Better Skin by the First Bell

Outfit picked out? Check. Haircut scheduled? Yep. Breakout that shows up the night before? Not this year, honey.

- By Lisa Desantis

With summer coming to a close, now's the time to revisit your BTS skincare routine so you can greet that first day with your best-ever glow. While we don't have a magic wand to grant you perfect skin in an instant, this complexion countdown comes pretty close. Follow the advice of our pros, then get ready to ace your face (along with, you know, your classes).

ONE MONTH AHEAD

DO A DEEP CLEAN

If you've ever had a facial before, you know that there can be some not-so-pretty purging afterward, which is why timing is so essential. Renée Rouleau, celebrity esthetician and founder of Renée Rouleau Skincare, advises booking a deep pore-cleansing treatment one month out "to allow the skin time to settle after any extractions."

Down to DIY? Dermatologist Dr. Michael Gowen recommends using an exfoliating mask two to three times a week. If your skin is sensitive, look for something with calming ingredients like calamine that'll help soothe while acids exfoliate. For oily and acne-prone skin, go for a multi-pronged formula that taps a combination of AHAS, BHAs and PHAS. And don't skip the moisturizer, aka exfoliated skin's bestie.

YOUR TOOLBOX: First Aid Beauty Calamine Pore Purging Mask, $24, firstaidbeauty.com. Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream, $25, cvs.com.Bubble Deep Dive AHA+PHA Exfoliating Mask, $18, hellobubble.com.

2 TO 3 WEEKS AHEAD