15 Skincare Tips for the Best Skin of Your Life

Achieving flawless skin is possible with a few simple rules.

We all dream of flawless, glowing skin, but with new products constantly hitting the shelves and the seemingly endless skincare advice out there on the Internet, it's not always easy to figure out the skincare routine that's going to work best for you. You know the basics — drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and wash your face, but what about everything in between? Luckily, there’s no need to shell out tons of cash on any magical procedures or expensive creams to achieve flawless skin.

I have put together a list of some of the best skincare tips. From choosing the right cleanser for your skin type to the importance of cleaning your makeup brushes, these easy tricks — plus some product picks from our own medical grade skin care line along with some easy maintenance treatments — will help guide you to glowing skin ASAP.

1. Use the correct cleanser for your skin type.

Typically, for oily or acne-prone skin, a salicylic gel or benzoyl peroxide wash works great whereas, for dry mature skin, a moisturizing glycolic or milky cleanse is better. For skin with brown spots or melasma, use a brightening wash, such as an alpha hydroxy acid cleanser. We have made is super easy, our Vitality Skin Cleanser can be used on all skin types, even sensitive skin and rosacea. For more mature skin or for those with photodamage, we have developed a moisturizing glycolic acid cleanser, Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser.

2. Don’t use too many products.

Layering on multiple skincare products all at once can be harsh on the skin, resulting in more breakouts and clogged pores. You can also risk stimulating the skin's natural moisture response and increase the amount of oil on the skin. One of the common mistakes I find people doing is combining products from different product lines. As we my line, the products were specifically designed for synergy. Using products from different lines can potentiate each products ingredients, resulting in adverse side effects.

3. Moisturize both day and night.

Moisturizing is the key! I prefer moisturizers that are fragrance-free, lightweight and free of glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, etc. It is best to pat your face dry, leaving some moisture on your skin while applying your daily moisturizer. For a great daily moisturizer, check out Replenish Daily Moisturizer.

4. Don’t touch your face.

Avoid touching your face is very important. It doesn't just spread bacteria and cause breakouts — it can lead to scarring, an increase in wrinkles, and even the flu or other viruses.

5. Hydrate inside and out.

Hydration cannot be underemphasized. Every skin expert will tell you, a lack of water means less radiance and more sag. When choosing products — cleansing, moisturizing, and anti-aging, they should have hydrating formulations. This is why all of our products were creating with some form of hyaluronic acid. For added hydration, check out our lightweight, ultra hydrating serum, HA Hydrating Serum. And, of course, drink around eight glasses (64 ounces) of water a day.

6. Avoid direct heat exposure.

Don't just watch out for the sun — getting too close to heaters and fireplaces can also wreak havoc on your skin. It causes inflammation and collagen breakdown and can also lead to rosacea flares. So next time you're roasting chestnuts or s'mores over an open fire, take a step back.

7. Exfoliate a couple times per week.

We lose 50 million skin cells a day, and without a little extra nudge, they may hang around leaving the skin looking dull and feeling rough. To fight this, you should choose an exfoliating product that doesn't dry as it exfoliates. Our MicroDerm Exfoliating Scrub happens to be one of our most popular products. And don't just stop with your face — the skin on your body needs exfoliation, too.

8. Vitamins should go on your skin, too.

A balanced diet is important, but there's more than one way to give your skin vitamins. There are also topical antioxidants, which are serums and creams that contain ingredients that nourish the skin (think vitamin C serum!).

Vitamin C should be in every person's daily routine. This can really help to repair the skin from sun damage as well as protect against further photodamage. Not sure how to use it? The best time to apply vitamin C is right after cleansing so that your skin can soak it in, or it can be layered under your sunscreen for added protection. For those who are troubled by brown spots or melasma, we recommend using our Vita-C Cream in the morning and our PhytoFade Skin Lightener in the evening for a synergistic effect.

9. Get your greens.

Though it's tempting to grab a coffee the minute you wake up, drinking green juices can transform your skin in a matter of days. Chlorophyll helps to brighten, oxygenate and hydrate your skin. It can also stimulate the lymphatic system, decreasing puffiness — and helping with cellulite too!

If you're not keen on downing a shot of the stuff, chlorophyll supplements can be found at many drugstores and health food stores.

10. Maintain a healthy diet.

Omega-3-fatty acids are essential for maintaining your skin's natural moisture barrier. Flax seeds on your salad or even walnuts will be an instant boost to your omega-3, thus increasing your skin's ability to hold onto moisture. And be sure to eat a diet low in foods with a high glycemic index (simple and complex carbohydrates).

11. Clean your makeup brushes regularly.

To fight infection and clogged pores, it is recommended to wash concealer and foundation brushes once a week and for brushes you use around your eyes, twice per month. For any other brushes, once a month is fine.

Here's how: Put a drop of a mild shampoo into the palm of your hand. Wet the bristles with lukewarm water. Then, massage the bristles into your palm to distribute the shampoo into the brush. Avoid getting the metal part of the brush wet/or the base of the brush hairs because the glue could soften and the bristles could fall out. Rinse the shampoo out and squeeze out the water with a towel. Lay the brushes on their side with the bristles hanging off the edge of the counter to dry.

12. Wear sunscreen 365 days a year — rain or shine, indoors or out.

Many people feel they only need to protect themselves on sunny days or when visiting the beach. But the truth is that we need to protect our skin even when we're driving a car, flying in an airplane, or running errands. It's the daily UV exposure that contributes to the visible signs of aging." What kind of sunscreen is best? Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or greater — and remember that it needs to be reapplied every 2 hours. We recommend HydroDefense SPF 40. It's a powerful broad-spectrum sunblock but remains lightweight and moisturizing because it also contains hyaluronic acid. Using this you can skip adding a separate moisturizer in the morning.

13. Sun protection doesn't stop at sunscreen.

We're talking SPF, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats. Preventing sun damage is much easier than treating photodamge.

Don't rely just on sunscreen in make-up. We always recommend applying a sunscreen that is separate from your make-up to ensure adequate protection. Some people are hesitant to add an extra step in their morning routine or they're worried an extra layer of sunscreen under their make-up may feel thick and heavy. Our sunscreen is lightweight and moisturizing so you would actually be saving a step.

14. Simplify your skincare routine.

Don't get caught up in a difficult to follow routine with many different products. This can not only be confusing and expensive but can be over stimulating to your skin. The core of your skincare should be a cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen and vitamin C.

15. Sleep smarter.

It's not just about getting eight hours a night. Skin will also benefit from regularly using clean silk pillowcases. The material glides easily and prevents creasing and wrinkles. It is also easier on hair — avoiding tangles and breakage. Better hair and skin while you sleep? Yes, please.

DiamondGlow™

More than a Glow. A Skin Transformation.

Experience skin that feels and looks luminous, nourished, and renewed. A next-level skin resurfacing technology that does more than just skim the surface.

Know more about DiamondGlow™ here.