Our Favorite Skincare Tips For Healthy-Looking, Glowing Skin

There’s enough skincare advice on the internet to make anyone’s head spin—TikTok alone hosts more than 275 million videos tagged “skincare tips.” But a good portion of what you see on social media isn’t grounded in any real science. With so much content out there, it can be challenging to know what actually works when it comes to achieving your skin goals.

To help you sift through the noise, we dug through some of the best professional skincare tips we’ve received over the years from experts like board-certified dermatologists and medical estheticians. From applying sunscreen every day to layering your products properly, here are 17 of the best skin tips to follow for healthy-looking skin.

17 Skincare Tips for Healthy, Glowing Skin

1. Cleanse twice daily

In general, you’ll want to cleanse your skin twice daily: once in the morning and again before bed. However, it’s important to avoid over-cleansing, which can dehydrate the skin and lead to other issues down the line. To keep your skin feeling clean—not stripped—we suggest lathering up with a gentle cleanser, such as Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser. It’s formulated with squalane, avocado oil, and glycerin, and is suitable for all skin types.

If you wear makeup or want a more thorough cleanse, consider double cleansing. This technique involves washing your face twice, first with an oil cleanser or cleansing balm, and then a second time with a water-based cleanser. No matter which approach you choose, be sure to wash up with lukewarm water—hot water can strip your skin and leave it feeling dry and tight.

2. Apply products in the proper order

If you want your products to have the best chance of delivering the promised results, make sure you’re applying everything in the right order. Most dermatologists recommend layering your skincare products by consistency from thinnest to thickest. Another great skincare tip we swear by is to wait a minute between each step of your routine. This helps ensure your products have enough time to sink into your skin.

3. Reach for vitamin C

One of the best skincare tips for glowing skin: use vitamin C. Per the Cleveland Clinic, products with this naturally-occurring antioxidant can help even out the skin tone and brighten your complexion. Topical vitamin C may also help to minimize some signs of premature aging, like fine lines.

While there’s no shortage of vitamin C serums on the market, the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum is a perennial editor favorite. The potent formula contains both vitamins C and E and helps target a range of skin concerns, from dullness to uneven texture and discoloration. Plus, its gentle formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

4. Massage your face

Instead of just slapping your products on, take your time when working your toners, serums, and moisturizers into your skin. Gently massaging products into your face can help boost circulation and promote a fresher-looking complexion (not to mention, it’s extremely relaxing).

For an extra self-care moment, consider using a dedicated skincare tool, like a facial roller or gua sha. Some research shows that stress can have negative impacts on the skin. Practicing self-care—like with an indulgent facial massage—can help you de-stress. Even if it doesn’t transform your skin, you deserve the TLC.

5. Prioritize your skin barrier

The skin’s moisture barrier (the outermost layer of your skin) plays an important role in keeping your skin smooth, hydrated, and healthy-looking. However, certain stressors, such as air pollution or even harsh skincare ingredients, can affect your skin barrier’s ability to hold onto moisture. If this happens, your skin may become dry, itchy, or more sensitive than normal.

To help keep your skin feeling its best, look for products designed to help support your skin barrier. We like Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip. The lightweight, milky serum contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and postbiotics and helps strengthen the skin. Plus, the vitamin-packed formula helps even skin tone to promote a dewy, lit-from-within glow. You can use it on its own after cleansing or mix a few drops into your favorite foundation or skin tint for added hydration and skin support.

6. Drink plenty of water

We can’t stress just how important it is to stay hydrated. Research suggests that drinking plenty of water can help keep your skin hydrated, elastic, and youthful-looking. How much water you need to stay hydrated depends on your age, activity level, and the time of year, so it’s hard to say just how much water is “enough.” The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking before, during, and after exercise, as well as any time you feel thirsty. If you have trouble drinking plain ol’ water, try bumping it up by adding cucumber slices or berries for a bit of flavor.

7. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

Moisturizing, like cleansing, is a must—even if your skin doesn’t feel dry. That being said, the type of moisturizer you should use may vary depending on your skin type. If you have oily or combination skin, consider reaching for a water-based gel cream, such as IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Gel Cream Oil-Free Moisturizer. The non-comedogenic formula provides up to 48 hours of lightweight hydration and helps reduce shine for balanced-feeling skin. Those with drier skin may prefer a thicker or richer moisturizer designed specifically to nourish and soften dry skin. We love CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides and boasts a rich but non-greasy formula. Some skincare advice worth keeping in mind: it’s best to apply your moisturizer while your skin is still damp from cleansing. This helps trap in moisture for lasting hydration.

8. Invest in rest

You probably know that sleep deprivation can make your dark under-eye circles more prominent, but studies show that poor sleep quality can make other signs of aging—like dryness—more apparent, too. To help keep your skin looking and feeling its best, try getting at least seven hours of sleep every night.

To make the most out of your beauty sleep, consider sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your side or stomach can cause compression lines to form on your face and may eventually contribute to visible creases and wrinkles.

9 . Wear sunscreen

You likely know that sunscreen is a must for days spent outdoors and excursions to the beach, but it’s equally important to wear broad-spectrum SPF on not-so-sunny days. Complete cloud cover only blocks about 50% of the sun’s rays—and some clouds even amplify UV radiation. Going outdoors unprotected can leave you at risk of sunburn and increase the chances of developing sun-induced skin concerns like dark spots and other signs of premature skin aging. To reduce those risks, it’s vital to make sunscreen application a part of daily skincare routine.

Try the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen for Face & Body SPF 100, a gentle, effective formula specifically made to protect skin that burns easily. Remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours (or after sweating or swimming) and follow other sun protection measures—like seeking shade at midday—whenever possible.

10. Try multi-masking

A great skincare tip for those with combination skin is to multi-mask. This technique involves applying different face masks to areas of your skin to target differing needs, such as oiliness and dryness. A detoxifying mask like Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Cleansing Clay Mask is ideal for decongesting and balancing an oily T-zone, while the brand’s Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask can help soothe and replenish moisture on drier areas, like the cheeks.

11. Treat sensitive skin with care

If you have sensitive skin, products formulated with fragrance, parabens, sulfates, or strong acids may be too harsh for your skin. To reduce the risk of irritation, opt for gentle products formulated without these ingredients (most products designed for sensitive skin will indicate such on the packaging).

Another top skincare tip worth keeping in mind (whether you have sensitive skin or not) is to patch-test all new products before applying them to your face. Do this by applying a small amount of a product to an area of your skin, such as the crook of your arm, and waiting 48 hours to see how your skin responds.

12. Exfoliate regularly (and gently)

It’s a good idea to make exfoliation a part of your regular skincare routine, but one of our top tips for glowing skin is to take care not to overdo it—an aggressive approach can leave your skin red and irritated. It’s also important to consider the best type of exfoliation for your skin type: chemical or physical.

Chemical exfoliation is typically considered the gentler option, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), and is generally suitable for most skin types. We love SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst, which contains a blend of five acids (phytic, mandelic, salicylic, lactic, and glycolic) and helps brighten and smooth the skin while supporting the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Those that prefer physical exfoliation (like with a scrub), should look for one made with gentle exfoliants, such as Kiehl’s Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub. It contains finely ground apricot seed powder and luffa fruit extract and leaves the skin feeling cleansed and refreshed.

13. Be mindful of your hygiene

If you’ve ever noticed a string of breakouts on one side of your face, it’s likely your phone was the culprit. Oil and bacteria on your phone—as well as anything else that touches your face, like your pillowcase or makeup brushes—can transfer onto your skin and lead to breakouts. Wash (or, in the case of your phone, sanitize) everything that touches your face regularly to help prevent surprise blemishes. And don’t forget to wash your hands before applying skincare, especially if you’re dipping your fingers into open-mouthed jars of skincare products like cleansing balms or moisturizers.

14. Show your neck some love

It’s a good idea to apply skincare products to your neck, too. This area, like your face, is exposed to the elements frequently, and as a result, can develop concerns like fine lines and wrinkles. Your facial moisturizer should be fine to use on your neck, but if you want something made for that purpose, reach for the SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair. It’s designed specifically for delicate neck skin and helps firm and tighten aging skin.

Another great skincare tip worth keeping in mind: pay attention to your posture. Slouching (or looking down at your phone all day) can contribute to unwanted skin concerns, such as “tech neck”—fine lines and wrinkles that develop due to a repeated downward head tilt.

15. Take care of your lips

The skin on your lips is exceptionally thin and vulnerable to concerns like dryness, flaking, and peeling. To keep your pout looking (and feeling) its best, we suggest adding a hydrating lip balm to your daily skincare routine.

We love Kiehl's Lip Balm #1, which soothes, smooths, and nourishes dry lips. Or, if you prefer tinted balms, try IT Cosmetics Je Ne Sais Quoi Hydrating Lip Balm Treatment. It comes in four adaptable shades that react with the warmth of your lips to create a pretty flush of color. Finally, remember that your lips aren’t exempt from sun damage. If you’re spending any time outdoors, you’ll want to keep them protected with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.

16. Start using retinoids

Retinoids are among the most popular anti-aging ingredients in skincare and are loved by experts for their ability to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firm the skin, and improve skin texture. However, there are many different types of retinoids—some far stronger than others.

If you’re new to retinoids, we suggest starting with an over-the-counter retinol, as these tend to be gentler on the skin than prescription retinoids. SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 is specifically formulated for first-time retinol users and is gentle enough for most skin types. Alternatively, try a retinol serum—we love the L’Oréal Paris Derm Intensives RevitaLift Night Serum with 0.3% Pure Retinol.

Since retinol can be irritating, especially if you’ve never used it before, it’s generally recommended to start slowly by adding it to your routine once or twice a week and increase the frequency of use depending on how your skin responds.

17. Routinely visit a board-certified dermatologist

If you’re having trouble building a skincare routine for your skin type—or maybe you don’t even know what your skin type is—a board-certified dermatologist can help. These experts can identify your skin type and help you curate a skincare routine to address your skin concerns, such as acne (never pop your blemishes at home!), sensitivity, and more. Plus, they can share useful skincare tips and tricks that can help you achieve your skin goals.

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