Starting a skin care routine wasn’t as easy as it sounds. Cosmetic products are filled with scientific sounding ingredients that all promise variations on a theme: younger, healthy looking skin.

Skin needs nutrition, oxygen, and clean space to work. Oxygen molecules cannot penetrate the dermis so your routine will include only cleaning your skin and providing nutrition.

The objective for anti-aging skin care products is to increase the presence of collagen, elastin, ceramides and keratin, all of which contribute to skin's firmness and structural integrity.

The purpose of cleansing is to gently remove dirt and cell debris. The best cleanser for you is the mildest cleanser that will clean your skin without stripping your skin of essential moisture.

Prior to doing this research, I had a deep bias in favor of boutique skin care companies. Their products seem more luxurious, have more appealing packaging, and create a sense of inclusion.

Dupes are products with the same or similar active ingredients in the same or similar concentration as a more expensive product. Looking for dupes is a great way to familiarize yourself with effective ingredients.

The health of your skin and its appearance is closely linked with your overall health. Diet, environmental exposures, stressors, and lifestyle habits can influence the genes that influence the condition of our skin.

When I first sought out skin care recommendations, I was easily swayed by online endorsements and eager to find bargains.

Have you ever run into a friend you haven't seen for several months and thought “Wow, she looks so much younger!”