When you notice a new skin condition or problem, it can be frustrating and sometimes alarming. What caused it? Is your normal skincare routine not working anymore? Do you have to stock your beauty cabinet with new products to make it better? It can feel like you’re a detective trying to piece together what’s going on and what’s the culprit.

Anyone who deals with regular breakouts knows that it often doesn’t take much to trigger a pimple. That’s why there’s a good chance you take your skincare routine seriously, from finding the right gentle moisturizer to a spot treatment that seriously zaps zits.

Many people dedicate a significant amount of time and energy to perfecting their anti-aging skincare routines. They invest in facial moisturizers and serums that are designed to give them fresher, younger-looking skin, only to forget all about their necks.

Skin barrier function has been the focal point of most of my conversations with dermatologists and beauty brand founders lately. The latest skin-care products, namely barrier creams, are being formulated precisely with the skin’s moisture barrier in mind — mostly because it’s what keeps your skin happy and healthy.

In general, cleansers have come a long way since drying bars of soap (shudder) and the stripping, foaming face washes that we used to slather all over ourselves when we were teenagers.