All posts tagged: skincare

The secret to Sarah Michelle Gellar’s youthful-looking skin revealed

The secret to Sarah Michelle Gellar’s youthful-looking skin revealed

Sarah Michelle Gellar, 49, revealed the secret to her glowing skin. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star believes that less is more when it comes to achieving youthful-looking skin. © Getty ImagesSarah revealed her beauty routine The actress shared: “I hate to say high-maintenance or low-maintenance. [My beauty routine is] simple in the sense that I definitely believe that you need three or four really good products. We get these TikToks and Instagrams sent to us, and we [think we] need things, but we don’t,” per Glamour. She continued: “It’s about the products that work and consistency. But I am loyal to my routine. It doesn’t matter how late I get home and how tired I am, the makeup comes off, my skin gets washed, and my products go on, because you have to take care of your skin.” © Getty ImagesShe learned early on that less is more when it comes to skincare Sarah’s early start The entertainer first began taking care of her skin during her teenage years, prior to her popular role …

The best vitamin C serums in the UK for every skin type and budget, tested | Skincare

The best vitamin C serums in the UK for every skin type and budget, tested | Skincare

Vitamin C is having a moment in skincare because of its ability to gently brighten, reduce pigmentation and support collagen production. It also helps to neutralise free radicals – those unstable molecules generated by UV light and pollution that can lead to premature ageing – making it an essential part of your morning skincare routine (alongside an SPF). The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. But is a vitamin C serum suitable for everyone? And if so, how do you know which one is right for you? “Individuals with sensitive, reactive or rosacea-prone skin should approach L-ascorbic acid – the most commonly used active form of vitamin C in skincare – carefully, as it can trigger inflammation in compromised skin barriers,” says pharmacist and skincare expert Dr Sonal Chavda-Sitaram. “For these individuals, lipid-soluble derivatives, such as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD ascorbate), can be transformative. They’re formulated at neutral pH while penetrating deeply and converting to active vitamin C at a cellular level without irritation.” …

The Fade Haircut Is Dead

The Fade Haircut Is Dead

In 2025, the barber Julius Arriola met up with his client Skrillex. Typically the DJ, whose real name is Sonny John Moore, would ask for his usual: a signature undercut that preserved his shoulder-length hair. But that day, Arriola recalls, he was adamant about one thing: “I want no fade.” Arriola, a co-founder of the haircare brand STMNT, heard the message loud and clear. The result, which the musician officially debuted at Ultra Music Festival that year, was a medium-short textured crop style that still showed some dramatic flair while headbanging. Since then, Arriola says Skrillex has quickly become a recurring celebrity photo that clients come in with as haircut inspiration. Between trendy haircuts like boy bangs, mini-mullets, and shags, 2026 appears to be leaving fades in the past. For at least the last decade, tight fades—hairstyles marked by dramatically short sides, sometimes to the skin, that gradually get longer to the top of the head—as well as highly sculpted quiffs and the occasional hard part became the defining look for an era marked by …

Does Working Out Help Psoriasis or Make It Worse?

Does Working Out Help Psoriasis or Make It Worse?

If you have psoriasis, you probably know that it’s an inflammatory condition. And if you exercise regularly—say, by sweating it out in a HIIT class or lifting heavy weights—you might be scratching your head, perhaps literally and figuratively, wondering if the acute inflammation from these workouts is sending your system into overdrive. We asked dermatologists to see if your workouts of choice can either help or hurt psoriasis, and how to adjust your routine to avoid exacerbating flares. Can you safely exercise with psoriasis? The good news: You don’t have to choose between your skin and your six-pack. Exercising isn’t just safe for most people with psoriasis; it’s encouraged. According to Sandra Oska, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, consistent exercise helps to reduce systemic inflammation. “Exercise can help lower pro-inflammatory cytokine activity,” she says, including TNF-alpha and IL-6, “both of which are relevant to the inflammatory cascade in psoriasis.” In addition, exercise helps improve metabolic factors—including insulin sensitivity and visceral fat—associated with psoriasis. “Higher BMI and higher body fat are associated with greater …

Top iRestore Deals for Hair Growth and LED Therapy Devices

Top iRestore Deals for Hair Growth and LED Therapy Devices

iRestore is running its biggest anniversary sale of 2026, and early access kicks off on April 13. Since launching in 2003, iRestore has expanded beyond hair restoration into a broader lineup of at-home red light therapy devices, including LED masks for the face, eyes, neck, and chest. These devices are regularly discounted, but with its anniversary sale, you can save up to $900 off select bestsellers and up to $1,550 off bundles. WIRED reviewer Julia Forbes tested iRestore’s Elite—a low-level light therapy hair growth device—and the Illumina Face Mask—featuring red, infrared, and blue light—and approves of both. She’s seen visible improvements from both gadgets, each delivering on its promises, at least to a degree (more on that below). iRestore Elite for $1799 ($900 Off) iRestore Elite Laser Growth Hair System You’ll often find the Elite priced at $1,899, but the sale knocks off an additional $100. The Elite has the most LEDs of the three hair growth devices, with 500 diodes total (300 proprietary lasers and 200 LEDs); the combination is designed to penetrate deeper …

I’ve mastered the ‘everything shower’ in four quick steps and have never looked (or smelt) better

I’ve mastered the ‘everything shower’ in four quick steps and have never looked (or smelt) better

If there’s one thing that Gen Z excels at, it’s no-expense-spared self care. Multi-step, aesthetic beauty and wellness regimes are this generation’s forte: they’ve created ‘bedtime stacking’ of beautifying tasks (applying fake tan, then putting on face and lip masks, then inserting overnight hair rollers, etcetera), as well as ‘sleepmaxxing’, which entails mouth taping and wearing nose strips and a silk eye mask, all in pursuit of waking up looking effortlessly polished. The big daddy of Gen Z’s maximalist approach to self care, though, is the notorious ‘everything shower’. A process that some women on TikTok are proud to dedicate four hours to, it involves a sequence of elaborate tasks to happen before, during and after a shower. Think dry brushing, hair oiling before a double shampoo and mask, a five-step skincare routine, exfoliating the entire body, shaving and a generous dose of body cream – and often so much more – before slipping into a fresh pair of pyjamas.  I created a streamlined ‘everything shower’ with just four steps Sure, I agree that ‘everything …

How to Apply Cologne Without Overdoing It

How to Apply Cologne Without Overdoing It

If you’ve ever suffered the unfortunate fate of applying too much cologne on your way out the door, you know that it’s an irreversible misstep that leaves you with basically no choice but to spend the next few hours steeping in the consequences of your actions. Thankfully, there’s a pretty simple way to avoid it entirely—even when you’re in a hurry. There’s no reason why applying cologne should ever feel like a roll of the dice. The proper technique—as we’ll explain in detail below—is as foolproof as it is effective. That said, achieving a balanced scent (and your intended vibe) is about more than just application. What you choose to spray on is just as important as how you do it, with factors like concentration, bouquet, and even seasonality playing a role. From finding the best cologne for you to applying it like a pro, here’s how to get it right on the nose. Cologne Concentration Determines Its Strength When we use the word “cologne”, we’re just using a consumer term that includes all fragrances …

9 Tips for Guys with Psoriasis and Other Skin Conditions

9 Tips for Guys with Psoriasis and Other Skin Conditions

7) Easy Does It Skip the scalding water. Prioritize lukewarm H2O instead, as Dr. Miller warns that hot showers worsen all three conditions. When it’s time to towel off, pat (rather than rub) yourself dry. “Friction alone can trigger irritation or breakdown of the skin barrier,” he says. 8) Scale Things Back During a Flare “Across all three conditions, the biggest mistake I see is overcomplicating routines,” says Dr. Miller. When you’re in the thick of inflammation, pare things down and stick to a simple skincare routine: a cleanser, your prescribed treatment (if you have one), moisturizer, and SPF in the daytime. Dr. Miller also advises against using exfoliants, retinoids, and new products, all of which can make a bad situation worse. The one exception to this rule is if you have psoriasis. “If tolerated, keratolytic ingredients like salicylic acid can help remove surface scales,” he says. 9) Consult a Derm While the tips and tricks above can reduce flare-ups, make your skin feel more comfortable, and improve your appearance, know when it’s time to …

Scrimp on moisturiser, splurge on serum: the secrets of a great skincare routine | Skincare

Scrimp on moisturiser, splurge on serum: the secrets of a great skincare routine | Skincare

Skincare has never been so overwhelming, as we’re bombarded with ads for complicated-sounding products and TikTok routines that promise dramatic results in just days. I get it. Despite having been a beauty journalist for more than 15 years, even I haven’t been able to escape the noise; I’ve stood in front of a bathroom cabinet full of half-used serums, wondering why my skin was left feeling worse, not better. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Somewhere along the way, we were sold the idea that more steps, more products and more intensity equals better skin. But it rarely does, and what works best, ultimately, is consistency – which is boring (sorry) but effective. Our skin works in cycles, so it’s worth remembering that you’ll need to wait at least six to eight weeks – a full renewal cycle – before you’ll notice any changes. While it’s tempting, constantly switching and layering multiple products is likely to leave your skin irritated rather than …

‘Vaginal estrogen as a face filler? I think not’: Experts critique the new skincare trend | Well actually

‘Vaginal estrogen as a face filler? I think not’: Experts critique the new skincare trend | Well actually

Vaginal estrogen cream is prescribed to ease genital dryness, irritation and discomfort that results from the loss of estrogen during menopause. The name tells you exactly where to put it. Yet a new trend has been making the rounds on social media. People are calling vaginal estrogen cream the new “filler” for the face and other body parts, claiming it can smooth wrinkles, reduce dryness and sagginess and plump up the skin. “Patients are definitely asking about this, usually after seeing videos on TikTok or Instagram,” says Dr Oma Agbai, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California Davis School of Medicine. Online, people suggest “applying it to the face, particularly around the eyes, mouth, neck, and chest, and some are also using it on areas like the thighs, buttocks or abdomen”. “A small number of patients admit they’ve tried it,” Agbai says. “Some report their skin feels less dry or slightly softer. That’s not surprising, because estrogen is known to affect skin hydration. But subjective improvement doesn’t equal proven safety or long-term …