When it comes to finding the best sunscreens on the market, beauty editors don’t mess around. After all, there are a lot of factors that determine whether a sunscreen will become a permanent part of your routine or not. The formulation of it is absolutely key. Does it leave a whitecast? Will it irritate acne-prone or sensitive skin? Does it pair well with makeup? Luckily, beauty editors are here to answer all of the above burning questions. Rest assured, we give a lot of sunscreens a test drive every month so we can confidently recommend a few options that work for everyone.
Like I said above, a key thing I know many makeup wearers consider when buying an SPF is if it will mix well with other products like primer, foundation, or a skin tint. It’s the second thing I test for after seeing if it irritates my skin at all (a necessary step when you have sensitive, acne-prone skin). If you’re in a similar spot and need some recs, you’ve come to the right place. I asked beauty editors to share the best sunscreens to wear under makeup that suit every skin type. Keep reading below for all our favorites.
When used correctly, tretinoin can help with everything from uneven texture, acne, fine lines, and dark spots. Those with dry skin, however, might tolerate lotion formulas of tretinoin, such as the prescription brands Altreno and Arazola, Marcus says. She also suggests slowly working your way up to daily use when using any form of retinoid.
“Using tretinoin two or three nights a week is a good idea. Then work up to nightly applications as your skin gets used to it,” she says. “Tretinoins—and, in fact, all retinoids—make skin more sun sensitive, so it’s more important than ever to remember your daily sunscreen. Retinoids should not be used by pregnant people. They should be applied at night, not during the day, as they are not photostable and therefore their efficacy is decreased by UV rays.”
Below you’ll find the moisturizers Marcus recommends using with tretinoin.
BB cream is one of those beauty items we didn’t even know we needed until a few years ago but now couldn’t live without. It’s the perfect middle ground between full-coverage foundation and ultra-sheer tinted moisturizer. It’s also a must-have if your makeup mood changes with the wind the way ours often does.
While there are tons of iconic BB cream formulas on the market from more high-end brands, we’ve learned that some amazing options are available at the drugstore. We have to admit that some of those drugstore mainstays are seriously lacking in the shade-range department, but that being said, there are still some solid selects for those who want to save their coins while pursuing a natural-looking glow.
Ahead, check out the 12 best drugstore BB creams for every skin concern that will save your complexion with a quick swipe.
Melissa Meyers is a Los Angeles–based influencer with a focus on beauty, style, travel, and wellness. Her blog, The Glow Girl, aims to empower women to embrace the best version of themselves, age gracefully, and cultivate a glow from the inside out. She also happens to be a 58-year-old with a passion for beauty. Below, hear from Meyers on her favorite nontoxic self-tanning products to keep her skin sun-kissed, healthy, and glowing all winter—and beyond!
“I love sporting a healthy glow all year round, and a great tan magically seems to improve the tone, texture, and color of the skin while also helping to mask any imperfections. Thankfully, gone are the days where you had to bask in the sun for hours to look like a bronzed goddess or use a smelly, toxic self-tanner that makes your skin look like a roast turkey.”
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.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been a Sephora Insider for, well, forever. You probably also wait all year for the Sephora Savings Event. This year, in preparation, I spent three (yes, three) total hours shopping at Sephora to find the best products across skincare, makeup, hair, and fragrance categories. You can call it an irresponsible use of time, but I call it research. I’m a beauty editor, and seeking out the best in beauty is quite literally part of my job.
On my most recent trip to Sephora, I walked the hallowed halls and found some seriously stellar items. I’m talking about a lightweight sunscreen that neither pills nor leaves a white cast. I’m talking about a high-pigmented lip color that feels like butter on your lips. And I’m talking about a hair mask that leaves your strands bouncy and moisturized without residue. As I said, these products are stellar.
The best part? They’re on sale. Rouge members receive 20% off plus early access to the sale on April 14. VIB members receive 15% off starting April 18. Finally, Beauty Insiders receive 10% off starting April 18. Use the code SAVENOW at checkout.
Every spring, I look forward to Sephora‘s Spring Savings Event. For a beauty lover, it’s akin to Christmas as you can snag your absolute favorite Sephora beauty products for less only a few times a year. This sale is the perfect time to take the plunge on splurges you wouldn’t normally buy at full price.
If you’re a Rouge member, you get first dibs on the sale (along with an amazing discount). Here’s everything you need to know to save: From April 14 to April 24, Rouge members get 20% off their purchases.
But Rouge members aren’t the only ones able to save. From April 18 to April 24, VIB members can take 15% off their purchases, and Insider members can take 10% off. Plus,all Beauty Insiders, regardless of tier, can receive 30% off Sephora Collection products during their designated sale dates. Enter the promo code SAVENOW at checkout.
This year, I’m prioritizing products I love but wouldn’t pay full price for as I’m trying to save as much money as possible. That includes things like cult-favorite hair tools, makeup products I’ll reach for every day, and fragrances I know I’ll use for years to come. Read on for my unbiased picks below.
Sobelman also says those dry skin types will want to seek out hydrating and nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and replenishing lipids. “Ceramides and lipids make up both the outer layer of our skin and the extracellular matrix—the solution between our skin cells holding it together,” she shares. “Both can be found in moisturizers and are fantastic at locking in hydration (like hyaluronic acid) and supporting the skin’s barrier. Most sensitive skin showing signs of type one rosacea has an impaired barrier and needs more ceramides and lipids to reduce that pesky redness through the cheeks.”
If you’re shopping for an organic moisturizer and want to know what other natural ingredients to consider, master esthetician and Flora Mirabilis founder Jordan LaFragola has you covered. “If you have acne-prone skin, you want to look for ingredients with a low comedogenic rating, meaning they are not pore-clogging,” she says. “Almond, apricot kernel, argan, grapeseed, hemp, pomegranate seed, sacha inchi, and safflower are great choices. You also want to look for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as cedarwood, frankincense, lavender, and tea tree. Ingredients rich in linoleic fatty acids will restore your skin’s barrier, making it look plump and youthful. Fruit seed oils are excellent sources, and sacha inchi has one of the highest levels of linoleic fatty acids of any plant oil. Ingredients with brightening and resurfacing properties are also key. Sandalwood is a particularly great anti-aging oil, as are Frankincense, rose, apple cider vinegar, and vitamin C.”
For a few great moisturizer options, keep scrolling below.
Although I love writing and learning about beauty, I won’t pretend to be an expert on all skin types—that’s what I turn to the pros for. What I can do, though, is speak about my experience with sensitive, acne-prone skin. If you also have it, then you know what a giant pain in the you-know-what it can be. My skin has generally tolerated dermatologist-loved ingredients like vitamin C pretty well, but I know that that’s not the case for everyone. If you do tend to react to high concentrations of the ingredient, then you’ve come to the right place. You can still receive the benefits of this powerful brightening agent without the irritation.
You may want to try a facial oil that contains vitamin C-rich ingredients or one that has ascorbic acid at a lower concentration (10% or less) than some serums. I also want to note that that doesn’t mean you can’t use a vitamin C serum at all if you have sensitive skin—derms have a few tips in that regard. “While those with sensitive skin can still consider vitamin C oils, those with sensitive skin should try to avoid heavy fragrance as this can be irritating on the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. “Oils may help to nourish and soften the skin, especially if containing ingredients like squalane. Other considerations when using vitamin C with sensitive skin are the type of vitamin C and the concentration. Certain types of vitamin c such as pure L-ascorbic acid may be more irritating on the skin and often higher concentrations of vitamin C may be more irritating as well, while more stable formulations like THD ascorbate may be preferred for sensitive skin as they are less irritating.”
According to board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, vitamin C oils may also be helpful for those who have dry or dehydrated skin since they can provide a heftier dose of moisture. Whatever your skin type, combining vitamin C and skin-nourishing oils can be beneficial. If you’re interested in trying one out for yourself, keep scrolling. Derms shared a few of their top picks and I threw in a few of my own favorites.
All of my hesitation to shop for spring was washed away this week when the temperature hit 60° and the sun finally showed face in NYC. I feel like a new woman—I want to wear color again, I’m switching up my beauty routine, and I’ve made space in my closet for some new arrivals. The items I want to purchase include a gorgeous linen halter top, silver wedge sandals, and some beauty products that feel just as luxe as they look. Investing in the pieces on my wish list may require a bit more spring cleaning on my part (and that mid-month paycheck to hit my bank account), but I do believe it’s well worth it. The following pieces are a mix of trendy (e.g. a linen maxi skirt) and timeless (e.g. editor-approved eyewear), and they’ll be easy additions to anyone’s spring wardrobe. Keep scrolling to shop the items I’ve been eyeing this week.
I know I’m way behind on the trend, but luckily, trying Korean beauty products never goes out of style. My fellow Who What Wear editors have helped a lot in terms of where to start—they’ve recommended everything from the best Korean skincare to the best Korean makeup brands, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their insight. Trying a new beauty category can be overwhelming, but thanks to their recs, I’ve narrowed down my K-beauty favorites.
I’ve found that Korean beauty brands excel in one skincare category in particular: moisturizers. Not only are their ingredient lists pretty impressive, but many won’t cost you more than $35—a welcomed feat when you could use a wallet-friendly moisturizer. On top of that, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t see a new K-beauty moisturizer blowing up on TikTok. There’s one in particular that the TikTok beauty community continues to rave about long after its release. Keep scrolling if you’re looking for a Korean moisturizer and could use a few recommendations. I’ve included some TikTok community faves along with a dermatologist’s picks.
For the daytime, Ross recommends a hyaluronic acid or a vitamin C product that provides deep hydration and triggers collagen production, respectively. SPF is super important for the daytime, too, as UV rays can put you at risk for skin cancer and can accelerate skin aging. Rhee suggests looking for prebiotic and probiotic ingredients like algae, xylitol, rhamnose, lactobacillus, vitreoscilla, and various ferments, which work together to balance your skin’s pH levels and strengthen the skin’s ability to fight against environmental pollutants.
And lastly, make sure your skincare is backed by science and that it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. “In order for a molecule to be effective, skincare ingredients need to be the right size to penetrate the epidermis and effectively absorb into the layers of the skin where it needs to be active,” Rhee says. “A lot of the molecules we know and love are inherently unstable, and if they aren’t stabilized through their formulation, all the dedication to your routine can go to waste because the active ingredients are unlikely to work as intended. This is also the case when you layer certain products. Some ingredients can destabilize and/or inactivate others.” Working with a dermatologist or other professional can help you figure out if the products you’re using are effective or not.
Take a look at some anti-aging creams the dermatologists and some of our editors recommend below.
Co-founder and creative director of Westman Atelier, Gucci Westman, shared a bit about what makes the brand’s first venture into skincare unique. For starters, it’s truly an all-in-one serum packed with 12 active ingredients known to soften fine lines while dramatically boosting hydration levels and firmness within the skin.
“We worked with the leading skincare scientist in Korea who invented the multi-lamellar emulsion, the world’s first skin-like non-prescription formula to treat the skin barrier,” Westman shared. “With this technology, we were able to use 12 potent ingredients that work together to achieve a healthy skin barrier. The key ingredients are hyaluronic acid (four types) that delivers hydration continuously throughout the day and treats the skin barrier while strengthening it, niacinamide to even the skin tone, minimize pores, lighten pigmentation, smooth fine lines, and create plumper and juicy skin, and prickly pear cactus extract to sooth. Noni fruit [in the formula also] supports natural collagen [production], peptides smooth lines, and EGCG prevents premature skin damage.”
Westman, being a beloved industry makeup artist, also kept artistry in mind when creating this product. After all, it wouldn’t be a Westman Atelier product unless it worked well under makeup. What makes the perfect base for makeup, you ask? Hydrated, dewy skin and the skin activator offers it up on a silver platter. “I wanted to create something that had a meaningful effect on the skin that enters the dermis,” Westman says. “I loved this proprietary lamellar system formula where we could include several potent ingredients that don’t cancel each other out and work together. It creates a juicier, plumper finish to the skin that lasts the entire day.”
If you’re unsure where to start when it comes to serum shopping for oily skin, dermatologists have a few key ingredients they swear by. Board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD says vitamin C is a favorite, for starters. “Vitamin C is a skin care ingredient that can be used on most types of skin, including oily skin,” he says. “Finding a product that is lightweight and does not leave a thick residue is important when buying skincare for oily skin.” He also recommends a good oil-free moisturizer and salicylic acid. “Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that is hydrophobic, which allows it to penetrate deep in pores and flush them of excess oil and residue.”
Board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, Divya Shokeen, MD, FAAD recommends serums that contain retinol, and AHAs in addition to BHAs. “Retinoids help to reduce oil production, while AHAs and BHAs are great for reducing the appearance of pores,” she shares. Find a few of their recommended serums below along with some of our own favorites.
Caffeine is a wonderful ingredient. While many of us consider it a morning routine staple in the form of a delicious drink, according to dermatologists, it can actually do a whole range of incredible things for your skin, too. It’s particularly great if you struggle with things like dark circles, loose skin, and puffiness around the eye area.
Caffeine is a powerful antioxidant that can protect skin from free radical damage that can cause premature lines, skin sagging, and photo damage. According to board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, it is also known to be a vasoconstrictor which means it causes the blood vessels to constrict or tighten, helping with sagging skin, discoloration, and fine lines.
I don’t know about you, but the above statement alone inspired me to web-surf for the best caffeine eye creams money can buy. Luckily for you, you won’t have to do too much surfing yourself—I asked Camp for a few of his favorites and found a few more options to choose from. Keep scrolling—there’s something for every budget.
Eye cream is a finicky thing. Sure, there are countless formulas out there that vow to fix every concern—whether that’s dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, or wrinkles—but as anyone who’s into skincare will surely tell you, it can be difficult to find one that actually delivers on its promises. So, yeah, I’ll say it: eye cream is basically the poster child for a skincare product that’s great in theory but can be disappointing in practice.
Then there’s the matter of price. There are so many luxury eye creams out there, and while many of them are effective and come highly recommended by beauty editors, sometimes, it’s nice to share some more budget-friendly recommendations. So that’s what we decided to do. Ahead, 5 beauty editors share their favorite high-end eye creams, followed by their favorite drugstore ones. The latter will provide real results without breaking the bank (thank us later).
I live and breathe all things beauty and skincare, so it probably comes as no surprise that I’m always chatting about my ride-or-die products with my friends and co-workers. One product that always comes up (both with my friends and here at Who What Wear) is the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. One of the hero ingredients in this beloved serum is Vitamin C, which has powerful brightening and anti-aging benefits. To celebrate this miracle ingredient, SkinCeuticals coined April 4 as Vitamin C Day. And now you can join the party with an exclusive offer from prestige skincare retailer Dermstore.
From March 24 to April 6, you can shop three limited-edition bundles, each starring C E Ferulic. I’m most excited for the Anti-Aging Refine and Smooth bundle, which brightens with C E Ferulic, hydrates with Triple Lipid Restore, and protects with Physical Fusion UV Defense Sunscreen. This is a heaven-sent combo for my sensitive, dry skin.
It gets even better. If you’re a member at Dermstore, you get double the points on SkinCeuticals products, which equates to 10% back on every dollar spent on this high-performance skincare. Achieving glowing skin and getting paid to shop? Yes, please. Keep scrolling to see the bundles and more editor-approved products from SkinCeuticals.
What would you say your everyday makeup routine looks like?
It’s pretty simple but has also become slightly more complicated because I’ve gotten into gadgets and tools and stuff. On a perfect day, I would have a minute to do some of that stuff like skin prep. It would be a toner, some moisturizer depending on what the weather’s like and what my skin needs. I have gotten really into primer, and Armani Beauty makes a lovely primer that I use now if I’m going to do makeup. Typically, an everyday thing for me is a no-makeup makeup [look]. [I like] just a little bit of foundation. Sometimes, I’ll even mix it with my moisturizer, serum, or a little bit of oil. I like to use corrector under my eyes, so a little bit of orange, then a little bit of concealer, and then not that much powder—maybe just in the middle of my face. Then I use some rose water, and off I go. For every day probably, I would wear Armani’s Lip Power Lipstick because it’s really moisturizing, and if I’m not doing a color color, I would do something closer to my natural lip color and work it out almost like a stain, and that would be a good five-minute makeup look.
Something that’s really good is using a liquid highlighter too! Sometimes, I will mix that with a little bit of foundation, a little bit of oil, and then it’ll give sort of a sheen. Remember when BB balm was so big? Kind of like that!
Yes! It’ll give you a really natural, dewy glow.
Exactly. You mix a little bit of Armani’s Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer ($33) with a little bit of foundation, a little bit of oil, and even a little bit of moisturizer. I just take a blush brush and just lightly brush that across my face. That’s an easy no-makeup makeup look and creates a healthy glow.
I know you already mentioned a few, but what are your all-time favorite Armani Beauty products?
I have so many! The Luminous Silk Foundation is why I’m really happy to get to represent this brand and this product because I’ve been using it for so long and, at the time—I know this sounds silly to say about makeup—it really was life changing when I discovered it because I had been working mostly in television and on some indie films. I was a young actor, and I would sit in chairs, and artists would have such a hard time shade-matching my skin. At the time, there weren’t a ton of brands that had a wide range of shades. And typically, they would put stuff on me, and I would look either orange, or I would look ashy. Then, I had my first big red carpet, and an artist used Luminous Silk on me, and he actually mixed two shades—one that was way too light for me and way too dark for me—and made his own special thing. Then he said, “You should look into this brand,” and I did. I remember going to a department store and finding something. It was the first time there was a shade that was right for me and came out of a bottle.
Not just for me, but for friends and family, it’s been so easy for me to color-match for people in my life because there’s such a wide range of shades. Their foundation really did help me feel and look like myself when I was at work. As I mentioned, their primer’s really good. Another thing that I have discovered more recently in the last couple of years is the Fluid Sheer, which is so beautiful. You can use it, as I said, mixed with your foundation, and so many of their products are so user-friendly. I’ll be done with a full face of makeup and set it, then I can use Fluid Sheer and put it right on top, and it doesn’t do anything weird or funky to the makeup. It sits perfectly and just makes you look really dewy. I also love to use it on my shoulders or my clavicle if I have skin showing, and it just gives you this very healthy, dewy look. I find that with some highlighters, you can sort of see the glitter a little too much. My approach is usually to do pretty easy makeup, so I like it to be a little more invisible. This one can be, but it’s also buildable, so if you want it to be a bit more dramatic, you just use a little more when applying.
I’ve been carefully curating my skincare routine for over a year now. Par for the course, skincare related TikToks have been flooding my FYP, selling me every trendy product on the block. Whether or not they work is a different question. I’ve fallen for gimmicks, traps, and cute packaging, but I’ve also found a solid 6-step routine.
I advertise skincare to everyone I meet, because who doesn’t want to stay as effervescent and youthful looking as possible? Not only can you get rid of the texture, redness, and acne we all deal with…but you literally can delay the aging process. If I only do one thing daily to take care of myself, it’s going to be my skincare routine.
My toughest crowd, however, has been men. While we all have skin, which needs care just like the inside of our bodies do, I have yet to meet many men who have figured out a skincare routine for themselves.
Maybe it’s because of masculinity. The patriarchy, at it again! Since the beauty industry is catered towards women, it’s an impossible task to break through and convince men that these pots of fragranced creams and tubes of scented gels are worth smearing on your face twice a day. But I’m here to change all that.
I’m of the firm belief that everyone can benefit from makeup and skincare – not just women. We all wake up, look in the mirror, and think we look a little tired…or see a new pimple on the horizon and want to eliminate it immediately from our faces. So what’s the harm with dabbing a bit of makeup to make us look – and feel – immensely better about our appearance? Nothing.
Your favorite male celebrities wear makeup daily. That’s right, even Tom Cruise is sporting concealer while doing all those stunts. And maybe even a layer of blush. Brad Pitt and Pharrell even have skincare brands of their own.
Niall Horan, judge on this season of The Voice and former member of One Direction, recently went on Vogue’s Beauty Secrets to share his 22-step beauty routine…and while I’m not saying every man needs a 22 step routine, his recommendations are a great foundation for any man.
He says it himself: “Look fab, feel fab.”
While walking us through his luxurious routine, Horan muses why more men don’t have a routine. “I think with men…we’re getting better at it! Everyone’s always kind of against the skincare thing and I don’t really know why. It’s like, do we give up some of our masculinity if we admit to using moisturizer?”
So if you’re looking to start a routine…or you’re looking to inspire your boyfriend, brother, friend, or family member…take it from Niall. Here are my favorite steps from his routine that anyone can follow!
Of course Niall enjoys nothing but the best for his skin…and this Sarah Chapman Cleanser is no exception. With peptides and Vitamin A for anti-aging properties and Vitamin C for brightening, this cleanser gets deep in your pores to purify while removing makeup and impurities.
Exfoliation helps get dead skin cells off your face, giving you a moisturized, glowing surface. Niall recommends doing this a few times a week at least, crediting the Make Beauty Face Mask as his savior. A mask is easy to use, low maintenance, and not necessary for everyday…perfect for the male skincare routine.
Jaxon Lane makes skincare targeted towards men, and these Bro Mask Eye Gels make a routine feel easy. Bring these bad boys anywhere, wear them in the car on the way to work or put them on before you go out. They’ll de-puff and brighten up those tired under eyes.
If you’re someone who doesn’t have the time for a routine, a mist will be your BFF. The Allies of Skin Mist is Niall’s favorite, and contains Niacinamide and Amino Acids to wake up your skin and restore its youthful bounce. It soothes redness and helps your hydration levels without you having to work hard at it.
Osea is known for their hydrating products, and this oil will be your best friend. With jojoba and macadamia oils, Osea has created the ultimate moisturizing oil that will reduce the appearance of fine lines while maintaining your skin’s elasticity. If you have one serum, make it this.
What I love about the Ilia Eye Cream is that it can be applied directly onto your face. You don’t have to dip your finger into a pot, and the metal applicator feels cooling on your under eyes. The retinol will aid with wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, and more over time.
Sunscreen may not seem important year round…but Niall Horan knows his Irish skin is sensitive even when you don’t necessarily see the sun. If you experience redness or irritation seemingly out of nowhere, chances are it’s the sun’s fault. Using sunscreen in the morning will help prevent damage and slows down the aging process. A necessity if I’ve ever heard one.
Derms first want you to know why your skin is oily. There are quite a few reasons, but board-certified dermatologist Lauren Penzi, MD, explains it perfectly. “Our skin naturally produces sebum/oil for beneficial reasons,” she says. “Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. On the other hand, people with oily skin do tend to have larger pores and are more acne-prone. The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin’s natural moisture. Oil production is largely based on genetics, as well as hormones (think increase in oil production when going through puberty and decrease in oil production when going through menopause). Environment also dictates how much oil we make, with those in drier climates making less oil and those in warmer/humid climates making more oil. Our skincare practices also contribute to oil production. For example, if you over-wash or over-exfoliate your skin, it will actually increase oil production to compensate.”
Board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, also has a few pointers for choosing a moisturizer if you have oily skin. “Those with oily skin should opt for lightweight moisturizers that are noncomedogenic and won’t clog the pores,” she says. “Some moisturizers for oily skin may contain a small amount of salicylic acid, as this may help to reduce excess oil.”
Penzi also says ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide are key. “Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids found in the outer skin barrier that help to retain moisture. They keep your skin moisturized and prevent overproduction of sebum and oil. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps absorb and maintain moisture in the skin. Similar to ceramides, it keeps your skin moisturized and prevents overproduction of sebum/oil. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, which has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help to calm skin. It has helps to strengthen the skin barrier, and also helps with hyperpigmentation and overall brightness. Topical formulations [with it] have been shown to decrease sebum/oil production,” she explains.
Both also agree that heavier, pore-clogging ingredients like coconut oil should be avoided along with fragrance and alcohol. “Avoid harsh ingredients like fragrance or alcohol that can skin strip the skin of its natural oil and cause worsening oil production for compensation and breakouts,” says Penzi. “Also avoid products that do not say ‘noncomedogenic,’ as these can clog the pores and lead to breakouts. For example, products with mineral oil, coconut oil, etc., should not be used.”
With this in mind, find both of their moisturizer recommendations for oily skin below along with a few of my own favorites.
