“The aging process starts much earlier than many people expect,” explains Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD, FAAD, founder and CEO of Vibrant Dermatology and Skin Bar MD.

We can pick, squeeze, and extract without abandon, but days later, blackheads are back, taunting us in the bathroom mirror. When professional extractions aren’t possible, the best way to get rid of blackheads is to treat them with a topical formula that can decongest and unclog skin with powerful chemical exfoliants.

It’s true. There are so many skincare products—moisturizers, face oils, retinoids, eye creams, face masks—that it can get pretty overwhelming at times. You probably know you always need the basics like a moisturizer, a cleanser, and sunscreen, but what about the rest?

While many people associate breakouts with their teenage years, adult acne is a very common experience that can occur up until your 40s, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Trying to figure out the difference between the various skincare ingredients out there can get confusing. There’s hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, retinols and retinoids, collagen and ceramides… You know they’re all good for the skin, but how do you know which ingredients to prioritize, and how the heck can you shop for skincare products?

f you hear the phrase “skin-care hybrid” and get overwhelmed, you’re not alone. It’s understandable—it seems like every other day there’s a new category cropping up in the beauty industry, leaving you lost amidst a sea of products.