Even out tone
Gentle lighteners Brighten up with n-acetyl-glucosamine (amino acid) and niacinamide (vitamin B); both block melanin formation (skin’s tan giver), says Alexa Boer Kimball, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that the combo works better than either alone. Apply up to your hairline for allover glow.

Increase radiance
A fine-grained scrub Like a well-oiled machine, your skin cells are still turning over regularly (every 28 days), revealing brand-new healthy cells underneath. But buffing every other day ensures even sloughing, which keeps skin softer and glowing all over. “Look for small granules; soft particles may not exfoliate well enough, and large, jagged edges can create tiny tears,” says Leslie Baumann, M.D., director of the University of Miami’s Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute.