Frequently Asked Questions

Practical answers to the questions readers ask most often about skincare, makeup, and this site. For deeper answers, each question links to the full guide on the topic.

How do I find my skin type?

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, use nothing for an hour, then check how your skin feels: tight all over means dry, shiny in the T-zone only means combination, shiny everywhere means oily, and no change means balanced. Sensitivity is a separate question: if your skin stings or flushes easily, treat it as sensitive whatever else it is. Full method in the skincare routine guide.

How much sunscreen should I use, and how often should I reapply?

Use about two finger-lengths of product for your face and neck, and a shot-glass full for your whole body. Reapply every two hours outdoors, and immediately after swimming, heavy sweating, or towel-drying. If you are indoors all day away from windows, your morning application largely holds. See the sunscreen guide.

Is expensive makeup really better than drugstore makeup?

Sometimes, and in specific categories. Mascara, brow products, lipstick, and blush are nearly as good at the drugstore. Foundation and concealer are where prestige earns its price, mainly through wider shade ranges and better undertone work. See the drugstore versus prestige guide.

How do I find my foundation shade?

Test three shades on your jawline, wait at least fifteen minutes for oxidation, and judge in natural daylight, not store lighting. The right shade disappears into both your face and your neck. Match undertone first, depth second. Full method in the foundation shade matching guide.

What is the difference between concealer for dark circles and concealer for blemishes?

Dark circles need a hydrating, slightly brightening formula, usually one shade lighter than your foundation, often over a peach corrector. Blemishes need a dry, high-coverage formula in an exact shade match. One concealer rarely does both jobs well. See the concealer guide.

How long does makeup last once it is open?

Mascara lasts about three months, liquid eyeliner three to six months, liquid foundation six to twelve months, and powder products eighteen to twenty-four months. Check the open-jar PAO symbol on the packaging, and discard anything that smells rancid, has separated, or has changed color or texture. See the makeup expiry guide.

How often should I wash my makeup brushes?

Brushes used for liquid or cream products should be washed weekly; brushes used for powder products can be washed every two weeks. Makeup sponges should be washed after every use and replaced every one to three months. Wash with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, holding the bristles downward, and dry brushes flat or bristle-down. See the brush cleaning guide.

My skin is sensitive and reacts to almost everything. Where do I start?

Keep it to four products: a gentle fragrance-free cleanser, a plain fragrance-free moisturizer, a mineral sunscreen, and at most one soothing extra. Patch test every new product behind your ear for five to seven days, and add one product at a time with two weeks between additions. See the sensitive skin guide.

Can I read an ingredient list without a chemistry degree?

Yes. Read the first five to eight ingredients, because they do most of the work, find the advertised hero ingredient and check where it sits, and check for fragrance. If the hero ingredient sits after the preservatives, it is present in a trace amount. See the ingredient list guide.

What skincare is safe during pregnancy?

That is a question for your doctor, not for a website. In general, topical retinoids and hydroquinone are commonly flagged for caution, mineral sunscreen is generally considered the safer choice for sun protection, and a simple routine of gentle cleanser, plain moisturizer, and mineral sunscreen is a reasonable starting point. Always discuss specific products with your doctor or midwife. See the pregnancy-safe skincare guide, which is general information only.

How do I pack beauty products in a carry-on bag?

Each liquid must be in a container of 100 milliliters or less, all containers must fit in one quart-sized clear bag, and solid products such as powder, lipstick, and solid shampoo bars do not count toward the liquids bag. Decant into clean, labeled containers filled to three-quarters, and buy travel-size sunscreen rather than decanting it. See the travel packing guide.

Does Glow Ledger sell products or use affiliate links?

No. Glow Ledger currently contains no affiliate links, no sponsored posts, and no product sales. Brands are covered editorially because readers ask about them, not because of any partnership. If that ever changes, it will be disclosed clearly at the top of every affected page. See the Affiliate Disclosure and the Editorial Policy.

How do I report an error on this site?

Please email [email protected] with the page title and what is wrong. Corrections are welcomed, investigated, and noted openly when they are made. See the How We Research page for the corrections policy.