Ask The Makeup Diva

In your late twenties and early thirties, you are focusing on maintaining the youthful appearance you already have and slowing the onset of fine lines around the eyes and mouth. Here are some of my favorite products to keep the skin looking its best:

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes ($8)
Regardless of skin type or age, making sure your makeup is completely removed is essential for good skin care, and using a gentle towelette like this is quick, thorough and can be used anywhere.

Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser ($8)
For cleansing when you don’t need to remove makeup, this milky lotion maintains the skin’s moisture balance and preps the skin for anti-aging lotion and/or sunscreen.

St. Ives Fresh Skin Moisturizing Olive Scrub ($6)
I have tried more scrubs than I can count and I always come back to St. Ives. It’s inexpensive and it just works. There are several versions to choose from, but I like this one because it has olive oil, vitamin E and jojoba to gently exfoliate.

Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum ($20)
Eye cream is another skin care product that I have experimented with to find just the right one, and Olay Regenerist is the only one that I buy consistently. The texture is light so it absorbs quickly without leaving an oily film (which makes eye makeup smear) and it has a subtle yellow tone with a hint of light-deflecting shimmer so it’s almost like getting a concealer and treatment in one cream.

Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum ($22)
I’ve spent $50, $100, even $200 on anti-aging creams and serums to help slow the appearance of aging, and this product from Boots (available at Target) is consistently the best performing for the best price. I have absolutely noticed a reduction in fine lines around my eyes and mouth, and my skin overall looks brighter and youthful, as if I am stopping time a little.

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30 ($17)
A daytime moisturizer with sunscreen is so important in any skin care routine, especially if you are concerned with preventing wrinkles. I love this lotion because it’s lightweight, layers well with other products, and absorbs completely with no oiliness.

RoC Multi-Correxion Night Treatment ($27)
I like to vary the treatment I use under my moisturizer, so I use this at night and the Boots serum during the day. This lightweight cream from RoC has retinol, antioxidants, and vitamin C so it’s great for not only reducing fine lines and slowing deeper wrinkles, but it helps fade any discoloration spots and makes the skin look brighter.

Remember, our best years are ahead of us, so it’s never to early to start a skin care routine that will keep you looking on the outside as young and vibrant as you feel on the inside!

Nobody likes to deal with blemishes, but it’s even more frustrating when it’s happening to your child. My best advice is a gentle approach to cleansing and treatment that includes a variety of products so you can give the skin what it needs even as it changes.

Any good skin care routine starts with cleansing, and with young skin prone to blemishes, this is even more important. Have a couple of cleansers to choose from, like Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil to take off makeup, Weleda Gentle Cleansing Milk to cleanse and calm the skin, and Biore Steam Activated Cleanser with SteamActiv beads when dealing with a breakout (deep cleaning without over-drying). Match the cleanser to what the skin needs at the time – skin care is not “one size fits all.”

When you are dealing with a flare up of pimples or blackheads, resist the urge to pick. Very warm washcloth compresses on the affected area(s) can help draw blemishes out, as well as a mask like Yes to Tomatoes Skin Clearing Facial Mask, applied once a week at most. I also recommend a thin layer of GoClear Intensive Acne Treatment, a personal favorite for treating and calming the area without drying or irritating the skin. Use treatment products like this sparingly, though, and only on the spots that need attention.

For breakout prone, oily skin, moisturizer is usually something that seems unnecessary, but it’s a useful tool on occasion to help prevent the skin from drying out. I recommend Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Fragrance Free because it’s lightweight and won’t clog pores. You can apply it sparingly to keep the moisture in the skin balanced.

Finally, a word on makeup. Teens love it, and when you’re dealing with a blemish or redness, there is a tendency to want to cover it with makeup, but be careful not to create a cycle of covering a pimple with makeup that only encourages more pimples. Use foundation or concealer very sparingly, only on the spots that need it, and make sure to cleanse thoroughly at the end of the day. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands to be sure you have the one that best suits your skin. Drug and department stores are usually good about taking something back if it’s not a good fit for your skin.