Skin Care

Skin care is a broad term that refers to everything from hygiene to anti-aging regimens. Learn more about skin care at HowStuffWorks.

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You apply lotion or body cream to get smooth, silky legs, but you end up breaking out in hives. What gives? If you know what allergens to watch out for, your moisturizer will keep you smooth instead of breaking you out.

By Victoria Vogt

You use soap to get your skin fresh and clean. So what happens when your body bar leaves behind redness, scaling and blisters instead of dewy skin? Some allergens in soap can wreak all kinds of havoc.

By Gallagher Flinn

Your skin cycle is just about perfect in infancy: The outer layer gets sloughed off every few days. But since no one's a baby for long, what are five ways to speed up natural exfoliation on your own?

By Julia Layton

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If you have celiac disease or have decided simply to pursue a gluten-free lifestyle, you've probably run into a few roadblocks. Finding foods, drinks and even makeup that suit your needs can be tough, but times are changing. Here are five of our favorite gluten-free moisturizers.

By Josh Clark

Less than 200 years ago, soap was considered a luxury item, and people's bathing habits were infrequent, at best. We've come a long way since then. These are the five cleansers you'll most commonly see in showers.

By Chris Obenschain

Many women consider makeup a must-have -- they simply won't leave home without it. However, what differentiates makeup luxuries from makeup needs? We've got the 10 makeup items that you should always have handy.

By Stephanie Watson & Julia Layton

The advancement of medical science has also led to interest in living longer and healthier lives. As a result, a cottage industry dedicated to longevity has emerged -- but how does one age gracefully naturally?

By Josh Clark

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For skin exfoliation, a lot of people prefer to go natural -- using ingredients that can be found at the local health food store or even at the supermarket. But what ingredients make a good exfoliant?

By Maria Trimarchi & Patrick J. Kiger

It seems natural to moisturize your dry lips by licking them. Unfortunately, nothing will strip moisture from your lips faster. Luckily, there are some all-natural ways to keep lips moist.

By Josh Clark

Whether you love to work up a sweat on the court, field, green or in the pool, you have one thing in common with your fellow athletes: major sun exposure. What are five things to look for when choosing a sunscreen that will play as hard as you do?

By Stephanie Watson

If you have oily skin, the idea of putting on creamy, pore-clogging sunscreen might be enough to make you weigh the risk of sunburn instead. Fear sunscreen no more -- you just need to know what to look for.

By Shanna Freeman & Maria Trimarchi

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That seemingly endless aisle of facial cleansers touting their ability to beautify your skin is daunting for most people. When there are so many choices, where do you start? We've got five tips to keep in mind.

By Tom Scheve

Selecting a facial moisturizer can be as frustrating as noticing a pimple before a hot date. And since moisturizers stay on the skin for extended periods of time, the wrong ones can wreak pore-clogging, skin-irritating havoc.

By Cristen Conger

When your hairstylist gives your scalp a luxurious massage while he shampoos your hair, he's doing your scalp a favor. Scalp massages are on this list of healthy tips.

By Gerlinda Grimes

If you have oily skin, you've probably spent a great deal of time trying to make it look less greasy. So why on Earth would anybody with oily skin need to moisturize? Think of it this way: Moisture is about water, not oil.

By Shanna Freeman & Maria Trimarchi

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Dandruff is a common condition, causing white flakes on the scalp in more than half of all people. Before you have to break out the medicated shampoo treatments, how can you stop dandruff before it starts?

By Jennifer Sellers

Shaving can be hard on your skin, and shaving your underarms is particularly difficult. How do you make a challenging job easier and prevent razor burn in such a tender area?

By Ed Grabianowski

People go to great lengths to look smooth and sleek during the summer, and that includes grooming the often neglected underarms. What makes the skin underneath our arms so unique?

By Dave Roos

Sweating is an important natural process, but you can have too much of a good thing. So what causes excess sweating -- and how can you stop it?

By Laurie L. Dove & Marie Willsey

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If your brittle nails could talk, they would probably demand more protein or moisture. How can you get it to them and keep your nails happy and healthy?

By Jacob Silverman

The skin on your lips is particularly thin and tender -- and susceptible to dryness. Luckily, keeping them moist and supple is rather easy.

By Josh Clark

Sometimes, you just can't seem to help yourself. You resolve to quit biting your nails only to find your fingers looking ragged and bloody at the end of the day. How can you kick your nervous habit?

By Shanna Freeman & Colleen Cancio

Facial creams claim to do everything from minimizing wrinkles to completely reversing the aging process. But if you took the time to read the label, you may be surprised at what you'd find.

By Emilie Sennebogen

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Moisturizers keep the skin soft and supple and soothe away cracked and irritated skin. But did you know that some of the creams that keep you from feeling like a reptile actually come from, well, a reptile?

By Caitlin Uttley

If you've ever glanced at the label of your skin cleanser and found a confusing list of difficult-to-pronounce chemicals, you're not alone. But what ingredients should you look for in a cleanser?

By Jamie Palamon