Red carpet-worthy skin—isn’t that what we all covet? The smooth, glowing skin of celebrities are indeed jealousy-inducing. While Knightley and Hathaway most certainly have regular facials and treatments at their disposal, there are slew of
skin care products and tools we have access to that will give us baby-soft, glowing skin, too. Here are some great skin getters that will have you glowing this year.

Key to great skin: Vitamin C and Retinol are musts

“Skin texture has a lot to do with your collagen and elastin, as well as the health of the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum,” says Dr. Sandy Skotnicki. “To improve collagen and elastin production use Retinol and/or stable topical Vitamin C. These two ingredients have been proven time and time again to lead to increase collagen production,” says the Toronto-based dermatologist. Retinol also provides extra smoothing benefits: “It will also keep down the little bumps or comedones on the face, which can lead to a bumpy texture to the skin.”

Try: SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, which contains vitamin C, ferulic acid and phloretin, to even tone and improve dull-looking skin. And voila! Glowing skin.

Key to great skin: Fake it with a few makeup tips and tricks

If your skin isn’t the smoothest or most balanced, avoid powder, says Andrea Claire. “Oily skin will just make it travel and crease; and if you put on more throughout the day thinking it’s covering the oil, it will actually just oxidize and look chalky,” says the Singapore-based celebrity makeup artist. On the other hand, if your skin is dry and flaky, powder accentuates that, so you, too, should veer away from the powder. Do use a primer, though. “Primers are definitely miracle workers,” she says. “Acting as a barrier between your skin/skin care and makeup, your makeup glides on smoother as your base texture is evened out with the primer. Plus, some primers have slight light reflective qualities too which help with skin tone and texture, too.”

Try: Makeup Forever HD Complexion Starter Kit, which includes HD Microperfecting Primer, HD Invisible Cover Foundation and HD Microfinish Powder (and HD Kabuki brush), to help fake glowing skin.

Do you need a skin serum? View our faves, then decide!

More great skin tips (for healthy, glowing skin all year long) on the next page …
new-year-new-skin.jpg

Key to great skin: Make sure to exfoliate

Reduce bumps and remove the dead outer layer of the skin by
exfoliating regularly, says Dr. Skotnicki. While Retinol will help (see on first page), she recommends trying an 8-percent glycolic acid cream if the main problem with your skin texture is comedones. “And if your pocketbook can handle it, a chemical peel or microdermabrasion monthly is a great way of doing this faster and stronger,” she adds.

Key to great skin: Take advantage of new sonic-cleansing tools

“Your skin will thank you for the extra attention,” says Dr. Michael Goldman, medical director of the Gold Skin Center in Nashville, of sonic cleansing. Tools such as the Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System literally vibrate off the dirt and makeup resting on your skin and in your pores—leaving your skin six times cleaner than washing with your hands (in the case of the Clarisonic). “Without clean pores, treatment products like acne fighters and
anti-aging moisturizers are less effective,” he says, “but with proper cleansing, your skin to can fully absorb skin care products and more fully benefit from sunscreen and moisturizer.” Also, keep in mind that right now in the winter, it’s critical to be caring of your skin. “
Winter skin can feel dull and dry so it is especially important this season to wash off makeup every night before you sleep to help your skin stay hydrated and looking fresh,” says Gold. And you can say goodbye to the flaky, dehydrates patches of skin you usually get in the cold weather when sonic cleansing. “It can help prevent and manage dry patches as well as encourage cell turn over by clarifying and revitalizing the skin without harsh chemicals, [again] allowing your skin to better absorb your moisturizer.”

Read more:
10 essential nighttime skin care products

Nighttime skin care essentials
The best pore refining products
Foundations for flawless skin


Test out the latest beauty looks with our Virtual Makeover Tool!