Is natural worth the hype? Your daily facial routine of wash-dry-repeat can seem pretty boring once you browse online for DIY facial scrubs or even walk through any drugstore. Names like “Lemon Citrus Exfoliating Mask” and “Coal-Infused Morning Wake-up Wash” are tempting to try right away, but the ingredients can leave you guessing whether it’s truly safe for your skin and could blast out your breakouts for good. Sure, your bar of gentle soap and warm washcloth have worked fine for years, but could those stubborn crops of pimples be a sign that you’re in need of something new? Maybe, but don’t dive for any scrub, mask or cleanse you see. The skin on your face is sensitive, and while removing oil, pollutants and bacteria that have built up over the day or during the night is important, it’s not worth sacrificing for a zesty cinnamon smell or harmful chemicals. Before you cleanse, check into these facial facts. Natural face wash Your skin is the largest organ in your body, so it only makes sense …

There are so many different types of sun protection out there that it can be hard to tell which one is right for your skin type, much less which ones you want to wear for an outdoor workout. From chemical sunscreens to physical blockers, it can be hard to decipher what is what. No matter what route you want to go, the important thing to remember is to wear sunscreen in the first place. Also, don’t let the sun scare you from working out outdoors. Vitamin D is important for our bodies, and working out in the warm weather will certainly get those endorphins pumping. For some perspective on all the sun protection choices available, we asked some top dermatologists to weigh in on what to look in a sunscreen for outdoor workouts. For sweaty skin Let’s face it, the point of working out is to break a sweat, but sometimes sweat and sunscreen just don’t mix. Anyone who has ever felt the sting of sunscreen in their eyes knows that a sweat-proof formula is …

You know you’re supposed to wear sunscreen, but do you know what happens to your skin – and your DNA – when you don’t? You’ve heard it again and again: Wear sunscreen when you go outside, year-round, no matter the weather. (We’ve even shared our own ClassPass reminders and suggestions to encourage sunscreen use.) But, like us and probably almost everyone we know, you probably don’t grease up every time you go out. It’s easy to come up with excuses: It’s cloudy, I won’t be out that long, it takes so long to do it, it’ll get all over my dress/expensive workout top/ bathing suit, I’ll just sweat it off anyway… Yet even a tiny bit of sun exposure can do damage to your cells. You may not notice it now, but the damage is cumulative over a lifetime. We only get one skin, so in the name of protecting it for the long haul, here’s the hot, sweaty truth about what really happens when you soak up the rays. Ultraviolet A and B The …

As the dry weather of winter approaches, we’re quickly reminded of the resulting staticky hair, flaky skin and cracked lips. We know to lather on lotion and go easy on the number of times we shampoo our locks. But what should we use when it comes to our kisser? Lip balm seems to offer enough moisture, but it can feel like we’re reapplying every few minutes in order for it to last. Lip gloss gives that nice shine and a pop of color, but does it have any other properties? Here’s what you should really keep in your back pocket when the chilly season begins. Lip balm Lip balm has come a long way since the days we all carried around a pack of neon-colored, sparkle-infused Lipsmackers. And that’s a good thing, because our lips need all of the moisture they can get in the chilly, dry winter months. Our pouts produce a natural oil that keeps them moist, but during the winter, we often lick off this layer of oil or it gets wicked away …

Exfoliation is the sloughing off of dead skin cells so they don’t clog pores or make the skin look dull. When most people think of exfoliation, they think of face, but it’s important to exfoliate the skin from head to toe. But how often should we do it? What are the different types of exfoliation out there, and what one is right for your skin type? Doctors, makeup artists and celebrity estheticians all agree on the importance of exfoliation. Here, Dr. Trevor Cates, Ildi Pekar  and Tammy Fender explain different ways to exfoliate the face and body for beautiful, healthy skin. From dry brushing to fruit enzymes, here are six different exfoliation methods to help you find the kinds that are right for your skin.    Fruit enzymes If you’ve ever been scared of exfoliation because of harsh microbeads, using an enzyme exfoliator could work for you. “Using natural fruit extract removes dead skin without causing harm and damage to your skin,” Dr. Cates says. What’s more, he says,  the enzymes digest only the dead cells on the …

Advice from the pros on how to prevent your makeup from sliding off your face after a workout class.You’ve got it all nailed down. You went to bed early so you can wake up on time for your morning workout class. Your gym bag is packed with everything you need to make it to the office on time afterward. There’s just one little problem: You’re still sweating—even after your shower. Nothing feels better than a good sweat, but the problem is, your normally flawless makeup application can’t be applied to an overheated face. But never fear—there are some tricks you can use to cool down fast after class, allowing you to put on your makeup and be on your way.       Ice is your friend Dr. Howard Sobel, dermatologist and founder of DDF Skincare, says to “drink ice water during and directly after your workout. Hydrating throughout cools the body from within. The thermoreceptors in the abdomen detect changes in temperature and will help your brain regulate sweat output.” Find a fan Ever sweat more after a workout? …