Your Guide To Perfect Skin

patch of skin before using them all over your face," says Wexler. "Try only one at a time so if you develop a reaction, you know which product caused it." Once inflammation occurs (characterized as dry, flaky, scaly skin on your nose, cheeks, chin, or scalp), your epidermal barrier has been compromised, and any products you use, including heavy creams, will irritate your skin even more, explains Brandt. The solution? Desensitize with calming ingredients like zinc, green tea, and chamomile.

　　IDEAL A.M. ROUTINE: Use a gentle cleanser that contains lipids to restore your epidermal barrier. Try Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser ($8). Follow with a vitamin-C product for antioxidant benefits, like Murad Active Radiance Serum ($89), and finish by applying a gentle sunscreen like Clinique Sun SPF 30 Face Cream ($17.50).

　　IDEAL P.M. ROUTINE: Wash your face, then regenerate your cells while you sleep with a peptide cream like StriVectin-SD Sensitive Skin Intensive Concentrate ($79) or a retinoid in a moisturizing base. RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream ($29.99) reduces wrinkles without irritating side effects like skin shedding, burning, or flaking, so you wake up glowing, not bright red.