10 Secrets Every Beauty Editor Knows That You Should, Too

1. The one thing we always drink to: water. But forget the rule about eight glasses a day—just drink enough so that you're not thirsty. Though there's no link between how much water you consume and how hydrated your skin is, when I'm parched, my complexion looks flaky and dry. Also: If you drink a glass of water before each meal, you'll be less inclined to overeat.

2. Sunscreen is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth. Use at least SPF 15 every day, rain or shine. UV radiation is the major source of skin cancer and accelerated aging of the skin, both of which can occur without tanning or other visible signs of damage, says Steven Wang, MD, director of dermatologic surgery and dermatology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center at Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

3. You can conjure up a prettier complexion while you sleep...with the magic of retinoids. Still the gold standard of topical skincare ingredients, vitamin-A derivative prescription retinoids (like Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac) stimulate new collagen, exfoliate your pores, and encourage cell turnover, says Mary P. Lupo, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane Medical School. Add a retinoid to your nighttime beauty routine.

4. Always treat your hands and neck the way you treat your face. The skin on the neck is thinner than the skin on the face, yet most women don't care for it as well. Same goes for the hands. After you apply a treatment (like a retinoid or antioxidant serum) to your face, rub it on your neck and the backs of your hands, too.

5. For the price of a tube of self-tanner, you can look as if you spent a month on the Riviera. Apply a moisturizing body lotion that includes a self-tanner to hide spider veins on your legs and to get a slimming effect all over.

6. There's gold in them thar drugstores. Take advantage of the bounty of inexpensive cleansers, moisturizers, and treatments that work just as well as (or better than) luxury brands. The large cosmetic companies that produce drugstore products want you to be loyal to them, so they don't skimp on their research and development.

Next: More secrets, including the beauty asset that trumps all the styling products in the world