I don’t know about you, but I truly can’t remember how I styled my hair and makeup on my birthday last year—I’m guessing it involved a few extra coats of mascara, and maybe my biannual attempt at using a curling iron. But that’s probably because I’m not a world-renowned singer or actress (perhaps one day), like Selena Gomez, who just used her 25^th birthday as an excuse to totally change up her hair not once, but twice.

MORE: 12 Best Frizz-Fighting Hair Products That Actually Work

Source: Instagram

Yup, on the day of her birthday, Gomez traded out her choppy lob for chest-length, wavy extensions for a total throwback to her long-haired, Disney Channel days. But in a classic hair chameleon move, the 25-year-old stepped out two days later with the prettiest, side-swept bangs. Marissa Marino, the Nine Zero One stylist who also works with Emma Roberts, Instagrammed a picture of Gomez’s new look, captioning it, “Guess who wanted bangs again and is looking smokin’ hot tonight .”

And, honestly, I can’t say I disagree, because Gomez’s long, swoopy bangs are ridiculously cool, and 100 percent warm-weather friendly. It’s no secret that bangs have been popping up on the heads of some of our favorite celebrities this summer (lookin’ at you Kaia Gerber and Sofia Vergara), but thick, forehead-covering fringe isn’t exactly a sweat-proof look. But, Gomez’s airy, breathable fringe is long enough to style against the side of her face, or even clip back, on hot-ass days.

Even though we’re now sure that Gomez’s new, long hair isn’t a wig, we’ll have to wait and see how the singer decides to style her bangs while they grow out. Obviously, we’ll be playing close attention for some serious summer-hair inspo.

Real talk: How did we ever live without a good BB cream? There are so many days that we thank our lucky stars that all we have to do is rub on a little BB to look perfectly put together, instead of slathering on a ton of foundation.

How do we love them? Let us count the ways! Lightweight coverage that builds like a foundation? Check. Amazing wear, even through the summer heat? Check again. Skincare benefits? Oh hell yes. Any product that makes our skin look flawless while also actually helping us actually get a perfect complexion is basically amazing in our books

MORE: 7 High-End Beauty Products Worth the Splurge, According to Makeup Experts

But these moisturizer/foundation/SPF hybrids, with their laundry lists of features, can also be incredibly confusing. Are they the same as tinted moisturizers? Do they work for every skin tone? What’s the best BB cream for oily skin? We tested a full lineup to bring you the very best BB creams.

BB Creams: The Facts You Don’t Know

There’s Not Just A Single Definition. Unfortunately, the term “BB Cream” is pretty nebulous and encompasses a wide range of products. BB creams originated in Germany and exploded in Korea, where they were first used by laser treatment patients to ease post-procedure redness. But now that beauty consumers have embraced BBs, new formulas span a range of shades, textures and skincare benefits.

They’re NOT one shade fits all. Despite what some packages claim, we found a wide range of colors and they don’t all work with every skin tone. You may need to test a few formulas before you find a match.

BBs are best applied with a brush. Just like any complexion makeup, the key to making these tinted balms work is to blend, blend and blend some more. A foundation brush (or a sponge like the Beauty Blender) does the job better than fingers.

Layering brings the best results. Though some BB creams aim to replace your entire arsenal of face products, that’s not always realistic. If your skin is extra dry, you’ll want to prep with moisturizer so your BBs pigment doesn’t stick to dry spots. Also, since most BBs have light to medium coverage, you’ll probably still need concealer for under-eye circles, blemishes, and other discolorations.

MORE: So, Margot Robbie Uses Nipple Cream as Lip Balm

Which BB Cream is Right For You?

Click through the gallery, we’re breaking it down.

Originally published July 2015. Updated July 2017.

How many times have you wasted your entire paycheck on a fancy-ass blush, only to get home and realize it looks and feels oddly similar to that drugstore formula lying at the bottom of your makeup bag? Welp, that’s because it’s 2017 and drugstores are currently loaded with blushes that aren’t only dirt-cheap, but extremely high quality. But anyone who has ever step foot in a drugstore is well-acquainted with the frantic scene of running down the makeup aisle in search of that perfect, creamy shade, only to be overwhelmed by the insanely large amount of products that all claim to be “the most natural-looking” and “the most pigmented.”

MORE: The 9 Best Korean Skin Care Products to Buy at Target Right Now

And after panicking one-too-many times and opting for a $25 not-so-special blush that left our cheeks lifeless, we finally drew the line. We took it upon ourselves to sift through shelves upon shelves of drugstore blushes to find the absolute best formulas on the market. Ahead, you’ll find our nine favorite formulas (which, by the way, are all under $11) that look and feel seriously good, including a cult-favorite, ultra-creamy blush from Physicians Formula, and a silky smooth powder blush from Milani. Shop all nine, ahead, and get swiping.

Dry skin—ain’t nobody got time for that. It’s seriously the worst. Dry skin itches, flakes and it makes it way harder to effectively apply makeup. And sometimes products that are labeled especially for dry skin actually make things even worse. Not Cool.

But, just like any other beauty issue we deal with, there are definitely ways to stay on top of the problem. Whether your dry skin is genetic or you’ve got some bad habits you need to let go of, we’ve put together seven of our favorite dry skin remedies that work to give you smooth, hydrated skin.

1. Start using coconut oil

Besides the fact that you’ve already got some in your kitchen and it’s completely natural, coconut oil is one of the best topical treatments for dry skin. When you rub coconut oil into your skin, it’s absorbed very slowly, taking in every last drop of moisture. Plus, if you’ve got eczema or psoriasis, coconut oil helps to calm those conditions, too. It’s a win, win.

MORE: The Absolute 9 Best Facial Moisturizers for Every Skin Type

2. Quit the steamy showers

Much like heat styling can dry out and damage your hair, long, steamy showers can really dry out your skin. This doesn’t mean you need to take cold showers in the morning, though. It simply means that warm showers—not hot—will dramatically improve the amount of moisture that stays in your skin.

3. You need to exfoliate

Many people with dry skin believe that exfoliating does more harm than good, but dry, dull skin needs to be buffed away from the surface so that fresh, clean skin can shine. Look for exfoliants that are gentle and small, as opposed to harsh and large, to use on your face. Exfoliate two to three times per week for optimal results.

4. Take 1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil each day 

Rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, it helps hydrate the skin, bringing your dry, flaky skin moisture from within. You can also take capsules of flaxseed oil if you prefer, but your body will absorb it more easily in pure oil form.

5. Ditch the bar soap

Plain white bar soap is just about the most drying agent you can put on your skin, so if you’ve already got dry skin, switch to a body or face wash that’s moisturizing as well as cleansing.

MORE: Your Excuse to Not Wear SPF on Your Face Ends With These Sunscreens

6. Don’t skip moisturizing

Many of us (dry skin or otherwise) will skip the moisturizing step of the beauty routine. Whether it’s because it takes longer, or you don’t like the feel of lotion on your legs or anything else, skipping moisturizer when you’ve got dry skin shouldn’t even be an option. Use a spray alternative to lotion if you want something quicker, or a body oil for something a bit more heavy-duty.

7. Obvious, but necessary: Drink more water

If you’re more bias towards coffee or adult beverages than water, you’re likely drying out your skin. Coffee is a diuretic, which means it causes your body to lose fluids, while alcohol is dehydrating in every way possible. All in all, you should be upping the amount of water you drink per day to at least eight glasses, so that your skin can be hydrated from the inside out.

Originally published August 2013. Updated July 2017.

Indulging in expensive beauty products is totally a guilty pleasure of ours, but a smart approach to spending dictates that there are some things worth splurging on—and others that may not be worth the extra bucks. Anti-aging moisturizers packed to the gills with retinoids and peptides and SPF 30? Worth it. Liquid eyeliner, mascara, and other bacteria-laden items that need to be replaced every few months? Not. Why blow all that dough when there are drugstore liquid eyeliners that are amazing?

MORE: The 50 Prettiest Eyeshadow Ideas to Copy ASAP

Whether you’re the kind of person who’s made a signature look out of a cat eye or just prefers to face the day with a teensy-weensy bit of definition around the eyes, chances are a good liquid eyeliner is your mainstay. And if you’re putting on eyeliner every single day, then you’ve more than likely noticed just how quickly you seem to go through the liquid stuff. Either you run out or it runs out of steam; it’s the circle of life.

MORE: The 11 Best Colorful Liquid Eyeliners You Need to Try

Spare yourself the drama and invest in one of these 5 hand-to-God tried-and-true liquid eyeliners, all of which can be purchased for under $15 anywhere drugstore eyeliners are found. That’s practically an invitation to buy them in bulk.

Updated 7/27/2017.

We won’t beat around the bush: We’re fairly convinced that the celebrity community grouped together as a whole and decided that lobs were out and super-long hair extensions were in. We mean, after seeing Bella Hadid, Jenna Dewan, and Selena Gomez all trade their short hair for fuller, longer looks in the same week, we were onto it. But this morning, our conspiracy was officially confirmed when Sofia Richie (Instagram’s favorite choppy-lob wearer) debuted her longest hairstyle to date.

MORE: The 9 Best Drugstore Blushes Under $11 to Buy Right Now

Source: Instagram

And the 18-year-old didn’t opt for chest-length, beachy waves a la Dewan—Richie got a crazy-long, super-blonde high ponytail. Wearing a baggy Illinois sweatshirt and a full face of makeup, Richie captioned the photo, “Next stop .” Whether the extensions were for a night out in New York or in preparation for a trip to Jamaica is unclear, but one thing’s for sure: We’re pretty damn into her new look, and it’s giving us hella-Britney-circa-2001 vibes.

Between the thousands of Instagram comments that pertain to Richie’s on-again, off-again relationship with Justin Bieber are praises of approval: One user wrote, “Long hair suits u ,” and another who commented, “This hairstyle is I love it.” At this rate, it looks like hair extensions are here to stay—and considering how pretty this week’s crop has been, we’re definitely not complaining. We’ll be paying close attention as to whether or not Richie keeps her clip-in ponytail intact.

Source: Instagram

Close your eyes and try to remember a time when your freshly washed curls dried into frizz-free perfection. Drawing a blank? Yup, us too, and after resisting way too-many urges to rip every strand of hair out of heads, we’re ready for some real solutions. If we had a nickel for every time we’ve heard that curly hair needs moisture, we could buy a small yacht and sail to a land where frizz doesn’t exist (though, the ocean mist will probably make our hair frizzy). With summer’s intense humidity and harsh, moisture-stripping products, our heads have slowly become a magnet for unruly flyaways.

MORE: Using Texturizing Spray on My Wet Hair Gave Me Perfect Beach Waves

And with an insane number of shampoos (all claiming to combat frizz) on the market right now, it’s difficult to find the formulas that leave you with touchable, bouncy curls—instead of a poofy nightmare. And lest we leave you to test and try every formula yourself, we combed through every single curly-hair-friendly shampoo to find the seven best products that truly keep frizz at bay: These shampoos contain ingredients like smoothing coconut oil and protective argan oil among others for insanely moisturized curls. Shop all seven below, and prepare for the feather-soft curls you’ve only dreamed of.  

Honestly, we can’t read the words Bath & Body Works without thinking about our favorite middle school scents, Cucumber Melon and Freesia. Whether it was in super-fruity body mist-form, or the weirdly enticing holiday-scented collections, the store played a monumental role in our love (see: obsession) for all things beauty. But this morning, our sweet, romanticized memories of the brand were straight-up rocked when we found out that a Texas woman was severely burnt by an exploding candle.

MORE: How to Get Rid of Dry Skin, STAT

Source: Instagram

Yep, in a terrifying string of events, Ashley Brawley was hospitalized with first and second-degree burns after attempting to blow out her Bath & Body Works vanilla-scented candle. The candle, which had been burning for three hours and 20 minutes (under the manufacturer’s four-hour recommended use), began to burn uncontrollably. Brawley told NBC DFW, “I blew on it about three or four times and the last time I blew it, it just went all up in my face… I immediately started screaming.”

Brawley’s husband Cody proceeded to cover the candle in water, unknowingly agitating the flames. After removing the burning candle outdoors with oven mitts, he sprayed it with a hose, which then caused the candle to explode into pieces. While the exact cause of the incident is still being investigated, it appears that there was no user error on Brawley’s part. Brawley, who is now recovering from burns on her forehead, cheeks, nose, and lips, said, “I’ll never use a candle again. Ever.”

According to The Cut, Bath & Body works has issued the following statement: “We are very sorry that this happened and are taking this situation extremely seriously. The safety of our customers is our number-one priority, and we are actively working to learn more details from the customer.” Welp, as we wait for more information, we know that we’ll be staying the hell away from candles (or anything vanilla-scented, for that matter).

Got a minute? Here’s your mid-day roundup of all your need-to-know news in fashion, beauty, entertainment, and beyond.

MAC is giving out free lipstick (which normally costs $18!) for National Lipstick Day—get it at MAC locations and other stores that sell the brand on Saturday, July 29. [Bustle]

STFU: BuzzFeed’s Tasty released a smart cooktop that tells you when your food is done. [The Verge]

These gorgeous wedding dresses are made of—wait for it—toilet paper. [Cosmo]

George Clooney said he will prosecute the paparazzi that took photos of his newborns twins at his home. [Harper’s Bazaar]

Katy Perry is hosting this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. [Marie Claire]

MORE: Elizabeth Olsen and Aubrey Plaza Showed Up to a Premiere in the Exact Same Dress

Did Ashley Graham accidentally reveal she’s going to release her own makeup line? [Glamour]

Cara Delevingne released her first ever music video that features at least three different wigs. [Teen Vogue]

This bridezilla held an auction to choose her bridesmaids, and her sister shared the whole tale on Reddit. [Elle UK]

Is it too soon too think about the holidays? Jeffree Star doesn’t seem to think so. Yesterday, he teased his up-and-coming holiday collection on Instagram. [Allure]

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon are teaming up for a new TV show! [Seventeen]

As full-blown beauty obsessives, we all have products that we straight-up refuse to leave the house without. Whether it’s a super-pigmented black eyeliner, or a perfect, creamy red lipstick, there are always a few non-negotiables permanently residing in our bags—whether we actually have the space for them or not. And the other day, as we were bitching about the eight billion lipsticks taking up the better half of our bags, it hit us: How the hell do makeup artists do it? Because in addition to lugging around a fully stacked kit for clients and gigs, they’re also tasked with curating an on-the-go selection of their personal favorites.

MORE: Using Texturizing Spray on My Wet Hair Gave Me Perfect Beach Waves

So, we went to five makeup wizards themselves to find out their absolute favorite beauty products—not only their go-tos on set, but their desert-island items that they’ll always make room for in their kits. Including a moisturizing facial oil that moonlights as a highlighter, and a dual-ended lipstick for day-to-night wear, we found 12 products that are so damn good, we’re completely rethinking our personal collections. Ahead, shop the 12 products that makeup artists can’t live without, alongside tips and tricks for getting the most out of each formula.

Let’s be real, there aren’t many of us out there that are rocking our natural hair color nowadays—so why would we expect celebrities to? But somehow it still seems to shock us when we find out our favorite raven haired star is actually a natural blonde—or vice versa.

MORE: Geode Hair Is the Next Hair Color Trend to Sweep 2017

Like, did you know Leighton Meester is a blonde? And Emma Stone’s natural hair color is a total mystery at this point, considering she looks amazing in just about every shade she chooses.

MORE: 10 Celebrities Who DGAF About Hair Down There

So join our tour on the surprising natural hair colors of your favorite celebrities … and let us know which celebs’ natural hair color caught you off guard.

Updated on 7/31/2017.

If Lady Gaga has proven anything to the beauty world, it’s that she can pull off any damn look she pleases. Like, if we showed up to a red carpet with bubble-gum pink hair and a massive back tattoo, our friends would probably be concerned for us. But Gaga’s constant risk-taking and fearless attitude for beauty has paid off with every major makeover.

Case in point: The singer just debuted the most in-your-face rainbow hair we’ve ever seen (totally different from the soft rainbow hue she wore at Coachella in April) and it looks incredible.

MORE: 5 Makeup Artists Share Their All-Time Favorite Beauty Products

Source: Instagram

Over the weekend, Gaga posted an Instagram of her new look, which was paired with a red, sparkly lip and heavy black eyeliner (obviously, Gaga didn’t feel her bright-ass hair called for no-makeup makeup). She captioned the photo, “JOANNE WORLD TOUR,” and credited her talented glam squad. Frederic Aspiras, who works regularly with the singer, is responsible for the shades of fiery-red, peach, and blue-green against platinum, which Gaga will be wearing to kick off her fifth headlining tour on August 1.

Bright, unconventional hair colors have had a major moment this summer (remember Kaley Cuoco’s icy, sherbet makeover?), and Gaga’s rainbow hair appears to be proof that the trend isn’t going anywhere for the time being. And even though rainbow isn’t exactly a work-friendly color (unless you’re a straight-up boss, a la Gaga), we’re feeling weirdly tempted to try it ourselves before summer ends.

That is, unless a brand-spanking-new hair color pops up tomorrow morning and convinces us otherwise—looking at you, Bella Hadid and Lucy Hale.

We’re not sure where our sherbet-hair obsession began, really. It could have been because of Kaley Cuoco’s insanely cool, pastel-blue hair last month, or maybe the fact that anything dessert-related is granted our immediate affection. But we do know one thing for sure: We’re feeling hardcore feelings for what we’ve decided is the prettiest hair color of the summer.

MORE: The 9 Best Drugstore Blushes Under $11 to Buy Right Now

Source: Instagram

And unlike the Internet’s most bizarre beauty trends of late (barbed wire eyebrows, anyone?), sherbet hair is surprisingly wearable. Because in addition to vibrant pinks and hot oranges, the sherbet realm also includes icy blues and pastel purples that are incredibly cool, and anything but gaudy. But don’t take our word for it—below you’ll find 15 photos that prove sherbet is the one hair color you’re required to experiment with before summer ends (lest you end up with major F.O.M.O. for the rest of the year). See all 15, below.

Let us guess: You’ve spent the last dozen or so mornings running back and forth between the air conditioner and the blow-dryer while getting ready; you struggle through your entire makeup routine and it’s all for naught by the time you walk out the door; and you carry a pot of translucent powder on your at all times just to dull the shine. Yep, us too.

MORE: 12 Best Contour Palettes for Every Skin Tone

But your summer beauty game doesn’t have to suffer. Instead of fighting the universe (and, well, the humidity), go with it. If your hair springs into a coiled mess the moment you walk outside, grab some texturizing spray and go with it. If your makeup literally melts off your face within minutes, opt for a glossy, barely-there lip instead. Or if you can’t stand the feeling of wearing lipstick or eyeshadow in the summer (we’ve been there, so trust: It’s a thing), make your nails the focus of your look.

Ahead, we found 31 summer beauty looks to copy, and each one is conducive to staying put in the dead of summer. Major hair and makeup inspiration awaits.

A lot of us have been dyeing our hair so long, we have kinda lost track of what are natural hair color even is—but that doesn’t mean we don’t sometimes get the urge to go back to our roots. Unless you have the patience of a saint, however, that process is a lot more difficult than it sounds—and it totally helps when you get a professional’s advice.

So that’s what we did. We asked Michael Dueñas, Celebrity Hairstylist and CEO of Hair Room Service, how to take dark brown dyed hair back to a natural, mousy brown color. He explained how to go through the process and make it out alive.

MORE: 7 Best Shampoos That Actually Smooth Frizzy, Curly Hair

In order to get back to natural, you’re probably going to use a little bleach.

“To get back to your natural color, you have to lift the artificial color out of your hair, so I’d recommend a bleach wash. A bleach wash is traditionally done with a low peroxide and hair bleach mixed with shampoo,” said Dueñas. “You gently wash the hair and it will cause a slight lift in the hair color. It’s gentler than any other way to get the color out of your hair, unless you can get your hands on a color remover (but they are few and far between). A color remover shrinks the artificial color molecule down and allows you to wash most of it out of your hair.”

MORE: 12 Insanely Pretty Hair Color Ideas for Short Hair

After the dye is lifted from your hair, it’s time to add a little more color. Yup, to get back to what you were born with, you need to use a toner.

“Once your hair is to the same level or lightness or darkness of your natural hair, a toner should be deposited.  A toner neutralizes any unwanted tones in the hair, such as, red, orange, gold and so on.  Use the opposite color of what the hair lifted too, to achieve a neutral tone.  You can they play with the color to make it mousy if your natural color has that natural mousy hue to it as well.”

Sounds easy enough, right?

Originally published December 2013. Updated July 2017.

CVS is one of those magical places where you can get a flu shot, finally take the passport photo you’ve been putting off for months, and—best of all—browse a massive selection of top-notch, totally affordable beauty products. And while you probably already know CVS carries cult favorite brands like Neutrogena and CeraVe, the one-stop-shop has recently expanded to include an impressive range of more than 100 Korean skincare products.

Amazing, yes—but navigating the K-Beauty world can be tricky when you’re a newbie. And no one has time to Google WTF an essence or an egg peeling gel is when you just stopped by to grab your prescription. Since sifting through unfamiliar names and ingredients is both confusing and time-consuming, we’ll lend you a hand.

MORE: The 9 Best Korean Skin Care Products to Buy at Target Right Now

We combed through the variety of new products now available at CVS to bring you the best Korean skincare products to throw in your shopping cart, including a brightening cleansing mask, and a super moisturizing facial oil. Shop our nine favorites, ahead.

All summer, we’ve been racking our brains to figure out why some of our favorite lob-wearing celebrities have opted to get long-ass hair extensions. Sure, Bella Hadid’s Rapunzel-length ponytail looked epic, but why would she prefer long, sweaty hair rather than a breathable, chin-grazing bob when it’s 90-plus degrees?

Maybe it’s because these celebrities rarely step foot outside perfectly air-conditioned environments or maybe it’s because with extensions, you can test out any look and then revert to your O.G. roots the next day. Whatever the reason, Sarah Hyland got on the bandwagon today, debuting pretty, dark brown waves (days after sporting red highlights, which followed a lob).

MORE: The 9 Best Korean Skin Care Products to Buy at CVS Right Now

Source: Instagram

The “Modern Family” actress was spotted leaving Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood (the celebrity-hair powerhouse that just gave Selena Gomez her side-swept bangs) with bouncy, chocolate-brown hair. And although Hyland hasn’t Instagrammed the look herself just yet, we’re pretty into our first glimpse, which is giving us total Haley Dunphy vibes.

Hyland admitted her bright red hair (which she debuted last week) was only for her new role in Freeform’s “Shadowhunters,” but we have a feeling her brown extensions might be a bit more long-term. Regardless, we’re looking forward to seeing what Hyland has in store for her hair next—our money is on a sherbet-colored ponytail.

Our love affair with retinol (a.k.a. a vitamin A-derivative) has been going on for quite some time now. With super-effective over-the-counter and prescription-strength formulas, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of such a powerful anti-aging, acne-fighting superhero?

But regardless of how dewy and zit-free retinoids leave your skin, they have one major pitfall: They’re banned from the skin-care routines of all pregnant and breastfeeding women as a precaution, as excess amounts of vitamin A have been linked to birth defects (and even using a topical cream can risk absorption of vitamin A into your bloodstream).

MORE: 15 Photos That Prove Sherbet is the Prettiest Hair Color of the Summer

That’s a pretty important group of women who can’t use these products, especially considering the stress and body changes that come with childbirth and caring for a baby (read: out-of-whack skin that probably needs soothing the most). There must be safe, effective alternatives out there, right?

We consulted Yale dermatologist Mona Gohara, who says that while retinoids are hands-down the most effective anti-ager on the market, vitamin C comes in a close second. “Free radicals are cosmetic particles that bind to your skin and cause cancer, sagging, and wrinkles, and antioxidants like vitamin C pick them up, almost like a game of Pac Man,” she says.

Photo: Getty Images

“Most vitamin C products are cosmetically elegant, easy to layer, and highly concentrated,” says Gohara. Along with vitamin C, Gohara also cites hyaluronic acid, a commonly used ingredient in fillers, as a top-notch anti-ager. “Hyaluronic acid absorbs water, which in turn plumps the skin like a filler would,” she says.

Smoothing and plumping is one thing, but fighting acne without retinoids can be a bit trickier: Gohara says that even some of the most common zit-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide are unsafe for pregnant women. “I recommend using a mild exfoliating wash that unclogs pores and helps to regulate and even out the skin.”

For all the moms and moms-to-be out there, we found the best retinoid alternative products that actually work—including a skin-brightening vitamin-C serum from SkinCeuticals and a gentle exfoliator from Aveeno. Shop all 12, below.

If the sound of the term “hyaluronic acid” sounds to you like something from a horror film and “ceramide” makes you think of pottery, you’re not the only one. Unless you’ve dedicated a huge chunk of time studying product labels, it can be tough to figure out what all those science-y terms mean.

That’s why we’ve broken it down to the basics, highlighting the awesomeness of five common skincare ingredients you’re bound to run into—and exactly what they do.

Hyaluronic acid

What it is: A naturally occurring substance in the human body that regulates cell renewal, lubricates connective tissue and maintains skin’s moisture and elasticity.
What it does: When used topically, hyaluronic acid creates a moisture barrier on the skin, helping to make it smoother and softer. This ingredient is able to hold up to 1000x its own weight in water, thus producing amazing benefits for dehydrated skin. As an injectable, hyaluronic acid works as a plumper, filling wrinkles and fine lines. Because it is already naturally present in our bodies, hyaluronic acid is a safer alternative to synthetic ingredients and is less likely to be rejected as a foreign substance. The molecule, however, is quite large and can’t fully penetrate the outer layers of the skin to fill wrinkles when used topically.
Try: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum

MORE: The 9 Best Korean Skin Care Products to Buy at Target Right Now

Retinol

What it is: An active form of the vitamin A molecule.
What it does: Retinols are powerful exfoliants that encourage the skin to shed dead and problematic layers and turn over younger, healthier cells. They also increase the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen, making skin more supple and smooth. Using retinols can improve the firmness of skin, reverse signs of sun and environmental damage, treat acne and reduce hyperpigmentation, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. It’s no wonder retinols have long been touted as a skincare miracle!
Try: Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0; REN Bio Retinoid Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Oil

Ceramide

What it is: Lipid molecules that are found in high concentrations within cell membranes. In the top layer of the skin, ceramides hold skin cells together, forming a protective layer that plumps the skin and retains moisture. (Think of skin cells as the bricks and ceramides as the mortar.)
What it does: In skincare products, ceramides are used to replenish the natural lipids that are lost from exposure to harsh environmental factors, use of drying products, and during in the aging process. They restore moisture, fortify the skin’s natural barrier and help protect it against harm from foreign elements. Ceramides are also particularly effective in treating eczema.
Try: CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with SPF 30; Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum; Mario Badescu Ceramide Eye Gel ($18, mariobadescu.com).

Peptides

What they are: Peptides are segments of active proteins that communicate with cells and instruct them to behave in certain ways. In the skin, peptides may signal elastin production (elastin helps skin “bounce back”) or prompt skin to heal itself after a wound.
How they work: The peptides used in anti-aging products enter skin cells and instruct them to do certain things such as (surprise, surprise) produce collagen, alleviate redness or signal muscles to relax, thereby minimizing wrinkles. One common peptide found in skincare products is ‘palmitoyl pentapeptide’ which has been shown effective in fighting wrinkles. There are other peptides that don’t directly stimulate your skin to do anything, but because they are so small can penetrate deep into the layers and act as a delivery mechanism for other ingredients. Copper peptides, for example, bring molecules of copper deep into the skin where it can improve wound healing from the inside out.
Try: StriVectin Potent Wrinkle Reducing Treatment Serum; DDF Wrinkle Relax

MORE: Yes, You Need Glycolic Acid in Your Face Wash

AHA/BHA

What they are: Alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid are classes of organic acids that act as exfoliants. AHAs are derived from fruit and milk and include glycolic acid (sugar cane), lactic acid (milk), and malic acid (apples and pears) among others. In cosmetics, BHA refers exclusively to salicylic acid, which is derived from plants.
What they do: While they both exfoliate, AHAs (which are water soluble) work at the surface layer of skin only while BHAs (which are oil soluble) penetrate deeper and hels remove dead skin cells clogged in pores. BHAs are used primarily for oily or acne prone skin with blackheads and whiteheads, whereas AHAs are used to brighten dull or dry skin. However, often you may find products containing both AHA and BHA for double duty exfoliation. The amount of exfoliation depends on the strength of the acid, with the stronger stuff available by prescription only.
Try: DermaDoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser; Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Overnight Repair Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Pads

Originally posted August 2016. Updated August 2017.

Think getting a base tan will protect your skin? Or that you need to bake in the sun to soak up vitamin D? Think again. We asked Dr. Meghan O’Brien, a board certified dermatologist specializing in comprehensive medical and cosmetic dermatology at Tribeca Park Dermatology in New York City, to give us the lowdown on six surprising sunscreen myths. Even we were shocked at some the things Dr. O’Brien told us. Believe us when we say you’re going to want to read these sunscreen facts and adjust your routine accordingly.

Myth: It’s a good idea to get a base tan before spending time in the sun

“Any type of tan is a sign of sun damage, as the pigment producing cells in the skin tan to protect themselves from further sun exposure. Having a base tan is the equivalent to wearing an SPF of 4 or less (and you’ve damaged your skin to get it!) so you’ll be much better off skipping the base tan and applying a higher SPF to protect your skin from a burn.”

MORE: This Is Kourtney Kardashian’s Favorite Non-Toxic Sunscreen

Myth: I apply sunscreen in the morning, so I’m protected when I head out for lunch

“Applying a daily SPF in the morning will protect you from incidental sun exposure throughout the day. However, if you are planning to have lunch outside, go for a walk in a park or if your commute includes sun exposure, I recommend reapplying again with a powder-based or spray SPF that can be applied without having to redo makeup.”

Myth: My dark skin doesn’t burn, so I don’t really need sunscreen

“Skin cancer may be less common in darker skin types, but it still occurs—for instance, the Jamaican singer Bob Marley had melanoma on his foot! Further, wearing sunscreen protects all skin tones from photoaging. That’s why I still recommend daily SPF to all my patients.”

Myth: As a kid, I got sunburned all the time. It doesn’t matter what I do now, since my skin’s already damaged

“It is true that much of our sun exposure occurs before the age of 20, however, UV damage is cumulative. Damage accrued over the course of many years can cause pre-cancers, cancers and photoaging, so wearing SPF and avoiding sun exposure is always a good idea.”

Myth: I need to spend time in the sun to make sure my body gets enough vitamin D

“If you rely on sun exposure for vitamin D you may not be getting enough, especially if you live in a northern city. And, since it is known that DNA damage from UV exposure occurs as early as the first 10 minutes or exposure, there is no safe way to get your vitamin D from the sun. I recommended vitamin D supplements which are safer and more predictable.”

MORE: Your Excuse to Not Wear SPF on Your Face Ends With These Sunscreens

Myth: As long as I keep applying sunscreen, it’s okay to lay out all day

“Seeking shade, using protective clothing and reapplying SPF every 2 hours is recommended. But your goal should be to avoid any tan or pinkness of the skin. Realistically, this is harder to achieve if you lay out all day.”

Originally posted June 2013. Updated August 2017.