin C and Retinol (used separately!) are other great serum options for those who are after a brighter, more even-looking complexion.

Sensitive-feeling skin does not automatically rule out retinol. The formula, frequency, and condition of the skin barrier are all important factors. Begin conservatively, avoid combining too many intensive formulas at once, and speak with an aesthetician if you are unsure how to proceed. Follow the post-procedure plan provided by your skin professional before restarting it.

Moisturizer: Another daily skincare must-have is moisturizer! Our skin needs (and craves) hydration, which is why a good moisturizer is a cornerstone for a beneficial daily regimen. For your morning skincare application, incorporate a lightweight moisturizer that absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. At night, don’t be afraid to go heavy with a rich cream that helps restore hydration and quench the skin with clean ingredients while you sleep!

Sunscreen: Finish the morning with broad-spectrum sunscreen. Cosmedix’s Peptide-Rich Defense SPF 50 combines the moisturizing and sunscreen stages for readers who prefer a more concise morning sequence. Apply the chosen sunscreen according to its directions.

Stick to Twice a Week:

Exfoliate: Our skin goes through it during the week! Just think of all the makeup, sunshine, and city air that our complexion absorbs on a daily basis. Yikes. It’s true that our skin naturally does a lot of the dirty work for us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t give it a hand. Exfoliating the skin twice a week with a chemical exfoliant or face scrub not only helps alleviate dry skin, but it also encourages healthy skin renewal for a smoother, glowy-looking complexion.

Twice a week is a planning reference, not a rule that should override skin tolerance. Reduce the frequency if the complexion feels unusually tight, dry or reactive, particularly when retinol or another exfoliating formula is already part of the week. 

Exfoliation should also be paused immediately after professional treatments and restarted only according to the aftercare guidance provided by your aesthetician.

Face Mask: Like serums, face masks are another great way to target specific skincare concerns with concentrated ingredients—not to mention, a face mask is a great excuse to sneak in a little “me” time. The good news is, there is no shortage of face masks on the market. You can easily choose from a wide selection of gel mask, sheet mask and clay masks to help reset the complexion and indulge in a skincare pick-me-up.

Before repeating the same weekly steps, take a moment to check how your skin behaved over the past few days. For instance, a clay mask may suit a week marked by excess oil, while a hydrating option may be more appropriate if the complexion feels dry. 

A responsible calendar responds to the skin rather than turning every treatment into an obligation.

Book a Monthly Appointment:

Finding time to work in a monthly appointment with your favorite aesthetician is another great way to help keep your complexion in tip-top shape. Sure, quarantine made us all feel like our own personal facialist, but there are just some skincare issues we can’t tackle at home. Visiting your aesthetician every few weeks ensures that you have the skincare tools and products you need to help keep your skin on the right track with spa-specific treatments like extractions and dermaplaning!

Use the appointment to review what is actually helping, what has been difficult to tolerate, and whether any frequency needs adjusting. Cosmedix’s professional skincare heritage makes this relationship between in-spa care, homecare, and post-procedure guidance relevant. 

Want the full Cosmedix treatment? Find a spa near you with the Cosmedix Spa Finder!