Tricks All Women With Great Skin Use

Not every one is born with naturally flawless skin—even those with a currently smooth and radiant complexion. Some (read: many) have to work a little harder at it. If you’re one of those women that needs to put the effort in your skincare routine, these are the tricks you should know. Get ready to have everyone think you won the genetic lottery. Go ahead, let them assume the best.

Be A Woman With Great Skin

Wake Up To A Tall Glass Of Water

It's common to wake up feeling dehydrated (you've just spent about eight hours with no water intake, after all), and this can leave your complexion looking dull and dry, with pronounced fine lines. Coffee only dehydrates you more, so before you indulge in some much-needed caffeine (we're not saying you have to skip it altogether), drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning.

Keep Your Phone Clean

Bacteria lives on everything and anything that touches your face may end up causing major breakouts—including your hands, cell phone and sunglasses. You can wash your hands, but it's your accessories and devices that harbor the most acne-causing bacteria. Do yourself a favor and refrain from Googling photos of how many germs live on your phone. Keep a pack of antibacterial wipes handy to keep things clean and your skin in the clear.

Use Spot Treatments On Breakouts

We all get zits—yes, even women with perfect skin get them. The difference lies in the way those women treat their blemishes. Popping or picking can cause inflammation, redness, scabs, scars and infections, all of which only lead to even worse problems. Instead of literally making a mountain out of a molehill, treat the area with an acne spot treatment. These clear patches are pre-loaded with active ingredients to treat pimples in much less time and without irritation. Wear them while you sleep or under makeup.

Remove Your Makeup Before Bed

We get it, washing your face after a long night can feel like a chore. But trust us, it will save your skin in the long run. Sleeping with your makeup on dehydrates your skin, leads to premature wrinkles, causes breakouts and blackheads and clogs your pores (it even makes them look bigger!). Next time, force yourself to give your face a wipe-down before hitting the hay—we promise you'll be glad you did.

Do A Weekly Mask

The relaxation alone will work wonders for your skin, but taking the time to reboot your complexion once per week is the best thing you can do. Tailor your at-home facial by evaluating your skin needs and choosing ingredients that benefit you most. This vitamin C mask gives you the radiance you dream of, and at just under $4 a pop, you won't break the bank with your weekly treat.

Wear Sunscreen (Even In Winter)

Sunscreen should be at the very top of your priorities list for keeping your skin looking perfect. Since UV rays make fine lines more pronounced and dark spots more visible, women with immaculate skin never leave home without it. Reach for an SPF of 30 or higher, and wear it every day (even when it's not sunny outside) to keep your complexion looking even and young.

Massage Your Face

A quick massage every morning is the perfect way to boost circulation, reduce swelling and aid with lymphatic drainage. To make the technique completely foolproof, pick up a facial roller and work it around your entire face and jawline in upward motions. You'll be shocked at the difference it makes in your complexion.

Exfoliate Every Day

Dead skin cells accumulate daily and the buildup can leave skin looking dull. Daily exfoliation not only sloughs off dry skin, but can also stimulate collagen production, firm the face and keep it bright and plump. As long as you're not overdoing it with an overly aggressive scrub (and you're not on a prescription retinoid), daily exfoliating is the secret to bright, glowing skin.