Jess Gaertner

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Skincare Basics Part Five: PROTECT STEP

Jessica Gaertner

Today we’re going to complete our Skincare Basics series with the fourth and final step in a recommended regimen, a PROTECT PRODUCT! This is our last and final step of a basic skincare regimen, and honestly, this is not one that most people tend to leave out. While a prep and a treat step might be foreign to you, most people typically utilize a cleanse and a moisturize step because we understand that skin needs to be clean and hydrated at a bare minimum! What most people might not understand about the PROTECT STEP aka as the moisturize step is that it goes beyond just providing moisture to the skin. Yes, at it’s core, it’s designed to hydrate and soften, but there are some slight complexities to it that I can’t wait to share with you!

Not only does the protect step hydrate and nourish the skin, but it does a multitude of other things for our skin health, so let’s dive into the basics - what it is, and explore the differences between day and night time versions! There’s so much to learn here!

Protect Step Basics

In our first installment of Skincare Basics all about REGIMENS we touched briefly on what a protect product is and does, but here’s a brief reminder of what we NEED a protect step for:

  • STEP FOUR: PROTECT

    • Daytime Moisturizer: First and foremost, moisturizers are a crucial step in the skincare regimen process. A good moisturizer will help lock in hydration and nutrients, and during the day, we also need a product that will help protect our skin from environmental assault (think the sun, wind, pollution). A good daytime moisturizer is designed to do just that without increasing your skin’s sensitivity to light.

    • Nighttime Moisturizer: At night is when the real magic happens with your skin! Like most other organs in your body, nighttime is when your skin is repairing itself, regenerating, and restoring from the stresses of the day. We’re also typically immobile at night, so it’s the perfect time to use a moisturizer that not only replenishes hydration, but can deliver slow absorbing, powerful active ingredients safely. The nighttime is the right time to help your skin HEAL from the damage of the day!

PROTECT STEP MISCONCEPTIONS

I think the most common misconception about protect products is that they’re all created equal. Like they just need to be creamy and lotion-y and they’ll do they trick. I am 100% guilty of thinking this in my early years - give me the cheapest drugstore face lotion I can find, and bonus points if it smells like fake fruit. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I forgive you young Jess for what you did not know! I mentioned above that most people don’t have trouble wrapping their minds around the idea of a face lotion, but when we fail to understand how truly POWERFUL a moisturizer can be when its chosen appropriately (aside from just hydrating your face) we miss out on a big opportunity to set our skin up for lasting change and damage prevention.

The other misconception we’ll tackle is why do I need a day vs. a nighttime moisturizer product, don’t they do they same thing? The short answer is no - they’re actually uniquely designed to do two different things! If you read above about the daytime vs. nighttime moisturizer purposes, then you’re all caught up!

WHAT DOES A PROTECT PRODUCT DO?

Your protect products or moisturizers (lotions, creams, etc.) are designed to do just that PROTECT, but beyond that they offer room to do so much more. Let’s break it down by general, day, and night time benefits:

General:

  • hydrate

  • soften

  • prevent water loss through outer skin layer

  • strengthens skin barrier

  • protects skin from daytime aggressors (DAY)

  • protects from free-radical damage (DAY)

  • repairs and regenerates any damage from the day (NIGHT)

  • replenish moisture levels (NIGHT)

  • can be used to treat skin concerns (NIGHT)

  • can be used to prevent sun damage with SPF (DAY)

In short, both day and nighttime moisturizers are going to be important for keeping the skin hydrated and happy, but daytime moisturizers are going to focus more on PROTECTION and nighttime moisturizers are going to focus more on REPAIRING. You can typically pack more active ingredients (ingredients designed to CHANGE the skin) into a nighttime moisturizer because the product has the ability to sit unimpeded for a long stretch without exposure to the sun as well.

WHAT ARE SOME Different types of moisturizers

Lotions

Lotions are what we typically think of when we picture a moisturizer product. These types of products are often best for normal or combo skin, and are usually lightweight consistencies that absorb well into the skin.

Creams

Creams are usually going to be thicker and heavier than a lotion, and oftentimes oil based (which is not a bad thing like we’re trained to think!). You can also further separate creams into regular creams and soft creams. Soft Creams are a bit less heavy and are typically used during the day. Most creams are going to be best for dry skin.

Gels

Gels are best for oily or blemish prone skin and work well because they are usually a lightweight formula that is often times more water than oil based. This allows them to absorb quickly, and balance the oiliness of the skin.

Balms

Balms aren't typically the go to protect product in a standard regimen, but they are what I would consider a PLUS product. You might need to add a balm in under certain circumstances that require INTENSE moisture. They are usually heavier than a cream, and oftentimes oil based. They can be used with a variety of skin types, but may not do as well with oily or blemish prone skin. I often use our balms as overnight masks.

SPF Products

A moisturizer with SPF can be a great addition to any skincare regimen! While these types of products aren’t typically included in a basic regimen, you can add a moisturizer with SPF on top of your existing moisturizer in the day, or use it in place of your existing daytime moisturizer as well. Using it solo is fine, but you may miss out on some of the other benefits that your normal daytime moisturizer provides. Sun protection is one of the biggest things you can do for your skin and I am pro-SPF!

Different Types Of Safer Protect Products

Let’s chat the different types of protect products available to you in our safer skincare lineup!

Countertime

You may have learned from our Skincare Basics series so far that the Countertime line is really appropriate for dry and oftentimes mature skin (as those tend to go hand in hand!). In our Countertime line, we have two protect options, a day and a night product. The day product is a soft cream (discussed above) and the night product is a typical cream that is amazing for dry skin.

DAYTIME PROTECTION: Countertime Antioxidant Soft Cream

Best for: mature and/or dry skin

Notes: This soft cream really focuses on firming and plumping the skin while also protecting it from free radical damage and oxidative stress from environmental stressors like sun, pollution, chemicals, etc. It’s also going to hydrate and address fine lines and wrinkles while providing brighter and more glowing skin. To use, apply a small amount to face, neck, and décolletage (chest area) massaging gently into skin with upward strokes after your treat step during the day. If you have sensitive skin, I’d suggest doing a patch test on the back of your neck or inside of your wrist and wait 24 hours before full face application as this line has our most active ingredients.

Bonus: It has our patented Retinatural Complex which features Swiss Alpine Rose and Bakuchiol which works as a safer anti-aging alternative to Retinol.

NIGHTTIME PROTECTION: Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream

Best for: mature and/or dry skin

Notes: This night cream is seriously the CREME DE LA CREME of all moisturizers. It’s luxurious and rich with a really thick texture and a little goes a long way. It works at night to not only repair damage from the day, but to maintain the skins moisture barrier and replenish lost hydration. All the while it continues to address fine lines and wrinkles! To use, apply a small amount to face, neck, and décolletage (chest area) massaging gently into skin with upward strokes after your treat step at night. If you have sensitive skin, I’d suggest doing a patch test on the back of your neck or inside of your wrist and wait 24 hours before full face application as this line has our most active ingredients.

Bonus: It has our patented Retinatural Complex which features Swiss Alpine Rose and Bakuchiol which works as a safer anti-aging alternative to Retinol.

Countermatch

By now, you probably know that our Countermatch line usually works best for normal to dry combination skin! It delivers advanced hydration with really cool “bio-mimic” technology that allows it to adapt to your skins moisture needs throughout the day. While it doesn’t necessarily treat fine lines and wrinkles, the hydration it delivers can be a powerful prevention tool when it comes to preventing signs of aging skin! The Countermatch line has a day lotion and a night cream for AM/PM use respectively and they both do slightly different things!

DAYTIME PROTECTION: Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion

Best for: normal, dry, or combination skin

Notes: This day cream isn’t a cult classic for nothing! It provide up to 24 hours of hydration through its Biomimic technology AND it offers the essential building blocks of hydration, nutrition, and oxygenation to keep skin soft, smooth, and glowing. To use dispense one and a half pumps into hands, then massage onto face, neck, and décolletage after your treat step in the morning.

Bonus: This product has one of my favorite healing ingredients, squalene which is derived from olives and draws moisture into the skin and visibly restores elasticity.

NIGHTTIME PROTECTION: Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream

Best for: normal, dry, or combination skin

Notes: This sleeping cream helps create a protective layer to shield skin from moisture loss during sleep. The advanced formula replenishes hydration and revitalizes skin with a blend of hyaluronic acid, squalane, plum oil, and phytic acid. IT IS A POWERHOUSE. To use push side button to release a dime size amount, then gently massage onto face, neck, and décolletage with upward strokes nightly after your treat step.

Bonus: The sleeping cream has hyaluronic acid, one of the most effective hydrating ingredients! Ours contains two forms of hyaluronic acid that delivers moisture without clogging pores!

Countercontrol

The Countercontrol line is designed for true oily, blemish prone skin and currently only has one protect step option intended to be used both day and night. This line’s protect step is a gel based formula designed to be lightweight and non-greasy!

DAY/NIGHTTIME PROTECTION: Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream

Best for: Oily skin types and blemish-prone skin

Notes: This moisturizer is designed to mattify skin for up to eight hours with its cream-to-gel formula for oily and blemish-prone skin. To use, apply one-and-a-half pumps to face, neck, and chest after your treat step, both day and night.

Bonus: Features the SkinBalance Complex of wintergreen and rosebay willow which makes it an oil-free, non-greasy hydrator that improves skin’s texture without ingredients that can clog pores.

Counterstart

The Counterstart line is our new two-step minimal product option for sensitive skin and/or normal skin with no other skin concerns. While it isn’t a true 4 step regimen (it doesn’t have a prep or a treat step) I think this line could be good for those who don’t need much for their skin and are pretty happy with it’s current state. It has one protect product option that can be used both day and night.

DAY/NIGHTTIME PROTECTION: Counterstart Cocoboost Moisturizer

Best for: sensitive to normal skin with little to no skin concerns

Notes: This nourishing daily moisturizer quickly absorbs into skin and provides soothing hydration. The formula, made with coconut oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E, is gentle enough for sensitive skin. To use, massage this gentle moisturizer onto face and neck after your cleanse (or treat step) day and night.

Bonus: To complete a four step regimen you could pair the Counterstart line with prep and treat steps that work best for your skin concerns.

Countersun sheer defense daily moisturizer with spf 25

Best for: All skin types

Notes: This moisturizer can be used daily, alone, or after your normal daily moisturizer in your morning routine. To use, apply liberally and evenly to face and neck, 15 minutes before sun exposure and remember to reapply at least every two hours just like any SPF product.

Bonus: We use safer Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, which is a physical, mineral sun protection technology that works by reflecting UV rays. 

Lotus glow Cleansing balm

Best for: dry and/or mature skin

Notes: I’ve gushed over the Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm in our Skincare Basics post all about cleansers, but you might also like to know that this balm can also be used as an overnight mask! It provides DEEP hydration and helps to restore the moisture barrier of the skin. To use it as an overnight mask, apply a pea sized amount to the skin after your treat step at night.

Bonus: I often use this product after a day in the sun or swimming, when my skin has been exposed to chlorine and/or extended sun screen use. It helps to reset the balance quickly!

Tips And Tricks For Protect Products

Here are some general recommendations to help you maximize your protect step application!

  • typically apply a moisturizer after your treat step has dried completely to avoid pilling of product

  • I usually brush my teeth while my treat step dries to pass the time.

  • oftentimes you don’t need a ton of product - less is more!

  • make sure you’re using the right moisturizing product for your skin type/concerns - if you’re unsure, always ask for help!



So there you have it friends! An easy peasy breakdown of what a protect product is, why we need them, and the different options available to you! That’s our last and final post in the Skincare Basics series and I really hope you’ve learned a lot! Be on the lookout for future post all about what I call “plus” products and how to add to your routine!