Dealing with stubborn breakouts and acne can sometimes seem like a never-ending, uphill battle. Just as you think your skin is about to clear up, a new intruder sets up camp. The good news is that a great deal of acne flare-ups are environmental and/or dietary, so with a little education and a lot of dedication, you can manage breakouts by avoiding these things: Touching your face a lot. We get it - it's just a nervous habit. However, your fingers and hands are crawling with

There are two types of moisturizers out there: a frenemy moisturizer and a true BFF moisturizer. Here's a brief overview on how these types of moisturizers are different and how to spot the true BFFs that will support your skin in the long run. Frenemy Moisturizers Like the name implies, a frenemy is someone who pretends to be your friend, but is really your enemy. Frenemy-type moisturizers are a dime a dozen. They line the shelves of drug stores and are full of empty promis

Hyper-WHAT?! Hyperpigmentation is a big fancy word that basically means discoloration of the skin, usually due to too much sun exposure. The ultra violet radiation causes your skin to produce more melanin in order to protect you from the sun, and the extra melanin transfers up to the surface of your skin. Unlike a tan that typically fades a little over time, hyperpigmentation can leave unwanted dark spots on your skin that are very difficult to get rid of. If you're starting

If you wake up, wash you face and go, it's time to SLOW down. Good, proper skincare is a gentle & thoughtful ritual to be undertaken daily. There are steps to this! Follow this basic step-by-step guide for greater skin. Because everyone's skin is different, adjust the routine as necessary for your individual needs. Cleanse. Pretty simple. Our skin works overtime while we're getting our beauty rest at night. Clean off the sebum and bacteria you've accumulated with a pH-balance

Germaphobes, beware: this little blurb is going to send you running for the Lysol wipes. Nevertheless, we must persist and inform you that your cell phone is probably the germiest thing you own. Yes, your social media machine contains more germs than doorknobs, toilet handles and even public toilet seats. Think about it: all day long, we touch bacteria-laden things (like money, doorknobs, other people's hands, shopping carts, etc.), not to mention that most adults admit to us

Essentially a pimple is a combination of sebum, fatty acids and bacteria contained in a little sac called the sebaceous gland. Squeezing a pimple incorrectly, or when it's not ready, can cause this sac to rupture into the surrounding tissue, causing inflammation, infection and even long term scarring. A pimple that is very yellow and really superficial can be gently squeezed with clean hands, and preferably by lancing it first. Ideally by a professional. A pimple will gener

You already know that exercise is important—whether you hear it from your running suit-wearing gym teacher or from some enviable Instagram fitness expert. Of course, the best kind of exercise is the kind that you don't even perceive, like playing sports. Just think: when you are running down-field to score that goal or diving into your lap lane, are you thinking "Wow, I'm getting a really great cardio work-out"? No, you are immersed in the athletic experience; the fitness ben

Much like the R&B ladies of TLC in 1999, we don't want no scrubs. Abrasive facial scrubs, that is. St. Ives is under fire for their famous Apricot Scrub, which contains particles of walnut shells to "exfoliate" the skin. The plaintiffs in this class action lawsuit explain that they never would have bought the scrub, had St. Ives' marketing indicated the potential for skin damage from using such a harsh scrub. In response to the lawsuit, many dermatologists have nodded to conf

...with this nightly routine! Winter can be a magical time of year, whether you're ice skating, building a snowman, or just cuddling up in front of a nice cozy fire. However, winter does come with some drawbacks, namely dry, brittle skin. Follow these simple steps every night to have soft, smooth, moisturized skin! 1. Turn down the water temperature in the shower! Yeah, ending a cold winter day with a steamy, hot shower is one of the best parts about the season, but do you kn

As much as we all enjoy hot chocolate season, it is easy to feel as over-worked as an elf on Christmas Eve. What with gift-buying, party-prepping, and present-wrapping, it's not surprising that your skin sometimes takes a turn for the worse come December. Follow our Top Three Skin Survival Tips to help get your complexion through the holiday season relatively unscathed. The Catch 22: As stress levels rise, acne often increases. Unfortunately, some anti-acne products—especiall

With this nightly routine! Fall is officially in the air. Vests, boots, and pumpkin everything are back on trend and you know what else should join that list? : hydrated skin! Follow these simple steps every night to have soft, smooth, moisturized skin that will go great with your new plaid scarf! 1. Turn down the water temp. in the shower! - Yeah, ending a crisp fall day with a steamy, hot shower is one of the best parts about fall, but do you know what that hot water is doi

Touching your face a lot. We get it - it's just a nervous habit. However, your fingers and hands are crawling with germs, bacteria, dirt and oils. Trust us, you really don't want those nasties anywhere near your pores. Breaking this habit can be very difficult, but it's worth the effort. Side note: your phone is probably the germiest (is that a word?!) thing you own, so putting that baby up against your cheek is definitely not helping the cause. Over-washing your face. Contra