You buy a serum here, a cream there, and after six months your bathroom shelf is full while your skin looks much the same. Sound familiar? The problem usually isn't the individual products, it's the lack of a system. Marini SkinSolutions (the brand formerly known as Jan Marini) built its reputation in dermatology and skin therapy practices on exactly that idea: a structured, five-step routine called the Skin Care Management System, where every step has a job and the steps reinforce each other. In June 2025 Marini SkinSolutions (voorheen Jan Marini) officially became Marini SkinSolutions — same formulas, same actives, same professional standard, with new sustainable, fully recyclable packaging (pump bottles instead of jars and droppers for better hygiene). The routine itself has not changed.
Why a system beats a collection of products
Skin is a living organ that responds to consistency. A single powerful ingredient used twice a month does very little; a moderate ingredient used correctly for twelve weeks does a lot. The Skin Care Management System is built around five functions rather than five products: cleanse, correct, renew, hydrate and protect. Once you understand the function of each step, you can swap products within a step without breaking the logic of the routine — which is exactly how skin professionals work.
The other advantage is that a system prevents overlap. Many people unknowingly use three exfoliating products at once and then wonder why their skin stings. In a structured routine, each active has a place and a purpose, so you can tell what is working and what is not.
The five steps explained
Step 1 – Cleanse. Everything starts here. A cleanser should remove make-up, sunscreen, sebum and pollution without stripping the skin barrier. Cleansing also prepares the skin so the actives that follow can be absorbed properly. Choose the cleanser by skin type, not by fragrance.
Step 2 – Correct / rejuvenate. This is the antioxidant and peptide step, typically a serum such as C-ESTA Face Serum (stable vitamin C with DMAE, known for firmness) or Age Intervention Peptide Extreme. Applied in the morning it supports the skin against daily environmental stress; applied in the evening it complements the renewal step.
Step 3 – Renew. The step that changes texture and tone: retinol or glycolic acid. This is where Age Intervention Retinol Plus and the Bioglycolic and Bioclear products sit. Renewal is the most result-driven step and also the one that demands the most patience.
Step 4 – Hydrate. Moisturisers keep the barrier comfortable and make stronger actives tolerable. Dry skin may need a rich cream such as Age Intervention Face Cream; oilier skin may be perfectly happy with a lighter hydrator such as Hyla3D.
Step 5 – Protect. Daily sun protection is not optional. Without it, the work done in steps 2 and 3 is undone. Marini Physical Protectant and the Bioshield range cover this step.
How to tailor the routine to your skin type
Dry to very dry skin: a gentle, non-foaming cleanser, a nourishing cream in step 4 and a slow build-up of retinol — two evenings a week to start. Layering moisturiser before retinol (the sandwich method) can help in the first weeks.
Normal to combination skin: the most flexible profile. A glycolic cleanser a few times a week keeps texture smooth, with retinol in the evening and an antioxidant serum in the morning.
Oily or congested skin: focus on cleansing and renewal. A glycolic or foaming cleanser, a lightweight hydrator and consistent renewal usually do more than heavy treatment creams. Resist the urge to over-cleanse: stripped skin produces more oil, not less.
Marini SkinSolutions also offers Skin Care Management System kits in Dry/Very Dry, Normal/Combination and Oily versions, which is the simplest way to start if you are unsure which combination suits you.
Building it up without irritation
Start with steps 1, 4 and 5 for one week. Add the correcting serum (step 2) in week two. Introduce the renewal step (step 3) in week three, two evenings a week, and increase gradually toward nightly use if your skin stays comfortable. Mild dryness or flaking in the first weeks is common with retinol; burning, persistent redness or swelling is not — in that case, pause and consult a skin therapist or your GP. Never combine a new routine with a professional peel or laser treatment without asking your practitioner first, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, skip retinol altogether and ask for advice.
Which Marini SkinSolutions products fit this routine
Marini SkinSolutions Bioglycolic® Face Cleanser
A glycolic acid cleanser for step 1, suited to normal, combination and oilier skin that wants smoother texture and clearer-looking pores. It cleanses while gently supporting surface renewal, which makes it a natural partner to a retinol routine. Use morning and/or evening, massage over damp skin and rinse thoroughly; if your skin is sensitive, start with a few times a week. View product
Marini SkinSolutions Age Intervention® Gentle Cleanser
The calmer option for step 1: a mild cleanser for dry, sensitive or reactive skin, and a good choice for anyone in the adjustment phase of a retinol routine. Use it morning and evening on damp skin and pat dry rather than rubbing. View product
Marini SkinSolutions Age Intervention® Retinol Plus
The renewal step and one of the brand's hero products, known for 0.3% retinol combined with peptides. For anyone working on fine lines, uneven texture and dull-looking skin. Apply in the evening to clean, dry skin, starting two evenings a week and building up as tolerated — always with daily sun protection. View product
Marini SkinSolutions Age Intervention Retinol Plus MD
The stronger version of the retinol step, for skin that is already comfortable with retinol and wants to go further. Not a starting point: build up with the standard Retinol Plus first. Evening use only, on dry skin, with a moisturiser to keep the barrier comfortable. View product
Frequently asked questions
Is Marini SkinSolutions the same as Jan Marini?
Yes. Marini SkinSolutions (voorheen Jan Marini), founded in 1994 in San José, California, was officially renamed Marini SkinSolutions in June 2025. The formulas, actives and professional standard are unchanged; the packaging is new, sustainable and fully recyclable, with pump bottles replacing jars and droppers. The transition runs through to mid-2026, so you may still see both names.
Do I need all five steps to see results?
You will see more from a consistent three-step routine (cleanse, renew, protect) than from an incomplete five-step one used irregularly. That said, the steps are designed to support each other: hydration makes renewal more tolerable, and sun protection preserves the results. Start with what you can maintain daily and build from there.
Can I use retinol and a glycolic cleanser together?
Many people can, but not from day one. Establish your retinol first, then introduce the glycolic cleanser a few times a week, ideally on mornings or on evenings when you skip retinol. If you notice tightness, stinging or persistent redness, reduce the frequency and consult a skin therapist.
Want to build your own routine step by step? Explore the full range on the Marini SkinSolutions brand page, or go straight to Step 1 Cleansing and Step 3 Skin Renewal. Beautyfashionshop is an official point of sale through the Dutch distributor Beauty Point International, shipping from our own warehouse in the Netherlands. If you are unsure which routine suits your skin, ask a skin therapist or your GP for personal advice.
