Why This Celebrity Esthetician Wants You To Keep A Skin Care Journal

We'd wager you've heard of dream journals—perhaps you've even started one to interpret your dreamland fantasies. Food journals are pretty common, too; maybe you've embarked on an elimination diet and need to keep track of your body's responses. Let's try another: Ever dabbled in a skin care journal?

So much of skin care is pure guesswork: For example, you can study up on a certain type of retinol, but you still won't know how it works for you until you actually test it. And even then, it may take a few rounds to determine whether or not it's doing the job. Sure, you may know immediately if a product causes an allergic reaction, but oftentimes skin care takes a few days to show signs like clogged pores or increased oil production. "Over time, [journaling] gives you a lot of clues as to what really your skin gravitates toward," says Yoon. And, alternatively, what it cannot bear. 

Let's be clear: This does not have to be a taxing homework assignment. You don't even need to purchase a brand-new spiral and pore over the pages—just a few quick bullets will do, and you can scribble down notes in a journal you already own. Or you could download a helpful app, like this virtual skin care diary, if you'd rather organize your notes digitally.

Whichever medium you choose, build a skin-focused section and reflect on how your skin looks and feels that day—have you introduced a new product to your routine, or are you experiencing a flare-up? What are you noticing in the mirror? "Keep track, even lightly, of what's working for you and what's not," says Yoon.