The Red-Carpet Skin Hacks That Actually Work IRL

“Skin changes with seasons, hormones and age. Your routine should change with it,” says facialist-to-the-stars Keren Bartov. “It’s important to always balance and strengthen the skin while treating it intelligently with exactly what it needs. No two skin types are the same, so their treatments shouldn’t be either. In my clinic, I tailor each treatment using a selection of over 50 advanced technologies, including RF [radiofrequency], various types of lasers, ultrasound, microneedling and TriLift [a mix of three technologies that tighten and tone facial muscles] to achieve visibly firmer, more even-toned and radiant skin from within. This is how I give my clients their healthiest skin ever.”

“Red-carpet prep is all about instant results, so firming, lifting and brightening – everything needs to be camera-ready, with zero downtime. For the Oscars, I use immediate-effect technologies like the Micro Wave Lift treatment (which uses Deka’s Onda Pro technology) mainly around the chin, neck and lower face, alongside TriLift, RF and high-performance actives such as next-gen peptides, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. These deliver glowing, lifted skin within minutes. I also use my at-home device, The Wand [a mix of radio frequency, infrared and red-light therapy technologies], right before I apply makeup, for instant firmness and luminosity.

“In everyday life, the same skincare rules apply for firmer, brighter, more lifted skin, but the pace to achieve these results is different. Consistency is everything – think gentle cleansing, moderate acids, active serums, SPF and hydration. When you do this, your skin can always look premiere-ready.”

“Over-cleansing is one of the biggest causes of sensitivity, dryness and dullness. Gentle and effective is enough,” says Bartov. Stick to cleansers that nourish and hydrate without stripping the delicate skin barrier – these are often balms, lotions or gels. Avoid any cleanser that is full of high concentrations of AHAs, such as glycolic or lactic acid, and if you exfoliate, only do so once daily. This will make the biggest difference to your skin.

While avoiding actives in your cleansers is a good idea, you do want to use them in the other steps in your skincare routine. “Peptides and acids are skin game-changers,” affirms Bartov. “Peptides work to simulate collagen and elastin production so work on plumping, firming and essentially ironing out lines and wrinkles. While acids – ideally a mix of AHAs, BHAs – are essential for transforming skin texture.” For sensitive skin, look to mandelic acid, which is a gentle type of AHA that’s great for brightening, while tranexamic acid – a new-generation acid (technically an amino acid, not an exfoliating acid) that treats all types of pigmentation without causing irritation – is ideal for all skin types.

“Massage is great for stimulating circulation and improving skin tone – we start every in-clinic treatment with it – but many people mistakenly believe it replaces technology. It doesn’t. If you want real skin transformation, advanced technology is still the most effective and proven route. Use your at-home device – whether you prefer light therapy, RF or microcurrent technology – just before applying your active serums. It boosts absorption and significantly enhances results.”

“I fully believe in skincare layering – it’s the foundation of my skincare philosophy. Think of it like getting dressed: beginning with the lightest texture and work your way up to the heaviest (think oils and rich balms here). Start with a cleanser, follow with toner, then acids, then serums (from light to dense), eye cream, moisturizer and SPF in the morning. At night, if your skin feels dry, add a rich night cream as a final layer. It’s important to allow each layer to fully absorb before applying the next.”

“It’s so important to start young when using SPF. Great skin in later years begins with smart skincare from a young age. Avoid sun exposure and always wear protection, every day, all year, no exceptions.” Bartov’s Triple Active Cream + SPF50 is a new-gen sunscreen that does it all offering high-powered protection from screens, rays and pollution while tackling pigmentation, hydrating and delivering a soft-focus skin finish at the same time.