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“Dull” is an umbrella term for skin that lacks radiance, bounce, or the famous “dewy” glow. One easy step you can take to brighten your complexion is using a vitamin C serum. But is it right for you? 

Short answer: probably. “Vitamin C is one of the few active ingredients that can benefit all skin types,” board-certified dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., says about the ingredient. What’s more, a brighter complexion isn’t the only benefit you’ll get when you pick up this daily habit: Using vitamin C topically has been shown to help overall quality and tone by diminishing hyperpigmentation1, decreasing moisture2 loss, helping to reduce skin inflammation1, and fighting against UV-induced photodamage3. 

Not sure where to look? Here’s our curated list of the best vitamin C serums on the market right now. 

Whether you’re just starting to see fine lines stick around or you’ve had deeper wrinkles for decades, a collagen supplement can support the skin’s natural aging process and appearance. And while plenty of people claim that collagen supplements are just hype, research shows that, when used in the correct form and dose, that’s not necessarily the case. 

“Hydrolyzed collagen is pre-digested so it does not go through that first-pass digestion in the GI tract,” board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., previously told mbg. “The collagen fragments can be absorbed as is and circulate throughout the body to exert their effects.”

More specifically, studies show that these collagen peptides are able to support skin elasticity and dermal collagen density4. How? Well, hydrolyzed collagen peptides have been shown to help promote the body’s natural production of collagen5 and other molecules that make up the skin, like elastin and fibrillin.

However not every collagen supplement comes in a high-quality form. And if you’re going to invest in a product, you should know that it’s going to, well, work—so here’s a list of nine A+ options, all backed by a nutrition Ph.D., if you’re ready to shop.

Let’s be real, acne remedies are not a one-size-fits-all situation. And determining which type of acne you have will help you create a better game plan (plus, seeing a derm is always a good idea, if you’re able to). 

However, there is one routine method that’s safe for most skin types and will help you organize all of your acne-focused topicals into your routine: skin cycling. Coined by board-certified dermatologist and mbg Collective member Whitney Bowe, M.D., FAAD, skin cycling helps you organize your treatment products into one weekly schedule. Here’s how it goes: 

• Night 1: Exfoliation night. This means using a chemical exfoliant such as an AHA, BHA, or PHA or opting for a gentle physical cleanser or exfoliating mask. The reason exfoliation comes before the retinoid night is that these ingredients slough off dead skin cells, so your retinol product can penetrate the skin even deeper (and, thus, work better). 
• Night 2: Retinoid night. On this evening, use any form of retinol you feel comfortable with. This could be a gentle over-the-counter product or a prescription-grade cream (if your derm gives it to you). 
• Nights 3 & 4: Recovery nights. On the third and fourth night of your routine, don’t use either of the actives listed above. These rest days are designed to let your skin recover. By scheduling these restorative treatment nights, you’ll prevent over-exfoliation, retinoid reactions, and overall irritation, bumpy texture, dryness, and redness. 

“The concept of placing robust actives between really non-robust products is something that I take so literally [when] taking care of my own skin, but it’s something that I really base my foundation of working with everybody on,” professional esthetician Sofie Pavitt once told mbg. Essentially: Sandwich your potent actives between nourishing players.

But what exactly is classified as an “active” in this context? We’re talking about chemical exfoliants (think salicylic acid, lactic acid, etc.) and retinol. Feature these ingredients in just one step of your daily routine—not all five (or so). 

Translation: Skip the exfoliating cleansers and retinol creams if you’re already using a concentrated formula. Instead, cushion these actives with hydrating serums like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or panthenol, and always top it off with a moisturizer. That way, you’ll be able to see results from those actives without stripping your skin barrier or causing irritation.