1. Keep Your Hands off Your Skin!

@drewbarrymore

If you have a blemish, you want to pick at it, right? Wrong. Once you pick at one blemish, or even touch your skin, whatever bacteria caused the blemish or skin problem is now on your fingers or under your nails. So if you go on to touch your skin in other places and even pick at another blemish, you’ve introduced the bacteria to a new place. Furthermore, the skin on your face is the most delicate skin on your body, and tugging or pulling at your face causes it to be less elastic, setting you up for wrinkles. The first lesson in how to look good without makeup is: don’t touch your face except when absolutely necessary!

2. Take Your Vitamin C

@barrefaeli

In any form, Vitamin C provides the body with powerful antioxidants, protecting skin from damaging free-radicals. While drinking a nice glass of tea with a squeeze of lemon or a tall glass of orange juice will certainly do you good, you can actually apply vitamin C directly to the skin. Facial creams with vitamin C may help reduce the appearance of spots, boost collagen levels, reduce inflammation and fade post-breakout red marks.

3. Exfoliate

@adrianalima

One of the easiest ways for skin to look fresh and glowing is to exfoliate. Exfoliating takes off dead skin, dirt, and may reduce clogged pores. When we don’t exfoliate our skin, all of that dead skin on the surface doesn’t allow light to reflect, which causes our skin to look dull and unhealthy. Still, you can’t be rough on your skin, so choose a gentle exfoliating product. One simple recipe is to use equal parts baking soda and water. Spread mixture onto face, and gently massage the skin for a few minutes. Rinse clean with cool water. Exfoliate your skin about twice a week.

4. Use Sun Protection

@joansmalls

No matter what the forecast, sunscreen is a must! The harmful UV rays can wreak havoc on your skin. The trouble is, you might not notice it right away. A good suntan looks healthy, right? Temporarily, until you start getting premature wrinkles, sun spots, and discoloration on your face - things that make you want to use make up to cover up. And tanning beds are just as bad. Besides the cosmetic damage, skin cancer due to UV radiation is a serious threat. Choose a tinted moisturizer with SPF that will give your skin needed moisture but also sun protection.

5. Faux Glow

@dotwillow

Okay, so you still like that “suntanned” look. It’s difficult to deny that bronzy summer skin looks terrific. And, it helps you feel a lot more secure without makeup, particularly if you look healthy and not just white and pasty. There are dozens of products on the market that will give you that sun kissed glow without risking the health of your skin by exposing it to UV rays. If you don’t want to take a chance on the over-the-counter products that can sometimes be difficult to apply evenly, go to a local salon and get a spray-on tan. A lot of people do this just before going on vacation so they can wear bathing suits and shorts and go sans makeup without any embarrassment.

6. Use Toner

@selenagomez

Yeah, it used to be something you did in high school, but it can be just as important now as it used to be then. If you’ve retired it from your beauty regimen, bring it back. Using toner after washing your face can help balance the pH levels, resulting in a more even complexion. Be sure it’s an alcohol-free toner so you don’t dry you skin out excessively. Having a nice, even skin tone reduces the need to cake on makeup to try to hide uneven coloring.

7. Don’t Smoke

@beyonce

There are hundreds of reasons not to smoke. One happens to be that it contributes to dry skin and premature wrinkles. Smoking narrows the blood vessels in the outer layer of skin, decreasing blood flow and depriving the skin of oxygen. Not only that, smoking damages collagen and elastin, two fibers that create elasticity in the skin. It’s difficult to quit smoking, so don’t be afraid to get help if you need it; you skin and your lungs will thank you.

Be proud of the skin you’re in! Your face is your picture to the world and it should look gorgeous – with or without makeup.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think women wear too much makeup? Dare you go bare?