Life’s not fair, or so the old saying goes. For me, nothing demonstrates that better than the fact that my 34-year-old brother has better skin than me. And I don’t say that lightly. Here are the facts: I’m six years younger than him, I’ve been using skincare products consistently since I was a teenager, and I’m diligent about sunscreen. Eric, on the other hand, didn’t have a skincare routine until I encouraged him to start one in his mid-to-late 20s. At the time, we were both living in Los Angeles, and I became acutely aware that he wasn’t caring for his skin consistently. As a beauty editor, I basically thought that was sacrilege, so I took it upon myself to change it. He was receptive to it and started out with a basic routine curated by yours truly.
Cut to today, and he has a well-tuned routine made up of a few effective products (he’s a self-professed skincare minimalist). As for his skin, it great. It’s smooth, bright, and even, and I am very proud and only slightly jealous. Ahead, see every product he currently uses, plus a few extra recommendations from me, his little sister.
Sunscreen. “Sunscreen is always going to be essential to protect against environmental aggressors, and some sunscreens may offer protection against UVA, UVB, and blue light,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD.
Antioxidants. “Antioxidants are key for preventing damage from environmentalaggressors because they pair with free radicals that are looking to ‘steal’ electrons from other molecules, thus neutralizing the damage,” says Engelman. “Vitamin C is particularly effective at preventing and combating damage from environmentalaggressors because of its exfoliating properties, which both brighten the skin (reducing hyperpigmentation) and boost collagen production by stimulating cell turnover. Skincare products that are rich in antioxidants, specifically vitamin C, are excellent for protecting skin from environmentalaggressors.”
Moisture. “Aggressive temperature changes can damage the skin barrier, so in the winter, remember to utilize your moisturizer and humectants, and during the summer, use your hydrating serums and toning mists to keep your skin cool,” says Shokeen.
Self-tanner is hit or miss. If you use the right formula, you’ll end up with an all-over glow. If you use the wrong formula, you’ll end up with patchiness, streaks, and an unnatural hue (although your application technique may have something to do with it, too). That’s why self-tanning can be scary—especially when it comes to your face. After all, it’s pretty hard to disguise a bad self-tan if it’s front and center.
Luckily, we live in a time when brands are creating self-tanning products specifically for the face, so we don’t have to risk the same faux pas that we did in the past (is there anyone else out there who used to tan their face by rubbing a body mitt all over it and hoping for the best? Or was that just us?). These days, there are drops and mists and more, all of which will ensure a seamless, glowing result. Keep scrolling to see the 16 best face self-tanners on the market.
As a lifelong beauty enthusiast, I’ve always considered myself pretty knowledgeable about my combination skin type and the kinds of products that work best on it. I rotate through an artfully crafted regimen of cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and oils to combat the various zones of oiliness, dryness, and even the occasional sensitivity on my face. When I recently met with acclaimed celebrity dermatologist Dennis Gross, MD, he pointed to a small (but mighty) breakout I was experiencing and suggested a skincare swap I wasn’t expecting. “You should think about using an oil-free moisturizer,” he said plainly. “You want to hydrate, but oils can block the pores.” I was shook.
Although it’s no surprise that oil can clog the pores and lead to breakouts, I thought I was immune to such foolery since the slippery substance is among my favorite skincare ingredients. I love double-cleaning with an oil cleanser and even rely on a number of different types, especially during the winter months when the skin around my mouth gets straight-up parched. “Nowadays, technology allows for you to have great results without oils, and I think that’s a good move for you,” Gross explained.
Welcome to Deep Reviews—your one-stop destination to discover the absolute best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. The Who What Wear staffers you already know and trust will research, test, and review the market’s most sought-after and buzzed-about products to see which formulas (of the hundreds up for consideration) are truly worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, completely uncensored feedback and no-BS recommendations our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservations.
Sometimes, wearing a full-coverage foundation feels like putting on a latex mask. And on the flip side, going totally bare-faced can feel daunting. For days when both sides of the spectrum feel impossible, it’s best to reach for a base product with flexible coverage that feels breathable and maybe even skincare-adjacent. That’s where BB creams come in.
BB creams are the perfect solution for skin-blurring, even-toned coverage that looks—and feels!—like your skin. Unfortunately, finding the right BB cream can quickly devolve into a Goldilocks and the Three Bears situation. You want a formula that has enough coverage (but not too much), feels hydrating (but not oily), and stays on all day (but doesn’t mattify). Basically, we want BB creams to do the most. We tried 13 BB creams and picked the top eight. Keep reading for our favorite BB creams and why we loved them, plus info on our rigorous testing process and insight from a celebrity makeup artist on everything you ever wanted to know about BB cream.
“To me, the formula is about as perfect as a tinted moisturizer can get. There’s no funky scent or heavy oily consistency, and it just blends into my skin so seamlessly without drying it out or making it break out. I can wear it every single day (and honestly do) and my skin is actually better for it. I’ve actually already been using this product for two or three years now, and it’s my holy grail. I love how seamlessly it glides on, and it blends flawlessly. The formula is just right for my skin so it never feels dry or flaky or, on the flip side, oily or heavy, like so many other BB creams I’ve tried have done. It also works as a wonderful base to makeup, and my cream blush, concealer, and bronzer all blend in well on top.” — Anna LaPlaca, Editor
“I have used many, many BB creams in my day, and I can honestly say that none have ever held up better than this tinted moisturizer from Chantecaille. I don’t know how they do it, but it genuinely looks like an eighth layer of skin—you can’t even tell you’re wearing any base makeup at all with this product, which is genuinely impressive. It does come with a steep price tag, but if there’s anything you’re considering splurging on, this is truly, truly worth every penny. The finish is dewy but not shiny, and it never pills over my skincare and sunscreen. Truly the holy grail.” — Katie Berohn, Beauty Editor
“Since I was test-driving this BB cream throughout New York Fashion Week, I knew I needed lightweight, long-lasting coverage for running around the city and being photographed. Lightweight and long-lasting usually don’t go hand-in-hand, so I was skeptical at best. But shockingly, Covergirl blew me out of the water. It settled on my skin flawlessly and gave me a radiant, skin-like finish. I’ll admit I was having much better skin days at the start of fashion week than at the end, so my first reactions were that it was incredible. Toward the end of the week, I was itching to get it off since my skin was starting to break out (too many slices of stress pizza will do that to you!), but sans textured skin or acne, it looked incredible. Given how low-cost the CG BB cream is, I’d recommend everyone try it out at least once—at worst, you’re out the price of a latte in New York. At best, you’ve found an affordable formula that you can wear without worrying about cost per wear.” — Ana Escalante, Assistant Shopping Editor
“This is the product I use daily, and I absolutely love it. Prior to trying it, I never used a tinted moisturizer or BB cream and just kind of went with whatever my skin looked like. From a product like this, I’ve only ever really wanted a dewy, barely there layer of coverage that looks like skin, and that’s exactly what this product provides. I’ve already bought it at least five times and will continue to for years to come unless they reformulate. It’s something I put on every single day and genuinely adore. I think if anyone’s looking for super lightweight, barely there coverage that still provides you with a glowy, fresh look, this is a great product for them to try. It’s much dewier and more natural looking than most BB creams I’ve tried. It also acts as a better base for makeup than I’m used to.” —Eliza Huber, Editor
“It did exactly what I wanted it to do. It glided onto my skin with ease, gave me a nice glow, and evened out most of my discoloration. I usually still go in with concealer for my under-eye area while using any BB cream, but I’d be okay with just applying this if I just wanted just a little something. Other BB creams either feel like they do absolutely nothing or they’re too close to a foundation. I think this product found that sweet spot right in the middle. And as someone with dry skin, I’ve had the issue of other creams cling to my dry patches and make my skin look even more dry, no matter how I moisturize. This makes it look like I have dewy and healthy skin, which I love.” — Yusra Siddiqui, Associate Editor
“As someone who typically shies away from skin tints or BB creams in fear of looking too oily or not having enough coverage, I was surprisingly excited to try this one from Fenty. I see a ton of content creators using this product, and it has pretty rave reviews from people of all skin tones and skin types. I was hoping for the glowy finish that I see all over my For You page. My biggest hope was for my skin to look like skin. It definitely met my expectations in terms of glow and finish, but I found that the product had such a red undertone that I looked a bit orange immediately after application. After a while, it oxidized and the match felt right, but if I were going to take a selfie immediately after finishing my makeup (like I normally would), I might look a little orange. I will definitely use this product for those light-makeup days. It gives just enough coverage where I feel like my skin can breathe while my blemishes are concealed. It’s super lightweight and perfect for those days when I’m running errands, hopping on a virtual meeting, or heading to lunch. I love that it’s available in so many different shades.” — Aniyah Morinia, Associate Editor, Branded Content
“The shade match process got me the correct shade on the first try. Since BB creams usually have limited shade options, I was so impressed that this one offered up to 25 options. It blended super easily and had the best coverage, while still being lightweight, of the other products that I tried. My mom has been looking for a new tinted moisturizer, and I’ve already pointed her in Fenty’s direction. It reminds me of a step back from my favorite natural finish foundation. That’s a huge compliment, by the way.” — Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor
“Even though it met me at a rough time, it delivered. I was quite tired during fashion week after a late night and tried it in the midst of all the craziness. It is important to note that the shade range was impressive, and I loved seeing that it brought color to my skin and revitalized me after a rough night. While many BB creams disappear into my skin, this one sticks around with great coverage for a tinted product.” — Mayhew
“My skin truly looked impeccable after application, but during the process of blending it out, the cream was literally white. It changes color as the product is blended out, so it’s safe to say I had quite the jumpscare when the shade didn’t match. After giving it about five minutes, it magically matched my skin and had the most flawless finish. The product is silky smooth and blended in super naturally. It accentuates my natural features without covering too much or too little. I love that this has SPF 30 in it. I’m a huge fan of this product and would happily repurchase it. I will 1000% be keeping this product in my routine. It’s lightweight, easy to apply, protective, and surprisingly doesn’t transfer. I don’t feel like I need additional products to have a flawless base when I’m wearing this. It’s truly everything I’ve been looking for in a skin tint or BB cream. It’s light, slightly dewy, breathable, and creates a nice satin finish.” — Morinia
“There are three things I always look for in a BB Cream: sheer coverage, glowy finish, and blends well with the rest of my makeup routine. So far, we’ve hit the trifecta with the Cle CCC Cream. It brings such a healthy glow to my dull winter skin and feels weightless. After wearing all day long, the coverage has stayed intact with no powdering involved. Other glowy tinted moisturizers I’ve tried tend to transfer easily and wear off throughout the day. If you like decent coverage but hate the feeling of foundation, you need to try this product.” — Natalie Gray Herder, Associate Editor, Branded Content
“Unfortunately, I think my shade was a bit too light, making the product look a bit off on me. Apart from that, though, I actually think very highly of this product. It’s super natural and clean, making it good for sensitive skin like mine, and I love that it’s SPF 50, which is rare in a BB cream. I like how skin-like this product is and that it gives a subtle, realistic glow. My only other qualm is that I think it doesn’t give as glowy a result as I prefer. I probably won’t use it every day, but I think if I got a darker shade, it’d be great for the summer, when I need a daily higher SPF. It’s a great item to keep in your pool or beach bag when you want a bit of tint. I think it’s great for someone with sensitive skin who wants something natural and skin-like. It’s different from other similar products in that when it comes out of the bottle, it’s not colored, and it doesn’t change color until it makes contact with your skin. It has a little bit of a white cast, which is something I wouldn’t want daily, but I wouldn’t mind it at all if I was going to lay in the sun.” — Huber
“It’s definitely heavier than a lot of other tinted sunscreens on the market, and if you’re looking for more payoff and coverage without resorting to a thicker foundation-type product, it’s great. For people who prefer more lightweight formulas for their BB creams or with oily skin, I’d recommend something else. It’ll become my new non-foundation foundation.” — Escalante
“I have been using this product for a couple of years now, and it’s one of my go-to base products, particularly in the summer when I don’t feel like wearing foundation and want an extra boost of SPF over my face sunscreen. (Always remember base products with sunscreen never have all the SPF you need to stay protected.) This tinted moisturizer applies so easily and looks incredibly smooth on skin while giving you a juicy, skin-like finish. My only qualm with this formula is sometimes I find the finish a little too dewy—it can border on glossy.” — Berohn
“Believe it or not, this is the first BB cream I ever used. I never used to wear base makeup at all through high school and college (save for some concealer under my eyes and to cover any blemishes). In the summer of 2016, I wanted to try something with a bit of extra coverage. I was interning in New York City, and I was also broke. I went to Duane Reade and picked up the cheapest BB cream I could find, and it ended up being this one. I personally love the formula and always have—it is a really solid drugstore find that blurs and evens skin and leaves you with a radiant finish. My only qualm is that I found the shade to be a bit too dark and warm-toned for my skin, but it blends out enough to not be noticeable. I recommend applying this one with a brush for the most flawless finish. I wore this to dinner with my friends a few weeks ago for the first time since 2016 and got so many compliments on my skin—might be time for me to break this baby out of retirement.” — Berohn
“It got the job done, and it’s decent for its affordable price, but I wouldn’t reach for it on the daily. While it felt fairly lightweight on my skin, it did have a noticeable sunscreen scent that put me off, and it tended to pill when I blended it in. I just used my fingers like I do with other makeup products, but maybe it would have blended better with a brush or makeup sponge. I wouldn’t want to use it as a key part of my everyday routine because the sunscreen scent bothered me, and it felt too oily on my skin for my liking. I’d be nervous everyday use would make me break out. It holds up for being a drugstore find.” — LaPlaca
To get the lowdown on all things BB cream, I reached out to celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz who’s clients are Quinta Brunson, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Cynthia Erivo, Jaylon Barron, and Vanessa Rubio. Essentially, BB cream really is a do-it-all product—it’s moisturizer, primer, and foundation all in one. “[It’s] sort of like an all in one product that helps to hydrate, smooth fine lines, and brighten the skin,” Loiz says.
There are plenty of ways to apply BB creams. “You can apply like a moisturizer with your fingers, use a makeup brush, or a beauty sponge,” says Loiz. “I personally prefer to use a beauty sponge, as I feel I use the least product this way and get a seamless finish.”
Think of CC creams as a step above a BB cream—they share all the same benefits, but CC creams have the extra benefit of color-correcting added in. “Also, a CC cream is a much thicker formula and has more coverage than BB cream,” says Loiz.
A tinted moisturizer is the simplest of the three but still shares many similarities to BB cream. “A tinted moisturizer is a moisturizer and foundation mixed together,” says Loiz. “[It] has a very sheer coverage and usually no added skincare benefits.” When it comes to product names, the terms can be pretty interchangeable, which is why you’ll see some products labeled “CC cream” and “tinted moisturizer” on this list.
First, Loiz recommends looking for a BB cream with a wide-coverage range. After that, she recommends looking for BB creams that boast hydrating and skin-blurring benefits. With Loiz’s expertise in mind, I combed through 51 BB creams that had made other publications’ “best-of” lists, and landed on 13 formulas for our editors to test. From those, we chose and ranked the top eight based on coverage, blendability, finish, shade range, wear time, and more.
When it comes to skincare, I’m very picky about where I shop. There’s no denying that the skincare market is extremely oversaturated, and it can be hard to comb through all of the products out there to find the ones that are really worth spending money on.
That’s why when I heard about SkincareEssentials, the new ultra-curated skincare retailer, I couldn’t wait to browse the digital shelves. SkincareEssentials only carries tried-and-tested, professional-quality skincare that’s guaranteed to deliver results you can actually see. Each product has expert advice attached to it, so you know what the exact benefits are before you buy.
Below, I put together the ultimate lineup from SkincareEssentials. These are all the products that we’re FTFO over. Major bonus: Most of them are currently on sale.
While everyone may have a slightly different way to skin flood, there’s a pretty methodical routine you can follow. First, cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser. Then leave it a little damp or mist on some thermal water to dampen skin. “Damp skin can enhance the penetration and efficacy of the subsequent hydrating products,” says Garshick. “Next, it is best to apply a hydrating serum containing ingredients like humectants such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which work to draw moisture in. After applying the serums, it is best to apply a moisturizing lotion, cream, or ointment to lock the moisture in.”
Some people may also want to mix in a niacinamide serum or a serum containing other hydrating ingredients. If you’re skin flooding in the morning, always finish with sunscreen—remember, none of your other products work as well if you’re not protecting your skin from sun damage.
I allot myself about 10 minutes of TikTok time every day: I watch TikToks while I brush my teeth and do my skincare routine, and anything longer makes me feel like I’m melting my brain. I’m not exactly the friend that you can make a TikTok reference to. Still, as a beauty editor, I like to keep up on the trends—these days, TikTok is the place to find out burgeoning beauty trends before they really hit the mainstream.
I took to TikTok to learn some of the most popular beauty trends of spring 2023. From white eyeliner to “angel eyes” to bright lipstick, this year is certainly set to be a fun one in the makeup realm, according to TikTok.
While it may be fun to watch TikToks on beauty trends, the real question is if they’re actually wearable in day-to-day life (or if they even look good outside of a phone screen). I enlisted the help of my three best (and most honest) friends to tell me which trends are hit or miss in the real world. Keep reading for the trends I tried and my friends’ unfiltered thoughts on each of them.
First things first: Biostimulatory fillers aren’t actually fillers, at least in the traditional sense, according to Julie Russak of Russak Dermatology Clinic in New York City. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, these injectables aren’t made to plump up skin or mask volume loss—instead, they target deeper signs of aging like declining bone mass, skin sagging, and less elasticity.
As the name suggests, these fillers work to encourage cell regeneration. “When they’re injected close to the bone, they actually stimulate regeneration in those tissues, and when they’re injected close to fibroblasts, the cells in our body that produce collagen and elastin, they stimulate regeneration there,” says Russak. The two types in the U.S. right now are Sculptra, which increases energy production in cells, and Radiesse, which is essentially calcium that improves bone structure.
We already know that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, but when applied topically via a facial serum or oil, it not only has a similar damage-blocking effect but can also reverse some of the age-related structural changes in the skin.
I reached out to a number of women in the “mature skin” camp with amazingly glowy complexions to hear if they were using vitamin C and how they incorporated it into their routines. Grece Ghanem, an Instagrammer and Who What Wear regular, put it succinctly, saying, “I feel like it gives a glow to the face and helps keep my skin tone bright and radiant, and I also feel like it helps smoothen my skin and fine lines by boosting the collagen production. I am no expert, but I do believe that it’s an essential step in a skincare routine!”
I couldn’t agree more, so I compiled recommendations from these women as well as my own favorites and customer reviews to round up the best vitamin C serums. Discover them all ahead.
On a good day, my skin can be categorized as dry. On a not-so-good day, my skin can be categorized as very dry, and on a bad day, it gets into the extremely dry category. As a Colorado native, I’m used to dealing with dry skin, particularly when the temperatures start to drop. That’s thanks to the state’s high altitude and lack of water sources, which tend to make you feel like you just stepped into a dehydrator that zaps every drop of moisture out of your body the second you step outside.
Since moving to New York, my skin is less dry. This makes sense, as the average humidity percentage in New York hovers somewhere around 65%, while Colorado’s average humidity percentage is just 33%. In fact, I’ve gotten used to how my skin feels in this more humid climate—it’s still dry, but it’s never been as bad as it is when I’m in my home state.
Fast-forward to this fall. There’s no good way to describe what happened to my skin other than it started absolutely freaking out. Chalk it up to stress, poor sleep, too many hot showers, hormones, the food I was eating… I don’t know if I’ll ever know for sure what the culprit was, but it was bad.
I went from having dry skin that could be pretty well controlled with a rich face cream and a moisturizing eye product to skin with stubborn dry patches, irritated red spots, uneven texture, and overall dullness. I tried every trick up my sleeve to no avail. I stuck to very basic products that I knew didn’t irritate me and used ointments on the dry patches—you name it. I was about to throw in the towel and see if my derm could prescribe me a steroid cream when Kiehl’s new Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream came across my desk.
After a meeting to learn all about the product with the brand’s consulting dermatologist, Michelle Henry, MD, FAAD, and global scientific director, Nancy Ilaya, PhD, I had a pretty good feeling about the new cream. I thought, “What the hell” and cut out every other skincare product in my regimen to see if the barrier-repair cream could be the ticket to solving my skin woes. I figured I would give it two weeks, and if my skin was still FTFO, I’d book a dermatologist appointment ASAP.
Spoiler alert: After two weeks of using this cream, I became a devotee. Not only did the pesky dry patches on my right eyelid and forehead nearly completely disappear, but my skin texture also smoothed out. My face also went from dull to noticeably glowy, and most importantly, I felt confident in my own skin (sans makeup) again.
As a beauty editor, many brands hold a place in my heart. There’s one brand that I have a particular soft spot for, however, and that’s Laneige. It was one of the first brands I tried when I was starting out as a beauty intern, and to this day, it’s a brand I keep on regular rotation.
Of course, everyone knows Laneige for its ultra-viral Lip Sleeping Mask. Admittedly, it’s one of my favorite products from the brand, too—I’ve gone through at least four jars of it (and there’s a lot in each jar!). I recently decided to put Laneige to the test. Keep reading for my detailed brand review.
SolaWave suggests using the wand for at least five minutes per session, three to five times a week. Start with a washed face (be sure to dry your face after washing it), and then apply SolaWave’s Renew Complex Serum to keep skin moisturized throughout the treatment. (You can swap this for your favorite serum as desired.) After applying serum to the forehead, cheeks, and neck, pick up your tool and start by moving it outward from the center of the forehead and down the temples on both sides.
To address under-eye bags, place the device in the corner of the under-eye area and work your way outward. Next, move on to the cheeks, and apply the wand like you would contour, keeping it pressed against your skin. Following the cheeks, do the smile line, beginning at your lips and gently pulling your skin up toward the cheeks. Finally, rub the wand against your jawline and then upward on your neck. Voilà, that’s all it takes to successfully use the wand!
First of all, vitamin C and niacinamide are both vitamins—niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3. They both help improve skin, and their differences work in complementary ways.
“As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps to neutralize harmful free-radicals and environmental toxins that may come in contact with the skin,” says Imahiyerobo-Ip. “Vitamin C has photo-protective properties, which help to combat UV-induced skin damage. It also plays an important role in collagen synthesis and wound healing.” It can also help treat and prevent hyperpigmentation by decreasing melanin production.
Niacinamide, on the other hand, chiefly helps improve skin barrier function by keeping skin moisturized. “It does this by improving ceramide production and by preventing the evaporation of water from the skin into the environment,” says Imahiyerobo-Ip. Niacinamide also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe irritated or inflamed skin.”
But that’s not all—niacinamide has some of the same properties as vitamin C. It also helps boost collagen production and stop melanin production, making it an anti-hyperpigmentation hero.
I love getting facials. In my opinion, there’s really no better self-care option out there. Facials not only give me a built-in amount of time to not stare at a screen and try to relax, but they also give tons of skin benefits that make the treatment truly worthwhile. My facials typically fall on the more affordable end of the spectrum (I have bills to pay!), but when I got an invite to try “the best facial in NYC,” which comes with a whopping $1000 price tag, I was immediately intrigued.
This facial is from none other than JTAV Clinical Skincare, a luxury skincare clinic in Manhattan. Founded by Joie Tavernise, an NYC-based skin expert and medical aesthetician, JTAV’s signature facials are completely tailored to each person’s individual needs. Unlike many facials, JTAV facials combine clinical devices with tried-and-true facial techniques, rendering them a unique experience.
That being said, there are a few things you can typically expect from a JTAV facial. Usually, Tavernise will deeply cleanse, exfoliate skin with a Hydrafacial, dermaplane, extract clogged pores, and use LED light. Depending on your needs, Tavernise will also use Laser Genesis therapy for tone and texture, Clear + Brilliant for more extreme tone and pore-size issues, or intense pulsed light for hyperpigmentation.
The experience itself felt like a mix between a relaxing facial and a dermatologist appointment. Tavernise seemed to know more about my skin than I do (and even spotted some places I may have picked at too much). Each step felt methodical and results-driven, and I felt like I could ask questions as she went along to get a better understanding of the process.
My skin is typically pretty clear and leans dry, but lately, I’ve been experiencing a lot more breakouts than usual thanks to stress and hormones. I let Tavernise know this, and she made sure to customize my facial accordingly, targeting problem areas while still ensuring my skin remained hydrated.
Honestly, the best part of the facial is that (aside from the clinical devices) Tavernise used a lot of skincare products that you can buy and use at home—which is great for those of us who can’t spring for a facial the price of our rent. I asked Tavernise to walk me through our entire facial, including all the products she used. Keep reading for the full rundown straight from Tavernise herself, not including the laser treatment and LED light treatment Tavernise used to even tone and texture and help mitigate breakouts.
“Look for a body lotion that contains a blend of emollient, humectant, and occlusive ingredients to protect and hydrate the skin,” says Josh Zeichner, associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. “Occlusives like petrolatum form a breathable seal on the skin to keep hydration in and environmental aggressors out. Humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin act like sponges to pull in hydration to the skin. Emollients, like fatty alcohols and natural oils soften the outer skin layer.” Zeichner also recommends opting for a fragrance-free option, which is better for sensitive skin.
Zeichner recommends applying body lotion twice a day if possible. If you’re applying after the shower, be sure to slather on body lotion within five minutes to help seal in moisture. Keep reading for some of the best drugstore body lotions out there and why they’re tough to beat.
