What Lubbock Estheticians Look For in Your Skincare Routine
Five Estheticians, Six Client Questions
These are the skincare routine questions Lubbock clients ask our estheticians most, so we wrote them down and asked the team to answer them for everyone at once. This is Part 1 of a four-part series. The next three posts go deeper on application order, product types and what to stop using.
Answering this round, pictured left to right: Sheena Klos, Founder and CIDESCO Certified Master Medical Esthetician; Posey Pence and Victoria Henry, Medical Estheticians and Laser Techs; Ella Grace Van Gundy, Esthetician and Laser Technician; and Brayden Mitchell, Medical Esthetician. You can meet all of them on our team page.
Sheena Klos 
Posey Pence 
Victoria Henry 
Ella Grace Van Gundy 
Brayden Mitchell
What Our Estheticians Check First in Your Product Bag
When a client brings in a bag of products, Sheena goes straight for the exfoliants and actives: scrubs, retinols, AHAs and BHAs. "This could be the missing piece," she said, "or the thing causing issues when used incorrectly or in concentrations too strong."
Ella Grace starts with the basics. She wants to see whether the client has a complete, good-quality lineup: cleanser, exfoliant, toner, serums and moisturizer.
The Step Most Lubbock Clients Are Missing
Three of our five estheticians gave the same answer without comparing notes. Ella Grace put it simply: "Most people are missing their exfoliation step!"
Brayden agreed. "When done correctly, regular exfoliation helps remove dead skin buildup, smooth texture, keep pores clear, and leave your skin looking brighter and healthier."
Sheena's reasoning comes down to what happens next in the routine. Removing dead surface cells lets the serums, masks and creams that follow do their jobs better. The American Academy of Dermatology describes exfoliation the same way: removing dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin.
Victoria named a different missing piece. "If people are wanting to see a change in their skin, then they MUST have a cell-stimulating product in their lineup. Think retinols and exosomes." Retinoids have strong evidence behind them. Cleveland Clinic notes retinol increases skin cell production and collagen, which can soften fine lines and fade dark spots. Exosome skincare is much newer, so ask your esthetician whether it fits your goals before you add it.
How to Exfoliate in West Texas Without Overdoing It
Notice the words our team kept using: gentle, correctly, consistently. More is not better. The AAD warns that too much exfoliation leaves skin red and irritated, and that scrubbing hard can make acne flare. Exfoliating while using a retinoid can also worsen dryness.
Two polishes came up by name. Sheena recommends Hale & Hush Refine Polish, which she calls "gentle and great for everyone." It's built for sensitive and reactive skin and is meant for once or twice a week. Brayden's pick is ZO Exfoliating Polish, which uses fine magnesium crystals. ZO suggests starting at two to three times a week. Brayden calls it one of those products that gives you an immediate "wow" feeling.
If you're already on a retinoid, tell your esthetician before you add an exfoliant.
What Our Team Wants You to Stop Using
Brayden's answer was makeup remover wipes. "They can be convenient, but they often don't fully cleanse the skin and may contain ingredients that can be irritating or drying." Brayden recommends a gentle cleanser instead, especially at the end of the day.
Ella Grace would retire the astringent. In her words, it "strips the skin of its natural oils and causes the skin to freak out." The AAD lists astringents among the habits that can make acne worse, because dry skin is irritated skin.
Sheena's answer was department-store "luxury" skincare. Her view, after more than 20 years in the treatment room, is that those lines are costly but don't generally deliver the results people are paying for. Medical-grade skincare carries higher concentrations of the ingredients that do the work. Part 4 of this series covers this in more detail.
The Order You Apply Products in Matters
Three estheticians, same rule: thinnest to thickest. Posey lays it out as cleanser and water-based products first, then serums and treatments, then moisturizer, and SPF last in the morning. "Applying products in the wrong order can affect how well they absorb and perform."
Sheena explains why. Thick creams applied first form a barrier, and the thin serums underneath can't absorb properly. Victoria says the same: layering by consistency "allows each product to fully absorb into the skin and work to its best ability." Cleveland Clinic dermatologists give the same lightest-to-heaviest order. Part 2 of this series walks through a full routine step by step.
What West Texas Does to Your Skin
"West Texas weather is dry, dry, dry!" Sheena said. Windy springs, hot summers and dry winters keep the skin barrier under constant stress, which shows up as dryness, sensitivity, unwanted pigmentation and sometimes acne.
Victoria's version: "West Texas weather can change on a dime and your skin feels every second of it." Her fix is a good antioxidant, moisturizer and sunscreen.
Posey focuses on hydration and barrier repair. She reaches for SkinBetter Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment as a nourishing moisturizer and SkinBetter Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum as an antioxidant. Then sunscreen, every single day. The AAD notes that up to 80% of UV rays reach your skin even on cloudy days.
The Products Our Estheticians Would Hand a Friend
Posey picked a habit over a product: daily sunscreen. "Even on a cloudy day or during a quick car ride, UV rays are still reaching your skin. If you want to help prevent hyperpigmentation and premature aging, make SPF a daily non-negotiable!" We covered this in our West Texas sunscreen reminder.
Sheena's pick is SkinBetter Even Tone Correcting Serum. It targets brown spots, redness and the yellow tones that come with aging, with an antioxidant and hyaluronic acid for hydration. "It's that glowing, even-toned 'glass skin' in a bottle product."
Brayden's is ZO Exfoliating Polish. Victoria's picks for her cell-stimulating step are SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream and Plated INTENSE Serum.
Every product named in this post is on our shelf at the spa. If you're not sure where to start, our post on medical-grade skincare in Lubbock explains how ZO and SkinBetter differ.
Common Questions About Your Skincare Routine in Lubbock
How often should I exfoliate?
Most of the polishes our team recommends are designed for one to three times a week. Dry or sensitive skin usually needs less. If your skin turns red or stings, back off.
What order do I put my skincare on?
Thinnest to thickest. Cleanser, then water-based products and serums, then moisturizer. In the morning, sunscreen goes on last.
Do I need sunscreen in the winter or on cloudy days?
Yes. UV still reaches your skin through clouds, and West Texas gets a lot of sun all year.
Can an esthetician look at my current products?
Yes. Bring your bag to your next facial and ask. Our facials guide explains which treatment fits which skin goal.
Sources
Book your consultation or call (806) 701-5840.
The Spa by Sheena
8713 Milwaukee Ave Suite 200
Lubbock, TX 79424
By Chelsey Zahn,
Marketing & Analytics
The Spa by Sheena is a medical day spa serving Lubbock and West Texas. Clinical treatments are performed under the supervision of our medical director by our licensed team.
