Basically, exfoliation causes the cells to send signals to produce new skin cells. It also stimulates the production of new collagen fibers, replacing the damaged, irregular, and aged collagen fibers. Exfoliation can reverse the thinning of the collagen in the dermis that occurs with aging, and it also enhances the work of treatment creams and serums. This is why I prefer evening for exfoliation.

Humectant moisturizers attract water from the air and from deep in the skin to the visible layer of skin. These moisturizers aren’t as thick and heavy on the skin as occlusives, and they are less likely to clog pores, so they are better for people with acne issues. They plump the skin and reduce wrinkles, acting as instant wrinkle fillers. Some examples of humectants include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, lactic acid, propylene glycol, and urea.

There is even some evidence that eating a lot of tomatoes and tomato products can prevent sunburn. A recent presentation of research at the Royal Society of Medicine in London24 revealed that participants who added 5 tablespoons of tomato paste per day to their normal diet showed a 33 percent reduced risk of sunburn after twelve weeks!

Different skin types require different types of cleanser, but there is one common cleanser nobody should ever use: common bar soap. Soap often contains a drying surfactant called sodium lauryl sulfate, which can leave a film on your skin that feels uncomfortable, strip it of essential oils, and deplete moisture. Even worse, drying your skin can increase the appearance of wrinkles.