Applying sunscreen isn't exactly fun. Lubing up with sticky, uncomfortable SPF is usually the last thing you want to do before heading outdoors. Yet, it is such an important step in our skin care regimen in order to keep ourselves healthy, sunburn-free and looking as young as we feel.
If it seems like there are a million different sheet masks on the market, you're probably right. There are masks for fighting everything from breakouts to aging skin to hyperpigmentation. They're made of all sorts of materials including cotton, hydrogel and even kelp. Some are basic and some are seriously Instagram-worthy. But the one thing most masks have in common is that they're saturated with serum or essence. After all, packages often boast words like "dripping," "drenched" and "soaked" in a whole bottle of serum.
Have you heard the term "glass skin" before? It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. "It's when your skin is so healthy, even-toned and plumped with hydration that it's almost translucent, like a shard of glass," explains Glow Recipe co-founders Sarah Lee and Christine Chang.
You may have noticed that watermelon beauty products are popping up everywhere. It's not only a seasonal thing, watermelon is also extremely healthy for you. Watermelon, or Citrullus lanatus, comes from a family of desert-dwelling vines and is made up of 90 percent water. Much like its cousin the cucumber, watermelon is ultra-hydrating due to the high water content.
After what feels like the longest winter in the history of winters, it's time to finally start thinking about sun protection for the summer. Of course, we understand the benefits of year-round protection but it's something about April and May that prompts us to think more seriously about the damaging effects of sun rays.
Glitter was all over the runways this season — and next, it'll be making its way to your skin care routine. Shimmer and glitter may be things that we generally associate with makeup but lately they've been popping up in all our favorite skin care products, from chunky glitter-packed peel-off face masks to subtly shimmery face oils — and everything in between.
Just like we switch up our wardrobe for spring, swapping chunky sweaters and heavy boots for airy sundresses and light sandals, we should do the very same with our skin care. The weather changes bring about different requirements for our regimen, as the hydration and oil content of skin fluctuates. "If the air is dry in the winter. for instance, your skin is moister than the air, so the water evaporates more from your skin into the air," explains Lily Talakoub, MD, dermatologist at McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center. "In the summer, however, the humidity is greater outside than on your skin surface, so more water stays on your skin."
Warmer weather is upon us and that means more time spent outdoors, soaking up the sun and just enjoying life. Who wants to spend their time caked in makeup, worried about touch-ups or meltdown? It might be time to put away the full coverage and try a lightweight foundation. These come in the form of tinted moisturizers, BB or CC cream, or a buildable coverage foundation. There truly is something for everyone, whether you're looking to hide blemishes or just balance out your skin tone. They are also chock-full of skin care benefits (including SPF), so instead of clogging pores and aggravating your skin, you're actually improving it.
If you're a skin care aficionado who knows their hyaluronic acid from glycolic acid and you have carefully cultivated a beauty regimen that works, the thought of having a stranger — albeit a professional, licensed one — come near your skin might make you a bit nervous if it's your first time having a facial.
At-home peels are a quick way to instantly brighten, smooth and rejuvenate skin. But for those with sensitive skin, it can often lead to redness, irritatation and flakes. Not exactly the glowing look you were aiming for. If you've all but given up on using peels, you'll be happy to know there are several at-home peels for sensitive skin.
It wasn't that long ago that sheet masks started taking the beauty world by storm, addressing everything from skin texture to tone. As beneficial as these full-face sheets can be, they're not quite gentle enough for the delicate skin surrounding your eyes, which happens to be most prone to signs of aging, fatigue and environmental stress. To ensure your eyes get the TLC they deserve, look for masks designed specifically for the under-eye area.
Much like your bestie prefers red wine and you're more of a dirty martini gal, everyone's skin reacts differently to products. While experimenting and evolving your skin care routine is part of the process of maintaining healthy skin and—ahem—fighting age, it's important to pay attention to how your pores react to formulas. Considering our skin is the largest organ of our body, dermatologist Anna D. Guanche MD says it'll be the first to alert you when it's unhappy with your new face cream, moisturizer or baggy eyes battler. "Your skin—which is a live, very powerful protector of your body—is equipped with a finely tuned, highly sophisticated immune system that is responsible for keeping viruses and bacteria out and the good parts of you in. Sometimes this defense system cross-reacts and an allergy develops," she says.
It's hot, it's muggy, and your face looks like an oil slick. Swap out your heavy cream for one of these refreshing gel formulas, and you'll feel better in no time
Skin care is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, if you don't have a lot of time (or cash) on your hands, you may feel like you can't reap all the rewards of a full routine morning and night. We feel you. With so many skin care concerns to consider — and even more products to choose from — how's a time-crunched girl supposed to know where to start?
Finding the right facial cleanser can be a difficult challenge, as some detoxifying and foaming face washes can leave your skin unbearably dry or greasy, with unwanted residue or worse, breakouts. And if that's not enough, some overpriced cleansers can be a total waste of money, despite their very pretty packaging.
When you think of someone who suffers from acne, we bet something like a vivid "before" photo from a Proactiv commercial pops into your head. The occasional zit isn't considered acne, right? According to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Kimberly Jerdan, even one or two pop-ups of these unwanted puss-filled visitors is considered acne. Read on to find out what causes random breakouts, plus a few tips on preventing acne.
Often heralded as the be-all end-all for everything from acne to fine lines to sun damage, retinol is something of a hero skincare ingredient. Even so, it can feel intimidating at times, especially since its efficacy can sometimes come with side effects like irritation and increased sun sensitivity. So, is retinol really something to be afraid of?
I'm the type of girl who almost always chooses a massage over a facial. I mean, I can slather on chemical exfoliators and oils and creams at my own leisure but I can't exactly massage my lower back or get a crick out of my neck without inducing another.
Skin care products are like potential partners. (Stay with us.) There are those hero products we fall in love with at first sight (or slather, to stay with the analogy). Some are like a bad blind date, completely wrong from the get-go (hello zits and irritated skin). Then there are those that stick around far longer than they should, that we just can't seem to quit. When it comes to moisturizers, you might think you've found your bae when in reality, the product isn't doing what it should.
Think you can't find an amazing moisturizer at the drugstore? Think again. From rich creams to silky lotions, the best drugstore moisturizers address every skin concern and texture preference.
