True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Ready to discover which powerhouse vitamins and minerals will ‘actually’ make your skin look and feel better than ever? Here's the lowdown on ten of the best… 

Skincare ingredients are ten-a-penny these days with all manner of alleged miracle workers available to spread and massage over your precious complexion. But the thing is, you can splash out hundreds of bucks on products, then you wait… and wait… and well, nothing really changes. ‘Disappointing’ doesn’t even touch the surface.

So which ingredients offer true, visible results and therefore deserve their coveted spot in your routine? Well, we believe the classics are rarely beaten. And in this case, the true classics are vitamins and minerals. 

Read on for ten of the most elite vitamins and minerals we have the pleasure to know. And, just so you know, we don’t like to play favorites, so we’ve listed them in alphabetical order. Because fair’s fair.

The Mineral Masters

1. Calcium

Calcium rarely gets shouted about in skincare but it’s actually a bit of an unsung hero. You’re well aware of calcium’s benefits for your teeth and bones, right? Well, it’s also a key component of the skin – reinforcing and strengthening its natural resilience by fortifying the barrier function. 

As skin ages, its barrier function can become compromised due to daily wear and tear (UV radiation is a huge offender, of course), plus poor skincare choices and unhealthy lifestyle habits. This can make the skin feel, dry and dehydrated because moisture is able to more easily escape from the surface of the skin. But not only that; a weak barrier function also encourages irritation and sensitivities that weren’t there before. Which is no fun.

The good news is there are many awesome ingredients out there that help counteract a substandard barrier function – calcium being one of them. Added bonus: it’s also been shown to encourage healthy cell turnover for brighter, clearer skin.

2. Magnesium

Like calcium, magnesium often goes under the radar as a skincare ingredient, but it’s a very important, stress-relieving mineral that works both inside and out.

While essential for regulating various important bodily functions (think blood pressure and nerve function to name just two), in skincare, magnesium has been shown to reduce irritation and inflammation. It does this by strengthening cell growth, lowering cortisol (the stress hormone), supporting DNA repair, protecting the skin’s barrier function and regulating important proteins that play a key role in the body’s inflammatory response.

Magnesium has also been found to be a pretty nifty skin hydrator, helping to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while also driving extra moisture into the skin thanks to its electrolyte properties.  (PS: calcium and potassium are also electrolytes)

3. MSM

We have the utmost respect for MSM – which stands for methylsulfonylmethane in case you were wondering. You can see why we shorten it to MSM now, right?

MSM is a naturally-occurring sulfur compound that encourages your skin to produce healthy, plentiful collagen (a vital protein for strong, plump skin). It also works to protect it from environmental damage by increasing glutathione synthesis, one of the body’s most important, naturally-occurring antioxidants. Another thing: MSM has anti-inflammatory qualities which enable it to help decrease damage to the skin caused by other lifestyle baddies such as stress, lack of sleep and a poor diet. This makes it a shoo-in if you’re looking to win the battle against premature aging. 

4. Potassium

Another super important electroyte for boosting your skin’s natural moisturizing factor, potassium works hard to ensure balance and harmony at a surface level. We’ve mentioned electrolytes already (hi there calcium and magnesium) but just so you’re aware, electrolytes are minerals that carry a small electric charge. In skincare formulations, this charge helps to regulate pH, transfer nutrients throughout the skin and attract water in order to facilitate optimum hydration. All this ensures the skin cells function at their very best. And the result? Healthier-looking and healthier-feeling skin. Love.

5. Zinc

An awesome ingredient for angry or acne-prone skin, zinc, in its purest form, is known for its healing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s extremely well tolerated by sensitive skin and helps to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized by balancing sebum, fortifying the skin’s barrier function and significantly reducing TEWL.

Zinc also has incredible protective qualities which is why zinc oxide is such a powerhouse in the sun care market. In fact, according to a 2019 proposal by the FDA, zinc oxide is one of only two sun filters undeniably proven to be a safe and effective barrier against the sun’s damaging UV rays (titanium dioxide is the other). Unlike chemical sunscreens which kind of absorb UV radiation and then break it down in the skin, mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide create a physical barrier which reflects UV rays away from the surface of your skin. We’re obsessed. 

The Vitamin Kings

1. Vitamin A

In the world of skincare, vitamin A likes to go by the name of something else: retinol. 

One of the most valuable ingredients you could have in your arsenal, retinol is the gold standard of skincare powerhouses and constantly recommended by anyone who knows anything about the skin. The reason? Simple, it works.

Retinol has been proven time and again to speed up cell turnover while stimulating collagen and elastin production and helping to keep the visible signs of aging (wrinkles, dark spots etc.) under wraps. However, its power is also its downfall so remember to always patch test a new retinol product before using it regularly, then introduce it slowly into your routine to give your skin time to acclimate.

2. Vitamin B3

Another skin nutrient that has a stage name, vitamin B3 is also known as niacinamide. And, we have to admit, niacinamide is a bit of a show-off, boasting a list of benefits as long as your arm.

Niacinamide is a very effective antioxidant which means it helps to neutralize skin-damaging free radicals. It also helps to boost ceramides in the uppermost layers of your skin which helps to maintain a strong, protective barrier function. Add to this the fact that niacinamide has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and it then becomes a great tool for reducing unwanted facial redness and pesky breakouts. If that wasn’t enough, its do-it-all attitude includes regulating oil production, minimizing the appearance of pores and reducing the appearance of dark spots. Phew.

And the best news of all? As powerful as niacinamide is, it’s also a softie at heart and suits even the most sensitive skin types.

3. Vitamin C

We’d be nowhere without the undeniable skin hero that is vitamin C. Our first baby was our Vitamin C Facial Serum which launched in the fall of 2013 and is still our best-selling serum to date – trust us, almost 150,000 Amazon reviews do not lie!

The thing about vitamin C is that it’s a proven antioxidant which makes it a great addition to your sun-busting morning routine. It’s also a mild exfoliant and has been shown to inhibit melanin production so is a fabulous choice for anyone seeking to boost radiance and help reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Vitamin C can be listed in your skincare ingredients in many forms, including l-ascorbic acid (the pure stuff), ascorbyl palmitate, sodium ascorbate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. We know that’s a lot to remember, but our advice is this. Stick with sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Why? Because it’s one of the most stable, kind-to-skin versions so is able to offer all of the benefits with very little irritation.

4. Vitamin E

While it rarely grabs the headlines, vitamin E has been quietly looking after skin for decades.

Often seen on your ingredients list as tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate or alpha-tocopheryl acetate, vitamin E is another antioxidant that helps keep your skin safe from environmental harm. However, its main MO is to strengthen the skin’s barrier function by locking in moisture, soothing inflammation and calming irritated skin. And what makes this baby truly special? It plays nicely with almost every other skincare ingredient out there. In fact, pair it with vitamin C and you’ve got one of the most unstoppable protective power duos on your hands. 

5. Vitamin K

Last, but not least, comes probably the least known of the vitamin family, vitamin K. A fat soluble vitamin produced by the liver, vitamin K is also known as phytonadione and it plays an important role in heart health, bone growth and blood clotting, making it vital to your overall health. 

In skincare, vitamin K hasn’t undergone anywhere near the amount of clinical research as your As, Bs, Cs and Es. However, it’s definitely one to keep an eye on. Because of its role within the blood clotting process some skincare experts believe that vitamin K has the ability to offer similar effects when applied topically to things like bruising, swelling, redness and excess blood that can pool under your eyes. This makes it an interesting one to watch if you suffer with dark circles.

Got oily or combination skin? Then chances are a shiny t-zone is something you’re keen to manage. Good news: we've pulled together the lowdown on how to minimize excess oil and turn your shine into a different kind of glow.

Shiny skin is something those with dry skin probably dream of. If only they knew, right? Because while dry skin comes with its own set of grievances, an oily t-zone, that starts across your forehead, works its way down your nose, then culminates all over your chin, is certainly no picnic. Sure, it’s completely natural, and in fact combination skin, which is characterized by dryness over the cheeks and oiliness in the t-zone, is considered to be the most common skin type in the world. But still, it's frustrating at the best of times...

It's important to remember, however, that the amount of oil your skin produces is not entirely under your control. So, our first piece of important advice? Don’t sweat it too much; there’s only so much you can do. Instead, focus on the things you are able to influence by adhering to some smart shine-busting skincare tactics.

But First, What Causes Oily Skin?

Your skin type is entirely determined by how much sebum your skin produces. Sebum is an oily, waxy substance that’s produced by the sebaceous glands in the dermis, near the base of your hair follicles. Sebum is actually super important for the health of your skin because it works hard to seal in moisture and keep your skin lubricated. It also helps to protect it from external factors like allergens and pollutants.

Depending on how much sebum your glands produce, your skin type will either be dry , normal, combination or oily. And when it comes to a shiny t-zone, oily or combination skin types are those most commonly affected. 

Sebum: The Good & The Bad

While an oily t-zone is often frowned upon, excess sebum is not all bad. Sure, it can lead to things like blocked pores, blackheads and pimples, but it also results in a stronger barrier function which reduces your likelihood of developing sensitivities to certain skincare ingredients. Oh, and get this, it also slows down the development of premature wrinkles. Hurray for sebum! 

On the other hand, skin that produces too little sebum is frequently partnered with things like redness, irritation and sensitivities thanks to a compromised barrier function that’s less able to keep the skin moisturized and shielded from harm.

Of course, in a perfect world we would all have 'normal,' perfectly balanced skin. Sadly, that elusive perfect world simply does not exist.

What Makes The T-Zone Particularly Oily?

Whether you have oily or combination skin, the t-zone, which includes the forehead, nose and chin, is notorious for being the oiliest area of the face. And the reason is pretty simple: the t-zone contains more sebaceous glands than anywhere else. Nothing more complicated than that.

Your Dos & Don’t For A More Balanced T-Zone

Do you feel like your skin produces way more oil than your bestie’s? Well, you can thank genetics, hormones, your age and the weather for the most part. And unfortunately, these aren’t factors you can control. However, you can still do your bit by making smart skincare choices. Here’s how…

1. DO Choose The Right Cleanser

Harsh cleansers can strip your skin dry, triggering your sebaceous glands to produce even more oil – which is definitely not the result we’re aiming for. This makes your cleansing choices super, like super, important.

Avoid strong sulfates, harsh alcohols and synthetic fragrances for starters, and concentrate on ingredients that are effective at reducing oil, but don’t remove it completely. Things like kaolin and activated charcoal are great for mopping up excess oil and detoxifying the skin, so give our Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser a go which blends coconut-derived activated charcoal with balancing hydrators like aloe vera and reishi mushroom.

Also, try to avoid hot water when cleansing your skin as this stimulates sebum production. You have been warned.

2. DON'T Forget To Moisturize

You might feel tempted to skip moisturizer because surely it’ll do nothing but make your skin feel and look even more oily, right? Wrong. Skipping moisturizer actually signals your skin to produce more oil. Yes, just like poor cleansing. Instead, choose the right kind of moisturizer – lightweight and oil-free – to help keep your skin balanced.

If your skin is also feeling a little dehydrated, it’s also wise to layer up with a light moisture-boosting serum like our Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum. Just a thought.

3. DO Try Salicylic Acid

As skincare ingredients go, salicylic acid is arguably the most important one to have in your shiny t-zone arsenal.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). BHAs are chemical exfoliants that break down the bonds between skin cells to encourage them to slough away more efficiently. Kind of like glycolic acid. However, unlike glycolic acid which is a water-soluble AHA, salicylic acid is fat-soluble which means that as well as providing exfoliating benefits, it’s also able to penetrate into your pores to help balance sebum. Salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities which makes it a shoo-in if your oily t-zone goes hand-in-hand with acne breakouts. 

Try our 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant with combines this little gem with the aforementioned glycolic acid as well as hydrating powerhouses, glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

4. DON'T Strip Your Skin With Harsh Toner

Toners are fabulous, but here’s the thing: you don’t want yours to get rid of sebum altogether. This means that oil-reducing toners are probably best avoided.

Gentle, alcohol-free toners, on the other hand, that help to create harmony at the surface of your skin by balancing sebum and improving hydration? We’re all over those. Look for ingredients like witch hazel, niacinamide, zinc and MSM which help do just that. Our Ocean Minerals Super Toner, for example, has your name all over it.

5. DO Introduce Your Skin To Tea Tree Oil

Another great ingredient for balancing an oily t-zone is one of our all-time favorites: tea tree oil. Just like salicylic acid, tea tree oil is proven to contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it downright awesome for killing acne-causing bacteria on the surface of your skin. It's also a natural astringent which means it helps to regulate and control sebum production.

Tea tree oil, however, is pretty potent, so if you’re introducing it into your routine for the first time, treat it with respect. Our Tea Tree Super Serum+, for example, is well tolerated by the skin, but should still be patch tested first. Also, you may find just two or three applications a week is enough to bring harmony to your oily or combination skin. 

6. DON'T Make Friends With Occlusives

We’ve talked about many of the good ingredients but, don't forget, there are also some terrible ones you should avoid like the plague – most notably, occlusives. Now, don’t get us wrong, occlusives are awesome if you have a dry complexion or a chronic skin condition like eczema, because they leave a kind of thin film on the top of your skin which prevents water evaporation and helps to truly lock in moisture at a surface level. However, this barrier can also block up your pores which is terrible news for an oily t-zone – literally inviting acne breakouts along for the party.

Your best bet is to avoid occlusives at all costs. To be honest, they’re usually thick in texture so aren’t the kind of thing you would naturally go for anyway, but still, it’s worth knowing that things like petroleum jelly, rich cocoa butter, beeswax and coconut oil are not your ideal skincare friends.

Serums can truly supercharge your skincare routine – especially if you know how to maximize their effectiveness. Here’s how…

We believe your face serum should be one of your most prized skincare possessions. Of course, daily sunscreen is crucial, and yes, your cleanser provides the foundation to everything that follows. But a face serum is the key to targeting everything you love (and maybe don’t love so much) about your skin. Whether you want to improve hydration, deal with breakouts, soften fine lines or brighten tired skin, the right face serum can help fix the lot.

Speaking of the ‘right’ face serum, finding your perfect fit is vital, but let us ask you this: do you feel like you’ve found the one... yet it’s kind of underperforming? Then it’s probably not the serum that’s the issue. Instead, it’s likely the way you’re using it.

So let’s fix that, shall we?

Your Serum Strategy 101

Think of your face serum as the VIP in your skincare routine. Because yes, it's that special. Plus, it’s likely to have cost more than most of your other products, so it’d be foolish not to fuel yourself with the knowledge of how to use it effectively. 

Here are the face serum rules we follow to the letter…

When To Use Your Face Serum

The correct order in which to apply ALL of your skincare products matters. A lot. And the general rule of thumb is that you should always work with your products from thin to thick; from water to oil. 

This means that cleanser comes first (obvs!), then toner, serum, eye cream and finally moisturizer. If you apply serum after your moisturizer, on the other hand, the rich, slightly heavier nature of moisturizer will block the serum from the surface of your skin. And this will immediately make it less effective. That’s what we call money down the drain.

Serum BEFORE moisturizer, people. Always.

How Much Face Serum Should You Use?

Face serums are super lightweight due to their small molecular structure. This means they’re able to carry a high intensity of concentrated, active ingredients in a relatively thin, slippery formulation. This is crucial because it gives serum the ability to penetrate the skin more effectively than thicker, more viscous formulations like moisturizer and facial oil.

Thanks to their slippery nature, face serums smooth over your skin like a dream – well, a good one does, anyway;). Sure, it’s tempting to smother your face in it because you think your skin will end up reaping more benefits from all those awesome ingredients. But that’s a mistake because, the truth is, your skin can only soak up so much.

A reputable serum will always come with guidelines on how much to use, but a pea-sized amount, or roughly two to three drops, should generally be sufficient for your face and neck. Any more will simply be a waste.

5 Ways To Make Your Face Serum Work Harder

Because it's not just what you apply, but the way in which you apply it...

1. Exfoliate First

If the surface of your skin is clogged up with dead skin cells, your face serum stands no chance of penetrating at a deeper level. And this means it won’t work so well. So make sure you exfoliate regularly to create an easier pathway for your serum to go about its business.

A gentle scrub two or three times a week is a great shout, but if you’re not keen on face scrubs, try a leave-on chemical exfoliant that uses ingredients like glycolic acid and/or salicylic acid to dissolve the ‘glue’ that holds dead skin cells together. 

Try: 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant

2. Nail The Damp Skin Technique

Serums are able to penetrate the skin better if your skin has a bit of moisture present at its surface. Why? Because damp skin is more permeable, easy as that.

The trick is to apply a couple of drops to your hand as quickly as you can after cleansing or toning your skin. Then apply serum all over your face and neck using clean hands and light pressing motions. Not only will your skin be more receptive to all those fabulous ingredients but you’ll also lock in a little extra moisture while you’re at it. Win win.

One word of warning, however. If you have sensitive skin, you might actually be better off applying your serum to dry skin to reduce irritation. But play around, see what works best for you.

3. Understand That Your Skin’s Needs Vary From Morning To Night

Just like your entire body, your skin’s needs are very much governed by time. Cell turnover, for example, is at its peak during the night, while you’re asleep. This means that instead of using a sun protective antioxidant serum before bed, it’s much better to encourage repair and regeneration with ingredients like retinol, peptides and growth factors. Sebum production also slows down at night so it's similarly wise to enlist in some help sealing in hydration.

Meanwhile, your levels of cortisol are at their highest when you wake up, so anti-inflammatory serums that contain ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin E are better as part of your morning routine. Skin brightening and awakening ingredients like caffeine and vitamin C are also more beneficial first thing when you’ll be able to maximize – and actually see! – their revitalizing effects. And obviously antioxidants that help to protect your skin from environmental harm are crucial every morning.

Try: Day Night Duo with Vitamin C and Retinol Facial Serums

4. Wait A Hot Minute Before Applying Moisturizer

While it’s great to apply face serum swiftly after cleansing and/or toning, it’s wise to wait 60 seconds or so between your serum and moisturizer. Most serum formulations will sink in super fast but still, giving the formulation a short while to fully absorb and dry helps it to really settle into your skin.

5. Give Your Face Serum Enough Time To Work

Serums aren’t miracle workers that instantly make wrinkles vanish overnight. On the contrary, for real results, you’ll need to consistently apply yours for at least six to eight weeks before you’ll even begin to see their true effects.

Saying that, don’t rush in without patch testing any new formulation first. Then, if you’re good to go, make sure to introduce it slowly into your routine. This will give your skin time to adjust, thereby reducing your chances of irritation. It’ll also stop you from giving up too soon!

Check out our line-up of awesome serums right here. And if you don’t know which one is right for you, here’s a helpful guide.

A stressed mind often goes hand-in-hand with stressed skin so if your skin is breaking out, freaking out or drying out right now, here’s some advice…

Stress can be a real bummer for the health of your skin. It can exact all sorts of chaos on your complexion, causing anything from redness and irritation to acne, excess dryness, even flare-ups in existing conditions like rosacea and eczema.

But why? What’s the connection between stress and your skin?

Why Your Skin Reacts To Emotional Stress

You may not know this but your skin and brain are pretty tight. So tight, in fact, that they have a name for their strong friendship: the skin-brain axis.

The skin-brain axis is a communication network through which the brain and skin connect and consequently react to certain triggers. The skin-to-brain communication is pretty obvious when you think about it. For example, when your hand comes into contact with something extremely hot, the skin sends signals to your brain to move your hand away to reduce pain and minimize harm. Of course, it’s way more complicated than that (because biology), but that’s your skin doing its part in this two-way partnership.

But what about the brain-to-skin communication? Well, this is where your emotions come into play. And more specifically, stress. When your brain is stressed it releases inflammatory factors into the bloodstream, including an increase in the ‘stress hormone,’ cortisol. 

Cortisol plays an important role in the body, boosting your energy as you wake up in the morning, enabling tissue repair throughout the day and dropping in the evening to help prepare you for sleep. Problems arise, however, when chronic stress (the kind that builds up and makes you feel anxious, depressed, tired or frustrated) causes your cortisol levels to stay elevated. This not only disrupts sleep – which is seriously bad news for your skin in its own right – but elevated cortisol can also destroy important proteins like collagen and elastin, increase inflammation and seriously mess with your skin’s important barrier function. This is how the brain-to-skin part of the partnership works.

Tell-Tale Signs That Your Skin Is Stressed

Many skin conditions have been linked to emotional stress. Eczema, rosacea and psoriasis can all be triggered by bouts of stress thanks to the inflammatory nature of the beast. Cortisol also accelerates the production of sebum in your skin which can be seriously bad news for those with acne-prone skin.

But it’s not just sufferers of these specific skin conditions that can be affected by stress. It can get us all if we don’t watch our backs and try to keep our levels of emotional stress under control.

The most common signs to look out for include…

* Redness

* Irritation

* Dryness

* Dehydration

* Oiliness

* Pimples

Your Game Plan For Reducing Stress

Are you noticing any of the above creeping up on you right now? Feel like they might be a result of chronic stress? Then your first course of action is to implement lifestyle changes that promote relaxation and help reduce your stress levels. It's vital to think about the way your conduct your daily life and to take time out to concentrate on your mental health. Granted, this isn't easy, but it’s extremely important for the health of your entire body, not just your skin. Things like exercise have been proven to boost your mental wellbeing, as has meditation, a healthy diet, quality sleep and deep breathing.

Also, try to understand your stress triggers. This will give you the skills and knowledge to improve habits or avoid certain situations that make you feel tense or troubled.

Skincare Recovery Starts Now

When it comes to skincare, there are many ways to provide your skin with a physical buffer against the visible signs of stress. 

Below are our top skincare tips for stressed skin.

1. Simplify Your Routine

When stressed skin starts freaking out, it’s a warning sign to chill out with the over-complicated skincare routine. Lay off the exfoliation for a bit and reduce your use of active ingredients while your skin hits the reset button. Hopefully, it won’t take long for your skin to return to a state of calm but sticking with a simple cleanser, good moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen will help speed up the process.

2. Embrace Calming Skincare Ingredients

The likes of retinol and glycolic acid are extremely effective skin-enhancers when your skin is strong and behaving itself, but when it’s compromised it’s best to lay off these potent powerhouses. 

Instead, reach for the more gentle folk; those that still have positive effects on your skin, while helping to soothe redness and reduce inflammation at the same time. Our favorites include aloe, green tea, oat and rice milk, niacinamide and vitamin E – all of which you’ll find in many of your favorite TruSkin formulations. Soothing Cleansing Milk, for example, is the bee’s knees for compromised, stressed skin, literally giving your skin a comfortable hug of oat and rice milk, along with two of the finest super hydrators, hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

3. Boost Your Barrier Function

Your skin’s barrier function is crucial for keeping your skin hydrated and strong. How so? Well, this important top layer keeps moisture in and nasties out, allowing your skin to maintain optimum health and minimal disruption. 

Excess cortisol tries its hardest to upset your barrier function, so make sure you counteract its damaging effects by ‘feeding’ your skin with all the good stuff. Ceramides, for example, are essential for a strong, stable barrier function as they help bind the cells together, giving it stability, preventing water loss and protecting it from environmental stressors.

Try our Smoothing Collagen Serum which contains three essential ceramides for repairing, hydrating and strengthening stressed skin.

4. Supercharge Your Skin’s Overnight Repair System

While the rest of your body sleeps, your skin gets super busy, repairing damage caused by the stresses from the day as well as rejuvenating itself in preparation for a brand new one. To help out, ensure your skin is gently cleansed before bed, then apply an enriching night cream that contains kind-to-skin antioxidants (hello sodium ascorbyl phosphate!) as well as ingredients famed for fueling hydration and calming inflammation.

Good news: we have that exact product in the form of Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.

5. Finally, Don't Panic

Fortunately, stressed skin is usually temporary so don't worry about it too much – that'll do nothing but heighten your emotional stress! Just listen to your skin, stick with a back-to-basics routine for a while and if things do persist, maybe it's time to visit a dermatologist for extra advice. That's what they're there for, after all.

Let’s get real, expensive skincare does not always equal better skincare. In fact, affordable brands are often the true heroes in your routine.

Ever asked yourself, is your $200 moisturizer truly worth it, or is it all glossy packaging and clever marketing? The truth can be a bit of a gray area, but at the end of the day, skin doesn’t give a hoot about hefty price tags. What it cares about is ingredients that actually ‘do’ something. For example, a great moisturizer should boost hydration and seal moisture into your skin. Sunscreen needs to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB radiation. And a good cleanser should gently but effectively clean the skin without causing irritation or stripping away its important barrier function. And honestly, products are perfectly capable of doing this without breaking the bank.

So, why are some products 10x the price of others? And, the most important question of all, do so-called ‘premium’ products honestly work any better?

What Makes Expensive Skincare So Expensive?

There are many reasons why luxury skincare products come with eye-watering price points. Some are valid, but not all of them are for the good of your skin. Here are the most common reasons you might have to shell out a little bit extra...

1. Fancy Packaging

Packaging is extremely important in the luxury skincare market. Shiny metallic boxes, beautiful glass bottles, gold embossing, they’re all used to create the illusion that what’s inside is of the highest quality and therefore worth paying more for. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. 

2. Clever Marketing

Double page ads in Vogue or huge TV commercials cost money – especially when a brand has bagged a big celebrity name to flaunt its wares. Well, this money needs to comes from somewhere. Guess where? Yes, your pocket.

3. Proprietary Ingredients 

Proprietary ingredients are what set certain skincare products apart. But just because a product contains a unique ingredient this doesn’t necessarily make it more beneficial to your skin. More often than not, it’s the clinically proven ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, glycerin and niacinamide that do all the heavy lifting. 

4. Potency Of Active Ingredients

While affordable skincare products are often formulated with the same ingredients as their pricier cousins, it’s true that sometimes they don’t contain as much. And this can be reflected in the price. Strong retinols, however, can irritate certain skin types, which doesn’t always make higher price points the best option. Working with your skin and using products that are beneficial, but don't sensitize or irritate, is important here.

What REALLY Matters When Buying Skincare

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not here to totally bash luxury skincare. If you can afford an expensive, bells and whistles moisturizer and it makes you feel good while, crucially, benefiting your skin, then no harm done. Oftentimes, even just the ritual of smothering your body in a beautifully expensive body butter makes it worth every cent.

However, if you’re really stretching yourself to buy something just because the latest A-lister told you to do so, but you’re not really seeing visible results, why bother when there are so many results-driven products out there that come at a fraction of the cost?

Instead of focusing on premium price tags, here are some smarter shopping tips for building an effective, affordable skincare routine…

Focus on Science-Backed Ingredients

Ingredients that have been clinically tested to benefit the skin are the single most important factor in any skincare product. Superheroes created scientifically in a lab include retinol, vitamin C, peptides, niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Then you have all the natural botanicals that also work wonders on your skin. Think jojoba oil, green tea, aloe vera and tea tree oil to name just a few. Do your research and look out for these big hitters and you’ll know that a product is going to truly get things done. 

Check The Running Order Of The Ingredients List

Skincare products don’t generally offer up the exact concentrations of their ingredients, but the label will give some of the game away. How so? Well, skincare brands are required by the FDA to print their ingredients in order, starting from the highest in concentration, working down to the lowest. When it gets down to 1 percent or less, however, they can be listed in any order. 

All this is good to know because if a vitamin C serum lists its vitamin C way down the ingredients list, hovering around the bottom, this shows that it contains very little and potentially won't be as effective as one that lists vitamin C nearer the top. Make sure the good stuff is in the top half of a product’s ingredients label. It doesn't need to be at the absolute top (some active ingredients are way too powerful for that!), but top half is a good rule to follow.

The vitamin C in our Vitamin C Facial Serum, for example, is third on the list after water and aloe. That’s good stuff, right there – and it won't make your wallet burst into tears, either.

Understand Your Skin Type & Needs

Way more important than buying into fancy beauty brands with eye-watering price tags, is to be aware of your skin type and find products that work for you. Do a bit of homework getting to know your skin, then you can focus on the things you’d like to improve. Research ingredients that are proven to help certain concerns ­– eg. hyaluronic acid is fantastic for hydrating thirsty skin whereas tea tree oil can work wonders on breakouts –  then do even more homework by looking into formulations that include those ingredients (in decent concentrations). This helps target your routine to suit your needs without buying into fluff your skin can seriously do without.

Don’t Be Duped By False Promises

Creams that promise to be ‘better than Botox’ are never to be believed – no matter their price. The truth is that skincare can only do so much. A 24k gold-infused moisturizer that costs you hundreds of bucks, for example, is unlikely to moisturize your skin any better than one that was $20. Because yes, gold is super indulgent but at the end of the day, it doesn’t moisturize your skin. It’s all the other stuff inside (which didn’t cost the manufacturer $$$s) that does all the talking, not the fancy fillers and inflated price.

Our advice? Stick to science-backed ingredients that are proven to benefit your skin. 

Remember, The Right Product For You Is The One You Regularly Use

Doing your research and making informed decisions are extremely important because, while we’re big advocates of effective skincare that doesn’t cost the earth, there are some fantastic, pricey products out there… as well as some not-so-great inexpensive options.

Research, research, research. Trust us, you’ll know when you find ‘the one’ because you’ll look forward to using it. And that means you'll use it consistently and regularly and therefore be rewarded with the best, most visible results.

Showing your skin love isn’t about overly expensive skincare products and complicated routines, it’s about being positive, listening to what your skin needs and reacting with kind. Here’s how to get on that…

Remember when you learnt in school that your skin is your body’s largest organ? Well, your teachers weren’t lying. The average adult human has around 22 square feet of skin which, even though it’s only a few millimeters thick at its thickest point, weighs around 8 lbs.

That’s a lot of skin right there. 

If you’re here, we imagine you’re already into practicing good skincare habits. We bet you already cleanse like a pro, apply moisturizer vigilantly and rarely leave the house without slapping on your broad-spectrum SPF. Good work. 

That being said, it’s easy to forget that skin sometimes needs a little extra love and attention. Whether the weather has been taking its toll, work has gotten on top of you or certain hormonal changes are happening in your life, understanding your skin’s needs and adapting your habits is crucial for making the most of your skin and encouraging a healthy glow.

In the market for giving your skin a little added TLC right now? Then read on for 10 proven skincare practices and lifestyle habits for showing your skin just how much you care.

1. Get To Know Your Skin Better

Before going any further, remember that your skin is totally unique to you so understanding when it’s feeling good and when it needs help is crucial if you’re striving for healthier-looking skin. Knowing your skin type (normal, oily, dry or combination) is the first step, but there are plenty of other factors at work here ­– your age, environment, lifestyle, diet, they all play their part and dictate how you should adapt your habits to suit. 

Action Stations: To understand your skin better, cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser like Soothing Cleansing Milk, pat it dry, then look in the mirror without applying any other skincare products. Feel your skin and look at all the various areas of your face and neck to see what’s going on right now. Once you know this, you can think about what you can do to help.

2. Concentrate On The Good Stuff

It’s easy to reel off the things you don’t like about your skin ­– crow’s feet, breakouts, a sagging jawline ­– but when was the last time you thought about the stuff you do like? Being positive about your skin is crucial, not only for your mental wellness, but also for your skin itself. How so? Because when you know what you like about your skin you can accentuate and highlight these areas. 

Action Stations: Do you have the smoothest forehead, like, ever? Then pull your hair back and flaunt it. OK, maybe you have the odd wrinkle or two, but good news, your complexion is fairly even in tone. Then don’t be afraid to go foundation-free. Show off your good bits, people, it’s very liberating. Plus, it stops you sweating over the other, 'not so great' stuff.

3. Boost Your Glow With Antioxidants

Facial serums are to skin what red lipstick and stunning earrings are to an outfit – the true icing on the cake. You see, serums have a smaller molecular structure than creams and lotions so they’re able to truly penetrate your skin and target your concerns.

Depending on what these are, we have a whole collection of plant-powered serums packed with ingredients to help hydrate, plump, firm, smooth and boost radiance.

Action Stations: Our bestselling serum, year after year is the OG, Vitamin C Facial Serum. Packed with skin-loving sodium ascorbyl phosphate (a gentle form of vitamin C skin loves), as well as soothing vitamin E and hydrating powerhouses hyaluronic acid and aloe, it’s the bee’s knees for great skin. Apply a few drops to your face and neck after toning and before moisturizing for better-looking, incredible-feeling skin in both the short- and long-term.

4. Take Compliments… And Return The Favor

Hands up if you’re terrible at receiving compliments? You’re not alone. But the thing is, people say nice things because they genuinely like or appreciate something about you and want to let you know about it order to make you feel good.

Action Stations: Next time someone tells you how great your skin is looking, smile and enjoy the compliment. They wouldn’t say it if they didn’t mean it. Plus, you’ll feel so much better than if you shrugged it off. Similarly, whenever your friends look good, let them know. Share the love!

5. Don’t Skip One Of The Best Skin Tonics Around

Toning used to be a vital part of any skin enthusiast’s all-important three-step skincare routine. Ask anyone older than 30 and they'll you that, back in the day, skincare was strictly about cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Then the world realized that most toners on the market were stripping the skin of essential nutrients and oils, and were, honestly, doing the skin much good at all.

Not so, any more. These days, toners are often the exact product your skin has been looking for, helping to increase hydration while cooling, reducing redness, calming irritation, firming, the list goes on.

Action Stations: The great thing about applying toner is that, sure, it might be an extra step in your routine, but if you choose a spritz formulation it'll only add on mere seconds. At most. Try our Ocean Minerals Super Toner after cleansing and before applying serum and your skin will instantly lavish the effects of radiance boosting vitamin C, glycolic acid, ginseng and MSM. All that from one spritz? You better believe it.

6. Watch Out For Changes In Your Skin

When skin is unhappy, it will tell you so. So don’t ignore it. The end. OK, not quite…

Action Stations: Pay attention to changes in texture and tone, increased sensitivity, irritation, breakouts and dry patches. These are all sure-fire signs that your skincare routine might not be cutting it, so adjust yours accordingly. If your skin is feeling irritated, for example, cut back on active ingredients for a bit to give it a chance to reset and ‘breathe’ again.

7. Know That Sleep Time Is Crucial For Your Skin

The term ‘beauty sleep’ didn’t occur by accident. Sleep, is in fact, the single most important time for your skin to repair and rejuvenate itself. When the rest of your body and brain are at rest, blood flow to your skin increases, collagen production amps up, antioxidants get to work and cell turnover picks up speed. Skip your important shut-eye and your skin loses out on all this important stuff. Not cool.

Action Stations: The National Sleep Foundation recommends between seven and nine hours of sleep every night for healthy adults. OK, this might not always be possible, but try to go to bed at the same hour every night to get into a regular pattern. Keep your room at a comfortable (neither too hot nor too cold) temperature and make sure it’s dark and quiet to optimize sleep. Also, make sure you help your skin out as it gets to work overnight. Cleanse before bed, apply a collagen-boosting serum like Rejuvenating Longevity Serum and follow with a rich moisturizer like Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.

8. Carve Out Some Skin-Love Time

Giving yourself a DIY facial is a fantastic way to spend some quality time in your own company, improving your wellness and your complexion as a result. Facial massage, in particular, boosts circulation and helps lymphatic drainage to significantly improve the appearance of your skin. Not to mention how incredibly healing the power of touch can be.

Action Stations: Put aside 30 minutes each week to pamper your skin. This can be anything from giving yourself a facial massage to relaxing on your bed with a face mask and a couple of cold, used teabags over your eyes. Just remember to lock the door to ensure your kids, housemates or partner leave you well alone while you enjoy some much-needed me-time. 

9. Exfoliate: But With Caution

We love skin exfoliation for removing dead skin cells, improving sluggish cell turnover and generally getting your skin’s glow on. However, it’s important to get the sweet spot just right. Too much and you could compromise your skin’s barrier function. Too little and you won’t experience the full benefits.

Of course your sweet spot depends on the strength and tolerance levels of your skin, but the general rule of thumb is that two or three times a week should do it.

Action Stations: There are two primary ways to exfoliate the skin: physical and chemical exfoliation. If you love the feel of a good scrub on your skin (that’s the physical version) try our Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub which is fast becoming a favorite. But don’t forget, we also have our 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant for all your chemical exfoliating fans. Neither are bad choices. It’s simply up to you how you prefer to keep your skin ticking over.

10. Finally, Celebrate The Improvements

Healthy skin is a journey that requires time, patience and the willingness to adapt your routine and lifestyle as it changes. When you get on top of this, your skin is likely to reward you in the best way possible ­– looking better, feeling better and consistently behaving better. Big win.

Action Stations: Pat yourself on the back for listening to your skin, reacting positively and seeing results. And keep at it!