2. TONE DAILY

We spotted you a few points by starting with Cleansing, but from here on out, we're moving into slightly more esoteric territory. Toning is the process of removing dead skin cells from your face so that the only layer visible is one of bright and healthy new cells. The average human generates a new layer of skin every two to four weeks. Usually what sits on top of that new strata is a pile of cruddy old cells that have been getting funky for a while. You can improve your complexion tremendously by sloughing off the garbage to show off the new stuff.

There are two leading types of exfoliators, which are the fire hoses that get rid of your old skin cells. The first does it mechanically, just like a miniature version of a sandblaster. If you want to get through layers of old paint on a house, just fire a stream of grit at the target to get the job done pronto. Since no one really enjoyed sandblasting your face, those helpful Swiss dermatologists have come up with a more useful version for you to use. Mechanical exfoliators contain minuscule pieces of grit that, when rubbed on your skin, dislodge the dead skin cells. The most common grit comes from such pleasant-sounding things as walnut shells and apricot pits. Don't be fooled, these can hurt. This stuff is basically a liquid form of sandpaper. That will wipe the smile of your face . . . along with your nose if you're not careful.

Mercifully, there is an alternative. Chemical exfoliators do the same task as their hostile mechanical siblings but by using mild acids in place of shrapnel. Look for exfoliating products that contain acids such as alpha-hydroxy, beta-hydroxy, or salicylic. If all this talk of acid has images of Batman movies running through your head, be at peace — some of the more notable alpha-hydroxy acids are malic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid, which come from apples, milk, and sugarcane. Unless you find eating breakfast feels like a WWI mustard gas attack, you'll be fine.

Of course, a third way to exfoliate your face is to drag a steel blade across the skin each day. Sounds barbaric, we know, but most clean-shaven men do it regularly. If you shave with any frequency whatsoever, you will not need to exfoliate those areas of your face in addition, unless you're looking to draw blood. Instead, limit your exfoliating adventures to the areas outside of your shaving zone—chiefly, your forehead and nose.

As far as shaving goes, let's not confuse the point: nothing can screw up your skin like running a mini lawn mower over it. For all of our modern technological advances, we're still using a scythe to groom ourselves, hacking away at unwanted hair with little scalpels. Whether you are a man or a woman, there are a couple of basic points to bear in mind when ridding yourself of our Neanderthal legacy: body hair. Be sure to lubricate. Like so many of life's intimate activities, shaving is so much more fun with a little lubrication. Most shaving products —whether they are foams, creams, or gels—attempt to achieve two goals: softening the hair and lubricating the skin. Obviously, the less stiff and rigid your hair is, the easier it will be to cut, which will involve less sawing and ripping, and correspondingly, less bleeding. Similarly, the easier it is for the blades to glide across your face, legs, or, God willing, armpits, the less shaving will feel like nails on a chalkboard. Decrease the friction, decrease the pain. This is why so many shaving products contain a combination of moisturizers and soothers. Prep your face and be sure always to shave with the grain of your hair. When you're done, be sure to moisturize.