Today we’re going to continue our installments of Skincare Basics with the second step in a recommended regimen, a PREP PRODUCT! This is yet another step/product in a skincare routine that was incredibly confusing to me BECAUSE in my youth, I believed that a toner was an astringent, alcohol based product that I would use on a textured cotton pad to scrub and burn my face off. I literally thought (like so many others) that my hormonal breakouts would be gone if I could burn/dry them out. YIKES. I forgive you young Jess for what you didn’t know. I didn’t understand this step or what it was really for, and honestly though the purpose of a toner or toner pads was to dry up all the oil! Now that I truly understand the steps in a regimen I’m here to tell you that the PREP step is SO INTEGRAL to the overall performance of every product that comes after it! In my experience, the prep step is the one that is so often left off or skipped over because it feels unnecessary, but truthfully, it can be a game changer to your skin health! Let’s chat about why!

Prep Step Basics

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

• Prepping the skin with a toner, essence, mists or toner pads is STEP TWO and comes after cleansing in a general skincare routine (learn more about cleansers here), and is often an overlooked step in the skincare process, mostly because when we think toner, we think of the harsh alcohol based toners of our youth that stripped our skin of moisture! The good kind of toners are non-astringent varieties that help to balance the pH of your skin, and allow your skin to absorb the moisture based products your using rather than them sitting on top of your skin!

  
  

Prep Step Misconceptions

“Back in the day” toners were bright blue and came in a bottle and were purposely designed to address oil & acne - which led to most prep products being largely toners or toner pads that had a high alcohol content. Higher alcohol content in your skincare creates a product termed an “astringent” which can actually lead to a drying out of the skin.

The common misconception these days are that toners have to be astringent and drying and “sting the nostrils” when you apply it - the truth is prep products of today have come a LONGGG way, and what you see now on the market are products in a wide variety of textures and consistencies that actually nourish and prepare the skin to maximize the benefits of your entire regimen. Let’s talk about what prep products are used for!

What does a Prep product do?

Short answer: SO MUCH. Let’s check out this list of what prep products (toners, mists, toner pads, essences) can be used for:

• rebalance the skin’s natural pH after cleansing

  • restores the skin back to a slightly more acidic state which is necessary for best product absorption of ingredients in things like serums, treatments, moisturizers, etc.

• help remove any residual dirt and makeup left after cleansing

• pore minimization

• can be a step that nourishes and hydrates skin with essential ingredients

• evens skin tone

• minimizes blemishes

• helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles

• can address hyperpigmentation/sun spots

In short, if you’ve been using a routine that doesn’t include a prep step, and feeling like you aren’t quite getting the results you want, you can really see improvement with the addition of this step!

Different types of Safer Prep Products

Since we’ve come so far from early toner products, now there are so many more options on the market based on your skins specific needs, let’s chat the different types of safer prep products available.

Toners

First you have your typical toner like substances that work much like a traditional toner would. These are traditionally wiped across the face with a cotton pad OR they can also be pressed and patted into the skin.

Countercontrol Instant Matte Toner

Best for: Oily skin types and blemish-prone skin

Notes: This alcohol-free toner is the prep step in our Countercontrol line, and it is designed to mattify skin (aka remove the shine) remove residual impurities, and minimize the appearance of pores without stripping moisture. Use this toner twice daily after cleansing by applying two shakes to a cotton pad and swiping over a clean, dry face.

Countermatch Hydragel Toner

Best for: Normal, dry, combination skin.

Notes: The Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner is the prep step in our Countermatch line, and uses some powerhouse moisturizing ingredients like squalane, plum oil, and phytic acid to removes excess residue and minimizes the appearance of pores. Because it has such a moisturizing affect, it leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth, and glowy! Use this toner twice daily after cleansing by dispensing two pumps onto a cotton pad and wiping over a clean, dry face.

Mists

Mists are more of a multipurpose product that is dispensed via a spray mechanism. Our mists can serve as a prep step, setting spray, or daily refresher!

Counter + Brightening Facial Mist

Best for: All skin types.

Notes: This mist can be used under or over makeup for a radiance boost and dewy glow or as a prep step during your regimen. As a prep step, you’d want to mist it over your face, and then wipe gently with a cotton pad, day and night after cleansing. This mist can also be used as a setting spray after you apply makeup, or to use throughout the day to refresh and hydrate the skin. It uses lime pearl extract and Vitamin C to provide an instant boost of radiance, hydrate, revitalize, and soothe the skin. Because its packed with antioxidants, it also can serve to protect the skin from environmental stressors throughout the day.

TONER Pads

Toner pads are reminiscent of those traditional toner pads we used to use back in the day! While we don't currently have any toner pads in our women’s lines, I’ve personally used our Counterman toner pads before and LOVED them - especially during the summer when my skin tends towards more oil production!

Counterman Clarifying Toner Pads

Best for: For men of all skin types and/or women with oily skin or those who prefer a toner pad like prep step.

Notes: These quick and convenient toner pads are the prep step in our Counterman line and they use a blend of witch hazel and green tea extract which helps to wipe away excess oil and dirt, tighten pores, and remove residual dirt and excess oil, help tighten pores, and improve tone and texture. Use day and night after your cleansing step by wiping the pad over the face. Tip: You can cut these pads in half or in quarters to extend their use!

Essences

Essences are my new best friend! Essences actually are a blend of a prep stem and a serum in that they prep and rebalance the skin WHILE also delivering targeted active ingredients (much like a serum) into the skin. Also, essences tend to work best when applied like a serum. I use about 5 shakes of our essence and press and pat it into the skin for best results. If you do swipe with a cotton pad, you might be missing out on delivering the active ingredients into the skin.

Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence

Best for: Mature and/or dry skin

Notes: This is the prep step in our Countertime line which is designed for aging and dry skin. It’s a milky essence that delivers vital nutrients to the skin’s moisture barrier which results in an instant boost in hydration and radiance. It features backuchiol and our retinatural complex which is a safer alternative to retinol to minimize the appearance of pores and prepare the skin to better absorb the remaining regimen products! To use, apply approximately 4-5 shakes of product after cleansing and pat and press into the skin. Apply your serum step while the essence is still slightly damp/tacky for best absorption.

Tips and tricks for Prep Products

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

• typically apply while skin is slightly damp for better absorption

• You can sweep the product over your skin with a cotton pad or pat and press the product into your skin depending on the type of product you use

• typically follow toner application with your treat step/serum - apply your serum while the toner is still slightly damp for better absorption

• the type of prep step you choose will be dependent on your skin’s needs

  • oily - a more clarifying toner or toner pads

  • dry skin - hydrating mist or essence

  • aging skin - a hydrating mist or essence

  • combo skin - a gel toner

So there you have it friends! An easy peasy breakdown of what a prep product is, why we need them, and the different options available to you! I hope this has been a helpful third installment of skincare basics to get you started on the road to finding your perfect regimen! Next up, we’ll talk step #3 in your regimen: THE TREAT STEP!