A practical collection of small habits that add up to healthier, better-looking skin.
Mist with moisturizer, not water
Spritzing alone can create dryness because water evaporates off the skin. If you mist, moisturize too — or look for a mister with a vitamin-E emollient.
Sponge on SPF
To avoid the gooey feel of facial sunscreen, apply it with a sponge — it also helps the product penetrate the skin.
Exfoliate a little longer, not harder
Skin is delicate, so too much force can harm it. Instead of pressing harder, simply exfoliate gently for longer.
Go easy on alcohol
More than one drink a day can increase oil production and enlarge pores — as can lack of sleep. Aim for at least seven hours a night.
Double-cleanse your face
If you wear a lot of makeup, first remove makeup and sunscreen, then follow with a hydrating cleanser, rubbing upward from neck to forehead.
Add in sunscreen
If your day cream has no SPF, layer a lightweight one. Look for micronized zinc or avobenzone for broad-spectrum protection without a whitish hue.
Keep your products cool
Acne-prone? Use a fine-mist, oil-free spray sunscreen to avoid spreading bacteria from your hands, and keep products cool outdoors to calm redness.
DIY dermatology
For a large whitehead, apply several cycles of hot compresses, then a dab of 1% hydrocortisone cream for two hours to reduce inflammation.
Go from thin to thick
For best penetration, apply products lightest first: antioxidant serum, then moisturizer, then sunscreen.
Embrace humidity
Moisture keeps skin looking dewy — keep it hydrated year-round with a humidifier.
Travel with towelettes
No time for a post-workout shower? Oil-free makeup-remover wipes clear away the dirt that triggers breakouts.
Prepare for sleep
Keep a small box of lip balm, cuticle oil and hand and foot cream on your nightstand, and apply each before drifting off.
Try a facial scrub
Retinol or glycolic acid can leave skin scaly. A weekly facial scrubber removes only the dead cells ready to be sloughed off.
Fragrance-free vs. unscented
"Unscented" formulas can still contain aromatic oils. If you are sensitive to perfumes, look for products labelled "fragrance-free".
Pamper your face
Avoid abrasive puffs — use your fingertips. If you use a washcloth, choose low-loop terrycloth made for newborns.
Relieve with fruit
After too much sun, soak in a warm bath with half a gallon of milk and a few drops of lavender oil. Pureed watermelon also soothes tingly skin.
Clean house gently
Cleaning chemicals can irritate sensitive skin. Mix half a cup of white vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda with two quarts of water as a gentle cleaner.
Bypass the sugar
Sugary treats spike insulin and can trigger blemishes. A diet low in refined sugars — rich in vegetables and whole grains — helps keep skin clear.
Soothe with sour cream
Apply a tablespoon of full-fat sour cream to sensitive skin for 20 minutes, twice a week. Lactic acid gently smooths and improves texture.
Choose healthy oils
For dry skin, try a weekly mask of mashed ripe avocado, or massage a tablespoon of olive oil into your face at night — skip if acne-prone.
Sanitize your skin
A very-diluted bleach bath (about half a cup to a full tub) can kill surface bacteria that cause inflammation — weaker than a swimming pool.
Sleep on your back
It may feel relaxing to sleep on your belly, but to avoid creasing and wrinkles, flip onto your back.
Eat your water
Hydrating fruits and vegetables — grapefruit, watermelon, cucumber — deliver water that plumps your cells better than drinking alone.
Soak feet in tea
For stinky feet, soak them in dark black tea. Tannins change its pH balance and combat odor.
Conquer your retinoids
Vitamin A is key to anti-aging but can irritate. Build tolerance with a drop every other day and counter redness with an antioxidant-rich moisturizer.
Take lotion one step further
Once a week, apply a thick lotion to hands and feet, cover in plastic wrap for half an hour, then reveal soft results.
Manage dark circles
As we age, melanin builds up and skin can sag. Treatments range from brightening actives to, in some cases, injectable filler.