Beauty Basics Edition

Beauty Basics

Straightforward skincare, makeup, and grooming guidance for everyone.

Updated daily · 16 stories

Home›Style & Beauty›Beauty Basics
Before You Try a New Active Ingredient, Run Through This
Beauty Basics · Featured

Before You Try a New Active Ingredient, Run Through This

By Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 4 min read
Beauty Basics Building a Nighttime Skincare Routine

Building a Nighttime Skincare Routine

Your skin repairs itself overnight. Walk through the steps of an effective nighttime routine and why the order matters.…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 6 min
Beauty Basics Chemical Exfoliants vs. Physical Scrubs

Chemical Exfoliants vs. Physical Scrubs

AHAs, BHAs, and walnut scrubs all claim to resurface skin — but they work very differently. Here's what sets them apart.…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 6 min
Beauty Basics Cleansing Done Right: Habits That Protect Your Skin Barrier

Cleansing Done Right: Habits That Protect Your Skin Barrier

Over-cleansing is one of the most common skincare missteps. Learn the techniques that clean effectively without strippin…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 6 min
Beauty Basics Fragrance in Skincare: What Both Sides of the Debate Get Right

Fragrance in Skincare: What Both Sides of the Debate Get Right

Some swear fragrance-free is essential; others say it's overblown. Here's an honest look at what the research supports.…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 5 min
Beauty Basics Grooming Routines for Men Who Are Starting From Zero

Grooming Routines for Men Who Are Starting From Zero

Face wash, moisturizer, shaving basics — a straightforward introduction to daily grooming for anyone new to the topic.…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 7 min
Beauty Basics Hyaluronic Acid vs. Glycerin: Two Humectants, Different Behaviors

Hyaluronic Acid vs. Glycerin: Two Humectants, Different Behaviors

Both pull moisture into skin, but they behave differently under various conditions. Here's how to think about each one.…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 5 min
Beauty Basics Ingredients That Don't Play Well Together

Ingredients That Don't Play Well Together

Some active ingredients cancel each other out or cause irritation when combined. Here's a practical guide to known confl…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 5 min
Beauty Basics Mattifying Primers vs. Hydrating Primers

Mattifying Primers vs. Hydrating Primers

Primers aren't one-size-fits-all. See how mattifying and hydrating formulas differ and which skin types benefit from eac…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 5 min
Beauty Basics Retinol Myths That Keep People From Using It

Retinol Myths That Keep People From Using It

"It thins your skin" and "you can't use it under 30" are common claims. Here's what the evidence actually says about ret…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 6 min
Beauty Basics SPF Numbers, Broad Spectrum, and PA Ratings: What the Labels Actually Mean

SPF Numbers, Broad Spectrum, and PA Ratings: What the Labels Actually Mean

Sunscreen labels are full of numbers and symbols. This reference breaks down what each one tells you about protection.…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 5 min
Beauty Basics Skincare Layering Order, Explained

Skincare Layering Order, Explained

Toner before serum? Moisturizer before SPF? Learn the logic behind product layering so every step actually works.…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 7 min
Beauty Basics The Full Scope of a Basic Makeup Kit

The Full Scope of a Basic Makeup Kit

From complexion to finish, this guide maps out what a foundational makeup kit contains and what each product actually do…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 7 min
Beauty Basics What Skin Type Labels Actually Mean and Why They're Only a Starting Point

What Skin Type Labels Actually Mean and Why They're Only a Starting Point

Oily, dry, combination, sensitive — these categories are useful shortcuts, but your skin is more nuanced than any single…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 6 min
Beauty Basics Why Your Moisturizer Stops Working in Winter

Why Your Moisturizer Stops Working in Winter

Cold air and indoor heating change how your skin behaves. Understand what shifts and how to adjust your routine seasonal…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 5 min
Beauty Basics Your First Skincare Routine: A Realistic Starting Point

Your First Skincare Routine: A Realistic Starting Point

No 12-step system required. Here's how to build a simple, effective skincare routine from the ground up.…

Style & Beauty Editorial Team · 8 min

Top writers in Beauty Basics

Style & Beauty Editorial Team

Style & Beauty Editorial Team

Staff Writer