What is good for your skin? 10 habits and ingredients that make a difference
What is good for your skin? Ten dermatologist-backed habits and ingredients for clear, healthy, glowing skin, plus the habits that make skin worse.
By the Green Point editorial teamUpdated 5 min readKey takeaways
- Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen does more for healthy, younger-looking skin than any serum.
- A gentle cleanser, a moisturizer suited to your skin type and one well-chosen active ingredient cover most people's needs.
- Not smoking, enough sleep, managing stress and not picking at spots all show up on your skin.
- Diet matters less than many claim, but some studies link sugary, high-glycemic foods and skim milk to acne in some people.
- Glowing skin comes from consistency and less irritation, not from more products.
On this page
What's good for your skin is mostly simple: wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, wash gently, moisturize, and add one proven active ingredient for your main concern. Lifestyle counts too. Not smoking, sleeping well, managing stress and leaving spots alone all help, while scrubbing and piling on products tend to make skin worse.
How to improve your skin: 10 habits that make a difference
These ten habits are backed by dermatologists' advice. You don't need all of them on day one; start with the first three and add the rest over time.
1. Wear sunscreen every day
UV light plays a major role in premature skin aging, dark spots and skin cancer. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on your face and other exposed skin every morning, even on cloudy days. See the sunscreen guide for how much to apply.
2. Cleanse gently
Wash your face when you wake up, before bed and after sweating, with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser applied with your fingertips. Rinse and pat dry. Harsh scrubs and hot water strip the skin and can trigger redness and breakouts.
3. Moisturize
A moisturizer helps hold water in your skin and supports its protective barrier. Oily skin usually prefers a light gel or lotion; dry skin, a richer cream. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid suit almost everyone.
4. Use products made for your skin type
Dermatologists recommend choosing products for your skin type (oily, dry, normal, combination or sensitive) and any condition you have. Not sure which you are? Our guide on how to find your skin type takes a few minutes.
5. Add one active ingredient at a time
Pick an active ingredient for your main concern and use it for six to twelve weeks before adding another: niacinamide for oil and redness, vitamin C for dullness and spots, a retinoid for fine lines, or salicylic acid for clogged pores. Adding several at once makes it impossible to tell what helps and what irritates.
6. Don't smoke
Smoking speeds up skin aging, causing wrinkles and a dull complexion, and it slows wound healing. Stopping is one of the most effective things you can do for your skin and your health.
7. Sleep and manage stress
Stress can trigger or worsen acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Poor sleep makes the skin under your eyes look darker and duller. Regular sleep and exercise won't fix every skin problem, but they help.
8. Eat a balanced diet
Evidence on diet and skin is modest. Some studies suggest that high-glycemic foods (like white bread and sugary drinks) and skim milk may be linked to acne in some people, while a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with healthier-looking skin. If you suspect a food triggers your breakouts, keep a simple diary.
9. Don't pick or squeeze
Popping pimples pushes inflammation deeper and can leave dark marks and scars that last far longer than the spot itself. A spot treatment, a hydrocolloid patch or simply waiting is better for your skin.
10. Check what's in your products
Fragrance, harsh surfactants and too many exfoliants are common reasons skin feels tight, itchy or red. Reading the ingredient list, or scanning it, helps you spot potential irritants and allergens before they reach your face.
How to get clear skin
Clear skin is mostly about preventing clogged pores and calming inflammation. A gentle cleanser twice a day, a non-comedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen, plus one acne-fighting ingredient such as salicylic acid, azelaic acid or benzoyl peroxide, is a solid start. Results take 6 to 12 weeks.
If you scan products with Green Point, note that salicylic acid is flagged as a regulated ingredient with concentration limits. That's about safe use, not about whether it works. Our guide to acne causes and what helps explains each option.
How to get glowing skin
"Glow" is mostly light bouncing off smooth, well-hydrated skin. The fastest ways to get it are a hydrating moisturizer, gentle exfoliation once or twice a week (for example with a lactic or glycolic acid product) and vitamin C in the morning. Over-exfoliating has the opposite effect: it leaves skin red, tight and dull.
What is bad for your skin?
Some of the most common habits that hurt skin:
- Tanning, sunbathing and tanning beds
- Smoking
- Scrubbing, harsh cleansers and very hot water
- Using several strong actives (acids, retinoids) at the same time
- Sleeping in makeup and sharing makeup tools
- Keeping products that burn or sting
- Picking at spots, scabs and blackheads
For specific concerns such as acne, redness or dryness, see our overview of common skin problems.
Frequently asked questions
Does drinking water improve your skin?
Staying hydrated is good for your overall health, and severe dehydration shows in your skin. But for most healthy people, drinking extra water beyond your thirst hasn't been shown to clear acne or erase wrinkles. Applying a moisturizer is a more reliable way to hydrate the outer layer of your skin.
How long does it take to improve your skin?
Your skin renews its outer layer over several weeks, so most changes take time. Many active ingredients need 6 to 12 weeks of daily use before you can judge them, and fading dark spots can take months. Gentle cleansing and moisturizing can make skin feel better within days.
Do I need expensive skincare for good skin?
No. Price says little about how well a product works. Many affordable cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens contain the same well-studied ingredients as luxury brands. Focus on the ingredient list, your skin type and how your skin responds. Spending more on a sunscreen you enjoy using daily is often a better investment than a pricey serum.
Sources
- 10 skin care secrets for healthier-looking skinAmerican Academy of Dermatology
- 11 ways to reduce premature skin agingAmerican Academy of Dermatology
- Can the right diet get rid of acne?American Academy of Dermatology
This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. If you have a skin, allergy or health concern, talk to a doctor, dermatologist or dietitian. Green Point scores and Skin Scan results are informational and are not a diagnosis.
