Skincare Products Explained in Lubbock: What Each Type Does
Every skincare product has one job, and once you know what that job is, building a routine for Lubbock's dry climate gets a lot simpler. If you're looking at a shelf full of products thinking, "I don't understand what all of this is, how it works, or why I need it," that's what this post sorts out.
The basics are still simple: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Everything else gets added based on what your skin needs and what you're actually trying to improve.
In Part 1 of our four-part skincare series, our estheticians shared some of their favorite product picks. In Part 2, we broke down the order to apply them. Here, we're getting into what each type of product actually does, so you know why it has a place in your routine in the first place.
Cleansers and Toners: Where Every Routine Starts
Every good skincare routine starts with clean skin. Your cleanser's job is pretty straightforward: remove dirt, oil, makeup, sunscreen, and whatever else your skin has picked up throughout the day without leaving it feeling stripped and dry. If your skin runs dry, a milder cleanser is usually the better choice.
Toner is the next step if you use one. It's a lightweight, water-based product that goes on after cleansing and before moisturizer or treatment products. The important thing to know is that toner is optional. You don't need one just because it exists.
Exfoliants: Physical vs. Chemical
Brayden Mitchell, Medical Esthetician, is one of three estheticians on our team who named exfoliation as the step clients miss most. That makes sense, because dead skin buildup can affect texture, brightness, and how smooth the skin feels.
There are two main ways to exfoliate. A physical exfoliant uses something you can actually feel, like a scrub or tool, to manually lift away dead skin cells. A chemical exfoliant uses ingredients like AHAs or BHAs to loosen and dissolve them instead.
Neither one is automatically better. The right choice depends on your skin type, sensitivity, and what else you're already using. The more aggressive the exfoliation, the less often you usually need it, and moisturizing afterward matters.
Brayden's first pick is ZO Exfoliating Polish: "It's a great way to gently polish away dead skin cells and leave the skin feeling incredibly smooth, soft, and refreshed." ZO recommends starting around 2 to 3 times a week and adjusting based on your skin.
Serums: Antioxidants and Hydrators for West Texas Skin
Serums are where a skincare routine starts to get more specific. They're lightweight, concentrated products that can target different concerns, whether that's hydration, uneven tone, environmental stress, or something else your skin needs extra help with.
For West Texas skin, antioxidants and hydration both earn their place. Vitamin C is one example of an antioxidant that can help protect skin from damage caused by sun exposure and pollution. It doesn't replace sunscreen, but it can be another layer of support.
Posey Pence, Medical Esthetician and Laser Tech, reaches for "a great antioxidant like alto advanced," meaning SkinBetter Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum.
Sheena Klos, Founder and CIDESCO Certified Master Medical Esthetician, picks SkinBetter Even Tone Correcting Serum, which pairs an antioxidant with hyaluronic acid for hydration.
Retinoids and Other Cell-Stimulating Products
This is where skincare moves beyond basic maintenance and into more targeted treatment. Retinoids are one of the best-known examples. Retinol is a milder type of retinoid, while stronger versions may require a prescription. They can cause some irritation when you first start using them, but that often improves as your skin adjusts.
Victoria Henry, Medical Esthetician and Laser Tech, says that if you want to see real change in your skin, a cell-stimulating product needs to be in your lineup. She points to retinols and exosomes: "These will help the body make better skin cells and will boost the efficacy of all your other products."
SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream is one example of a nighttime treatment product in this category. Plated INTENSE Serum is another example, using exosome technology. Because exosome skincare is still a newer area of research, this is one of those times when your esthetician can help you decide what actually makes sense for your skin.
Moisturizer and SPF for Lubbock's Dry Climate
Moisturizer and sunscreen are the two steps that help hold everything else together. Moisturizer helps keep water in the skin, which matters even more when West Texas weather is dry, windy, or changing every five minutes.
When skin needs more help, Posey's pick is "a more nourishing moisturizer like trio rebalance from skin better" (SkinBetter Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment).
Then comes SPF. This is the step that should stay consistent no matter what else is in your routine. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher goes on last in the morning, before makeup.
Common Questions About Skincare Products in Lubbock
Do I need every type of skincare product?
No. A basic routine can be just cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Everything else should be added because it serves a purpose for your skin, not because you feel like you're supposed to own it.
How long should I give a new product before deciding it's not working?
Give it time. Mayo Clinic notes that many anti-aging products need daily use for up to six weeks before you see a difference, and results fade if you stop.
Where do I start if all of this feels overwhelming?
Start simple. Bring the products you already own to your esthetician or talk through your routine during a facial. It's much easier to build from what you actually need than to keep adding products and hoping they all work together.
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The Spa by Sheena
8713 Milwaukee Ave Suite 200
Lubbock, TX 79424
By Chelsey Zahn,
Marketing & Analytics
The Spa by Sheena is a Med Spa serving Lubbock and West Texas. Clinical treatments are performed under the supervision of our medical director by our licensed team.
