I'm a Celeb Esthetician, and This Is the Skincare Step Almost Everyone Fumbles

by Shawna Hudson

The Lineup is a monthly series where we're giving you an inside peek at the beauty lineups of cool fashion people, editors, makeup artists, hairstylists, and estheticians—all the people we trust the most. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at all the can't-live-without products that make their worlds go round.

Finding the right skincare for you can be a process and a journey. But when the stars finally align, allowing you to discover your holy grail products, you never want to let them go. That's what celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau's products did for me. As someone who struggled with dehydration, barrier damage, and acne simultaneously, I thought I would never find a routine that worked well for me and didn't dry me out. One day, on a whim, when I was writing, I discovered Rouleau's Rapid Response Detox Cleanser ($43) and never looked back. It's one of the few cleansers that work well for acne-prone skin without harsh exfoliants or skin-drying ingredients.

After that, I proceeded to try a handful of other products from Rouleau's line, and now they're each nonnegotiable items in my skincare routine. This is a testament to the thought and care Rouleau bestows upon her formulas—nothing goes unthought of. In fact, I've learned so many great skincare tips from her at this point that if she told me wearing a trash bag for an entire day would transform my skin, I'd 100% believe her. I'm embellishing a bit here for dramatic effect, but seriously, if you follow Rouleau's advice, you will see amazing results. One of the biggest myths she wants to bust? That you don't have to cleanse your skin in the morning. "I hear a lot of people say this, but washing your face in the morning is just as important as it is at night," she says. "The products you use at night can leave traces on the skin, which make it harder for the products you apply in the morning to soak in fully if not washed off. Your skin also secretes oil overnight, so if you don't cleanse in the morning, all that sebum is sitting on the skin, creating a barrier and ultimately a dirtier slate!"

Are you thinking of splurging on a treatment? Rouleau has some advice for that too. "I always love a good chemical peel—out with the old, in with the new," she says. "There is something incredible about seeing the old skin peel away and reveal not only less pigmented skin, but your pores will look so much smaller, too."

Lastly, Rouleau taught me the "Golden Minute Rule," a crucial step in your skincare routine that you might be missing. "This refers to the minute between cleansing your face and applying your skincare products," she explains. "In those sixty seconds, your bare skin is vulnerable to dehydration due to transepidermal water loss, so it's crucial to start applying products in that window to prevent water loss and lock in hydration."

Tips like these align perfectly with Rouleau's nine-word skincare philosophy: Make your skin a priority— you will see results. I was curious to learn what products Rouleau uses in her own beauty lineup, including the haircare, makeup, and skincare items she can't live without. Keep scrolling for all her favorites.

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