We could tell you all of the gory side effects of spending too much time in the sun. We could list all of the harm sun damage causes (wrinkles, freckles, tumors, skin cancer). We could scare you with statistics about melanoma and skin cancer (two million people are diagnosed every year). We could tell you the number of people who die every year because of this horrible, mostly preventable disease (as many as 8,800 in 2012). And how's this for terrifying: every year, there are more new cases of skin cancer diagnosed than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer ... combined.   read more

Each time the muscles around your eyes contract, the repeated folding action your skin makes contributes to wrinkles and fine lines (a harsh reality, but it's sadly true). When we're younger, these lines are only noticeable when the muscle contracts, like when we scrunch up our face, wink or squint. But ultimately (and unfortunately) the continual folding invites the lines to stay for good -- even when the muscles are relaxed. So is it possible to return to the smooth surface we started with? And can skin care products really help? Yep. The proof: three words ... eye firming creams.   See products

TotalBeauty.com wants to know about your facial skin care routine. Answer our short survey to tell us what's most important to you!   read more

What are the most common tells of a woman's age? Most skin care regimens zero in on public enemy No. 1: wrinkles. But don't overlook other common skin conditions that magnify the years on your face. A range of issues, from subtle changes in your skin tone to chronic dryness, can make your skin look older.   read more

Everyone has their pet peeves in the realm of skin care. Wrinkles, blackheads, enlarged pores, acne, dark circles -- the list is practically endless. Although certain conditions can be influenced by your skin type, age or lifestyle, the likelihood of some problems can hinge on your skin tone. Case in point: African American women are more likely to suffer from keloid scars, ingrown hairs, hyperpigmentation and eczema -- four skin conditions that are not only more prevalent in dark skin, but sometimes hard to detect and to treat.   read more

Bermuda shorts tuxedo and signature Sgt. Preston of the Yukon hat notwithstanding, as the opening musical number of the 86th Annual Academy Awards, Pharrell Williams' infectious ditty "Happy," kicked off the night on a (literal) up beat.   read more

You know the feeling: You wake up one day, look in the mirror and -- wham! -- the signs of aging are suddenly everywhere. Those fine lines around your eyes. The loose skin along your jawline. The dark spots on your cheeks -- and even on your hands. Before this moment, you spent more time picking out nail polish colors than thinking about an anti-aging skin care regimen. Oh, sure, you moisturize and wear sunscreen. But at a certain point in your skin's aging process, your minimalist approach isn't enough. And it shows.   read more

Hyperpigmentation, dark spots, manchas -- there are many names for those unfortunate, darkened patches that pop up on your face and body. Latin women are particularly prone to dark spots, which is why it has become the No. 1 skin care issue among Latinas. Not only is this skin issue difficult to treat in darker skin tones, there are also many ways that women unintentionally make their spots even worse. (Uh, super-manchas?) That's why it's crucial to understand why you get dark spots -- how they form, why they stick around, and how you can start to knock 'em out.   read more

In our never-ending quest for perfect, dewy, youthful (insert your own adjective here) skin, a must-try treatment du jour pops up, if not literally every jour, with staggering regularity.   read more