5 Skin Care Tips That Will Make the Biggest Difference in Your Skin

There are thousands of skin care products, trending ingredients, and beauty hacks competing for your attention. If you're wondering how to get healthier, smoother, more radiant-looking skin, the answer is often simpler than you think.

"The biggest improvements in skin don't come from having a complicated routine," says celebrity esthetician Shani Darden. "They come from being consistent with a few key habits and using products that actually work."

Whether your goals are brighter skin, fewer breakouts, improved texture, or a more youthful-looking complexion, these are the five skin care tips Shani recommends most often to her clients.

TIP 1: WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY

Do you really need to wear sunscreen every day?

Yes. According to Shani, daily sunscreen use is one of the most important steps in any skin care routine.

"UV exposure is the number-one cause of premature skin aging," she says. "And a lot of people don't realize that UVA rays can pass through clouds and glass."

That means your skin is exposed to aging UV rays while driving, sitting near a window, or spending time indoors with natural sunlight.

Daily sunscreen use helps protect against fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and loss of firmness while supporting overall skin health. For best results, apply a broad-spectrum SPF every morning and reapply throughout the day when spending extended time outdoors.

Shani loves Control Correctives’ Oil-Free SPF which is lightly hydrating yet won’t cause congestion. 

TIP 2: MAKE RETINOL YOUR GO-TO NIGHT TREATMENT

How often should you use retinol?

When clients ask Shani which anti-aging ingredient delivers the biggest results, her answer is almost always the same: retinol.

"In my opinion, retinol is one of the most effective ingredients for improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture, dullness, and discoloration," she says.

Retinol works by supporting skin cell turnover, helping reveal smoother, brighter-looking skin over time.

Retinol Reform® with 1% Encapsulated Retinol combines a potent concentration of encapsulated retinol with soothing ingredients to help improve visible signs of aging while remaining suitable for many skin types. The encapsulated delivery system helps gradually release retinol into the skin, maximizing efficacy while minimizing potential irritation.

If you're new to retinol, start by using it two to three nights per week and gradually increase frequency as your skin adjusts.

TIP 3: ADD AZELAIC ACID TO YOUR ROUTINE

What ingredient helps with redness, breakouts, and uneven skin tone?

If there’s one ingredient Shani finds herself recommending over and over again, it’s azelaic acid.

"Azelaic acid is one of my favorite ingredients because it's incredibly effective and helps so many different issues," says Shani. "It helps improve the appearance of redness, post-breakout marks, uneven skin tone, and congestion, while being gentle enough for most skin types."

Unlike some active ingredients that target only one concern, azelaic acid supports a clearer, brighter, more balanced-looking complexion overall. This makes it a great option for anyone dealing with visible redness, blemishes, discoloration, or dullness.

Rescue Serum combines azelaic acid with soothing and hydrating ingredients to help calm the look of redness, improve skin clarity, and promote a more even-looking complexion. The lightweight formula layers easily into both morning and evening routines and pairs well with other skin-care staples like sunscreen, retinol, and moisturizers.

Is azelaic acid good for sensitive skin?

Many people with sensitive, reactive, or blemish-prone skin find azelaic acid easier to tolerate than stronger exfoliating acids. Because it helps address multiple concerns at once, it's become a favorite among dermatologists and estheticians alike.

For anyone looking to simplify their routine while targeting redness, breakouts, and uneven skin tone, azelaic acid is one of the hardest-working ingredients you can add.

TIP 4: USE A CHEMICAL PEEL FOR AN INSTANT GLOW

How can you get glowing skin fast?

If your skin is looking dull, tired, or rough, one of the quickest ways to transform its appearance is with a chemical peel.

"Exfoliating regularly is one of the best things you can do for your skin," says Shani. "When you remove the buildup of dead skin cells sitting on the surface, skin immediately looks brighter, smoother, and more radiant."

Unlike traditional scrubs, which can be abrasive and irritating, chemical exfoliants work by dissolving dead skin cells and helping reveal fresher-looking skin underneath.

Triple Acid Signature Peel combines glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids to visibly improve skin texture, enhance radiance, and help skin look clearer and more refined. Inspired by the red carpet treatment Shani does on her celeb clients, this powerful at-home peel helps deliver many of the visible benefits people associate with a professional facial.

What makes skin look brighter and more radiant?

One of the biggest causes of dull-looking skin is a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface. By helping remove that buildup, chemical exfoliation allows light to reflect more evenly off the skin, creating a smoother, more luminous appearance.

Many users notice that their skin looks noticeably more radiant, refreshed, and healthy-looking after using Triple Acid Signature Peel.

How often should you use a chemical peel?

For most skin types, using a chemical peel once per week is enough to maintain smoother, brighter-looking skin. Consistency over time can help improve the appearance of uneven texture, enlarged pores, and overall dullness while supporting a healthy glow.

TIP 5: CHOOSE THE RIGHT MOISTURIZER FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

What moisturizer is best for your skin type?

Hydrated skin is healthy-looking skin—but not every moisturizer is right for every complexion.

"I often see clients using products that are too heavy for their skin type," says Shani. "That can often contribute to congestion and breakouts."

If you have oily, combination, or acne-prone skin, Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer delivers lightweight hydration with hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen without clogging pores.

For normal to dry skin, Hydration Peptide Cream provides richer nourishment and long-lasting moisture. Formulated with peptides, squalane, and skin-supporting ingredients, it helps strengthen the moisture barrier while leaving skin feeling soft, plump, and comfortable.

Choosing a moisturizer designed for your skin type can help improve hydration, support skin barrier function, and promote a healthier-looking complexion.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS IN A SKIN CARE ROUTINE?

If you're looking for the essentials, Shani recommends focusing on five foundational habits:

• Wear sunscreen daily

• Use retinol consistently

• Add in azelaic acid

• Exfoliate with a chemical peel once per week

• Choose a moisturizer that's right for your skin type

"You don't need a million products to have great skin," says Shani. "You just need a routine that's effective and consistent."

Healthy, glowing skin starts with simple habits that deliver long-term results.