5 Nonnegotiable Skin Tips, According to Kim K. and Jen Aniston's "Glowologist"
I take my job as a beauty reporter and all-around product sleuth very seriously. And really, considering I was circling pictures of Hilary Duff and Raven-Symonè in magazines at the age of 10 (and proceeding to search Walgreens for every single blue shadow and sparkly gloss they were alleged to use), it's no surprise I became a beauty Nancy Drew on the professional level some 15 years later. These days, however, my focus has shifted. Yes, I still get very excited by Hilary Duff's makeup routine and must-have products, but I've slowly swerved my fascination toward the realm of skincare. More specifically, the products, treatments, and overall skin tips stunning and seemingly ageless women such as Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian West swear by for their youthful, orb-like radiance. (I've had the privilege of sitting two feet away from Aniston, and there's nothing more humbling than realizing a woman who's almost twice your age has prettier skin than you do.)
So when renowned celebrity skincare expert Toska Husted (lovingly referred to by her roster of A-list clients as "the glowologist") offered up her top skin secrets to get through the holidays unscathed, you know I clung to each and every detail. Ahead, Husted (who also owns her own spa, Toska European Spa, in Charlotte, North Carolina) is offering her ultimate guide to glowing skin this holiday season alongside the products she most fervently swears by from cult-loved brand Biologique Recherche. (Just make sure to check out the brand's website for information and pricing information.) Keep scrolling!
Toska's Top 5 Holiday Skin Tips
Tip #1: Drink and Apply Your Hydration
"Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!" Husted exclaims vehemently. "Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat foods with a high water content to stay hydrated on the inside. In turn, that hydration will show on the outside. In the winter, the air is typically cold and very, very dry, and your skin will react accordingly."
Husted recommends using products that promote hydration, such as the Biologique Recherche's Crème Masque Vernix. Additionally, make sure you're moisturizing more frequently than you normally would at other times of the year to avoid the dryness and irritation synonymous with winter weather.
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Tip #2: Eat Mindfully to Protect Your Skin
Don't hate the messenger, but according to Husted (and let's be honest, we know this), what we choose to nosh on at our holiday gatherings will undoubtedly have an impact on the health and appearance of our skin. We're all about striving for a healthy equilibrium when it comes to treating ourselves, but some helpful awareness is key for happy skin this season.
"Diet plays a huge part in our complexions, and heavy holiday dinners (and leftovers) can leave their mark on our skin," Husted confirms. "Excess sugar can cause glycation, which breaks down the firming proteins in the skin. That and all the excess oil in typical holiday meals can wreak havoc on our skin. This doesn’t mean we can’t treat ourselves—just be mindful."
This beloved serum from BR helps combat glycation with its active ingredients, mimosa and carcinine. According to Husted, this serum helps stop glycation while simultaneously protecting the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines, and brightening the complexion.
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Tip #3: Don't Neglect Your Sunscreen
Choose a formula that will protect you from harmful UVA, UVB, and infrared waves while also minimizing the risk of hyperpigmentation and preventing dark spots, which Husted warns can creep up during the wintertime. (The above is her favorite formula!)
"Don't ditch the sunscreen! While the sun's rays might not be burning you under heavy winter clothes, it's still important to keep that SPF on year-round. Even in the winter, you can be exposed to UV rays, which lead to a range of issues including premature aging and skin cancer."
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Tip #4: Don't Let Your Skin Routine Get Stagnant
"Switch up your skincare routine!" Husted emphasizes. "Most of the time, your summer regimen isn't going to work in the winter. The weather is different, the air is different, and our skin is different. Your winter skincare routine should focus on moisturizing and protecting your skin from the cold, dry air."
If you need a quick glow-up, Husted suggests using products that act quickly, such as BR's L'Eauxygenante or Creme VIP 02. "Both products nourish and brighten your skin and typically have a noticeable effect soon after application."
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Tip #5: Don't Abuse Your Actives and Peels
"Avoid harsh products, such as peels and astringents," Husted shares. "These can strip away vital oils from your skin, which can leave you feeling even drier. Focus more on gentle, moisturizing products."
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Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.
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