Skin care guides
Plain-language guides about skin care. Each guide shows whether our dermatologist has reviewed it yet.
All skin care guides
47 articlesRed light therapy for skin: what it does, home vs. clinic
What red light therapy can and can't do for fine lines, acne and redness, how home LED masks compare with clinic devices, and how to use one safely.
SkinHow to get rid of acne: a plan for every type of breakout
Why acne happens, which over-the-counter ingredients help each type of breakout, a simple routine, how long it takes, and when to see a dermatologist.
SkinKorean skincare routine: the 10 steps and the 4 you need
The famous 10-step Korean skincare routine explained, which steps really matter for your skin type, how to layer them, and the K-beauty ingredients to know.
SkinHow to get rid of dark spots and hyperpigmentation
How to get rid of dark spots: the three main kinds, ingredients that fade each one, how long it takes, why sunscreen comes first, and when to see a doctor.
SkinEczema treatment: calm a flare and rebuild your skin barrier
Eczema treatment explained: the daily moisturizing routine that helps prevent flares, which creams and medicines help, and the warning signs that need a doctor.
SkinCollagen supplements for skin: what the studies actually show
Do collagen supplements improve skin? What clinical trials show, the amounts studied, marine vs. bovine, safety, and how they compare with sunscreen.
SkinHow to get rid of blackheads (and why pore strips never fix them)
How to get rid of blackheads: why they form, how to tell them from sebaceous filaments, the ingredients that clear them, and habits that bring them back.
SkinAzelaic acid: what it does, how to use it, what to expect
What azelaic acid does for breakouts, redness and dark marks, which strengths exist, how to start, what to pair it with, and when to see a dermatologist.
SkinAnti-wrinkle products: what is proven and what is marketing
Anti-wrinkle ingredients ranked by evidence: sunscreen, retinoids, vitamin C, acids, peptides, what is mostly marketing, and when clinic treatments make sense.
SkinRejuran and PDRN "salmon DNA": injections vs serums explained
What PDRN and Rejuran are, how "salmon DNA" injections differ from PDRN serums, what the evidence shows, side effects, costs in general and who should avoid it.
SkinRetinol for beginners: how to start without peeling
What retinol does, which strength to start with, a week-by-week plan to avoid peeling, what not to mix with it, and when to move up to retinal or tretinoin.
SkinSkincare routine order: morning and night, step by step
The right skincare routine order for morning and night: what goes first, where actives and sunscreen fit, and a simple weekly plan for retinoids and acids.
SkinHow to get rid of dark circles: 3 types and what helps each
Learn the three types of dark circles, a simple stretch test to tell them apart, what may help each type, concealer tips, and when to see a doctor.
SkinBest sunscreen: how to choose one and how much to use
How to choose the best sunscreen: what SPF and broad spectrum mean, mineral vs chemical filters, how much to apply, when to reapply, and which texture suits you.
SkinNiacinamide: benefits, best strength and what to pair it with
What niacinamide (vitamin B3) does for oil, redness, pores and dark spots, which strength to choose, what it pairs with, and the vitamin C myth explained.
SkinAstaxanthin for skin: what the research shows
What astaxanthin is, what small trials show for skin moisture, elasticity and sun damage, supplement versus serum, safety questions and why sunscreen comes first.
SkinMedical spa treatments explained: what each one can really do
Medical spa treatments explained by goal: what injections, fillers, microneedling, peels and lasers can do, downtime, and how to choose a safe clinic.
SkinLED face masks: do they work and which color do you need?
Do LED face masks work? Which light colors have evidence (red, near-infrared, blue), how to choose and use a mask, eye safety, and who should avoid one.
SkinGHK-Cu copper peptides: what the "blue serum" can really do
What the GHK-Cu copper peptide is, what small studies show for firmness and fine lines, how to use the blue serum, what to keep apart, and why not to inject it.
SkinHypochlorous acid spray: what it does for skin and how to use it
What hypochlorous acid is, how the spray may help breakouts, irritated skin and eyelid hygiene, how to use it, how it differs from bleach, and its limits.
SkinGlycolic acid: benefits, strengths and how to use it safely
What glycolic acid does for dull skin, texture, fine lines and dark spots, the right strength for home use, what not to mix, and who needs a milder acid.
SkinTranexamic acid for melasma and dark spots: what to know
What tranexamic acid does for melasma and dark spots, how skincare, clinic and prescription pill options differ, who should avoid the pills, and how long it takes.
SkinEye patches: what under-eye patches can and cannot do
What hydrogel, caffeine and microneedle eye patches really do for puffiness, fine lines and dark circles, how to use them safely, and what they can't fix.
SkinSkin analysis at home: simple tests to read your own skin
Simple at-home tests to find your skin type, spot dehydration and sensitivity, what AI skin-analysis apps get right and wrong, and how to track changes.
SkinRosacea: the four types and how to calm each one
The four types of rosacea, common triggers, a gentle routine that helps, the prescription treatments dermatologists use, and when eye symptoms need a doctor.
SkinMelasma: why it keeps coming back and how to keep it away
What triggers melasma, why it comes back, the daily sun protection it needs, the creams and prescriptions that fade it, and which procedures carry risks.
SkinHow to shrink pores: what really works and what is a myth
Pores cannot open or close, but you can make them look smaller. See what causes large pores, which ingredients and treatments help, and which tricks are myths.
SkinOily skin routine: control shine without stripping your skin
Why skin gets oily, a simple morning and evening oily skin routine, ingredients that help control shine, mistakes that make it worse, and when to see a doctor.
SkinVitamin C serum: which form, which strength, how to store it
Which forms of vitamin C work in a serum, what strength to look for, how to tell when it has gone off, what to pair it with, and how to use it under sunscreen.
SkinHyaluronic acid: how to use it so it hydrates and does not dry
What hyaluronic acid does for skin, why it can feel tight, how to apply it on damp skin and seal it in, molecular weights explained, fillers and supplements.
SkinSalicylic acid: the pore-clearing BHA, explained simply
What salicylic acid (BHA) does for blackheads, breakouts, oily skin, dandruff and bumpy arms, which strength to choose, how to use it, what to avoid mixing.
SkinTretinoin vs retinol vs adapalene: which retinoid is for you?
Tretinoin vs retinol vs adapalene: how these retinoids differ in strength, irritation and availability, which suits breakouts or fine lines, and how to start.
SkinSkin barrier repair: signs it is damaged and how to fix it
Skin barrier repair made simple: signs your barrier is damaged, common causes, a gentle reset routine, the ingredients that help, and when to see a doctor.
SkinPeptides for skin: which ones have real evidence
Peptides for skin explained: the main types, which have evidence for fine lines and firmness, how they compare with retinoids, and how to add them to a routine.
SkinGlass skin: how to get the Korean glow, realistically
What glass skin really is, the hydration-first routine behind the glow, the ingredients that help, makeup tricks for the look, and realistic expectations.
SkinExosome serum: what it is, what the evidence shows, and the risks
What exosomes are, where skincare exosomes come from, what early studies show, why the FDA warns about unapproved exosome products, and how to judge a serum.
SkinBeef tallow skincare: does the moisturizer trend work?
Is beef tallow good for skin? What it is, why it went viral, what experts say, risks like clogged pores and spoiling, and better-studied moisturizer choices.
SkinHydrocolloid patches: which pimples they help and how to use
Which pimples hydrocolloid patches help, how to use them step by step, how plain, medicated and microneedle patches differ, and when a patch is not enough.
SkinKids skincare: what is safe and what to skip at ages 8 to 14
What kids and tweens really need for their skin, which trendy products to skip and why, a simple routine for the start of puberty and acne, and when to see a doctor.
SkinPregnancy-safe skincare: what to stop, what to keep
Which skincare ingredients to stop in pregnancy and breastfeeding, which to ask about first, what is usually fine, and how to handle acne, melasma and itching.
SkinKojic acid: how it works, soap vs serum, and safe use
What kojic acid does for dark spots, soap vs serum, the 1% limit in EU cosmetics, irritation and allergy risks, and how to avoid unsafe lightening products.
SkinMandelic acid: the gentle AHA for sensitive skin and dark marks
Mandelic acid explained: why this AHA is gentler than glycolic acid, who it suits, how to use it for texture, breakouts and dark marks, and what not to mix.
SkinFungal acne: how to tell it apart from acne and what helps
Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) explained: how it differs from acne, common triggers, antifungal washes, products to rethink, and when to see a doctor.
SkinSkin cycling and slugging: do these routines work?
Skin cycling and slugging explained: the 4-night routine, who it helps, how to slug with petroleum jelly safely, and who should skip each trend.
SkinPerioral dermatitis: causes and care for a rash around the mouth
Perioral dermatitis explained: what the rash around the mouth looks like, triggers like steroid creams, "zero therapy", treatments, and why it flares first.
SkinMilia: why tiny white bumps appear and why not to squeeze them
Milia explained: what the tiny white bumps under the eyes are, why they form, why squeezing fails, home care, safe removal by a dermatologist, and prevention.
SkinSea buckthorn oil for skin: benefits, berry vs seed, how to use
Sea buckthorn oil for skin: what is in it, berry vs seed oil, what it may do for dry and dull skin, how to use it without staining, and who should be careful.