6 Ways to Get Your Skin Perfect so You Can Be Makeup-Free

Ditch the foundation once and for all.

By Elise Minton Tabin · Jul 31, 2017

The thought of leaving the house without a stitch of makeup, nary a drop of concealer or even tinted moisturizer, is one that millions of women dream of. But, unfortunately for the majority of us, things like discoloration, rosacea, acne, sun damage and melasma, among so many other things, have us reliant on makeup each and every day.

We turned to the top dermatologists, plastic surgeons and skin experts for their take on what you really need to do in order to get flawless skin so that you skip wearing makeup altogether. Here’s what they had to say.

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Load up on the right products.

In order to get your skin in tip-top shape, you need to make sure that you are using the right type of products. Los Gatos, CA, dermatologist Steven L. Swengel, MD, says that good, clear skin starts with the properly chosen products for use at home including exfoliators, antioxidants, retinols, heparin sulfate analogs, and properly selected growth factors. “And, of course sunscreens need to be used that are zinc- and titanium-based,” he says. “Some newer more active sunscreens for the face are coming from SENTÉ, ZO, elta MD and ALASTIN this year.”

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Brighten up.

For skin that’s lackluster and deficient of any type of healthy glow, Washington D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD, says to use an antioxidant-rich vitamin C serum, like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic ($165), and added photoprotection. The combination helps safeguard skin against sun damage while brightening it, too.

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Shun the sun.

Salt Lake City plastic surgeon Renato Saltz, MD, says that perfect skin all starts with good genes and zero sun exposure. “You need to wear sunblock at all times and avoid the sun,” he adds. “Options to improve sun damaged, aging skin include chemical peels, IPL, Clear + Brilliant and of course my favorite gold standard for fine wrinkles, CO2 laser resurfacing.”

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Exfoliate regularly.

When dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin the result is skin that looks dull, dry and even possibly dirty. New York dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, says regular exfoliation is important. “I usually suggest incorporating a glycolic or salicylic acid product, such as pads, one to three times per week to help.”

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Moisture matters.

According to Beverly Hills, CA, aesthetician Nerida Joy, moisturizer can make a world of difference in the way your skin looks. “A light humectant moisturizer is great if you are living in a humid climate. But in a dryer climate, you must be able to feel almost a little sticky on the outer layer to protect the skin,” she says. “You have to be consistent.”

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Don’t neglect the little things.

One of the easiest ways to get your skin looking good is to make healthy changes to what you eat and your workout routine because both can actually impact the health of your skin. “Doing small things such as getting a good night’s sleep, drinking more water and eating less sugar can show in the skin in as little as a week,” says New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD. “If you add in exercise and topical treatments, good hydration and topical antioxidants it will take your skin to a whole new level. Finally, dermatologists have great treatments from gentle fractional resurfacing lasers, peels, tightening devices, filler and neuromodulators to help enhance and maintain your complexion.”