The starter routine: three steps, morning and evening
The starter routine, in short
Three steps, twice a day: cleanse, treat with one NanoSerum, seal with a moisturizer. In the morning, finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. That is the whole routine, and for most skin it is enough to start with. Choose each step by skin type using the table below.
This routine is the first rung of three. The advanced routine adds a toner, a second NanoSerum and eye and neck care. The clinic plus home routine pairs home care with a course of professional treatments. All three sit in the skin types guide.
The three steps
Cleanse. Removes sunscreen, makeup, oil and the day's residue without stripping the skin. Comfort Cleansing Milk suits most skin; oily and combination skin may prefer a foaming cleanser. Lukewarm water, about a minute of contact, then pat dry and leave the skin slightly damp.
Treat. One NanoSerum, pressed into damp skin with flat palms over the face and neck. This is the step that differs by skin type.
Seal. AquaCell Moisturizer over the serum while it is still slightly damp, to hold in the water the serum has drawn to the surface. Thin on oily areas, fuller on dry ones.
Protect, mornings. A daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, any brand, applied last. Vegalab does not sell a sunscreen. How the filters work is covered under UV filters.
Choosing your NanoSerum
| Skin type | NanoSerum | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dry | Hyaluronic Skin Repair NanoSerum | Formulated to hydrate and to help skin look plumper and feel more comfortable. |
| Oily | Hydrating NanoSerum | Light hydration for oily skin. |
| Combination | Hydrating NanoSerum | Light enough for the T-zone, hydrating enough for the cheeks. |
| Sensitive | Hyaluronic Skin Repair NanoSerum | The sealed vial set formula contains no fragrance. Patch test first. |
| Mature | Hyaluronic Skin Repair NanoSerum | Hydration first; the mature skin page adds eye and neck care. |
If your main concern is visible pores and uneven texture on oily skin, Clarifying NanoSerum can replace Hydrating in the evening. Start it on alternate evenings. Brightening NanoSerum contains exfoliating acids and belongs on the advanced rung.
The ingredients behind the serum step are covered in the library: humectants, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid. What "NanoSerum" means is explained in how nano-encapsulation works.
Morning and evening at a glance
| Morning | Evening | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleanse, or rinse with water if skin is dry | Cleanse. Twice if you wore makeup or sunscreen. |
| 2 | NanoSerum on damp skin | The same NanoSerum on damp skin |
| 3 | AquaCell Moisturizer | AquaCell Moisturizer |
| 4 | Broad-spectrum sunscreen | Nothing further |
How to start
- Start the full routine only if every product is new to you and your skin is settled.
- Press, do not rub. Rubbing moves product onto your hands.
- Apply the serum to damp skin. Humectants on dry skin in dry air work against you.
- Keep everything else out for now: scrubs, extra serums, masks. The point of a starter routine is that you can tell what it is doing.
When to move up
Move to the advanced routine when the starter routine has run without a reaction for several weeks and you have a specific second concern: uneven tone, visible pores, or the eye area and neck. If you are planning professional treatments, the clinic plus home routine is the next rung instead.
For professionals
The order behind these three steps follows layering order and incompatibilities. After any professional treatment, the at-home maintenance card replaces this routine for the first week. Clients choosing between treatments, such as a chemical peel, should arrive on a settled starter routine.
Frequently asked questions
How long before I see a difference?
Hydration is felt the same day: skin feels more comfortable and looks smoother soon after application. Changes in texture take longer and depend on consistency. Give the routine several weeks before judging it.
Do I need a toner?
Not to start. A toner is an optional step that the advanced routine adds. Three steps done every day beat six steps done some days.
Can I use the same NanoSerum morning and evening?
Yes. The starter routine uses one NanoSerum twice a day. The advanced routine splits two serums between morning and evening.
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