At-Home Skin-Care Solutions

The Approach:
Use -- but don't overuse -- acne-fighting products. "Cleaning or treating spots more than twice a day strips skin of its natural oils and can make matters worse," says Jenny Kim, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. Also eye your habits. If you have hairline breakouts, reconsider your styling products. Get pimples on your cheeks? Wipe your cell phone with an antibacterial cloth at least once a week.

Morning Routine:
Employ a face wash that contains 2 percent salicylic acid, which "unclogs pores and dissolves blackheads," says Amy Derick, a dermatologist in Barrington, Illinois. Try Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser (find it at drugstores). Next, apply an oil-free lotion with SPF, like EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 (dermstore.com), to balance and protect skin.

Evening Routine:
Cleanse, then treat blemishes with a cream such as La Roche-Posay Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment (laroche-posay.us), which has 5.5 percent benzoyl peroxide. "This ingredient kills acne-causing bacteria," says Alicia Barba, a Miami dermatologist. As it's drying, too, smooth on moisturizer.

Good to Know:
For cystic acne, which may not respond to at-home care, see a doctor.

The Approach:
Be gentle. Avoid skin, hair, and makeup products that contain irritating fragrances and dyes. If you're always flushed (and get breakouts), you could have rosacea -- and it may be time to consult a dermatologist.

Morning Routine:
Use a mild wash, like Aveeno Ultra-Calming Moisturizing Cream Cleanser (drugstore.com), which cleans and treats skin with the flower feverfew. Another great natural soother? Rose extract. "It helps move blood away from skin's surface to reduce ruddiness," says Joanna Vargas, owner of the Joanna Vargas Salon, Skincare Sanctuary in New York City. Then smooth on a hypoallergenic lotion, such as Eau Thermale Avene Tolerance Extreme Cream (aveneusa.com), to hydrate skin. "This cream has only nine ingredients for minimal irritation, and an airtight tube to keep the product sterile," Barba says. Top with a chemical-free sunscreen, like SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 (skinceuticals.com).

Evening Routine:
Another step could anger your skin. Instead, repeat your morning methods.

Good to Know:
Spicy foods, vinegars, and alcohol can dilate your blood vessels, making your face appear redder.

The Approach:
Diligence is everything. When getting rid of dark spots, treating them and wearing sunscreen is essential. Sun exposure is the culprit, and as little as 30 minutes can make old patches pop up again.

Morning Routine:
Massage your skin with a gentle scrub, like Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash (philosophy.com). "This removes dead cells so brightening ingredients can penetrate more deeply," says Vargas. Then apply a pigment-lightening serum onto any discoloration. Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector (clinique.com) contains vitamin C plus yeast and mushroom extracts to fade hyperpigmentation. Last, cover up with a lotion that contains SPF 30 or higher to maintain results and prevent damage.

Evening Routine:
Repeat your morning steps, but swap in a hydrating face cream for the sunscreen. If you're really dry, apply the spot corrector over moisturizer, or use it every other night.

Good to Know:
"A weekly at-home glycolic-acid peel can help lessen brown spots and increase skin's clarity," says Susan Weinkle, a dermatologist in Bradenton, Florida. Try the Brazilian Peel by AHA (sephora.com).

The Approach:
Seek out the best anti-aging ingredients, slather on sunscreen religiously, and remember that it takes time to reduce lines. You won't see results in a week, but be patient and keep with this routine.

Morning Routine:
Turn to a moisturizing cleanser to wash and hydrate skin. Next, rub a rich treatment, like Olay Professional Pro-X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream (find it at drugstores), over your face and neck. "It's full of effective wrinkle-fighting peptides and niacinamide," says Weinkle. Sweep on a quarter-size amount of SPF 30 sunscreen to protect collagen and elastin (they keep skin supple). When outside, wear sunglasses to prevent the squinting that leads to lines.

Evening Routine:
Wash, then press a dime-size dab of Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM (sephora.com) into your skin with your fingers. This supercharged treatment contains retinol -- the gold standard for smoothing skin -- plus vitamins C and E, to help diminish lines and improve texture. Reapply moisturizer.

Good to Know:
Retinol can be irritating. Apply it every other night in the beginning, then nightly as your skin gets used to it. Mild flaking may occur.