There's no sugar-coating it: Clogged pores are the worst. Whether you're talking about blackheads, whiteheads, or full-on pimples, it's never a pretty situation. Adding insult to injury, preventing blockages is no simple feat. While there are certain ingredients that are more likely to clog pores than others (if you want to get technical, these ingredients are called 'comedogenic'), there are multiple other factors to consider, points out Emily Arch, M.D., a dermatologist at Dermatology + Aesthetics of Wicker Park in Chicago. "It really depends not only on the ingredient, but also its concentration, how it's been processed, what other ingredients are in the product and your skin type," she says.   read more

It's nearly impossible to wander the aisles of Sephora without letting one of the store's skin care sets catch your eye. Maybe in the past you've been strong enough to resist the siren call of these curated minis -- but why should you? These skin care sets actually tend to be pretty cost-effective -- and practical. For one, they let you sample the buzziest new launches, without blowing your entire beauty budget, and they can give you a way to tote luxe, carry-on-sized products on your next trip (bonus: they often come in an adorable, travel-ready pouch. Not to mention sets can make a great gift -- so really, when you think about it, it's a win-win-win. So, where to start? Here, 16 skin care sets to check out during your next Sephora trip.   read more

If you're asking yourself (and we're pretty sure you are) what the heck a booster even is, let us enlighten you. The original booster concept came from, where else, Korean beauty. "A skin booster is considered a more powerful, effective toner that allows the rest of your skin care products to absorb better, which enhances the effectiveness of your routine," explains Charlotte Cho, K-beauty expert and founder of SoKo Glam. Their textures are very lightweight and watery, she notes, and generally prime the skin for the rest of your routine. However they can also be used alone to create a brighter, more hydrated visage.   read more

Have you ever heard that you shouldn't pinch pennies when it comes to skin care? That your face is one of your greatest investments? While these statements are based on good intentions, we're here to tell you that price isn't always the best indicator of a quality product. In fact, some of our most treasured skin care products come from the drugstore.   read more

I have a confession to make: I occasionally skip washing my face for days at a time. As someone who writes about beauty for a living, I definitely know better. But after spending eight-plus hours in the office and hitting up the gym or happy hour after work, sometimes my skin care routine just goes out the window when I get home. TBH, I rarely ever wear makeup, so my skin doesn't look all that worse for wear when I steer clear of cleanser. (You could say I'm #blessed.)   read more

You might have noticed recently that many of your favorite skin-care brands have been releasing foam versions of their classic cleansers. Consider it an extension of the latest trend that's turning all of your favorite beauty products into bubbly mousses (sunscreen, body wash ... even dry shampoo). Besides being fun, foam cleansers are great multitaskers. They do killer job of removing makeup while cleansing, exfoliating, toning and hydrating your face.   read more

Eye wrinkle creams attempt to combat our very nature -- that is, the fine lines and wrinkles that come with age.   See products

If you've never had a chemical peel, you might imagine it would make your skin look like beef carpaccio a la Samantha in "Sex and the City." But the truth is, chemical peels have come a long way in the last 15 years. "You used to have redness for three to four weeks," says Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon Taylor Pollei, MD, of Lasky Skin Center. Now, thanks to buffering ingredients and customizable treatments, there's minimal downtime. "Even though you're peeling, exfoliating, and flaking... you can still get out and about and do your thing. That's different from the peels I used in the past," he says.   read more