Expert Tips on Achieving the Perfect Complexion

When not one but two of our friends with flawless complexions revealed esthetician Shani Darden of The Body Well as their skincare secret, we knew we had to track down this Shani character and beg her to tell all. And tell all she did -- from flakes to shine to wrinkles, Shani knows how to fight back and finally achieve the gorgeous skin you’ve always wanted. Read below for Shani’s skincare tips, favorite products, and suggestions for at-home facials.

BGG: We often get those not-so-cute flakes in the winter. How can we get rid of them? 

SD: The key is to exfoliate and use a really good moisturizer (appropriate for your skin type). If you have extremely dry skin, try a serum that contains hyaluronic acid before layering on your moisturizer. 

BGG: What do you recommend for those of us (cough, cough) who have pimples, yet are also concerned about wrinkle prevention? 

SD: A lot of products for oily skin are very drying, which can cause your skin to age, yet a lot of anti-aging products are very oily, which can cause breakouts! By far, retinol is the best for this -- it’s one of the only effective products out there that treats both acne and wrinkles. I generally suggest using retinol at night and a Vitamin C product in the morning to help with sun protection. If acne is your main problem, I would switch it every other night with an acne treatment such as Active Serum.

BGG: What are the best natural ways to make your skin pretty? 

SD: Everyone should take fish oil and probiotics -- they improve your skin in so many ways. If you have acne, stay away from dairy, which can cause breakouts.

BGG: What are some affordable beauty products you love?

SD: I love a lot of drugstore moisturizers, such as Cetaphil. Neutrogena sunscreens are great too. There’s also this line by Control Correctives that is very affordable, and the products are very high-quality. If you’re looking to skimp on something, choose your cleanser. Cleansers really don’t have to be pricey.

BGG: What are some not-so affordable beauty products you love?

SD: I absolutely love my Retinol Reform ($95) which gently but effectively fights both aging and acne. I also love Active Serum by IsClinical ($128), and Pro-Heal Serum by IsClinical ($135) is probably my favorite antioxidant product.

BGG: We love facials, but they can really add up. Are there any products you recommend for at-home facials? 

SD: At-home peels are great. Dr. Dennis Gross’ two-step alpha-beta kit is amazing (though pricy) -- I also love the $14 glycolic retexturizing peel that Avon makes. You can do a peel like this once a week. 

BGG: What is the ideal daily skincare routine?

SD: In the morning, cleanse, apply antioxidants, and then apply sunscreen. At night, if your skin is oily, use a cleanser followed by retinol or Active Serum and then an oil-free moisturizer. If your skin is dry, use a cleanser followed by retinol and then a rich moisturizer.

BGG: What is the best solution for the peeling and redness that retinol sometimes causes?

SD: This is a huge problem! I have my own retinol product for this problem, actually, which contains 5% lactic acid. It’s not as strong as Retin-A, and it’s mixed with an oil-free moisturizer, making it much gentler on skin.

Prescription-strength retinol is the best for anti-aging, but a lot of people just can’t take it. There’s just so much peeling, and who wants to walk around for months with flakes hanging of their face? People should try to build up slowly -- start on a light retinol every other day, and then once you can use it daily without any adverse affects, try using prescription-strength Retin-A once a week.

BGG: It seems like blackheads are one of the hardest (and grossest) skin problems to get rid of. What’s the best way to fight back?

SD: Retinol can help a lot, but they really need to be extracted by a professional, so regular facials are key. 

BGG: And what is the best way to combat that gross oily sheen?

SD: I love blotting papers. But I think the reason behind oily sheen is often that these people are not using the right products. They’re probably using something too heavy/moisturizing when they should be using products to reduce the oiliness.

BGG: We know sunscreen is important, but sometimes we feel like it makes us look oily or causes us to break out. What do you suggest?

SD: I actually suggest oil-free sunscreen for pretty much everyone -- whether they’re oily or not -- so your skin doesn’t get that greasy look. I love Control Corrective’s sunscreens (especially the matte version), and Neutrogena has a great ultra-sheer sunscreen that is very affordable.  

BGG: In general, what are the biggest skincare mistakes you see? 

SD: Women using the wrong products for their skin type! If you’re breaking out, you have oily skin. Even if you feel dry sometimes, don’t lather on heavy moisturizer -- it has to be oil-free. 

BGG: Finally, the winter can be a rough time for skin. What are your top tips for this time of year? 

SD: Exfoliation is key after all the sweating and heat of summer! Exfoliate weekly to get rid of dead skin and clogged pores. Also, if you’re not yet using a retinol, start doing so in the winter. (You shouldn’t do this in summer due to the sun sensitivity retinol causes.) You probably also need to adjust your products -- change your cleanser to something less drying. Use a creamy cleanser if you’re dry, or a more gentle cleanser if your skin is oily (stop using your salicylic acid cleanser if it’s starting to dry out your skin!). Up your moisturizer if necessary.

Shani Darden can be reached at The Body Well or through her website.