It’s easy to understand your skin when you have the right tools. This collection of comprehensive beauty handbooks, frequently asked questions and helpful articles is an essential read whether you’re skincare savvy or are just starting out on the quest for great skin.

1. Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook. When you’ve got a beauty issue—whether it’s wrinkles, acne, or finding low-cost ways to pamper your skin—it helps to get advice from the experts. Look to our complete series of FAQ Handbooks to get tips on everything from caring for your skin type to creating healthy lifestyle habits.

1. Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook - Part 1: Skin Type & Seasonal Skincare. The first article in our series of FAQ Handbooks offers a thorough guide to determining your skin type and choosing the right skincare products. Whether your skin is dry, sensitive, oily or acne-prone, you’ll learn what formulas to look for and what to avoid. You’ll also find tips on adjusting your skincare routine with the season, complete with warm-weather makeup tips and how to keep winter skin hydrated.
2. Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 2: Acne. Anyone who has battled acne knows how challenging it can be to find the right treatment. Look to Part 2 of our FAQ Handbook to get answers about preventing and treating acne according to your skin type, age and lifestyle. If you suffer from blackheads or breakouts on the chest and back, find out about potential causes and treatments. And don’t let acne leave a permanent mark—learn how to conceal and eliminate scarring.
3. Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 3: Anti-Aging. Regardless of your age, it’s never too late—or too early—to begin an anti-aging regimen. The third installment of our FAQ Handbook provides practical solutions for anyone desiring healthy, youthful skin for years to come. Learn about the different types of aging and discover treatment options for age spots, crow’s feet and wrinkles. Plus, get your questions answered about key anti-aging ingredients like retinol, alpha hydroxy acids and antioxidants.
4. Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 4: Pregnancy, Babies & Kids. If you’re caring for a child’s skin or need to adjust your own skincare routine during pregnancy, we’ve got essential tips. Find out which makeup ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, the safest acne products to use while breastfeeding and how to protect your little one from sun damage.
5. Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 5: Body & Spa. You don’t need to spend loads of money and long hours at the spa to nurture and pamper your body. Part 5 of our FAQ Handbook answers your questions on spa treatments like extractions and body wraps, DIY options to try at home and tips on hair removal and improving cellulite. You’ll also get advice on treating dry, rough feet and banishing body acne.
6. Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 6: Budget. Whether you’re a bargain shopper or love to splurge, Part 6 of our FAQ Handbook has something for everyone. Find out which products to invest in, how to treat yourself on a tight budget and cost-effective options for holiday gifts, anti-aging regimens and more.

7. Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 7: Cosmetic Procedures. For persistent issues like deep wrinkles, spider veins and aging hands, your best option may be a cosmetic procedure. Check out Part 7 of our FAQ Handbook for a thorough guide to treatments like chemical peels, laser hair removal, electrolysis and Botox.

(Continued in 2011 with Parts 8-15)

2. Beauty Handbooks. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a handbook for every beauty issue? Our Beauty Handbooks series can help. From acne to natural beauty, we’ve got simple, effective and budget-friendly tips for achieving the skin you want.

1. Anti-Aging Handbook. Youthful skin isn’t just about genes and wrinkle creams. There are plenty of other factors to take into account as you create an anti-aging regimen that works for you, at any age or stage. Our Anti-Aging Handbook covers the full spectrum of aging skin concerns, product tips and essential facts. Learn how to build a budget-friendly regimen, protect yourself against sun damage, diminish cellulite, keep hair healthy and more.
2. Complete Acne Handbook. Whatever your age or gender, battling acne can be a frustrating endeavor. Peruse our Complete Acne Handbook to get practical advice on everything from treating adult, teen and body acne to concealing breakouts and rosacea. Plus, learn about alternative treatment options like acupuncture, pore extractions and essential oils.
3. Beauty on a Budget Handbook. An effective—and even pampering—beauty routine doesn’t have to drain your budget. Learn how to splurge wisely on skincare products, get creative with DIY treatments and gifts and perfect your at-home pedicure. Our Beauty on a Budget Handbook also offers money-saving tips on spa treatments and a guide to cost-effective sunscreens.
4. Natural Beauty Handbook. Anyone looking for ways to create a greener lifestyle can benefit from our Natural Beauty Handbook. We cover everything from eco-friendly clothing options to natural ingredients in skincare, with tips on using essential oils and herbal extracts. To round out your healthy beauty routine, find out how yoga and other forms of exercise can improve your complexion.

3. 12 Months to Transform Your Skin: New Year’s Resolutions You CAN Achieve! It’s never too late to set resolutions for improving your skin. Our 12-month guide to healthy skincare offers a comprehensive plan for creating the best routine for you, complete with practical tips for achieving short- and long-term goals. Learn how to update your beauty stash, pamper your skin and adjust your skincare with the changing seasons.
4. Your Very Own Skin Care Calendar. If committing to a 12-month skincare plan seems overwhelming, try starting with more manageable goals. Keep yourself on track with this handy calendar outlining the best methods for keeping skin healthy on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. From choosing the right cleanser to making an annual visit to the dermatologist for a skin cancer screening, we’ve got you covered with an easy, effective regimen to create and maintain beautiful skin.
5. 15 Ideas for Streamlining Your Skincare Routine. Simplifying your life can come in many forms, and paring down your beauty routine is a great place to start. Whether you’re a product minimalist or a packrat, here are 15 ways to save time, space and money while improving your skin. You’ll learn how to better organize your skincare collection, multitask with 3-in-1 products, establish a healthier lifestyle and more.
6. Antioxidants That Boost Your Skin. If you’re concerned with aging or simply want to avoid skin damage, it helps to first understand the ingredients. Get the basics on how damage occurs and what ingredients can help your skin in this two-part guide to antioxidants.

1. 3 Key Antioxidants That Boost Your Skin – A. Daily environmental factors such as UV rays, cigarette smoke and pollution—also known as free radicals—wreak havoc on our skin, leading to signs of aging. The antidote to these damaging free radicals is antioxidants, which help to protect and repair skin. Part A of our antioxidant guide offers essential information on alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 and green tea extract, plus products that contain these beneficial antioxidants.
2. 3 More Antioxidants That Boost Your Skin – B. The second part of our guide to skin-boosting antioxidants covers idebenone, vitamin C and vitamin E—three powerhouse antioxidants that can potentially improve skin damage and signs of aging. Learn more about the uses and possible risks and side effects, as well as recommendations for products and formulas.

7. The Ultimate Guide to Healthy Hair. Need some styling tips for taming curly hair or a solution to frizz and dandruff? Our comprehensive handbook to healthy hair covers the spectrum of hair types and concerns to help you create an effective routine. Find answers to your hair concerns, DIY dyeing tips, season-specific hair advice and more.
8. 10 Skincare Myths Busted. While some skincare hype may be benign (like the rumor that drinking water helps hydrate skin), other misinformation can be dangerous (like using tanning salons to create a “protective” base tan). This article helps you discern fact from fiction with 10 common skincare myths that may surprise you.
9. Expert Advice on Taking Control of Psoriasis. Since there’s no cure for psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin disorder, persistent treatment is the only way to control flare-ups. Here we provide expert advice on possible triggers, over-the-counter solutions and product picks—plus some tips from a celebrity who went public with her condition.
10. A Makeup Manual for Beginners: Simple Techniques for a Flawless Face. Whether you’re a makeup pro or just beginning to experiment, it doesn’t hurt to go back to basics. Start with the right tools—from face powder to lip brushes—and then learn the ins and outs of foundation, blush, eye makeup and lipsticks. You’ll get tips on proper application techniques, as well as great advice on choosing the right makeup for your coloring and complexion.
11. 10 Skincare Secrets from Dermatologists Revealed. If you don’t have regular access to a dermatologist for all your skincare needs, here’s the next best thing. Get advice from the experts about healthy skincare, including recommendations for skin-boosting super foods, proper sun protection and tips on anti-aging.
12. Top 10 Products That Instantly Improve Your Skin. Looking for a boost to rejuvenate tired skin or a quick fix for pesky blemishes? The solution might be simpler than you think. Products like blush, bronzer, eye creams and wrinkle-smoothers can deliver results that range from subtle to stunning. Check out our list of instant skin-savers that help you look healthy, youthful and refreshed.
13. 40 Tried-And-True Tips for Getting Clearer, Healthier & More Radiant Skin From Head to Toe. Our skin is our largest organ, and keeping it clear and healthy can be a challenge. Whether you struggle with acne, dry skin, wrinkles or simply want to perk up your complexion with a radiant glow, we’ve got 40 essential tips to help you look your best.
14. 10 Healthy Skincare Habits You Might Be Forgetting. Even if you use the best products and pamper your skin with monthly treatments, chances are you’re neglecting a few key habits that can help keep your skin in top shape. Unwashed beauty brushes, expired formulas and a lackluster diet are just a few bad habits that can contribute to problem skin. Learn 10 easy and effective habits to integrate into your beauty routine for healthier, more beautiful skin.
15. Skin Changes in Stages: From Baby to Baby Boomer. This article starts at the very beginning—caring for a newborn’s sensitive skin—and continues through the life cycle, covering childhood skin concerns, troublesome teenage skin and age-specific regimens for adult skin. Learn about key problems to look for at various life stages, get product recommendations and know what to expect as your skin ages.
16. Covering Up: How to Hide Blemishes and Hyperpigmentation. If you’re new to makeup application techniques or have a particularly troublesome blemish or scar that makeup just won’t cover up, start here and learn how to effectively mask hyperpigmentation. Find out how to make use of color correctors, green-tinted concealer and heavy-duty or specialty concealers, as well as tips for proper application and all-day coverage.
17. The Best Techniques For Beautiful Brows: Advice from the Pros. Searching for advice on achieving the perfect brows? We consulted brow-shaping professionals for expert advice on waxing, tweezing and threading. Find out what you need to know about these techniques, what to expect before your appointment at the salon and how to take care of brows in between visits.
18. Dessert for the Skin: 10 Delicious DIY Skin Recipes. Chocolate, vanilla, mint, honey, almond, orange, lemon, strawberries, coffee, wine—some skincare ingredients smell good enough to eat. This article features 10 tasty recipes for the skin, from facial masks and nourishing body oils to scrubs and facial cleansers. And if you’re not the DIY type, these ingredients are used in a variety of ready-made formulas as well.
19. Brush Basics: How to Choose And Use Your Makeup Brushes. Do you use one brush for all of your cosmetics? Or do you skip brushes completely, opting to use your fingers? The large selection—and sometimes high price tag—can make purchasing a set of makeup brushes a daunting task. But with a little know-how, you’ll be on your way to building your own collection of brushes and understanding the tricks to each one.
20. How to Nourish Your Skin From the Outside In. Potent active ingredients in skincare products do far more than just fight aging. Learn how topical treatments made with key vitamins, minerals and other beneficial ingredients can help your skin achieve a new level of health and radiance. This article highlights important antioxidants that shield skin from environmental damage, as well as minerals and other nourishing ingredients that can help with everything from acne to aging.
21. Exfoliation 101. The secret to great skin at any age isn’t a fancy serum or moisturizer—it’s regular exfoliation. As dead skin cells build up on the skin’s surface, they can make your complexion look dull and lifeless. Exfoliation sweeps off these skin cells, leaving you with a younger-looking, more luminous complexion. Read about the differences between chemical and manual exfoliation, how to choose a scrub for your skin type and the many other benefits of exfoliation.
22. Caring for Your Body. Many of us focus our attention mainly on the skin of our faces, but the skin of the body has challenges of its own—cellulite, stretch marks, body acne and spider veins, to name a few. Whether you’re interested in treating a specific condition or want to learn how to care for and pamper the body, this article is full of advice on achieving healthy skin all over.
23. Practicing Smart Sun Care With These 10 Lesser-Known Facts. There’s more to sun safety than just lathering up with sunscreen—but with so many sun protection myths out there, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. This article shares useful information about how much sunscreen to apply, what SPF really means, how your beauty routine can make you more susceptible to sun damage and more.
24. A Deeper Understanding of Women's Hair Loss: Causes and Treatments for Thinning Hair. Female hair loss can be a frustrating condition, especially because hair loss is usually only associated with men. But if you’ve noticed symptoms like changing hair texture or a loss of volume, you’re not alone. This article will help you to understand the normal hair growth pattern and how to prevent common triggers that lead to hair loss.
25. Top 10 Tips for Kick-Starting a Natural Beauty Routine & Lifestyle. If you’re interested in understanding what’s behind the natural beauty craze, start here. From essential oils to eco-friendly skincare products, learn all about how natural ingredients and holistic practices can improve your skin, hair and wellbeing.

Don’t skimp on good skincare because it seems overwhelming. This collection of articles will help you on your way to becoming a skin, hair and makeup maven.

See also:

Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 15: Skincare Conditions

Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 14: Skincare Routine & Lifestyle

Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 12: Natural Skincare

Complete Acne Handbook

Anti-Aging Handbook