A Guide to Dermalogica Skin Care

Professional-grade skin care since 1986

Dermalogica was founded by a skin therapist, so they know how to create custom skin care solutions that work – not just today, but for life. They offer professional-grade skincare education, products, and services to skin therapists and customers alike.

Personalised skin care

We create highly customised regimens and services for every individual, because we know that no two skin conditions are the same. Our products work best when they are recommended by a professional skin therapist for your unique skin. Whatever your lifestyle, background or environment, rest assured that Dermalogica will work for you.

Dermalogica’s commitment to sustainability

• We are certified cruelty-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
• We have been clean since 1986. Our formulas are free of artificial colours and fragrances, mineral oil, lanolin, S.D. alcohol, parabens and microplastics.
• All paper and cartons we use are FSC certified to be sustainable for forests.

Cruelty-free

We are recognised cruelty-free by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and Leaping Bunny

Certified vegan

We are certified vegan on all but 4 of our products.*

*Active Moist, Sheer Tint SPF20, Skin Perfect Primer SPF30, and Multivitamin Power Serum.

No artificial colours or fragrances

We have been clean since 1986. Our formulas are free of artificial colours and fragrances, mineral oil, lanolin, S.D. alcohol, parabens and microplastics.

Dermalogica Skincare Guide

Which Products should I use?

Identify your skin type so you can find the right skin care products for your unique needs.

Want to perfect your skin care routine but don’t know where to start? The first step is identifying your skin type! Use our tips below to figure out where your skin falls so you can shop accordingly.

Sensitive Skin

People with sensitive skin are genetically predisposed to a thinner lipid barrier, which is the skin’s way of protecting itself from irritants. Sensitive skin may also be sensitized, which means that your lipid barrier is being compromised by your environment or lifestyle (i.e. climate, spicy foods, etc.)

Signs of sensitive skin:

• It appears delicate, thin or translucent
• Redness or blotchiness, with a tendency toward rosacea
• Flushing, itching, or burning sensations – a sign of over-reactive capillaries

Katrina recommends:

• Cleanser: PreCleanse Balm and UltraCalming Cleanser
• Exfoliator: Daily Microfoliant
• Toner: UltraCalming Mist
• Corrective Serum: Redness Relief Essence
• Moisturiser: Calm water gel (AM), Invisible Physical Defence, Barrier Repair (PM)
• Targeted Treatment: Barrier Defence Booster, UltraCalming Serum Concentrate

Dry or Dehydrated Skin

There is a difference between dry and dehydrated skin, but they both often feel the same. Dry skin typically lacks oil while dehydrated skin lacks water.

Signs of dry or dehydrated skin:

• Flaking and/or itchiness
• Tightness and/or dullness
• Absorbs moisturizer quickly

Katrina recommends:

• Cleanser: PreCleanse Balm, Intensive Moisture Cleanser
• Exfoliator: Hydro Masque Exfoliant
• Toner: Multi-active Toner
• Eye Treatment: Bio-lumin C Eye Serum, Intensive eye repair, Stress positive eye lift
• Moisturiser: Intensive moisture balance (AM), Super Rich Repair (PM)
• Targeted Treatments: Phyto Replenish Oil, Bio-lumin C Serum, Skin hydrating booster

Oily Skin

Oily skin occurs from excess production of sebum (oil). It’s often unclear what causes oily skin because sebum production is influenced by everything from genetics and hormonal activity to your environment and lifestyle.

Signs of oily skin:

• Shiny complexion
• Pores appear enlarged
• Skin texture is greasy or congested

Katrina recommends:

• Cleanser: PreCleanse, Active Clay Cleanser, Clearing skin wash
• Exfoliator: Daily Resurfacer 
• Masque: Sebum Clearing mask
• Corrective Serum: Retinol Clearing oil
• Moisturiser: Active moist, Oil Free Matte SPF30                                                        
• Nightime: Overnight Clearing gel, Sound Sleep Cocoon

Aging Skin

Everyone ages, but some people have more noticeable signs of aging on their skin than others. This is often because of environmental and lifestyle factors, which can accelerate your skin’s visible age.

Signs of aging skin:

• Dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles
• Dullness
• Loose, crepey texture

Katrina recommends:

• Cleanser: PreCleanse Balm, Skin resurfacing cleanser
• Exfoliator: Daily Superfoliant
• Toner: Antioxidant Hydramist
• Masque: Multivitamin power recovery masque
• Moisturiser: Dynamic Skin recovery spf50 (AM), Super rich repair (PM)
• Targeted Treatments: Bio-lumin C Serum (AM), Overnight Retinol Repair or Overnight Repair Serum (PM) 

Breakout-prone Skin

Whether it’s from genetics, chronic stress, hormones, lifestyle habits, pollution, diet, or all of these factors, breakout-prone skin is usually identified by chronic, recurring breakouts.

Signs of breakout-prone skin:

• Red, inflamed bumps and uneven texture
• Excess oil or congestion
• Scars from previous breakouts

Katrina Recommends:

• Cleanser: PreCleanse, Active Clay Cleanser, Clearing Skin wash
• Exfoliator: Daily Superfoliant
• Toner: Multi-Active Toner
• Moisturiser: Oil Free Matte SPF30, Active Moist (PM)
• Targeted Treatments: Overnight Clearing Gel, Age Bright Clearing Serum, Sebum Clearing masque

Teenage Breakouts

As you transition from a child to teen to adult, puberty will trigger the movement of new chemicals in your body. Depending upon whether you’re a guy or girl, these hormones will go to work on different parts of the body, and of course, impact your skin.

Signs of Teenage Breakouts:

• Pores may become enlarged
• Skin texture changes
• Skin looks and feels shiny
• Evident pimples, blackheads and whiteheads

Katrina Recommends:

• Cleanser: Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash
• Exfoliator: Flashfoliant
• Toner: Breakout Clearing All Over Toner
• Moisturiser: Clearing Defence SPF30 (AM), Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion (PM)
• Targeted Treatments: Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask, Breakout Clearing Booster

Combination Skin

Combination skin looks shiny and feels dry, all at the same time. Having skin that produces excess oil and experiences dehydration may seem daunting, but it’s all about balance!

Signs of combination skin:

• Oily or dull-looking T-zone (forehead, nose and chin)
• Cheeks and under-eye areas feel dry
• Skin seems oilier in hot weather and drier in cold weather

Katrina Recommends:

• Cleanser: PreCleanse, Special Cleansing Gel
• Exfoliator: Daily Microfoliant
• Toner: Multi-Active Toner
• Moisturiser: Skin Smoothing Cream, Solar Defence Booster SPF50
• Night Cream: Sound Sleep Cocoon
• Targeted Treatment: Skin hydrating Booster

Uneven Skin tone

An uneven skin tone, called hyperpigmentation, is irregular darkening of the skin. The cause: overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair colour. The resulting dark patches and spots are typically perceived as “aged skin” and can make you look more than 12 years older.

Signs of Uneven Skin Tone:

• Irregular darkening of the skin
• Dark patches
• Dark spots

Be patient. There’s no quick fix for an uneven skin tone. Traditionally it takes at least 30 days of vigilant skin care treatment before you see any progress. Successful, 75 percent skin brightening can take up to four months so don’t give up!

Katrina Recommends:

• Cleanser: PreCleanse Balm, Skin Resurfacing Cleanser
• Exfoliator: Daily Microfoliant, Daily Resurfacer
• Moisturiser: Pure Light SPF50
• Night Cream: Pure Night
• Targeted Treatments: C-12 Pure Bright Serum (AM & PM)

Pro tip: your skin changes with the seasons

Hopefully the above tips helped you identify your skin type, but don’t stop there! Your skin’s behaviour changes throughout your life, depending on your health, environment and lifestyle. For personalized advice on what’s happening with your skin right now – and how to keep it in its best shape – get a Face Mapping skin analysis and connect with one of our Dermalogica experts in the salon. 

Need Skincare advice?

Speak with one of our skin therapists. Our professional skin therapists are ready to give you a personalised skin analysis and recommendation.

Face Mapping

A professional skin analysis. Our personalised assessment gives you the insight into your skins unique needs to make smarter, more effective skin care decisions.