Being tan is absolutely essential when it comes to my overall confidence and signature look, because I've often been told I look sick when I'm not bronzed -- especially in the fall and winter months (thanks, guys).

As much as I love soaking up the sun to achieve a sun-kissed look, summer is long gone and I'm not blind to the fact that UV exposure causes premature aging, and can put me at risk for skin cancer.

I had tried just about every sunless tanner on the market with no lasting or satisfying results, until I found Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tan Liquid & Professional Mitt, $26.50, aka, magic in a bottle.

Many people balk at trying self-tanners for fear of looking orange, but this product gives me an instant glow that looks 100 percent natural and dries almost instantly. The professional mitt makes the application easy and leaves no streaking behind -- an amazing rarity that any veteran self tanner can attest to. Since the product provides the option to build a gradual tan, I only have to apply this self-tanner once a week to keep my desired color.

The one thing I can't get over, though? The tanner instantly slims me and hides all my imperfections, leaving my skin looking airbrushed -- without any help from Photoshop.

Gone are the days of "looking sick." I'm a bronzed goddess all year round, now. --Jessica Amaris

When you follow sports, sometimes you hear that "the best defense is a good offense." But when it comes to skin care -- and particularly when it comes to warding off dreaded breakouts -- I tend to think the reverse is true. After all, you won't ever have to bring out your offensive players (aka those heavy-duty benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid-based zit-zappers) if you've got a solid defense (aka an acne-prevention plan) in place.

That's why I probably won't ever bench Dermalogica's Breakout Control, $46. This powerful little bottle has been a godsend for keeping my skin clear in the months leading up to my wedding. It contains antibacterial properties that fight and prevent acne without drying out my skin, and it's lightweight and quick-drying enough to wear under makeup. And it earns extra points for the refreshing scent.

Overall, I'd say I have a pretty strong MVP-contender on my skin care team. --Mary Squillace

I have approximately 700 lip products. I don't think that's an exaggeration. Lipsticks, glosses, balms, stains -- I hoard them all. At any given time, I have a dozen lip products in my bag. So you can imagine my surprise when I actually finished one.

Without even thinking about it, I've reached for my trusty tube of Nivea's A Kiss of Care & Color in Sheer Berry, $4, so many times that I've worn it down to a nub. In fact, it wasn't until it was almost gone that I started thinking about what makes it so great -- because it's great in such an understated way.

At first glance, it seems like a basic balm. But the formula is incredibly moisturizing -- it feels silky on your lips, and that silkiness lasts for a long time. It also has the perfect amount of tint -- enough to make my pale lips look alive, but not so much that I need a mirror to apply it, which might explain why it's my go-to when I'm on the subway or in an elevator on my way to a meeting. It even smells lovely -- vaguely rose-like and powdery.

You see, sometimes basic is best -- and that's why I keep pulling this balm out of a pile of 699 other options. --Dawn Davis

I know it's a little basic of me to say, but I love coconut oil. I cook with it, I use it to remove my eye makeup, I apply it to the ends of my hair and I even add it to my coffee. But there's one tiny problem I have with this magical oil: As a body moisturizer, it's supermessy. The single time I tried to use it to hydrate my legs post-shaving, it turned into a sticky, greasy mess that somehow managed to pick up all the dog hair in my apartment. Yuck.

That's why I love SkinFix Ultra Rich Body Butter, $17.99. This fragrance-, soy-, gluten-, paraben- and phthalates-free moisturizer harnesses the power of my favorite oil, plus shea butter, to create a deeply hydrating, superluxe product that I slather on by the handful. And, unlike pure coconut oil, it soaks into skin quickly, leaving it hydrated and silky smooth -- not greasy. It even manages to make dry areas, like my elbows and knees, soft. Needless to say, this will be my savior when the cold temperatures and dry air start to cause my skin to flake. --Allie Flinn

Have you ever been shocked to learn someone's age? Like, in an OMG-I-can't believe-how-good-you-look-for-your-age way? If you're like me, then your immediate reaction -- you know, after picking your jaw off the floor -- is to drill them about their skin-care regimen in the hopes that you can replicate their unnatural inability to age (or join whatever coven they've sold their soul to).

And that's exactly what I did when I met Mally Steves Chakola, the founder of M. Steves Skincare, at a Total Beauty-hosted event. According to her, she owed her impeccable skin to M. Steves Reviving Exfoliator, $48, so, naturally, I had to try it.

The product packs a three-in-one anti-aging punch, combining glycolic acid, microdermabrasion and a pore-purifying mud mask in one little jar (read: no witchcraft!). Though it might be some time before I notice its long-term effects, I can say that I see an immediate improvement in my skin after using it. My face looks fresher and brighter as soon as I rinse it off.

I'll definitely keep reaching for this exfoliator in the hope that someone will one day ask me about my skin-care secret. --Rose Curiel