Most people make the mistake of diagnosing their skin type as oily, simply because their skin feels greasy. What most people don’t realize is that oily skin can actually be a sign of dehydration. The skin needs moisture to stay healthy and supple, so when it’s dry it automatically secretes natural oil from underneath our skin to rehydrate and maintain a healthy state. Instead of washing your face more often to remove those oils, try switching to a more hydrating moisturizer and put on a hydrating mask at least twice a week.

Diet is also important in maintaining healthy skin. Keep a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and cut back on the junk food.

Use a deep cleansing mask at least once a week to help clean pores that are blocked by everyday air pollution, dirt and oil. If possible, use a scrub to remove dead skin cells every week; dead skin cells easily lead to large and blocked pores.

Personally, I am a big fan of Jurlique’s Skin Balancing Face Oil. It works very well for me as it keeps my skin moisturized and balanced. I’ve noticed major changes in my skin after using it, most noticeably more refined pores.

Dark circles and puffy eyes are common after late nights. While eye bags might be hard to cover up in the morning, a few easy steps prevent them from looking so puffy the next day. Avoid drinking water, especially cold water, two hours before you head to bed – it reduces the water retention that causes puffy eyes. I also use cucumber slices on the eyes right before photo shoots and they really work!

The best tip: tea bags. Pour yourself a cup of tea in the morning, then take the tea bag (after you’ve cooled it down!) and put it on your eyes for a few minutes. Works like a miracle! (Rumor has it that hemorrhoid cream works wonders as well, but I’ve never tried it personally).

The standard exfoliator or scrub contains beads that remove dead skin cells. I also like to use gentle exfoliators like Valmont’s Renewing Pack. It’s an all-time favorite among my friends because it works like an eraser. Apply the cream on your face, and then just gently rub it off when it dries, removing the dead skin along with it. Skin Buff from Elemis is also a very gentle exfoliator that is similar to a mask but contains fruit enzymes that soften and removes dead skin cells.

Choosing the right exfoliator really depends on your personal preference. A lot of ladies like their exfoliators with very fine beads, but I like mine with coarse beads so that I feel like I’m really scrubbing!

To be honest, this isn’t really my area of expertise. However, I do know that beauty comes from the inside, so we should first start with a healthy diet and lifestyle. As mentioned earlier, try to add lots of vegetables and fruits to your diet, and choose more white than red meat. Water is very important too, so make sure you drink eight glasses a day as it helps hydrate skin and detox the body.

Regular exercise not only helps our metabolism, it also keeps our skin firm! We sweat a lot more during cardio exercises, which improves circulation and detoxifies the body. I work out about 4 times a week and even when I am too busy I will still try to squeeze in some time on the treadmill. It’s very important to me as it keeps me in good shape and I feel a lot more energetic after doing cardio. It brings oxygen to the brain and also to the entire body!