10 Surprisingly Simple Skin Tips

First things first: Before you even think about washing your face, clean your hands with a mild soap. If hands are dirty, then you'll end up transferring more dirt and grime onto your skin.

Because washcloths can be abrasive (especially if you have sensitive skin), opt for a muslin cloth instead. After applying cleanser, rinse the cloth in warm water and use slow, circular motions to wash away product.

As skin and hair oils become more popular, they also become more expensive. But women in the Mediterranean have been using extra virgin olive oil as an all-over hydrator for centuries. Warm a few drops of oil in your hand before smoothing over your face for ultra-moisturized skin.

Although drinking water isn't a replacement for your moisturizer, staying hydrated is necessary for maintaining healthy skin functions, such as regenerating cells and improving circulation. The result? A more radiant complexion.

If you're prone to dry skin, then washing your face once a day is enough—especially during cooler, dry months. Doing thorough cleansing before bed means that you can simply rinse it with warm water in the AM.

Moderate exercise is great for the skin, delivering oxygen and nutrients to its cells. But chronic flushing—from exercise or heat—can lead to permanently dilated capillaries. So get into the habit of pressing a cold-water washcloth to your cheeks as part of your post-workout routine.

Instead of trying to smear away dark lipstick with a tissue, opt for a cotton ball doused with an oil-based makeup remover. The messy tissue technique can leave an oily residue around the mouth that may lead to breakouts.

Another breakout culprit? Your not-so-clean cellphone, which often rests pressed against your skin. Go hands-free when you can, and to kill pore-clogging germs, keep antibacterial wipes on hand, suggests skincare guru Kate Somerville.

Los Angeles-based dermatologist Jessica Wu, M.D., recommends eating tomatoes to boost your natural defenses against UV rays. The savory fruit contains high levels of lycopene, an antioxidant that's been shown to provide protection from the sun's skin-aging rays.

Expensive sunscreens aren't usually any more effective than cheap ones, say dermatologists. The important thing is that whatever you use should contain broad-spectrum UV protection—to guard your hide from both UVB rays that burn and UVA rays that age skin—no matter the season. Pesky UVA rays can pass through glass and clouds, and are equally intense thoughout the year.