Skincare Routine by Skin Type: A Professional Guide with Dermalogica — Côte Saint-Luc

Why Your Skin Type Matters More Than Trends

Choosing skincare based on viral trends or generic recommendations is one of the fastest ways to damage your skin barrier. The truth is, every skin needs a fundamentally different combination of cleansing, hydration, treatment and protection. At Réhabital's aesthetic clinic in Côte Saint-Luc, our medical aestheticians Liliana and Elena Caliniuc begin every consultation with a professional skin analysis to determine your true skin type — which often differs from what you assumed.

This guide breaks down the ideal morning and evening routine for each of the five main skin types, using the Dermalogica Pro system we use both in-clinic and recommend for home maintenance. Think of this as the framework — your personalized routine should always be refined with a professional skin analysis.

Identifying Your Skin Type

Dry skin feels tight after cleansing, may flake and rarely has visible pores. Oily skin develops shine within 1–2 hours of cleansing, has visibly larger pores and is prone to congestion. Combination skin has an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) with normal or dry cheeks. Sensitive skin reacts easily — redness, stinging, itching from new products. Acne-prone skin has recurring breakouts (inflammatory papules, pustules, or comedones), regardless of oiliness.

Most people fall into one primary type with secondary concerns layered on top (for example, oily and acne-prone, or sensitive and dehydrated). The routines below are starting points — they should always be refined based on a professional analysis.

Routine for Dry Skin

Morning: Start with a creamy, non-foaming cleanser like Dermalogica's Intensive Moisture Cleanser to gently remove overnight buildup without stripping. Follow with a hydrating toner mist (Multi-Active Toner) applied to damp skin to lock in moisture. Apply a hyaluronic acid serum, then a rich moisturizer such as Skin Smoothing Cream. Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ — non-negotiable, even in winter.

Evening: Double cleanse — first with PreCleanse oil to dissolve sunscreen and makeup, then with the same gentle cream cleanser. Apply a nourishing oil or rich serum (Phyto Replenish Oil works beautifully for mature dry skin). Layer your night cream on top. Once or twice a week, replace your serum with a hydrating mask.

In-clinic boost: Monthly Hydr-O2 facial to deeply hydrate and plump the skin, paired with red LED therapy.

Routine for Oily Skin

Morning: Cleanse with a gel or foam cleanser (Active Clay Cleanser is excellent). Apply a clarifying toner with niacinamide to regulate sebum, followed by a lightweight serum like Active Clearing Sebum Clearing Masque or Oil Free Matte SPF 30. Avoid heavy creams — they signal your skin to produce even more oil.

Evening: Double cleanse with PreCleanse followed by the same clay-based cleanser. Apply a salicylic acid (BHA) serum 2–3 nights per week to keep pores clear, alternating with niacinamide on other nights. Finish with an oil-free hydrating gel — yes, oily skin still needs hydration; in fact, dehydrated oily skin overproduces oil to compensate.

In-clinic boost: Monthly Pro Power Peel with blue LED therapy to reduce sebum production and refine pores.

Routine for Combination Skin

Morning: Use a gentle gel-cream cleanser that respects both zones. Apply a balancing toner (Multi-Active Toner). Use targeted serums — niacinamide on the T-zone, hyaluronic acid on the cheeks. Choose a lightweight gel-cream moisturizer with SPF, or layer a separate sunscreen.

Evening: Double cleanse. Apply BHA only to the T-zone 2 nights per week and a hydrating serum across the entire face. Use a slightly richer night cream on the cheeks if needed. The key with combination skin is targeted treatment — you don't have to treat your whole face the same way.

In-clinic boost: Customized facial alternating Pro Power Peel and Hydr-O2, depending on which zone needs attention that month.

Routine for Sensitive Skin

Morning: Use the gentlest possible cleanser — UltraCalming Cleanser is ideal. Skip toner if it stings. Apply a barrier-repair serum (Calm Water Gel or Barrier Defense Booster). Moisturize with a fragrance-free, ceramide-rich cream. SPF must be mineral (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) — chemical sunscreens often trigger sensitivity.

Evening: Cleanse once with the same gentle cleanser (only double cleanse if you wore heavy makeup or sunscreen). Apply a barrier serum and a richer night cream. Avoid actives like retinol, AHAs, BHAs and vitamin C until your barrier is fully restored — this can take 6–12 weeks of minimalist routine.

In-clinic boost: Gentle calming facial with yellow LED therapy. Avoid peels and aggressive treatments until barrier function is restored.

Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

Morning: Cleanse with a salicylic acid cleanser (Clearing Skin Wash). Apply a treatment serum with niacinamide and salicylic acid. Use an oil-free moisturizer with SPF 30+ — one of the most common acne mistakes is skipping moisturizer, which actually worsens breakouts.

Evening: Double cleanse to fully remove the day's pollutants and pore-clogging residue. Alternate between a BHA serum and a retinoid (like Retinol Clearing Oil) on different nights. Finish with a lightweight hydrating gel. Avoid layering too many actives at once — pick one targeted treatment per night.

In-clinic boost: Monthly Clear Start facial with extractions and blue LED therapy. For stubborn acne, a series of Pro Power Peels delivers dramatic improvement.

The Universal Rules That Apply to Every Skin Type

SPF every single morning — this is the single most important step in any skincare routine, regardless of skin type or weather. Up to 80% of visible aging is caused by UV exposure. Never skip moisturizer — even oily and acne-prone skin needs hydration. Introduce actives slowly — one new product at a time, with at least 2 weeks between additions, to identify what works and what triggers reactions. Be patient — most products need 6–12 weeks to show measurable results. Finally, get a professional skin analysis at least twice a year, since skin changes with seasons, age, hormones and lifestyle.

Get Your Personalized Routine at Réhabital

Every skin is unique and the routines above are starting points — not prescriptions. During a 60-minute consultation at our Côte Saint-Luc clinic, our medical aestheticians perform a Face Mapping skin analysis, identify your true skin type and concerns and build a custom routine using the exact Dermalogica Pro products that match your needs. Book online via Jane App or call (438) 842-3550.