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Report Illuminates Wealth-Creation Gap Among Small Business Owners

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How to Keep a Breakup from Becoming Really Messy When You Live with Your S.O.

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The Fastest Exercise to Lift Your Butt

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15 Running Tips You Need to Know

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We Had Our Sex Dreams Analyzed by an Expert—and It Got Deep

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Saudi Arabia And Iran Aren't Ready For Syrian Peace

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10 Things That Have Probably Crossed Your Mind While Watching Porn

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7 Ways to Get Slim Without a Diet

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Why You're Not Losing Weight Yet

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Guess Why People Masturbated More Frequently in 2015

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This Is When a Relationship Reaches Its Sexual Peak

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Ask a Hot Doctor: Should I Seek Help for Occasional Anxiety Attacks?

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How This Fast Food and Red Bull Lover Finally Found Healthy Habits That Stuck

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How Starbucks Lifted A Young Homeless Man From The Streets To Success

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How to Get Rid of Stubborn Blackheads on Your Nose

I’ve been in a war against blackheads since I first discovered Bioré pore strips back in high school (seeing that black gunk is just so satisfying). According to celebrity facialist Cecilia Wong from Cecilia Wong Skincare in New York, those tiny dots are a sign you need to treat your skin ASAP. “A blackhead is a combination of oil and dirt mixed together,” she told SELF. “If you don’t take care of your pores, eventually the dirt and oil will accumulate. If someone has a lot of blackheads, you can feel it—the skin is rough, scratchy, and bumpy."

More bad news: dirty pores can also mean reduced skin elasticity in the future. “A pore is like a rubberband—the more you stretch it out the less elasticity it has,” Wong says. “Once your pores are stretched out to a certain degree, they won’t close back up.” Here are the steps to take to keep your pores clear.

1. Clean out dirty pores with a strip.

Yes, Wong stands by the effectiveness of pore strips to get rid of blackheads quick. But keep in mind, these are for newer breakouts. “Pore strips only really work for blackheads that haven’t been in pores for a long period of time,” she says. Pore strips are like a band-aid, using adhesive to rip away dead skin cells and dirt. However, it’s only a temporary fix.

Try: Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, $8; Target.com

2. Exfoliate three times a week to dissolve dead skin.

Dead skin is one of the many things that can clog your pores. Wong recommends a vigilant exfoliation routine using a wash cloth (beginner), a mild enzyme (intermediate), or a glycolic peel (advanced). Plan to scrub three times a week or more if you have oily skin that is prone to blackheads. Just make sure to moisturize after every exfoliating session. “You have to moisturize because exfoliant tends to be very drying to skin,” Wong explains. “If your skin is really dry, your oil production overcompensates, creating more oil and more blackheads.”

Try: Tatcha Indigo Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder, $65; Sephora.com or Caudalie Glycolic Peel Mask, $39; Caudalie.com

3. Detox with a clay mask or overnight treatment.

A clay mask will pull out all the dirt from your skin. You can apply for 15 minutes and rinse, or you can use it as a spot treatment overnight. “When you’re sleeping, your pores are open," Wong explains. "In the middle of the night, there are dirt and germs in the air. So you’ll wake up with oily skin and blackheads." If your skin produces lots of oil, you can put the clay mask on your nose or T-zone to protect overnight. Choose a formula that has clay and plenty of moisturizing ingredients.

Try: Cecilia Wong Blemish Peel Mask, $68; Birchbox.com

The post How to Get Rid of Stubborn Blackheads on Your Nose appeared first on SELF.

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How to Be Your Own Weight-Loss Tracker

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I Tried “Frotox” to Freeze Away My Wrinkles—And It Wasn’t That Bad

As a beauty writer I know first-hand just how far we ladies will go to keep ourselves looking fresh-faced, youthful, and glowing. And while I’ve heard of my share of procedures and treatments, “freezing your face” certainly wasn’t one of them. So when I was offered the opportunity to test out a facial treatment involving frigid temperatures and beams of vaporized liquid nitrogen, I was curious. Would I walk out of the spa looking like Mr. Freeze from Batman? With a few forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet easing their way onto my face, I figured I would take the ice-cold plunge—in the name of beauty, of course. I mustered up some courage and booked my first "frotox" appointment; and I have to say, it really wasn’t that bad.

What is "Frotox?"

Whole-body cryotherapy—which involves sitting in a sauna-like, -200 degrees Fahrenheit chamber for three minutes to burn up to 800 calories— has been around for decades. Now, that same therapy is catching on in major cities across the country to work similar magic on the face.

The Cryocure Facial uses a controlled beam of vaporized liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin on the face, scalp, and neck area. It promises to tighten the skin, fill in fine lines, and reduce wrinkles. “During the procedure, liquid nitrogen is sprayed on the face skin to cool the skin surface and temperature, which causes immediate vasoconstriction (or tightening) of the vessels,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills. “This tightening is your skin’s natural reaction to maintaining body heat, which also makes your face look less red, puffy, and inflamed. It can also help encourage collagen regrowth and cell repair.” Doesn’t sound so bad, right?

The Treatment

Upon entering SkinTology’s midtown location, I was introduced to my esthetician, Kristina Veller. She assured me that, in fact, I wouldn’t become frozen in time or have my face burned off, like my anxieties led me to believe. Instead, she said the whole process would be quick, painless, and surprisingly relaxing. Sensing my nerves were high, she led me to a room with a giant machine. Veller pulled out a tiny, pen-shaped device and lifted it towards her face. With the flip of a switch, the machine emitted controlled amounts of vaporized liquid nitrogen. Once it was my turn, I was pleased to realize it was genuinely painless. Okay, I was in.  

Next stop: a tiny white room with the same big machine and a massage bed. The first part was just like your average facial, starting with a thorough cleansing of the skin to remove bacteria and dirt collected after a day of working and commuting in NYC. “This step is especially important before undergoing CryoCure Facial because it allows the skin to breathe and the pores to open up,” says Veller. After working the cleanser in tiny circular motions into my skin, she pat my skin dry with a damp cotton pad. Next, she applied a basic exfoliating scrub in that same motion across my face and neck, leaving my eye area untouched. “This step is to get rid of the built-up dead skin cells that sit on the surface on the face and block dirt and grime from exiting. It also creates a smoother, finer appearance by revealing the healthier cells underneath,” she said.

So far, everything felt like a typical facial—relaxing, rejuvenating, and refreshing. It was only about 15 minutes or so into the facial when Veller told me it was time to take out the CryoWand. Gulp. Her only instruction was to relax and not to breathe while she held the liquid nitrogen near my nose. But how? What would happen if I by accident did breathe in the liquid nitrogen? Would it get me high? Would I feel funny? Could there be any long-term consequences? Veller assured me that because nitrogen occurs naturally in the human body, it wouldn’t cause any harm.

After turning on the machine, the process began. At first, it just felt like normal air being blown onto my face in concentrated, circular motions. Veller focused mainly on my forehead, cheeks, nose, chin and chest. I started feeling the air turn colder  after a few minutes, which didn’t bother me in the slightest. It still felt like refreshing bursts of air and nothing like the “freeze” effect I expected. “The purpose of the cold air is to raise the internal body temperature for a short period of time,” says Veller. “But you’re not left with any painful feeling—just tightened skin.”

Veller continued emitting the cold air for about eight more minutes before the procedure was over. That was it!? As happy as I was that I “survived” the freezing process, I was surprised at how simple it all was. Looking in the mirror, I was definitely glowing, and I felt refreshed and more awake. But I didn’t notice any crazy tightening of the skin or reduction in any lines. Veller explained that, while the procedure isn’t meant to be a one-time thing, the positive results would settle in over the next few days.

The Results 

While I didn’t notice any tightening of the skin at first, the next day I did feel (and look) incredibly more refreshed than usual. Was the difference in my skin condition super significant? No. But I felt the tightness and rejuvenation for about a week or so. After about seven days my face went back to looking how it normally does. “This is a process that requires upkeep and at least three or four sessions before you notice long-term results,” says Veller. The time commitment is definitely a deterrent for me—that and the cost. A simple 30-minute mini facial, which is what I experienced, costs $85. A full session costs $155. 

Who should get a cryo facial? Really anyone who’s looking for a relaxing experience and a slightly tighter face for a week. While there were really no negative effects, it’s not a procedure that’s going to give immediate or long-lasting results. In my opinion, if you’re looking to reduce lines and wake up feeling refreshed, you’re better off investing in an invigorating night cream that works while you sleep.

The post I Tried "Frotox" to Freeze Away My Wrinkles—And It Wasn't That Bad appeared first on SELF.

What to Do with the Other Guy in a Threesome

How to double your pleasure.

'Googling Reality': Internet Of Things Extends Business' Ability To Sense And Respond

The Internet of Things literally has the potential to turn every object on this planet into a computer node. Is that a good thing? Who knows? But the proliferation of computing power and data opens up interesting new avenues for business. The challenge is figuring out what those avenues are, and garnering the organizational support and capacity to pursue it. And understand how IoT has the potential to become an incredibly intelligent and observant extension of our senses.

More People Are Having Group Sex Than You'd Think

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The 50 Best Weight Loss Foods of All Time

Incorporating these healthy, slimming foods into your diet can help your body burn more calories, feel full for longer, and avoid weight gain.

The New Superfoods for Weight Loss

Nutrient Powerhouse: Jackfruit
This tropical tree fruit is a source of resveratrol, and new animal research indicates that the antioxidant may be key to trimming inches. The 2015 study, done at Washington State University, reported that mice that were fed a diet containing 0.1 percent resveratrol were able to convert their excess white body fat (the type that can lead to health risks) into metabolism-revving beige fat. The researchers suggest that two or three servings per day of fruit with resveratrol could supply a healthy dose. (Think: jackfruit, red grapes and blueberries drizzled with yogurt.)
Eat more: You can buy jackfruit fresh (they can be as large as a watermelon), frozen, dried or freeze-dried. Trader Joes even sells chips. Thanks to its thick texture, the fruit is also being used as a meat substitute. Look for products from The Jackfruit Company and Uptons Naturals, in flavors that range from curry to barbecue.

Everyday Hero: Pulses
If you havent heard much about pulses, thats about to change. The United Nations named 2016 the International Year of Pulses. And the research on the health perks of this familiar (and cheap!) food group—which includes beans, lentils, chickpeas and yellow split peas—keeps piling up. (Disclosure: I wrote a book, Slim Down Now, about the weight-loss power of pulses.) One study in the British Journal of Nutrition revealed that having an extra five cups of pulses per week is about as effective at reducing waist circumference as cutting 500 calories a day. The pulse eaters also experienced a boost in protective HDL cholesterol. The high fiber content of legumes is another boon: Previous research has shown that increasing daily fiber intake by about 16 grams leads to a loss of 4.4 pounds over 20 months.
Eat more: You can squeeze in a serving by snacking on roasted chickpeas or lentil crackers. Another simple trick: Toss pea protein powder into a smoothie.

RELATED: 10 Protein-Packed Pulse Recipes That Satisfy

Burn Booster: Coffee
Another reason to heart your daily brew: It spikes your metabolism—and can make a workout extra effective. A 2015 Spanish study found that fit people who consumed caffeine before they exercised torched 15 percent more calories in the three-hour period afterward than those who didnt. The magic caffeine dose for a 150-pound woman: About 300 milligrams, just under the amount in two cups of joe.
Eat more: For an easy slow-cooker meal, combine brewed coffee with chicken breast, veggies (like sweet potatoes, bell peppers and tomatoes), low-sodium broth and a little molasses, olive oil, garlic, pepper, sea salt and chili powder. You can also blend instant-coffee crystals into a smoothie, or stir them into yogurt or oatmeal (1 tablespoon contains about 100 milligrams of caffeine).

RELATED: 10 Coffee Drinks Worse Than a Candy Bar

Overnight Fix: Kiwi
It turns out that this furry little fruit may be a potent sleep aid, and adequate shut-eye has long been linked to a leaner midsection. When researchers in Taiwan asked insomniacs to snack on two kiwis one hour before bed, they found that these folks were nodding off faster and snoozing more soundly than before. The scientists speculate that the effect comes from kiwis high levels of antioxidants and serotonin, which helps regulate the bodys internal clock.
Eat more: Whip up a sleepy-time smoothie by blending two kiwis with a cup of warm, unsweetened vanilla almond milk (calorie cost: 119). Or slice and garnish the tart flesh with 2 tablespoons of coconut flour (144 calories).

Next Page: The Next Quinoa: Sorghum

The Next Quinoa: Sorghum
Meet the new gluten-free It grain. Sorghum (pronounced SORE-gum) has an edible hull, so you eat the entire thing, which means more nutrition in every morsel. Its actually one of the healthiest whole grains, which are bona fide belly flatteners. Research from Tufts University that analyzed the diets of nearly 3,000 adults found that those who ate the most whole grains had less visceral fat (the most risky kind).
Eat more: Sorghum can be popped like popcorn, or ground into flour for baking. When cooked, it has a consistency like Israeli couscous and makes a hearty porridge or grain bowl. A tasty combo: Sauté chopped onions in olive oil. Add minced garlic and ginger, sliced mushrooms and broccoli florets; simmer in low-sodium broth until tender. Top a scoop of cooked sorghum with the vegetables and 3 ounces of cooked shrimp.

Probiotic Punch: Fermented Cauliflower
Cauliflower has always been a belly-shrinking standout. (A 2015 study found that, on average, women weigh 1.37 pounds less per each additional daily serving they consume!) But when this cruciferous veggie is left to ferment in brine, it becomes infused with probiotics that improve the balance of bacteria in your gut—which may have a big effect on the size of your waist. Research on animals and humans has shown that a variety of probiotics can help with weight control. And probiotics commonly found in fermented veggies also show promise in lowering cholesterol, boosting immunity and even fighting cancer.
Eat more: You can buy fermented cauliflower from brands like Wildbrine (look in the refrigerated section). Add a dollop to turkey or salmon burgers, omelets, tacos and baked potatoes.

RELATED: 13 Best Foods for Your Gut Health

Oldies but Goodies
You already know to get your fill of these shape-shifters. Heres how to enjoy them in delicious new ways.
Make a NUTTY sauce. Thin a few tablespoons of almond butter with vegetable broth and brown rice vinegar. Stir in minced garlic, grated fresh ginger and crushed red pepper. (Try it over steamed broccoli, shrimp and soba noodles—yum.)
Use AVOCADO in salad dressing. Puree it with a little lemon or lime juice, garlic and herbs.
Eat EGGS for dinner. To cook a crustless veggie quiche, sauté spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions with garlic and herbs in coconut oil over low heat. Fold into whisked eggs and bake in a quiche or pie pan at 350°F for 40 minutes.

RELATED: 13 High-Protein Breakfast Recipes

4 Packaged Picks
Because you can't always carry crudites.
Hope Dark Chocolate Hummus When afternoon cravings strike, slather this sweetened (but low-glycemic) pulse spread on a sliced pear and youll sail right past the cookies in the pantry.
Simple Squares Coffee Organic Snack Containing organic cashews, almonds, honey, coconut, vanilla, sea salt, coffee beans and nothing else, one of these bars packs less than a third of the carbs in a Starbucks coffee cake.
Komplete Ultimate Meal Replacement Shake This blend of fruit and veggie concentrates (pea protein! acai!) provides up to 19 grams of protein and 20 percent of your daily fiber for under 350 calories.
Mini Pops A snack-size bag of this organic air-popped sorghum snack will satisfy your “crunch tooth” for just 100 calories. Choose from flavors like Baby White Cheddar and Subatomic Sea Salt.

Yes, There Is A Right Way To Pop Your Pimples

Confession: even though I’m a beauty editor who knows all about hyperpigmentation and acne scarring, I can’t resist popping my pimples. Not all the time—just when I have to look good for a big meeting or date night (or a quick selfie session). Obliterating the whiteheads and covering up my sins with concealer is something I’ve been doing for a while, and I have the dark spots to prove it. But I recently found out there is a right and wrong way to pop pimples. Celebrity facialist Cecilia Wong from Cecilia Wong Skincare in New York broke down the process for SELF.

1. Know when the pimple is “ready.”

Popping a whitehead too soon can cause scarring in the future. You’ll know it’s time when you can actually see the white center peeking out. If it’s still red or lurking under the skin, don’t touch! Painful cystic pustules are better left to the dermatologist’s cortisone shot, and reserve blackhead extractions to an esthetician.

2. Prep the skin with a steamy shower.

Wong recommends hopping in the bath first. The steam and heat from the water stream will help relax pores and soften the skin around the pimple. You’ll notice the area is a lot more pliable after spending 10 minutes in the shower.

3. Use a tissue to keep the area clean.

Make sure your skin is clean before you pop, and cover your index fingers with tissue to keep the area clean.

Note: Don’t use a needle or safety pin or any other sharp object to pierce the pimple. You might have seen your facialist use this method to clear out pores, but Wong warns against using a DIY lancet (the sharp blade estheticians use to puncture pimples). It can leave a hole in the skin that is open to more bacteria.

4. Make sure everything is out.

Wong says the biggest mistake people make when popping pimples at home—not getting everything. Keep pinching until every remnant of sebum has been removed.

5. Cleanse the spot with toner.

Disinfect the area with a cotton pad dipped in toner or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid using alcohol on the spot as it will dry out the area (and burn!). After everything is clean, the bump should disappear and you can cover any remaining redness with concealer. 

The post Yes, There Is A Right Way To Pop Your Pimples appeared first on SELF.

10 Things All Women Do in the Middle of Really Mediocre Sex

When bad sex happens to good people.

How to Do Back Behinds to Tone Your Back

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How to Do Criss Cross Scissors for Your Thighs

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How to Do Oil Riggers for Strong Triceps

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How to Do the Cross Butt Kick

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How to Do the Crunch Twist for a Strong Core

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How to Do the Fire Hydrant + Heel Up Move

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How to Do Frogger Abs

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How to Do Heel Kicks for a Tight Butt

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How to Do the Hot Potato

A fun children's game turned into a fat-blasting workout! In this video, Cassey Ho demonstrates how to do the hot potato move to tone your butt and thighs.

How to do Plié Squats to Tone Your Legs

This squat variation will have your legs burning in no time. Watch this video to see Cassey Ho demonstrate this POP Pilates move for stronger, leaner legs.

How to Do Scissor Sit Ups

Short on time but still want to get in a good workout? Try doing scissor sit ups, which work your abs and your thighs at the same time. Watch this video from Cassey Ho to see how.

How to Do Side Lunges for Lean Legs

Get lean, toned legs with this POP Pilates move. Watch this video to see Cassey Ho demonstrate how to do side lunges, so you can strengthen and tone your stems!

How to Do the Windmill for Your Obliques

It's not all about crunches—this move will have your core burning in no time. Watch Cassey Ho demonstrate how to do the windmill move for stronger obliques in this video.

How to Do Wing Pulses to Sculpt Your Back

This POP Pilates exercise does double duty—it strengthens your core and sculpts your back. Watch Cassey Ho demonstrate how to do wing pulses in this video.

How to Do Reverse Plank Triceps Dips

For leaner arms, target your triceps by doing reverse plank dips. In this video, Cassey Ho demonstrates how to do three reverse plank variations for stronger arms.

How to Do the Pushing Grasshopper Move

This move combines two exercises into one highly effective workout for your triceps and your butt. In this video, Cassey Ho demonstrates how to do a pushing grasshopper to work your arms and tone your glutes.

How to Do T-Stand Pulses for a Tighter Butt

This POP Pilates move requires a bit of balance, but it will lift and tone your butt in no time. Watch this video to see Cassey Ho demonstrate T-stand pulses.

How to Do Bridge Butterflies

Here's a great POP Pilates move to tone your thighs and lift your butt. Watch this video to see Cassey Ho demonstrate how to do bridge butterflies so you can strengthen your core.

7 Steps to Eliminating Your Dark Undereye Circles For Good

We’ve all been there: You wake up after a full night’s sleep feeling rested and ready to take on the day only to look in the mirror and find giant, heavy bags under your eyes. And unlike your handbags, those puppies are anything but designer. 

“As we age, our skin loses its ability to regenerate and bounce back making it so these dark circles become more prominent no matter how much beauty sleep you’ve had,” Joel Schlessinger, board certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisor, tells SELF. While there are many factors that influence whether or not you’ll have dark circles (and how visible they become)—from your genes to your lifestyle —the good news is that there are definitely ways to diminish their appearance.

We asked top skincare experts and beauty gurus to share their morning-to-night solutions, so you can look as fresh and flawless as you feel.

1. Make sure seasonal or environmental allergies aren’t to blame.

Allergy season—generally spring, summer and fall—can cause relentless side effects like dark circles and eye puffiness that sometimes need medical treatment like oral and intranasal antihistamines. It’s best to pinpoint which allergens are contributing to your symptoms so you can figure out which creams and medications will work best to help alleviate the side effects.

“Oftentimes an over-the-counter cream like Cortisone-10 once or twice a week, in addition to your eye cream, can do the trick,” says S. Manjula Jegasothy, dermatologist and founder of Miami Skin Institute. “But if you cannot figure out your allergy triggers, consider seeing an allergist to help with the diagnosis and management.”

Whatever you do—no matter how itchy or frustrating your symptoms may be—avoid rubbing your eyes at all costs, he warns. “Nothing causes under-eye circles more, especially in darker skin types, than the breakage of fragile capillaries in the eye area caused by trauma to the skin.”

2. Get your full eight hours of sleep—even if it means hitting the snooze button (for the third time).

Sure, it’s tempting to stay up late—especially if  there’s a Friends marathon on and you just can’t peel yourself away from the screen. Getting a good night’s sleep has a lot to do with how wide-eyed and bushy-tailed you’ll look in the a.m. “A lack of sleep causes the blood vessels around the eyes to dilate and create a dark tint beneath the skin,” says Schlessinger. “Fatigue also leads to puffiness and swelling, which draws more attention to these dark circles.” Your best and first defense against owl eyes? Make sure to get your full eight hours.

3. Invest in an eye-brightening cream and load up first thing in the morning.

Your under-eye area is much more sensitive, thin, and fragile than the rest of your face—meaning it needs extra TLC in addition to your usual face moisturizer. “Search for [an eye cream] that contains caffeine as main ingredient,” says Sonia Kashuk, makeup artist and founder of Sonia Kashuk Beauty. “Just like the pick-me-up you get from your morning cup of joe, containing this stimulant in your eye moisturizer will go a long way in decreasing under-eye puffiness.” After cleansing, use your ring finger to gently pat the brightening cream underneath your eye and over your eyelids. You’ll be surprised how much more awake you look. 

4. Lather on sunscreen, even if you’re spending most of the day inside.

“Skipping this important step in your skincare routine can cause dark circles to become worse,” says Schlessinger. “The delicate skin around the eye area is especially sensitive to sun damage, as well as skin cancer. Excessive sun exposure makes your body produce more melanin, which gives you darker circles.” Just like you would when you head to the beach, cover the areas of your face with a SPF 15+, broad-spectrum sunscreen.

“To avoid sensitivity and irritation, make sure the formula you’re applying is gentle enough for the eye area,” he says. Wearing sunglasses when you’re outside is also another way to further protect your eyes and the surrounding skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Schlessinger’s go-to brand is SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50 ($30, LovelySkin.com). “This eye sunscreen is filled with ceramides to help nourish the skin and create a smooth base for your next step: makeup application.”

5. Apply a concealer with the right kind of undertone to neutralize the darkness.

Once your eye moisturizer has worked its magic in reducing the puffiness, use concealer to cover up those dark circles. “Peachy undertones work best no matter what shade your skin color is,” says Daniel Chinchilla, a celebrity makeup artist who works with Ariana Grande. Stray from using a yellow shade, which will only make the under-eye area appear gray, and choose a color that’s not too light so as to draw more attention to the problem, says Kashuk.

“Take a quick snapshot on your phone to check that all your tones are balanced,” Chinchilla says. For a natural-looking finish, apply your concealer on the inner corners of the eyes and then blend down and outward, making sure to press and pat it on lightly until it’s fully blended. “If you have drier under-eye areas, you can also dab a little eye cream to freshen the concealer."

After application, top off the concealer with a little translucent powder to set the liquid makeup in place and avoid any unwanted creasing. Chinchilla’s go-to is Cle de Peau Concealer ($70, Nordstrom.com). “I love the creamy texture, full coverage and how little you need to get the job done,” he says. If you’re looking for a lighter consistency that’s more similar to a tinted moisturizer, he recommends NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($29, Sephora.com). 

6. Remove makeup thoroughly before bedtime.

Taking your makeup off allows your pores to breathe and skin to rejuvenate overnight, so you look fresh and flawless when you wake up. “Don’t skimp and buy just any brand for this all-important step,” warns Chinchilla. “When you rub your skin to remove your eye makeup, it can cause serious inflammation and damage to the capillaries, which leads to dark circles.” He recommends Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($15, Marykay.com). “It peels off even waterproof mascara with just light rubbing and doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy.” But remember not every remover will work well for your skin type. This may leave you testing out a variety before finding one that’s both soothing and effective for you. “If you can’t seem to settle on one, try Cortisone-10, an anti-itch ointment available in most drug stores, as an under-eye remover,” suggests Jegasothy.

7. Finish your day with an eye cream made specifically for nighttime.

It’s even more vital to nourish and hydrate your skin before you snooze because your skin is in recovery mode. “Eye cream is definitely not the skincare product to skimp out on,” says Chinchilla. “Make sure you’re using one that plumps and hydrates the skin and contains retinol.” He recommends ROC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream ($20, CVS.com), which works hard to fade dark pigment and helps produce collagen for a more even skintone. “If you’re working with a more flexible budget, I would suggest trying SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum ($270, Skinmedica.com) because it has discoloration-fading ingredients that interfere with the production of melanin, or skin pigmentation.”

If shopping for fancy, shmancy eye creams doesn’t top your to-do list, you can instead opt for a product you may already have in your medicine cabinet. “I recommend that my clients use good old hemorrhoid creams,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills. “The main active ingredient in these creams, phenylephrine, is meant to temporarily shrink hemorrhoids (engorged vessels in the rectal and anal area), but will also work to shrink the blue blood vessels under your eyes that are causing dark circles.” If you find that these creams are too drying, Shainhouse suggests mixing this medication into your regular face moisturizer.

The post 7 Steps to Eliminating Your Dark Undereye Circles For Good appeared first on SELF.

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