Meet Erin Michniok!
Research + Development Lab Tech II
Erin is one of our in-house formulators, and she’s also getting married in a couple of months. Plus . . . (SPOILER ALERT!) she’s responsible for formulating our most top secret product launches!
To help Erin prep her skin for the biggest day of her life, our team of estheticians created a full custom skincare routine to tackle redness, breakouts, signs of aging and pretty much everything in between.
Here’s a little peek behind the curtain at Erin’s work life and how she’s getting her skin in shape for her big day.
QUESTION |
A:
QUESTION |
How would you describe your clinical approach to skin health?
A:
Like all our formulators, I like to use proven actives when developing new products. But it’s not just about one active. We believe to create effective formulas, you need a blend of the right ingredients, all working synergistically, to trigger the skin’s natural processes. I love the challenge of how to incorporate the finest ingredients in the highest levels possible to ensure the safest, most effective results.
QUESTION |
Tell us more about what you do in the Sanitas R+D lab on the daily.
A:
Well, first I run our stability program, so I check the stability of all our new formulas over the course of months to ensure they’re up to our standards. My day-to-day at Sanitas changes depending on what we’re prioritizing, but, regardless, I’m always seeking innovation.
I research constantly, so I’m always on the hunt for the next new frontier of skin health science, as they say. In our lab, we practice green chemistry so we not only look for ingredients that can transform skin health but also ones that are sustainable.
QUESTION |
What do you like most about working at Sanitas?
A:
One of the things I love most about working at Sanitas is that we formulate and manufacture everything in our own lab. For a skincare (and makeup) enthusiast like me, it’s kinda like a kid in a candy store situation. Our lab is not a boring place; it’s super creative, and we get genuinely excited when we start working with a new ingredient.
It’s also really cool to work for a leader that’s competitive. Our owner, Lisa Crary, wants us to make the absolute best products we can, no matter the cost. Basically, we’re more concerned that our products blow you away with their results than anything else. We’re told to formulate with no budget constraints, to pack in the actives, to create and dream and definitely to research and test over and over again.
QUESTION |
What’s one big initiative in the Sanitas lab for this year?
A:
To make sure we’re trend setters and not trend followers. We’ve also pledged to constantly evaluate our products and practices to ensure they’re the cleanest, safest most effective products available.
QUESTION |
A:
I think I have to go with hyaluronic acid. It pairs so well with lots of other essential ingredients we love to use, and it helps the skin maintain its own barrier so it can protect itself naturally. It also earns a spot in a lot of our formulas because it’s such a multitasking ingredient. If you have deep lines or redness or if your skin needs added nutrition in a lightweight form, hyaluronic acid can definitely help.
QUESTION |
A:
I’d have to say Topical C for sure. I’ve never seen a product like it and likely never will. Not long ago, I accidentally burned my arm while working in the lab. I applied Topical C, and in three days (not kidding) the mark was almost totally gone!
I also love Brightening Peel Pads because they make a noticeable difference in skin tone and texture immediately.
QUESTION |
What are your wedding skincare goals?
A:
To target signs of aging, large pores, uneven texture and lots of redness.
QUESTION |
How are you prepping your skin for your big day, and what products are you using?
A:
I was lucky enough to have our team of in-house estheticians curate a full AM/PM routine for me and perform a series of three professional peels in-office. They recommended a four-layer Jessner’s Peel for me, which is pretty deep. Prior to receiving the peel, we primed my skin with a full at-home regimen to make sure I got the best results possible.
I received my first professional treatment in-house about three weeks ago. My skin peeled a lot afterward which immediately improved my skin texture and clarity.
My daily routine is pretty simple. Here’s what our estheticians have had me using at home over the past month:
Daily Morning Routine
Nightly Routine
Daily Morning Routine
1
I cleanse with our Purifying Clay Cleanser to decongest and minimize my pores. I love that this cleanser doesn’t dry my skin out.
1
Again, I use our Purifying Clay Cleanser because it’s also awesome at fully removing my makeup—no pre-cleanse needed!
1
I cleanse with our Purifying Clay Cleanser to decongest and minimize my pores. I love that this cleanser doesn’t dry my skin out.
2
My skin is prone to breakouts, and clarifying is a huge deal to me, so twice a week, I use our Beta Clarifying Solution to reduce redness and breakouts.
3
I never miss using our PeptiDerm Eye Treatment, which has really helped to reduce my dark circles and fine lines.
4
I finish by combining Hyaluronic Concentrate with Vita C Serum to moisturize and brighten my skin. This is one of the tried-and-true combos (and my personal favorite) that we love to recommend!
Nightly Routine
1
Again, I use our Purifying Clay Cleanser because it’s also awesome at fully removing my makeup—no pre-cleanse needed!
2
PeptiDerm Eye Treatment comes next, and I love that my skin soaks in the peptides while I sleep!
3
At night I use our customer favorite retinol product, RejuvenA, to help brighten my skin and reduce dark spots. Then, I layer our PeptiDerm Moisturizing Cream on top of that. It’s deeply hydrating and never leaves my skin feeling greasy.
4
Finally, to get ready for my wedding, I’m masking weekly with Cranberry Lactic Mask combined with GlycoSolution 5%. This combo gives me a deep exfoliation while it brightens and firms my skin. It’s pretty powerful, so using once per week is plenty.
2
My skin is prone to breakouts, and clarifying is a huge deal to me, so twice a week, I use our Beta Clarifying Solution to reduce redness and breakouts.
2
PeptiDerm Eye Treatment comes next, and I love that my skin soaks in the peptides while I sleep!
3
I never miss using our PeptiDerm Eye Treatment, which has really helped to reduce my dark circles and fine lines.
3
At night I use our customer favorite retinol product, RejuvenA, to help brighten my skin and reduce dark spots. Then, I layer our PeptiDerm Moisturizing Cream on top of that. It’s deeply hydrating and never leaves my skin feeling greasy.
4
I finish by combining Hyaluronic Concentrate with Vita C Serum to moisturize and brighten my skin. This is one of the tried-and-true combos (and my personal favorite) that we love to recommend!
4
Finally, to get ready for my wedding, I’m masking weekly with Cranberry Lactic Mask combined with GlycoSolution 5%. This combo gives me a deep exfoliation while it brightens and firms my skin. It’s pretty powerful, so using once per week is plenty.
QUESTION |
A:
Wow—after just a month, my redness is almost completely gone. My skin texture has improved greatly, my pores look significantly smaller and all my hormonal acne has cleared up. Also, my fine lines and wrinkles are way less noticeable, and my dark circles are almost completely erased. My skin has honestly never looked so good before in my life!
QUESTION |
Any final tips for others out there planning a wedding?
A:
Stress shows on your skin, so try not to stress! Keep it small and don’t overdo it. I grew up wanting to have a huge wedding though, so I understand that things grow quickly! Don’t forget to enjoy the time you spend planning with your fiancé, because it goes by so fast.
And remember—everything’s going to be perfect no matter what happens!
