Enviable skin? Yes please! And what better time than the start of the New Year to treat and pamper your skin like the special organ it is? But, don’t take it from me; I caught up with Shani Darden, the woman behind Kelly Rowland’s and Chrissy Teigen’s glowing complexions to get the deets on how to give your skin the TLC it needs to shine…not literally, but you get the point.

The highly sought-after facialist and Consulting Esthetician for Garnier SkinActive has been helping Hollywood’s elite achieve flawless skin for years and shows no signs of slowing down. The brunette beauty dished on teaming up with Garnier, what she’d tell her younger self about skin care and more!

Check out our Q&A below:

BGG: In a nutshell, how did you become one of the most sought after facialists in LA?

Shani Darden: I’m so lucky to have amazing clients that are generous enough to speak out about me!

BGG: Did you always know that you wanted to have a career in the skincare industry?

SD: I’ve been obsessed with skincare for as long as I can remember. I used to make face masks when I was little and begged my mom to take me to the dermatologist at an abnormally young age. 

BGG: Tell me about your partnership with Garnier.

SD: I teamed up with Garnier because the brand’s skincare philosophy aligns very closely with my own — simple and accessible skincare that really works. 

BGG: I know your skincare philosophy is “less is more,” can you elaborate?

SD: People don’t need to use too many products or always try the next “big thing.” Once you find a skincare routine that works, stick to it.

BGG: You’ve worked with some of the most notable and undeniably beautiful women in Hollywood. What are the top three things women can do/use at home to attain enviable complexions?

SD: 1)Use retinol. Retinol helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, boosts collagen in the skin, and helps make skin look younger and tighter. It also has amazing acne-fighting properties and helps alleviate discoloration. My Retinol Reform is a great option – it’s effective, yet gentle enough for almost all skin types. 

2) Exfoliate weekly. I recommend using a light, at-home chemical exfoliant weekly to help get rid of dead cells on the surface of your skin and give you an amazing glow. 

3) Incorporate an at-home microcurrent device into your routine. This helps improve facial contour, tone skin, and reduce wrinkles to make you look more youthful instantly. 

BGG: I know that you have extensive experience working with severe acne sufferers. If you could give them one bit of advice what would it be?

SD: Don’t pick! When you pick at pimples, you can push bacteria deeper into the skin and cause scarring. Avoid the temptation. 

BGG: What are the top three skin care offenses we should ditch in 2017?

SD: 1) Using the wrong products for your skin type. Talk to your skincare professional to get on a routine that’s right for you. 

2) Not washing off your makeup off at the end of the night. This leaves bacteria on your skin that can clog pores and cause acne.

3) Skipping sunscreen. The single most important thing you can do for your skin is protect it from the sun. 

BGG: What is the single most important skincare product every woman should be using no matter the season?

SD: Sunscreen. Never leave the house without first applying an SPF 30. 

BGG: What would you tell your 17-year-old self about skin care?

SD: If you lay in the sun now, you’ll have brown spots on your face by the time you turn 30. You won’t like them and they won’t all go away. Take care of your skin now, so it will stay amazing as you age!

How do you plan to take better care of your skin? More facials? More sunscreen? Please share!