Skin Care Product and Equipment Knowledge and Preparation
Core concepts
Know product categories - cleansers, toners, exfoliants, serums, moisturisers, masks, sunscreens - and their functions. Understand key ingredients and actives such as humectants, emollients, occlusives, alpha-hydroxy acids, retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, and antioxidants, plus their typical cautions. Know product forms (gel, cream, lotion, serum) and how formulation affects skin feel and penetration. Understand pH relevance to acid exfoliants and the importance of following manufacturer instructions for dilution and contact time. Equipment knowledge includes steamers, magnifying lamps, high-frequency units, galvanic and ultrasound devices, brushes, and hot towels - know their purpose, safe use, cleaning, and contraindications. Always check expiry dates, storage conditions, and labels.
Traps in questions
- Assuming "natural" or "organic" means hypoallergenic or safe for all.
- Using actives together without considering irritation risk.
- Ignoring manufacturer contact times for chemical exfoliants.
- Using electrical equipment without checking contraindications (e.g., pacemakers, metal implants, pregnancy cautions).
- Failing to clean and disinfect equipment between clients.
Worked example / rule of thumb
A client wants to combine a retinoid with a strong AHA in one session. Correct approach: check skin tolerance, avoid stacking irritating actives, patch test where appropriate, and space them. Rule of thumb: one new active at a time, lowest effective concentration first.
Key terms to recognise
Humectant, emollient, occlusive, AHA, retinoid, pH, patch test, contraindication, device sanitation, expiry date.