Here’s How to Get Skin So Good, You’ll Swear Off Foundation Forever Inline

  • Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum
    Photo: Courtesy of Neutrogena
    1/5

    Target Pore Size

    “When you use foundation, it covers up the pores, and if you use a matte version, it makes you look smoother. [Likewise,] choose a skin-care product that empties out the pores and tightens around them so that they look smaller: a retinol-based cream or lotion. That would go on every single night before going to bed—after cleansing, underneath your moisturizer. You can see results in two weeks, and the retinol is good for taking care of clogged blackheads and superficial whiteheads, too.”

    Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum, $16, Buy it now

  • First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
    Photo: Courtesy of First Aid Beauty
    2/5

    Exfoliate Your Way to a Healthy Glow

    “We want an even tone and a glow all over the face. So what makes you not be glowing and toned? It’s when dead skin cells build up, so exfoliating on a regular basis with a liquid exfoliator to dissolve them—or a pad with 1 to 2 percent salicylic acid, or lactic or glycolic acid—will do that. First Aid Beauty’s Facial Radiance Pads are [pre-saturated] with a very low percentage of lactic acid, so it just swipes off that excess oil.”

    First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, $30, Buy it now

  • NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device
    Photo: Courtesy of NuFace
    3/5

    Try a High-Tech Contouring Device

    “If you want to be contoured without foundation, you can use a device to tighten the skin. The NuFace is a handheld machine with a current. Push it up on the forehead and cheeks: It tones the muscles, giving the appearance of a toned, lifted face without having to use foundation, concealer, and shadow. Use it three times a week, and you’ll see results in about six weeks.”

    NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device, $325, Buy it now

  • Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
    Photo: Courtesy of Murad
    4/5

    Focus on Problem Areas

    “If you have particular flaws like redness or blotchiness, which can come from rosacea or super-sensitive skin, consider using a moisturizer that contains niacinamide or licorice to calm inflammation. And if you have brown spots, the easiest way to clear those is to look for botanical products that [treat the problem], or those that contain 1 to 2 percent hydroquinone cream.”

    Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum, $60, Buy it now

  • Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter AntiSun Damage Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
    Photo: Courtesy of Garnier
    5/5

    Make Sunscreen a Daily Staple

    “Absolutely wear sunscreen all the time. The benefits you gain from doing all of this for six weeks—one half-hour in the sun without sunscreen on a sunny day will ruin everything. Those spots will be back in a heartbeat. Pick one that’s broad spectrum of a minimum SPF 30, and it must be applied and reapplied every two hours. Be mindful about how you apply it, and really make an effort to get the corners of the nose, that upper lip, and the corners of the mouth.”

    Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, $15, Buy it now