After a summer full of sun, heat, chlorine, salt water and sunscreen, our skin often takes a beating, resulting in dullness, increased breakoutsand lack of shine. Seasonal skincare routines it’s something many of us are quite used to, but sometimes it just doesn’t seem to be enough. If you neglected your skincare routine during those lazy days of summer, developed brown spots from sun exposure, experienced clogged pores and breakouts from sunscreen, or developed dryness from chlorine and salt water, then your skin may be need some extra TLC this fall- and I have just the challenge for you.
Last October I started the 7-Day #OBEYRENEE Challenge, my first guided 7-day post-summer skin recovery challenge with daily videos from me personally. What I like to call Skin HIIT (high intensity interval training) this weekly routine is something I do every fall to get my skin back on track and now I want to share it with you! All you need to get started is a few basic skincare products (most of which you probably already own) and seven days dedicated to achieving your best glow yet. Let’s shine!
What skincare products do I need for this 7 day challenge?
Before you start the challenge, here’s a rundown of the skin care essentials and optionals I recommend for this 7-day challenge:
Necessary:
Nice to have:
Don’t have all the Renée Rouleau products I use? Do not worry! Every morning and night, I exclusively use skin care products from my line (except for a prescription retinoid and some tools like NuFace, a gua sha, etc.), but I realize that not everyone will have the products that I have. Use the products you have available that are closest to what I recommend – and see the FAQs at the bottom of this page for alternative product suggestions!
This is the intro video for my 7 day challenge. For my daily AM and PM routines, follow them here.
What strength of retinol should I use?
The strength of retinol, retinoid, tretinoin, or other types of vitamin A you should use during the 7-day challenge depends on your individual skin type, as well as previous experience with that ingredient. If you are new to retinol And you’re not sure how your skin will respond, look for more beginner-friendly products to minimize the uncertainty of potential dryness and irritation. However, if you are familiar with retinol and looking for more of a transformative experience, then I encourage you to use the strongest retinol you are comfortable with. Remember, the stronger the retinol, the more noticeable the results!
Will I experience side effects?
It is important to be aware that using retinol or vitamin A products can lead to side effects such as sensitivity, dryness and peeling. This is all considered normal because your skin’s barrier is compromised for a short period of time during this challenge (especially days 4-6, when the retinol starts to kick in). If at any point these side effects become too much, modify the routine to your specific needs.
Why is moisturizer optional some nights?
As you follow the challenge, you may notice that I ask you to use a moisturizer as an optional step. This is due to a term called “product sandwich”. For those who are new (or sensitive) to active ingredients like vitamin A, you can choose to put a moisturizer over and under the vitamin A application to create a buffer between it and the skin. This dilutes the potency of vitamin A, thereby reducing the strength of its side effects. However, if you want to get the full effects of vitamin A and all possible exfoliating effects (which gives the full collagen boost), you may choose to opt out of using a moisturizer before or after using a retinol/vitamin A product. This allows vitamin A to work deeper into the skin, potentially yielding more visible results.
Can I repeat this 7 day challenge?
Good news for those who enjoy the challenge – you can do it again! I encourage you to repeat this 7-day challenge whenever you find your skin needs another boost of results.
Here’s a tip: To maximize the benefits and give your skin the time it needs to rest, I recommend waiting 2-3 weeks between each challenge. This will allow your skin to fully recover and ensure you get the most out of every experience.
Is this 7 day challenge suitable for all skin types?
Yes! This is suitable for all nine skin types. If you want to give your skin a glow, this challenge is for you. Just make sure you use products suitable for your skin type.
Will skipping a step lower my results?
While it’s ideal to follow each step for best results, don’t worry too much if you occasionally skip one. Try to stick to the routine as closely as you can, but remember that skipping a step here or there won’t ruin your chances of achieving great results. Just do your best and enjoy the journey!
I’m having trouble using retinol, what should I use?
Whether you don’t have retinol or just don’t want to use it, that’s totally fine! However, it’s worth noting that without retinol, you may not get the same transformative results. Retinol, especially in prescription strength, can provide significant collagen-boosting and exfoliating effects. But if retinol isn’t your thing or you can’t use it for whatever reason, don’t worry! You can still achieve skin smoothing results that your skin will love.
The 7 day #OBEYRENEE Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to restore your skin and rejuvenate your skin after the summer. If you missed this challenge, keep an eye out for the next one and in the meantime, follow on YouTube and give your skin the care it deserves. Your radiant, post-summer glow is just 7 days away!
Celebrity Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real solution — products designed to nine different skin types so your face will have exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare enthusiasts around the world, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research is why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin professional we know.”
