Getting Gel Manicures? Here's Why You Should Apply Sunscreen First

Tower 28 Broad Speactrum SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation

As a huge Tower 28fan, I'm actually surprised I haven't tried this tinted SPF yet. But, after seeing how much the Reddit community loves it, I have complete confidence that it's safe for acne-prone skin. Some important things to note about this fan-favorite are that it's:

• Fragrance-free
• Non-Comedogenic
• Marked safe for people who have acne
• Has natural coverage and light finish

You're essentially getting a lightweight foundation that offers protection from the sun with ingredients like non-nano zinc oxide, prickly pear extract, and white sage extract.

Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation

This community-loved on Sephora — and Reddit — may be the best foundation for acne-prone skin because of it's weightless formula. Also, the botanical blend of lotus, gardenia, and water lily ingredients treat the skin from the inside out. Other important things to note are that this foundation:

• Offers medium coverage
• Has a natural finish
• Is great for oily, combination, and normal skin

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation

Here's another weightless foundation you can pick up at Sephora. The formula is a little thinner than most because of it's "serum-like" finish, but that's nothing to be scared of! It has Vita-Serum Complex as well as Diamond Core Powder Technology in it — two things that not only champion hydration, but also creates a "burring, illuminated effect."

Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation

This foundation is for my full-coverage girlies who want to get a glam look that doesn't irritate their skin. This option from Nars got SO many shoutouts on Reddit — probably because it doesn't have things like parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, or mineral oil in it, making it an optimal choice. The bio hyaluronic acid, micro-algae extract, and anti-oxidation complex make me want to give it a chance this weekend!

Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation

Weightless foundations can be long-wearing, too — just look at the beloved Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation. It features light-diffusing pigments, blurring spheres, and more antioxidants that work overtime to keep your skin healthy. If you're still on the fence about trying it, a Sephora survey indicates 87% of people who tried it feels like it "gives a soft-focus finish." Yes please!

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

This full-coverage foundation for acne-prone skin is going to keep things matte when you wear it. Apparently the formula was changed so that it became breathable and healthier due to not having any mineral oil in it. This option is:

• Fragrance-free
• Long-wearing
• Matte

Plus, this contains hyaluronic acid — always a plus to get that sweet, sweet serum love!

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Foundation

Out of all the foundations we've listed, none of them have claimed to be a "complexion booster" like Charlotte Tilbury's formula. Truthfully it's all in the name — with milled powders and porcelain flower extract, you'll appreciate the glow this foundation adds to your skin.

Turns out, the answer for the best face cleanser isn’t that simple (even though we all want it to be). The best product for my skin isn’t what’s going to be the best for someone else’s skin, and that’s because skin types vary from person to person.

“The best facial cleanser will be unique for each individual, depending on their skin concerns,” says Dr. Green. “For example, people with sensitive skin will benefit from a gentler, hydrating cleanser compared to people with acne-prone skin who will benefit from an exfoliating cleanser with active ingredients.”

Ideally, facial cleansers should “effectively clean while maintaining your skin’s natural balance,” according to Dr. Harth. “Selecting a product that suits your skin type and concerns is key to achieving optimal skincare results.”

As a quick guide, here’s what to look for in a cleanser according to your skin type:

• Normal skin: free from fragrances, moisturizing ingredients
• Oily skin: salicylic acid and glycolic acid (AHAs and BHAs)
• Dry skin: creamy formula, moisturizing ingredients
• Sensitive skin: creamy formula, free from fragrances, moisturizing ingredients

No matter your skin type, it’s important to avoid cleansers with fragrances and irritating ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as SLS), says Dr. Green.

“SLS can cause perioral dermatitis, a red, bumpy rash around the mouth and cheeks. Due to their irritating nature, people should also avoid products with fragrances when purchasing a facial cleanser.”

Below, find the best cleansers for all skin types, per expert recommendation. One brand came out on top for its ability to cleanse a wide range of skin types!

Cleansers For Normal Skin

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

“This gentle cleanser is perfect for all skin types," says Dr. Green. "It contains vitamin B5 and allantoin, which are moisturizing and non-irritating for dry skin.”

Skinceuticals Soothing Cleanser

“This calming facial cleanser is a great option for everyone," says Dr. Green. "The cleanser is sulfate-free and fragrance-free, making it a gentle yet effective cleanser. It is formulated with a peptide surfactant and a 22% concentration combining sorbitol, glycerin, orchid extract, and cucumber extract to remove impurities while soothing and comforting gently.”

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

Dr. Harth says it's important to use a "balanced, gentle cleanser that maintains hydration," which is why this CeraVe pick stands out. "This is a non-foaming option that preserves the skin’s natural barrier with ceramides and hyaluronic acid,” he notes.

Cleansers For Oily Skin

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

“Formulated with 4% benzoyl peroxide, this CeraVe cleanser is a great option for oily skin because it cleans out the pores," says Dr. Green. "Benzoyl peroxide works by targeting and killing the bacteria in the skin that clogs the pores. This cleanser also contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to boost hydration without clogging pores.”

MGSkinLabs Pore Minimizing Cleanser

Dr. Green's self-formulated cleanser is ideal for oily, acne-prone skin. It's made with salicylic and glycolic acids that "work to break up the dead skin cells, debris, dirt, and sebum that clog the pores and lead to acne breakouts." It deeply penetrates the skin to target gunk and build-up.

MDacne Hydrating Salicylic Acid Cleanser

For oily skin types, “opt for a salicylic acid-based cleanser that controls oil without over-drying," says Dr. Harth. "This medical-grade formula unclogs pores and soothes sensitive, acne-prone skin with micronized salicylic acid and plant-based ingredients like green tea and aloe vera. Paraben-free, vegan, and cruelty-free, it's ideal for daily use and promotes clearer, healthier skin.”

Cleansers For Dry Skin

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Facial Cleanser

This cream-to-foam formula is free from fragrance and is non-comedogenic, so it won't encourage breakouts or build-up.

"One of the best ingredients in CeraVe is ceramide, which helps retain moisture on the skin's surface and fights against external irritants," says Dr. Green. "This is an essential ingredient for protecting and moisturizing the skin."

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Hydrating Gel Cleanser

Cream-based and gel cleansers like this one from Aveeno are ideal for hydrating dry skin. It removes dirt, oil, pollutants, and makeup without disrupting the skin's moisture barrier.

Cleansers For Sensitive Skin

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

It's highly important to avoid cleansers with fragrances if you have sensitive skin. This hypoallergenic formula from Vanicream is free of fragrances and dyes to suit any sensitivities.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Facial Cleanser

Dr. Green recommends this cleanser for people with sensitive skin because it contains colloidal oatmeal.

“Oats have been known to reduce inflammation of the skin and stimulate the production of collagen," she says. "The oats create a shield against irritations and lock in natural moisture by binding to the skin.”

Ingredients for Paleo Christmas Cookies

For the cookies:

• 1/2 cup grass-fed salted butter, softened
• 6 tablespoons raw honey
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

For the frosting:

• 6 tablespoons coconut butter or coconut manna
• 1/4 cup cacao butter
• 1-2 tablespoons honey
• Plant-based food coloring
• Vegetable-dyed sprinkles, for topping*

How to Make Paleo Christmas Cookies

1. Add the softened butter and honey to a large mixing bowl. Cream the mixture together using a handheld mixer until it is smooth. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract and whisk until they are well combined. Pour in the almond flour, coconut flour, and baking soda, and continue mixing until the batter has come together smoothly.
2. Separate the dough into two, and place each one on top of a piece of plastic wrap. Roll each dough into a ball, then flatten to a thick disk, cover completely with the plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove one of the dough discs from the refrigerator, unwrap the plastic and place the dough on top of a piece of parchment paper, then top it with another piece of parchment paper. Use a roller to flatten out the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch thick. Work quickly with your favorite Christmas cookie cutters, and use a thin spatula to lift the cut cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake the cookies in the oven for 10 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes, then place on a wire rack for further cooling. Gather the leftover scraps back into a ball in the plastic wrap or parchment paper and place it back in the refrigerator, while working with the other piece of dough. Do this in batches to keep the dough from getting too warm and so you don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
5. While the batches of cookies are baking, use a small saucepan to lightly melt the coconut butter and cacao butter together over low heat on the stovetop. Remove the pan from the heat when the ingredients have just melted together. Stir in the desired amount of honey, then set aside to cool and thicken up slightly. If you are using food coloring, add in the desired amount into the frosting mixture (1-2 teaspoons of green or red should do the trick). If you plan on only using white frosting, only use a small amount of honey, as it can make the frosting an off-white or light brown color.
6. After the cookies have completely cooled, decorate them with the frosting and sprinkles as desired. If you don’t have any professional piping tools, an easy fix is to place the frosting in a plastic sandwich bag and remove all the air when sealing the top. Cut a tiny tip off one corner of the plastic bag, then gently squeeze and pipe over the cookies. Use one plastic bag or piping bag for each color of frosting. Top with corresponding sprinkles and enjoy!