True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Summer may be history (for now), but dull weather doesn’t mean your skin has to look equally as cruddy.

It’s only November and we’re already missing those long, sunny days when our skin automatically glowed with health. Dang. But here’s the thing: just because the weather has become duller, colder and a little gray around the edges, your skin can still be as radiant as a balmy, July day. You just need to know how to boost your circulation, encourage healthy skin turnover and maintain clean, clear, hydrated skin.

Sounds too much like hard work? On the contrary. Below, ten quick and easy tips for glowing skin ­– all year long.

1. Exfoliate, Baby!

Exfoliation is definitely ‘the one’ when it comes to quick fixes for brighter, happier-looking skin. And the reasons are simple. Exfoliating your skin – whether you use a scrub, mitt, cleansing brush or chemical treatment – encourages your cells to turn over more efficiently, ridding the surface of dulling dead skin cells and allowing all of the fresh stuff to take their place.

Over-exfoliating can have the opposite effect, however, breaking down your skin’s important barrier function and causing your skin to become angry, red, irritated, dry, pimply or any number of other things that aren’t top of your skin’s wish list. The key, therefore, is to go gently – we recommend using a kind-to-skin chemical treatment like our new AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant – and start out just once or twice a week until your skin acclimates. Sure, you can slowly build up to daily use but listen to your skin and don’t push it. Less is best.

2. Embrace The Upside Down

Want to immediately get blood flowing to your skin with absolutely zero effort? Simple: hang your head upside down for a couple of minutes each day. This immediately rushes circulation to your face and neck, flooding your skin with radiance-boosting oxygen and nutrients. And don’t worry if you can no longer contort your body into a headstand. Just lie back on your bed, face up, and tip your head back over the edge. Everyone can do that. Stick with two or three minutes, max, however. Any longer might make you feel funny. And yes, ‘funny’ is the scientific word for it!

3. Go Big On Hydration

Dehydrated skin is a major cause of dullness because thirsty skin is unable to reflect light as well as soft, hydrated skin.

So word of warning: never let your skin get too parched, people. Drink plenty of water and layer a hydrating serum under your moisturizer to ensure you draw lots of moisture to your skin’s uppermost layers. We’re all over the epic combo of Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum, followed by Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer.

More on the mighty vitamin C in a sec…

4. Try A Quick-Fix, DIY Face Mask

Blending your own, DIY face mask may remind you way too much of your teenage years, but get the right formula and you’ll be on to a real winner. We’re big fans of mixing together plain yogurt, avocado and a teaspoon of honey and slathering this all over our face and neck for around 10 minutes. Yogurt is great for soothing inflammation and gently exfoliating the skin while honey and avocado add that vital hydration and moisturization. 

Needless to say, remember to rinse thoroughly. Well, dur.

5. Moisturize Before Bed

Of course you’re not going to skip moisturizer in the morning (ARE YOU NOW!?) but before bed, certain skincare practices often go out of the window. Because tiredness, laziness, a few too many wines… things get in the way.

However, if you really want your skin to be happy, healthy and glowing, neglecting your night time routine is a big mistake. And no, swooshing a cleansing wipe over your skin does not count.

Every night – without fail – cleanse your face and neck, apply your favorite serum and never forget to moisturize with a gentle but high-powered night cream. Our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream is awesome for refueling your skin as you sleep – literally wrapping your skin in nutrients, antioxidants and rich botanical extracts. It’s a must if you want to wake up with radiant skin before you even look in the mirror.

6. Eat Your Way To Radiant Skin

Antioxidants are a super important part of your diet, whatever your health and skincare goals. But for a brighter, more radiant complexion, they are everything. Of course, we’re never going to deprive you of your favorite treats every now and again, but as a rule, try to include more nuts, seeds and colorful fresh fruit and veggies in your diet. Specifically, reach for things like strawberries, broccoli, grapes, walnuts and almonds.

7. Get Up Close & Personal With Vitamin C

Vitamin C is non-negotiable in the search for glowy skin. It just is. With decades of research under its belt, it’s been proven time and again for protecting your skin from the nasty effects of environmental free radical damage. And if you weren’t aware of just how damaging free radicals can be, know this. They’re seriously bad news for your collagen, breaking it down and killing your skin’s plump, radiant mojo.

But that’s not all, vitamin C also helps inhibit melanin production to help keep dark spots and patchy skin in check. Honestly, it’s a skin brightening shoo-in.

If you’re worried about the potential irritating effects of vitamin C on your sensitive skin, you're right to. But it's not out of the question for any skin type, as long as you look out for gentler derivatives like sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP). We only ever use SAP in our vitamin C products because it’s effective, for one, and way less irritating, for another. What’s not to love?

8. Kickstart Circulation With Gua Sha

Massaging your skin with your hands and fingers is a great way to give circulation a kick up the booty. But if you fancy going the extra mile, try a little facial gua sha.

Fast becoming a given in many a proficient skincare routine, gua sha is an East Asian massage technique that involves working a flat, rounded gua sha tool over the skin to relax your facial muscles, encourage microcirculation and help reduce puffiness while boosting radiance and firming the skin. You simply hold the tool (usually made from jade or rose quartz) flat against your skin and then stroke the curved side in one direction over your face and neck. We like to apply a facial oil first to help it glide over your skin more smoothly. You could also do it while your skin is wet, after cleansing.

9. Don’t Skip Toner

Many people can give or take toner but if you’re looking to really amp up your glow, a great toning product can prove an awesome tool to have in your skincare arsenal. Of course, it’s all about choosing the right one but go for deeply hydrating formulations or anything with gentle, skin-nourishing ingredients and you’ll find your skin instantly looks perkier. Added bonus is that toners can help the rest of your regime penetrate your skin more effectively.

10. Fake It, Till You Make It

Of course, makeup can be a true friend when your skin is not playing fair. Illuminating lotions or ‘glotions’ that combine moisturizing benefits with subtle color and highlighting shimmer are great for faking lit-from-within skin. But they can be little too shimmery for some – especially if you have oily skin. A great trick? Mix a drop with your regular foundation or moisturizer to dilute the shimmer.

You could also try dusting a mineral highlighting powder over the high plains of your face to draw attention and reflect light. Just don’t go too ‘bronze’ with the shade as warm, dark tones can age you up lightning fast.
 
 

Committed to growing out your facial hair for Movember? Then a) good on you. And b) this is the perfect time to get on top of your skincare and grooming routine.

Movember (and it’s cousin, No-Shave November) are here and if you’re keen to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues such as colon cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, mental health and suicide prevention, chances are you’re ditching your razor and forgoing your usual shaving routine for a little extra facial hair right now.

Growing a beard, moustache or goatee from scratch, however, comes with its challenges. For starters, growing and maintaining facial hair can be a bit of a chore – especially if you’re used to a more clean shaven look. And then there are the issues your skin must contend with: beard itch, blocked pores, breakouts, the struggles are all too real.

If you’re on board with Movember or No-Shave November and want to, not only do your bit, but make sure your skin doesn’t feel the hit for the next 30 days, here are four important grooming tips to help you maintain healthier skin.

1. Keep Your Skin Clean

When it comes to cleansing your skin, this is not the time to be slap-dash. Sure, you can just about get away with a speedy ‘splash of water and done’ philosophy when you’re tired or feeling lazy, but it won’t do your skin any favors. And when you’re growing out your facial hair? Frankly, it’s asking for trouble.

Skin secretes sebum all day and, to a lesser extent, throughout the night, helping to keep it healthy and moisturized. All good stuff. However, if your skin is not cleansed regularly, this sebum builds on the surface of your skin, combining with dirt, sweat, pollution and dead skin cells. Leave all this debris to continue building up and it will eventually block up your pores like there’s no tomorrow. Best case scenario? You might end up with slightly irritated skin and a few blackheads. Worse case? Serious acne.

Breakouts around and under facial hair are very common because, even if you think you’re pretty strict with your cleansing routine, the skin under your beard or moustache often gets looked over. Don’t let that happen, people! Cleanse your face, chin and neck thoroughly, morning and night, using balancing products that help to control sebum and detoxify your skin, without sucking all the life out of it.

Our recommendations? Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser or Tea Tree Super Cleanser+. Both of these work hard to deeply cleanse the skin and decongest your pores. Just remember to soften the skin and hairs first with a little warm (but not too hot!) water, then work the cleanser over your skin in circular motions, use a little extra manpower over any hairy, harder-to-reach areas.

2. Exfoliate While You’re At It

Facial scrubs can be a bit of a pain when dealing with facial hair as all those pesky ‘bits’ can get stuck in your hairs. But exfoliation is still as important (maybe even more so) when you’re growing a beard or ‘stache as it helps to regulate cell turnover and get rid of unwanted dead skin cells. This will reduce your chances of irritation and help to keep your pores clear from unwanted blockages.

The good news is we have just the product to keep your skin turning over nicely during this tricky time: AHA/BHA/PHA Liquid Exfoliant. Perfect for all skin types, but particularly awesome for oilier complexions, this non-abrasive, leave-on exfoliant contains three of the best ingredients for breaking down dead skin cells and getting rid of excess sebum: glycolic acid, salicylic acid and gluconolactone. Apply it all over your skin – beard and ‘stache included – after cleansing and before moisturizing, using your fingers or a cotton pad.

3. Keep Your Hands Off

Scratching your beard or touching your facial hair may feel good at the time, but this will transfer even more dirt, sweat and oils from your hands to your face. No matter how often you wash your hands. This might seem innocent enough, but overloading your skin with excess debris will just add to the likelihood of your skin breaking out. It could also aggravate your skin and exacerbate irritation. Nobody wants that.

4. Moisturize Twice Daily

Just as important as keeping your face and neck clean during Movember and No-Shave November is to keep your skin moisturized. Dry, dehydrated skin, coupled with new facial hair can be a killer combination for itchy, irritated skin. And with it also being winter – when the air lacks humidity and is naturally very drying on your skin – your face and neck are going to need that hydration more than ever.

Rich, heavy moisturizers can get ‘stuck’ in facial hair (especially if your beard and ‘stache are dense or thick). This means they’re unable to fully penetrate down to the surface of your skin. Instead of butters or thick creams, therefore, we recommend sticking with lighter lotions or gel formulations whose smaller molecules are able to work between those hairs much more effectively. Our new Firming Collagen Day Lotion is a great choice, or you could try a classic favorite, Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer. Both will keep your skin (and your hairs!) in great condition.

For even deeper hydration, you could even layer your moisturizer on top of a nourishing facial serum. Try Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum, one of our newest all-singing, all-dancing treatments that’s perfect for delivering everything your skin needs to remain strong and healthy. Apply just a couple of drops after cleansing and exfoliating, and before moisturizing, morning and night.

There are tons of things you could be doing to cause irritation, redness, itching and dry skin. Not sure what they are? Then you’re in the right place…

While many sensitive skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are thanks, in part, to a genetic predisposition, many are self-inflicted. In fact, we are regularly our skin's worst enemies, causing flare-ups and upsets because of silly actions that upset the skin’s barrier function, disrupt sebum production or over-stimulate cellular turnover.

Behold, eight common ways you might be aggravating your skin, triggering existing conditions and generally screwing up the look and feel of your complexion…

Mistake #1. Cleansing Your Face With Hot Water

Oh, how tempting it is to run your water as hot as possible – especially as fall turns to winter and life turns somewhat chilly. But using scorching water temps to wash your face (and, in fact, your whole body) strips the skin of natural lipids and proteins, damaging your epidermis and opening your skin up to irritation, inflammation, itchy skin and dryness. It can also lead to your sebaceous glands going into overdrive to try to combat the dryness, resulting in all of the above, plus excess shininess and possible breakouts to add insult to injury.

If you notice any of the above and know that you're guilty of languishing in super hot showers, turn down the temperature and stick with lukewarm water instead. Also, try to limit your time in the shower to five minutes. This’ll not only help save your skin, but our water supplies, too.

Mistake #2. Exfoliating Like It’s Going Out Of Fashion

Skin exfoliation is a fabulous way to accelerate turnover and slough away dead skin cells. And we love a bit of gentle exfoliation as much as the next person. But ‘gentle’ is the operative word. For starters, exfoliating your skin with harsh, scratchy scrubs can cause tiny micro tears in the skin. And that’s just asking for trouble. Similarly, exfoliating too often – whether through physical scrubs or exfoliating acids – can compromise your barrier function and trigger sensitivities.

Our advice? Listen to your skin. If you’re exfoliating once or twice a week and your skin is still looking dull, with no sensitivities, you can probably afford to up the ante. But if it’s looking red and feeling uncomfortable, slow it down. You should also try our NEW 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant which is formulated with glycolic acid, salicylic acid and glucolactone for fantastic exfoliation with fewer of the troubles.

Mistake #3. Not Washing Your Pillowcases Regularly

Sure you might cleanse your face before bed but how often do you wash your hair before turning in? The dirty truth is that pillowcases are full of sweat, oil, dead skin cells, hair products and dirt. And if you leave them to their own devices for too long, all that grime can lead to bacteria and/or microscopic dust mites. And that’s a one-way ticket to skin irritation and acne breakouts.

Change your pillowcases every two to three days. No arguments. Similarly, wash your face towels and makeup brushes as regularly as possible.

Mistake #4. Using Overly Fragranced Skincare Products

Contact dermatitis is when a certain substance comes into contact with your skin and triggers an allergic reaction. This usually takes the form of a red, itchy rash. Of course, these symptoms will go away as long as you remove whatever’s causing the reaction. But therein lies the problem. Exactly what is the cause?

When it comes to ingredients in your skincare routine, fragrance is the number one cause of contact dermatitis in the US. So, if you’re experiencing itchy-type symptoms or weird facial redness, it might be worth checking the labels on all your skincare (as well as your haircare and laundry detergent) labels to make sure you're steering clear of the scented stuff.

The frustrating part of all this is that under US regulations, fragrances can be listed simple as ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum,’ rather than the raw ingredient used. Specifics are rarely revealed because they’re thought of as ‘trade secrets’ by the FDA. Go figure.

Stick with ‘fragrance-free’ products, however, and you should be OK.

Mistake #5. OD-ing On Active Skincare Ingredients

Retinol... vitamin C... glycolic acid... all of these skincare powerhouses are incredible for tackling wrinkles, reducing the appearance of dark spots and generally improving your skin. But you have to be careful and use them only in moderation. Overloading your skin with such potent active ingredients can irritate even the strongest of skin types. And if you’re already predisposed to sensitivities, they can spell disaster.

There are a few golden rules to remember when dealing with active skincare ingredients. First, don’t layer more than one active treatment product at a time. Many serums are formulated with more than one active, for sure, but skincare manufacturers know what they’re doing. Piling on serum after serum can seriously traumatize your skin. Secondly, go slowly – after patch testing first. This is so much better than applying a new product day after day only to have a reaction a week later when it's too late.

Finally, search out the more sensitive sides of active ingredients. Try bakuchiol rather than retinol, lactic acid instead of glycolic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate instead of l-ascorbic acid. These will have similar effects to their powerful cousins, but with far fewer side effects. We’re currently head-over-heels for our new Rejuvenating Longevity Serum which packs a punch against skin aging thanks to nature’s gentler answer to retinol, bakuchiol.

Mistake #6. Skipping Sun Protection

It goes without saying that the sun has to make an appearance here. Because, sorry sun, but you’re bad news for the skin. And even worse news for sensitive skin.

Sensitive skin can be very reactive to weather temperatures and conditions, becoming flushed, prickly, tingly or itchy when exposed to things like wind, cold, heat, and especially sunlight. Sun skin allergies are also real. So much so that it’s a medical condition with a fancy name: polymorphous light eruption (PLME).

This is why sunscreen has to be a non-negotiable step in your skincare routine. Just remember to stick with mineral formulations that use gentle ingredients like zinc oxide to protect your skin. Our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C is a winner.

Mistake #7. Smothering Your Face In Sulfates

Synthetic fragrance isn’t the only irritant in skincare. Sulfates can also be a complete pain for certain skin types.

Sulfates are used a great deal in skincare formulations because they’re damn good at cleansing the skin, removing oils, dirt and product residue very effectively. However, they’re kind of too good if that makes sense, drying out your skin and often causing problems like dryness, itching, redness and breakouts. Especially around the sensitive eye area.

We avoid using the worst sulfate bad boys – sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) – in favor of kinder-to-skin surfactants that care for your barrier function instead of stripping its life away. Our Soothing Cleansing Milk is the best bet for sensitive skin.

Mistake #8. Ignoring Food Sensitivities

Don't forget, what you put into your body can be just as relevant as what goes onto your skin.

Most people with serious skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or rosacea are well aware how important diet and food allergies are. Anything from tree nuts (think almonds, walnuts and macadamias), to dairy and yeast can all cause unwanted flare-ups. And the relationship between food, allergies and the skin doesn’t stop there. If you have an allergy to a certain type of food, it may also be mindful to not only avoid eating it, but to stay well away from it in your beauty products. 

Food and skin allergies are tricky to self-diagnose but they’re important to nail down so if you think you might have an allergy or intolerance to something, it’s wise to get help from an allergist or dermatologist straight away.

Want to better the texture of your skin and help transform the rough into the smooth? Done.

Skin concerns can vary greatly. Whether it’s hormonal breakouts that just won’t let up, puffy morning eyes after too much of a good time, or pesky dark spots that crop up on your cheeks every year – no matter how prudent you are with the sunscreen – there’s always something.

Take rough, uneven skin, for example. Poor texture might not be life threatening or even that noticeable to the untrained eye. But we get it, touching your skin and feeling bumps, flakes and rough patches instead of baby-smooth skin is as frustrating as hell. 

So, why is uneven skin texture such a royal pain in the butt? Well, bumpy skin can be super persistent for starters. It's also impossible to cover up with makeup. In fact, makeup often makes it look ten times worse. And then there are the gazillion reasons why it’s there in the first place. OK, maybe there aren’t that many, but you get the picture.

If you’re fed up with bumpy skin simply not letting up, read on for some important intel that might just help you say ciao to the rough stuff…

First Up, What’s Causing Your Uneven Skin Texture?

Oh, if only we had a straight answer to this question. But alas, when it comes to the health of your skin, things are never quite that black and white.

Poor skin texture can be caused by any number of things which is pretty unhelpful, we know. Thankfully they can, at the very least, be put into four main camps: chronic skin disorders; sluggish cell turnover; an overly complicated skincare routine and surprise, surprise, the sun.

First up we have skin disorders like rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and acne. All of these can make your skin feel bumpy and rough to the touch – especially during flare-ups. And if you’re not careful, scarring from severe acne can also leave you with textural issues in the long-term. So, if you think you might be dealing with some kind of chronic skin complaint like the aforementioned, the only real way to get a handle on what’s going on is to get a professional diagnosis from a dermatologist. Trying to solve these on your own (particularly when you don’t know what you’re dealing with) can be a long, hard struggle and even then you might never achieve the best results.

Other textural issues are most commonly caused by sluggish cell turnover which allows dead skin cells to persistently stick around at the surface of your skin. This results in dullness, dehydration and rough, clogged pores. And then there’s an overly complicated skincare routine that’s packed to the brim with active ingredients. Active ingredients are great in moderation, but too much of a good thing can totally over-stimulate your skin, leaving it feeling bumpy and irritated.

Finally, the sun. This is the one thing you can blame for almost all of your skin woes. And it’s valid. UV radiation disrupts your collagen supplies and causes your cells to prematurely break down and die, leaving you with seriously uneven skin texture (and tone, for that matter!).

How To Boss Smoother Skin

As mentioned, for slightly complicated issues like rosacea and eczema, get thee to a derm. However, if you think your textural issues are more a case of poor cellular turnover, cruddy skincare and/or too much time in the sun, here are five fantastic ways to help smooth things over…

1. Exfoliate On The Reg

The best way to accelerate cell turnover and reduce build-up on the surface of your skin is to exfoliate more often. Don’t get us wrong, most people don’t need to exfoliate daily – that can exacerbate the problem – but two or three times a week with a physical scrub, or three to four times a week with a chemical exfoliant can do wonders for bumpy skin.

Our awesome NEW 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant is a great choice for textural issues because it’s formulated with a sweet blend of glycolic acid, salicylic acid and glucolactone which provide the ideal amount of deep exfoliation and oil control, without upsetting the balance of your skin.

2. Don’t Skip Your SPF

UV radiation is a devil on the skin, screwing up your pores and totally messing with collagen production. Both of which are bad news if you want to get anywhere near the heady heights of smooth skin.

Protect your skin every day with a mineral sunscreen that has a minimum of SPF 30 and is also broad-spectrum. The latter is super important because it means it protects your skin not only from UVB radiation (which is what the SPF denotes) but UVA radiation as well. And that’s the stuff that gets right through those clouds on cold, wintry days, damaging your skin, rain or shine. Try our fabulous SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C as the last step in your morning routine.

3. Make Retinol A Bedtime Favorite

Of course, one of the best ingredients for uneven skin texture is retinol. As per! Although totally different to exfoliants, retinol also has a clever way of boosting turnover and accelerating collagen production to help improve texture, tone, acne, the works. Retinol is not always advisable for rosacea or eczema-prone skin because it’s a potent little beast, but as long as you introduce it slowly and carefully into your routine, it can have skin-transforming results for most skin types.

Give our Retinol Facial Serum a go in the evenings, two or three times a week, after cleansing and before moisturizing.

4. Dose Up On Vitamin C

When it comes to waging war on skin-roughening free radicals, vitamin C gets our vote every time. A major player in the world of antioxidants, vitamin C helps neutralize the many free radicals caused by sun damage, environmental pollution and the like. But that’s not enough for our vitamin C because it also works like a dog to inhibit melanin production, therefore keeping a beady eye on your skin tone as well as its texture.

Like retinol, however, vitamin C can be a pretty powerful addition to your skincare routine so we believe sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) should be your ultimate go-to. SAP is a salt form of pure vitamin C which makes it a) more stable and b) less irritating. It’s the only kind we use across all of our vitamin C products.

5. Never Underestimate The Power Of A Good Moisturizer

Dry and/or dehydrated skin is seriously bad news for the smoothness of your skin so moisturizing is totally non-negotiable. You should moisturize your skin after every cleanse, ideally following a treatment serum that addresses any other concerns you may have.

Look out for moisturizers that contain a good blend of humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin or aloe (these draw water to the surface of your skin) as well as ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil or cocoa butter that help lock all that moisture in. And for an extra boost of free moisture? Apply your product while your skin is still slightly damp. Our current fave is our new Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream but we have a whole bunch of moisturizing whizz kids right here.

It might be thought of as an ‘extra’ step in your skincare routine, but exfoliation can make or break the condition of your skin.

Reckon you’re a dab hand at exfoliating? Got the product, worn the t-shirt and all that? Well, as great as you might be, there’s always room for improvement. Whether it’s getting your frequency absolutely correct, knowing when is the best time to exfoliate or learning how to exfoliate your face and neck without damaging your skin there are many ways to do better.

So if you hate resting on your laurels when it comes to the health of your skin, read on for five important exfoliating lessons you need to know…

1. It’s Better To Under-Exfoliate Than To Over-Exfoliate

The first, and undoubtedly the most important rule when it comes to exfoliating your skin is to never, ever, overdo it.

Here’s the thing, exfoliation is your way of stimulating your skin to turn over at a faster rate, removing dead, hardened cells from the skin’s surface while encouraging the fresher, younger ones to reveal themselves. All this helps remove toxins, unclog pores, control breakouts, fade surface level dark spots, smooth lines, balance oil production, allow the rest of your skincare routine to work better and, well, you get the picture.

Of course, your skin has its own pre-programmed way of shedding millions of dead skin cells every day – a process called desquamation – but things like aging and environmental damage slow this process down from around 28 days to as long as 80 days. And this is not good news. Slow, sluggish cell turnover means that instead of naturally sloughing away, dry, old skin cells get stuck at the surface causing your skin to look dull, patchy, congested and dehydrated.

So you get the picture that exfoliation is pretty important. Well, here’s the catch. Exfoliating your skin too hard or with high concentrations of super-potent ingredients will speed up cell turnover way too much. And this can totally upset your skin’s barrier function, stripping away important proteins and oils, leaving it open to irritation, breakouts, redness and stinging.

This is why it’s key to be gentle. If you like to use physical exfoliants like scrubs, cleansing brushes or facial mitts you should only ever use very light pressure, and avoid harsh tools and products that make your skin sting or hurt. On the other hand, if you prefer chemical exfoliants that harness the powers of hydroxy acids such as glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids, try to avoid super high concentrations and don’t attempt any kind of DIY mixology. Mixing and matching such potent ingredients is best left to the skincare professionals. Otherwise it inevitably does not end well.

2. Yes, You CAN Alternative Between Physical & Chemical Exfoliants

While we’re on the subject of physical and chemical exfoliation, the good news is you don’t have to choose between the two. Of course, you should never scrub your skin and then immediately apply a chemical exfoliant afterwards. Or even on the same day for that matter. This is completely over-egging the pudding, plus you know all that irritation we just spoke of? Well, double exfoliation is opening up the door for sore, sensitive skin.

However, you can certainly alternate between the two if you tread carefully and don’t overdo it. Just remember to stick to two or three times a week with your face scrub, then on alternate days, apply a gentle-on-the-skin chemical exfoliant.

And boy, have we got just the product for that!

Say hello to our new 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant which is formulated with an incredible blend of glycolic acid (an AHA), salicylic acid (BHA) and gluconolactone (PHA). Together with vitamin C this fragrance-free, pH-balancing treatment has been specifically formulated to offer an effective way to increase skin turnover, with less of the irritation often associated with acid exfoliants. The key is the 6 percent sweet spot which we believe is just the right amount to care for all skin types – yes, even sensitive.

3. Cleansing Can Be Effective Before OR After Using Face Scrub

Exfoliating your skin with a physical scrub, washcloth or mitt should never replace your cleansing routine. In fact, you should still cleanse your skin whenever you exfoliate.

But should you do it beforehand or after exfoliating? Well, surprisingly you can do either.

Most skincare experts recommend cleansing before exfoliating because this helps remove surface debris like makeup, oils, sunscreen and sweat, allowing your exfoliator to really get to business straight from the off. However, doing the opposite lifts away those dead skin cells first which gives your cleanser a better chance to wash all that debris away.

In short, cleansing first allows for a deeper, more effective exfoliation, while exfoliating first gives you a better cleanse.

Of course, if you prefer chemical exfoliants like our new 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant, this whole point is null and void. You must always apply chemical exfoliants to clean skin for the best results. End of discussion.

4. For Excellent Results, Exfoliate In The Morning

Never quite sure whether to exfoliate before bed or after you wake up? To be honest, any time of the day is good and it really depends on your skin type, needs and routine. However, if you really want to get the most out of your exfoliant, it can be better to use it in the morning.

During the night, your skin repairs and renews itself from the daily grind, leaving you with more dead skin cells to slough away come the morning. Also, most people apply their retinol treatment at night so over-stimulating your skin before using such a powerful product can increase the potential for irritation.

All this combines to, in our opinion, give morning exfoliation the win. And when you add in the fact that our 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant contains skin brightening, free radical-fighting vitamin C to shield your skin from daily damage, it really is a no brainer.

5. Treat Your Exfoliant Like A Retinol Treatment

As previously mentioned, exfoliation isn't like cleansing, moisturizing and applying sunscreen, which should all be carried out on a strict, daily basis. In fact, one of the worst things you can do is to dive in head first, going from no exfoliation at all, to a vigorous scrub every morning.

As with retinol, proceed your exfoliation routine with caution. Start with a gentle product just once or twice a week (having patch tested any new product first, of course), then slowly build up to more frequent use as your skin acclimates. Depending on your skin type, you may be able to work up to daily exfoliation, alternating between scrubs and acids, or you may find your skin prefers a less frequent approach. Everyone’s skin is different so you’ll need to be the judge of that. Just remember, exfoliating shouldn’t sting, cause peeling, or make your skin look red.

And this applies to your body, just as much as your face and neck.

Want to feel more confident to go makeup-free? Then here’s what you need to know…

We love makeup as much as the next person. Red lipstick and winged eyeliner for a Saturday night out with your besties? Count us in. However, there’s a lot to be said for minimizing the amount of makeup you wear on a daily basis. And there’s even more to be said for feeling comfortable enough in your skin to go bare-faced and makeup-free.

Of course, we’re not saying that makeup is bad for your skin. Sure, there are certain formulations that can overwhelm your skin with pore-blocking oils or irritate it with synthetic fragrances and weird preservatives. But if you choose wisely there are plenty of incredible makeup products out there that help protect your skin from damaging UV radiation, boost your fill of antioxidants or even hydrate your complexion at a surface level.

The point we’re trying to make, though, is that you shouldn’t have to wear makeup everyday just to feel confident. Your skin might not be perfect and you might have certain areas that drive you nuts, but if you take care of what you’ve got with great skincare habits and a consistent routine, you’ll be well on the way to feeling brave enough to show the world your makeup-free skin.

Here are a few important beauty habits to ensure you’re starting off right…

Look Out For Number One: Your Skin’s Barrier Function

When it comes to healthy, comfortable skin that’s hydrated, moisturized, supple and strong, your barrier function is everything. The barrier function is basically your skin’s security blanket, holding onto vital moisture, stopping potential irritants from passing through and providing protection for everything that lies within. When this protective layer gets compromised or damaged, your skin can become dehydrated, weak and easily irritated. And it won’t look good either – furnishing you with all manner of issues from redness and flaky skin through to breakouts and dullness.

The good news is that, while your barrier function naturally weakens with age, there are plenty of ways to keep it as strong and healthy as possible. First up, you must avoid overdoing ingredients that can unbalance your skin’s pH. This includes harsh surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (a big no-no from us!) and strong exfoliating acids. Of course, exfoliation is great – just don’t overdo it. Remember, gentle skincare is key.

Sun protection is also paramount. UV radiation is a killer on your barrier function, not to mention all those damaging free radicals the sun produces deeper down in your skin’s dermis. Get ahead of the game by applying SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C to your face and neck every day without fail. Because damage limitation and all that.

Be More Hands On

Bright, radiant skin – minus the help of illuminating primers or dewy foundation – is no mean feat. But it’s not impossible. And one of our favorite ways to get more glowy is to embrace a bit of facial massage. Whether you use your hands or a facial tool like a jade roller, a few minutes of gentle kneading is a great way to boost blood flow to the surface of the skin, simultaneously bringing essential nutrients to the table while draining away toxins and excess fluids.

We like to massage our skin first thing, during our morning cleansing routine, but if mornings are a bit of a rush for you, you can also practice it in the evenings, after applying facial oil or your favorite serum (we’re all over Peptide Facial Serum right now). Just remember to use upward motions to help lift your skin, working from the center of your face out towards the hairline. It may sound simple, but it’s amazing what this small and relatively quick habit can do for the brightness of your skin.

Don't Underestimate The Power Of Vitamin C

While we’re on the subject of skin brightening, let’s talk about vitamin C. One of the most powerful ingredients for improving radiance, vitamin C is an absolute must for anyone wanting to enhance their skin and prepare it for a makeup-free future.

Topical vitamin C is a clinically-proven ingredient that works hard to protect, brighten, strengthen and rejuvenate dull skin. It sometimes gets bad press by skincare cynics because pure vitamin C can be irritating, is highly acidic and easily breaks down on contact with your skin. So hold on, why’s it so great, then? Well, there are many different variations of vitamin C and some derivatives hold all the power. Our favorite is sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) which, in our humble opinion, is far superior to the pure stuff (l-ascorbic acid). 

SAP is a salt version of pure vitamin C and, although it’s more gentle, is no less effective when you used consistently and with a little patience. It’s also more stable when it comes into contact with light, air and water which means it maintains its potency for way longer. Win-win.

Not only does vitamin C rev up your glow and inhibit melanin production, but it’s also a potent antioxidant, fighting off free radical damage and minimizing the visible signs of premature aging such as dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging. Try our fan-favorite Vitamin C Facial Serum coupled with Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser for a boost of vitamin C your skin will love.

Make Cooler Temperatures Your Friend

One thing skin hates (pesky sun aside), is hot water. Cleansing your skin with scorching water can irritate your barrier function, damage keratin and strip the surface of valuable oils and moisture, causing dryness and dehydration. At best, it’ll make your skin temporarily flushed. At worst, it'll feel super itchy, downright inflamed and could even cause tiny blood capillaries to burst leaving you with red spots under the surface of your skin.

Word is, never cleanse your skin in water that’s anything hotter than room temperature. Similarly, don’t stick your head under the shower if you like your showers on the side of boiling, either. Not sure what ‘room temperature’ really feels like? No problem, just run your water over the back of your hand and apply the Goldilocks principle – aiming for water that’s neither too hot nor too cold.

Colder temperatures can also be your skin’s best friend if you suffer with blotchy skin or bags under your eyes that you’re always trying to cover up with makeup. A couple of teaspoons kept in the fridge, for example, are genius for placing over tired eyes to help depuff and brighten. You could also keep your eye cream, face masks and jade roller in the fridge to help constrict the blood capillaries and calm redness on application.

Get Breakouts Under Control

Covering pimples and blackheads with makeup can often make things worse – especially if your foundation and concealer contain pore-clogging oils.

Instead of trying to solve acne with makeup, tackle them at their source by cleansing twice daily (as well as after exercising) with a gentle, balancing cleanser that clarifies your pores without stripping your skin of essential sebum. We love Tea Tree Super Cleanser+. After cleansing, apply a pore-refreshing toner that also helps exfoliate and regulate your skin (oh hi there Ocean Mineral Super Toner), then follow with Tea Tree Super Serum+ two or three times a week. Trust us, you’ll soon notice a big difference in the frequency and severity of your breakouts.

Now, just think how much money you're going to save on makeup going forward. Not to mention the extra time in bed you'll get back every morning...