True Radical Honesty From Our Community

If you suffer with regular breakouts we bet you often wonder about the best skincare ingredients for acne. Well, wonder no more, we got you.

Acne breakouts, whatever your age, are no joke. They can be frustrating, confidence-destroying, challenging and sometimes downright painful. Nobody wants that. But sometimes life just deals you a bad hand, and being prone to breakouts (or not) is exactly that. You don’t get pimples, blackheads and whiteheads because you have poor personal hygiene or eat too much chocolate. You get them because your genes dictate the makeup up of your skin and, in this case, are encouraging it to produce too much oil. This excess oil (or, more specifically, sebum) then teams up with dead skin cells and bacteria to have a party in your pores, leading to all sorts of congestion and potential breakouts.

Granted, it’s all well and good knowing your pimples aren’t your fault, but this doesn’t make them go away. So what can you do to control oil production, balance your skin and help keep zits from upsetting your mojo? Well, understanding what you put on your skin and, more specifically, knowing which skincare ingredients mean business is a great place to start.

Behold the best ingredients for acne-prone skin – in our (and most skin experts') humble opinion.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that’s steam distilled from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia (tea) tree. Chock full of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, it’s been used for centuries to heal the skin, and as an acne-fighter, it’s pretty unstoppable.

Exactly how does tea tree oil work on acne? For starters, it works hard to kill certain acne-causing bacteria that sit on the surface of the skin. Couple this with its ability to calm redness, reduce swelling and soothe irritation and it becomes a great choice for anyone wanting to deal with breakouts with a natural, effective skincare ingredient.

Word to the wise, however, tea tree oil is full-on potent so you should never apply it in its purest form. Instead, leave it to the pros to curate an effective formulation you can use every day.

Try: Tea Tree Super Cleanser+

Salicylic Acid

Keeping your skin ticking over is super important if you’re susceptible to the slings and arrows of blocked pores and acne breakouts. When your skin fails to turn over at a reasonable rate, dead skin cells get stuck at the surface, where they love to hang out in your pores causing total havoc. 

As you may know, the rate at which your skin turns over seriously slows down as you get older. This is why it’s super important to kick-start this process with exfoliation. Scrubs are great for removing dead skin cells and encouraging the skin to turn over more efficiently, but to really tackle acne-prone skin, your best bet is to choose skincare containing salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) which means it’s a oil-soluble chemical exfoliant. Hydroxy acids work by breaking down the bonds between your skin cells so they slough away easily and make way for the new stuff. However, unlike glycolic acid, which is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), BHAs cut through grease which gives them the extra edge with oily skin, allowing them to truly work on your sebaceous glands and balance oil production. 

Another point in salicylic acid’s favor? It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. And if you have angry pimples or facial redness, you’re so going to want to get in on that.

Try: 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant

Retinol

A go-to in the skin aging world, retinol, a topical form of vitamin A, also offers some pretty impressive results for acne-prone skin. Who knew? Well, we did, but then again that’s what we’re paid for! 

Similar to exfoliating acids ­­– although it works very differently to salicylic acid and friends – retinol promotes cell turnover to ensure your pores stay clear of unwanted dead skin cells. Instead of breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, however, retinol works by attaching itself to nuclear receptors in the center of each living cell where it activates certain genes to accelerate turnover.

It might not be the most obvious choice for when your skin breaks out, but use it on a regular basis and it’s been proven to reduce the frequency and improve the severity of breakouts. Plus, if you’re of a certain age, you get all the added age-fighting benefits as an added bonus. Put like that, it seems silly not to.

Try: Retinol Moisturizer

Niacinamide

If you’re stuck with the double-whammy of acne and sensitive skin, you’ll know only too well how difficult it is to find skincare formulations that improve your breakouts but don’t irritate your skin. The struggle is real. However, it’s not impossible. And one ingredient that should top your must-tries? Niacinamide.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of the most effective active ingredients for sensitive skin. It also makes the list for best ingredients for acne-prone skin. And that’s no mean feat.

As well as being one of our favorite antioxidants, working hard to counteract the damaging effects of environmental free radicals, niacinamide also increases the production of ceramides in the skin’s uppermost layers. Ceramides enable the skin to remain strong, supple, hydrated and able to protect itself from unwanted irritation. Sweet.

But what about acne breakouts? Which is why we’re here, after all. Well, niacinamide has been proven to reduce inflammation (check), regulate sebum production (check) and it can even help minimize the appearance of enlarged pores when used regularly and together with a great cleansing regime. Research also shows it may have antimicrobial effects, helping to destroy acne-causing bacteria that may be lurking in your skin’s microbiome. Hells yeah!

Try: Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum

Finally, A Few Important Things To Remember

1. Always patch test new ingredients on a small area of skin before regular, all-over use. Not sure how to do this? No problem, here's a guide on how to patch test your skincare products.

2. Introduce potent, active ingredients gradually into your skincare regime. Start once or twice a week to begin with, then build slowly as your skin acclimates. This will allow the product to work its magic with fewer risks of irritation.

3. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, without fail. Active ingredients encourage fresh skin cells to the surface, so they need extra TLC to protect them from UV damage. No arguments.

4. Don’t expect miracles overnight. Skincare formulations that treat at a deeper level aren’t an immediate fix so be patient and give them the time they deserve ­– two to three months is usually the sweet spot.

5. Skincare alone may not be enough to manage persistent or severe acne, so consider seeking professional help from a dermatologist if yours simply won’t go away.

Because removing full-on foundation, budge-proof mascara and long-lasting lip stain can be tricky business.

Here at TruSkin, we love makeup almost as much as we love skincare. Skincare is the true foundation to great skin ­– the clue is in the name, after all – but we also love to enhance our retinol-infused, antioxidant-rich regime with a little foundation here and some waterproof mascara there. They’re like the backup singers to our skincare routine’s Taylor Swift, if you will.

Sometimes, however, despite your best efforts, removing your makeup at the end of the day can feel like a ridiculously tricky task. Because no matter how much face wash you use or how hard you scrub it into your skin (which, in itself, is a major no-no), it seems like you can never remove that last scrap. 

Sounds familiar? Then you’re probably doing something wrong. Because, yes, there is absolutely a right and a wrong way to cleanse your skin of makeup and all the other surface debris that builds up on your skin throughout the day. The wrong way? Scrub your skin like your life depended on it. And the right way? Two words: double cleansing. 

Below, we walk you through how to double cleanse like the pro we know you are (or, at least, could be).

Why Thorough Night Time Cleansing Is Crucial For Healthy Skin

Every day your skin spends the best part of 16 hours exposed to the world. You probably spent some time outside, maybe you went to the gym or popped to the supermarket. Heck, even if you simply sat at your desk all day, surface dirt will have built up on the surface of your skin during that time. Your skin will also have sweated and produced oils to help keep it moisturized. And even if you don’t wear a huge amount of makeup on the reg, you’ll have likely applied serum, face cream and SPF to your face and neck first thing in the morning. 

No matter how you look at it, that’s a lot of ‘stuff’ for your skin to deal with on a regular basis. Of course it can and it does – every, single, day – but leave all this surface debris sitting on your skin throughout the night and you’re pushing it way past its limits, potentially clogging up your pores, causing congestion, dryness, dehydration and even accelerating the visible signs of aging.

The truth is, you have to thoroughly cleanse your skin before bed, every night, makeup or no makeup. And to truly cut through heavy makeup, the best way to do this is with some double cleansing.

What Is Double Cleansing?

Regular face wash alone doesn’t always cut it with heavy makeup because most makeup formulations are oil-based, meaning water-based cleansers aren’t up to the task. It’s like trying to wash greasy saucepans with tepid water and precious little else. Pretty useless.

Instead, to effectively break down oily products like makeup and sunscreen, your skin needs an oil-based cleanser. Oil dissolves oil. Simple as.

Once you’ve dissolved all the oily stuff, you then apply a water-based cleanser to further treat your skin and remove other, water-based surface debris like sweat and environmental pollutants.

And that's double cleansing in a nutshell. It's simply cleansing your skin twice.

How To Double Cleanse In Two Simple Steps

Step 1. Start Strong With An Oil-Based Cleanser

Wash your hands first – important stuff right there ­­– then grab a cleansing oil or balm to melt away everything from creamy foundation to matte lipstick.

Using your hands and the pads of your fingers, massage your cleanser all over dry skin (yes dry, not damp) in gentle circular motions. It’s important not to rush, so spend a good minute or so really working the product into your skin, paying extra attention to often overlooked areas like around your hairline, around your nose, over your neck and in the corners of your eyes.

Once you’ve given your face and neck a good cleansing massage, rinse your skin with clean, lukewarm water. Hot water might feel good on your skin in the moment but it can strip it of natural oils and nutrients, leaving it feeling tight, dry, dehydrated and irritated. And that’s no fun for anyone. Lukewarm water is always the way to go.

Step 2. Finish With A Water-Based Cleanser

Next, follow up with a water-based cleanser to finish up the job and get rid of any leftover surface enemies. We have some fabulous formulations to choose from right here, depending on your skin type and concerns, but to really detoxify your skin and whisk away residue and impurities our go-to is Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser. This little gem contains coconut-derived activated charcoal which draws out dirt and decongests your pores. It also combines aloe vera, ylang ylang oil and reishi mushroom to keep your skin hydrated, protected, soft and strong. It’s the whiskers when it comes to clean, healthy skin.

Again, massage this into your skin for a good minute, but this time apply it while your skin is damp, then rinse and pat dry with a clean, cotton towel.

Done.

Beyond Cleansing: 3 Extra Tips for Makeup Lovers

1. Cleansing oils can work wonders on stubborn eye makeup but, oftentimes, a dedicated oil-based eye makeup remover is best. Saturate a cotton pad with your remover first, then hold it over your eye for a good 20 seconds before swiping it away. This gives the remover time to start dissolving your makeup which cuts down on any scrubbing you might be tempted to do.

2. Don’t forget to exfoliate. Exfoliation doesn’t replace cleansing but it’s a great addition to your routine once or twice a week, especially if you cleanse first, then exfoliate to boost turnover and really brighten up the surface of your skin. Just remember to always go gently and use a kind-to-skin formulation that won’t cause irritation. We love Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub.

3. Invest in some gentle makeup wipes, but remember, they’re for emergencies only. Cleansing wipes are OK in a pinch and, sure, they’re better than nothing, but they should never replace proper cleansing. Also, they often contain chemicals, fragrance and harsh alcohols that can be tough on your delicate skin. And deep down, you know this. Use them only when you really have to.

Want to target all the things you don’t love about your skin? Then it’s time to get to know your (vitamin) ABCs…

Honest question: are you more of a ‘cleanse, moisturize and let nature do the rest’ kind of person, not caring for the finer side of skincare because, well frankly, you don’t have the time? Then we’d like to try and change that. Because just one extra step in your skincare routine could reap incredible rewards. And, come on, we know you can put aside one measly minute each day to apply a single layer of product to your skin.

You can’t argue with that, right?

The product we'd love for you to get on board with is serum. More specifically, vitamin-packed facial serums that are smoothed on your skin after cleansing and before moisturizing. Now, these tiny little bottles of concentrated juice might look unimportant to the untrained eye, but on the contrary: topical vitamins do for your skin exactly what those in your diet do for your health. They give valuable support, allowing your skin to not only look better, but also to feel and behave better as well. 

We get it, though: the number of lotions, potions, serums and tinctures available to you is overwhelming. So how are you supposed to know which vitamin is best for your skin’s needs and how do you ‘feed’ your skin without getting too carried away and risking vitamin overkill which, in all honesty, does the skin no good at all.

Below are six of the most common skincare goals, plus our thoughts on the best vitamin serum to crush each goal. Let’s do this.

Your Skincare Goal: To Fight The Signs Of Aging

Try: Vitamin A

Namely: Retinol Facial Serum

No matter how strongly certain brands may claim otherwise, skincare products can’t get rid of wrinkles. However, certain ingredients can 100 percent help minimize the speed at which your skin ages, thus helping to keep fine lines, wrinkles and sagging, lax skin at bay. 

One of those ingredients? Vitamin A, more commonly known in the skincare world as retinol. Retinol, when applied to the skin, activates collagen production and stimulates cell turnover. The result is smoother-looking, softer-feeling skin that’s stronger, healthier, firmer and basically the best version of itself. It’s the absolute cream of the vitamin crop. And you’d be wise to get on board if you want to ensure your skin ages healthily and beautifully. Worried about using retinol for the first time? Good, because it’s not to be taken lightly. However, it can truly work for all skin types if you know what you’re doing. So wise up, right here.

Your Skincare Goal: To Brighten Dull Skin

Try: Vitamin C

Namely: Vitamin C Facial Serum

You’re probably aware, vitamin C is our middle name here at TruSkin. Quick recap: our entire company grew from the launch of our classic Vitamin C Facial Serum which went on to be the best-selling vitamin C serum on Amazon and is still as good as ever.

As topical vitamins go, Mr C is the glow-getting member of the team. Don’t get us wrong, it’s one of the best antioxidants out there, helping to protect your skin from the slings and arrows of daily life like little else. However, most people turn to vitamin C because they want to add radiance to their complexion or are hoping to blur out uneven, patchy skin. And the good news is, it truly works. Of course, its environmental protection prowess is a big plus, but it also has mildly exfoliating effects and inhibits melanin production as extra bonuses.

Learn everything you need to know about vitamin C here.

Your Skincare Goal: To Minimize Redness Or Sensitivities

Try: Vitamin B3

Namely: Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum

Another awesome antioxidant, niacinamide has powerful anti-inflammatory qualities which makes it a fantastic choice for sensitive skin types looking for active skincare that doesn’t cause flare-ups. Studies show that niacinamide can increase the biosynthesis of ceramides and various other lipids in the uppermost layers of your skin which makes it a super-effective ingredient for helping your skin to retain moisture. It's also vital for maintaining a strong, protective barrier function while improving strength and resiliency. Music to the ears of anyone with easily irritated skin.

Here’s everything we know about niacinamide and how it can work for your skin.

Your Skincare Goal: To Boost Moisture

Try: Vitamin E

Namely: Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum

One of the oldest ingredients in skincare, vitamin E shows no signs of going away. And why should it? This classic has proven itself time and time again and it thoroughly deserves its place among buzzy newbies like bakuchiol and friends.

Another fantastic antioxidant (are you sensing a theme, here?), vitamin E helps to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized by being both a humectant AND an emollient. What does that mean? Well, humectants draw moisture to the top layers of your skin (hyaluronic acid is the most common humectant) while emollients help to repair and smooth tiny cracks at the surface which works to seal all that delicious moisture in. It’s the kind of top drawer moisturizing skills other skincare ingredients can only dream of. And it’s all in a day’s work for vitamin E!

Learn more about this skin-loving powerhouse right here.

Your Skincare Goal: To Reduce Acne Breakouts

Try: Vitamin A (yes, again!)

Namely: Retinol Facial Serum

Not to go on about retinol too much, but it's not just about fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, when it comes to controlling and reducing the severity of acne breakouts, retinol is up there with ingredients like tea tree oil and salicylic acid. Remember how we told you that retinol is one of the best ways to boost cell turnover, encouraging dead skin cells to skip town quickly and effectively? Yeah, well this is also a great way to keep your pores from getting clogged. Makes perfect sense when you think about it. 

For more, check out our ultimate skincare routine for adult acne.

Your Skincare Goal: To Boost Overall Skin Health

Try: A Multivitamin

Namely: Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum

If you’re not one for specifics and don’t have one major skin concern to target, try an all-in-one topical multivitamin. Similar to how oral multivitamins give your entire body a much-needed pick-me-up, their topical cousins also make your skin feel and look a hundred times better. What’s more, combining a curated blend of vitamins rather than concentrating on just one key player gives your skin a complete, holistic treatment that's well tolerated and offers visible benefits on so many levels. Ours, for example, blends energizing vitamin C and soothing vitamin E with B vitamins plus vitamins D, F and K to balance the skin, neutralize damaging free radicals, protect your collagen supplies and strengthen the barrier function. It’s kind of a big deal.

It might not be your most obvious skincare ingredient go-to, but milk offers a whole host of benefits for your skin.

Some beauty companies are all about high-tech ingredients and science-led formulations while others sit firmly in the ‘nature is best’ camp. Here at TruSkin, however, we live by the rule that the best skincare ingredients don’t have to be exclusive to either science or nature. Because why can’t you have one and the other?

We pride ourselves on combining clinically-proven, synthetic ingredients like sodium ascorbyl phosphate (which is an incredible form of vitamin C in case you were wondering!) alongside nature’s finest powerhouses, because we believe this is the most effective way to offer you and your skin the absolute cream of skincare.

And speaking of cream (groan!) one of our favorite, natural ingredients for the overall look and health of your skin is milk. Yes, it turns out Queen Cleopatra was on to something, after all…

What’s The Deal With Milk In Skincare?

When you think of milk in skincare, your mind probably goes straight to dairy milk. Now don’t get us wrong, we’re not here to question the benefits of cow's stuff because its high lactic acid content makes it fantastic for gently exfoliating the skin. By breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, cow's milk encourages any dull, dreary cells to slough away efficiently, revealing all the bright, fresh stuff that’s waiting in the wings. We’re all over that.

However, dairy milk isn’t something everybody likes to get on board with, and this is especially pertinent if you live by a vegan diet or are lactose-intolerant.

Well, the good news is that milks from plant sources like oats and rice are just as good for your skin as they are on your corn flakes. Read on for three ways non-dairy milk can help improve your skin when you harness its powers in your beauty routine…

3 Benefits Of Non-Dairy Milk In Skincare

1. They’re Packed With Antioxidants Which Help Fight Aging

Rice and oat milk are both chock full of antioxidants. Quick refresher: antioxidants are substances that help counteract the damaging effects of free radicals. And while free radicals may sound nice and fluffy, they are anything but. In fact, free radicals are highly unstable, reactive atoms or molecules that form in your skin when it’s exposed to things like UV radiation, pollution, stress or an unhealthy diet that’s high in things like sugar, fat and processed carbs. Their whole purpose in life is to screw up important proteins in your skin (think collagen and elastin) to try and stabilize themselves, thus causing all manner of damage like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin.

The good news is that antioxidants, unlike skin's poor, unsuspecting proteins, have the ability to neutralize free radicals without being susceptible to harm. And this is why they’re some of the most important ingredients in a healthy skincare routine.

There are many incredibly effective antioxidants available in skincare – some of which are found in the natural world. Green tea and grapeseed are popular choices, but oat and rice milks are also up there with the best of the best.

2. They’re Naturally Moisturizing

Both oat and rice milk have humectant qualities. Not on first name terms with humectants? No problem, that’s what we’re here for.

Moisturizing ingredients generally fall into one of three types: emollients, occlusives and humectants. Emollients are lipids, butters or oils that help repair cracks in the skin to create a softer, smoother surface and thus prevent moisture loss. Jojoba oil and vitamin E are great examples of emollients.

Occlusives are similar but they create a thicker, physical barrier on the surface. They’re fantastic for super-dry skin as they stop any drop of moisture from escaping; but they’re not so cool if you have acne-prone skin as they can block your pores and lead to an increased frequency of breakouts. Occlusive ingredients, since you asked, include things like cocoa butter, beeswax and dimethicone.

Then you have humectants. The likes of hyaluronic acid would tell you that humectants are the most important of moisturizing ingredients as they draw water vapor (either from the air or from underlying layers of your skin) to the surface of your skin to increase hydration and prevent flakiness and cracking. However, without occlusives and emollients, all that moisture can easily evaporate into thin air.

This is why the most effective skincare formulations blend humectants alongside their besties, emollients and/or occlusives.

Rice milk contains a vitamin-like component called inositol which falls into the humectant category alongside classic favorites like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. Meanwhile, oat milk is rich in beta-glucan, another humectant that locks in hydration and helps boost your skin’s barrier function. Both milks also contain skin-smoothing emollient properties which make them a veritable shoo-in for moisturizing your skin doubly well. 

3. They’re Awesome For Soothing Sensitive Skin

If you have eczema or rosacea, you’ll know that finding skincare products which don’t cause your skin to flare up is no simple task. Well, if you’re yet to try oat milk, now’s the time.

Overflowing with anti-inflammatory properties and naturally pH balanced, oats have been used for centuries to soothe, calm and treat sensitive skin. They’re even pretty kick-ass at controlling acne breakouts, helping to reduce redness, swelling and promoting more effective healing. 

The gentle nature of rice milk also works hard to keep inflammation at bay, providing a breath of fresh air for sensitive or easily irritated skin. As an added bonus, rice milk is also thought to have gentle brightening effects which can help diminish the appearance of dark spots or patchy, uneven skin.

Interested in trying out the benefits of non-dairy milk in your skincare routine? Both oat and rice milk are considered to be non-comedogenic which means that, even though they’re great for moisturizing your skin, neither are likely to block your pores or increase your risk of breaking out. Try our incredible Soothing Cleansing Milk which harnesses the powers of both oat and rice milk to gently cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and protect your skin without any drying after effects or pore-clogging nastiness. 

Incoming... skincare goals that truly make a difference. Count us in.

We don’t know about you, but years of making pointless new year’s resolutions ‘just for the sake of it’ have made us somewhat over them. Sure, it’s great to have ambitions and personal goals to strive for, but forcing yourself to come up with something, just because it’s the start of a new year? That’s a hard pass from us.

Making skincare goals, however, is something we can totally get on board with. And if you’re reading this you’re probably in complete agreement. Because knowing you’re doing your best for your skin – even if you change only one habit or add just one extra product to your routine  – is worth a thousand ‘I shall spend less at Starbucks’ false promises.

So, on that note, to follow are some very doable skincare goals for you to totally crush this year.

DO Reassess Your Skin

Your skin is not the same as it was ten years ago. Heck, it’s not even the same as it was this time last year. So, spend a few minutes taking a good, long look in the mirror to see what’s going on. Are you noticing some redness? Maybe a few extra dark spots have appeared? Perhaps your skin is feeling more dehydrated than it used to? Or, wait, is it weirdly oilier?

You can only deal with skin concerns if you actually know what they are, so make sure you’re totally on the ball with where your skin is at right now. Then you’ll be able to act accordingly with targeted skincare and better lifestyle habits.

DON’T Use Cleansing Wipes On The Reg

Face wipes are fine in a pinch but most of them are doused in drying chemicals that do your skin zero good. Granted, they might be called ‘cleansing wipes,’ but rarely do they actually cleanse your skin thoroughly – instead they simply move surface debris around a bit. Then there’s the fact that they’re mostly made from synthetic, non-biodegradable materials which end up hanging around in landfills for up to 100 (no joke!) years.

You might be tired, but make it a priority to cleanse your skin with a decent face wash morning and night. Try Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser which is so delightful, you’ll actually enjoy using it.

DO Moisturize Skin When Damp

You’ll have had undoubtedly heard this trick before, but we bet you don’t actually put it into practice, right? Well, try it. You see, applying moisturizing while your skin is still slightly damp from cleansing helps to seal in those tiny droplets of water that are left hanging around at the surface. It’s basically free moisture your skin will really benefit from – especially during winter when the air is extremely drying on your poor skin. C’mon, when we put it like that, it seems insane not to.

DON’T Give Up On Retinol

Retinol is one of the most effective topical ingredients for the skin. It deals with premature aging, it helps keep acne under control, it protects your skin from environmental damage, it does your laundry. OK, so that last one is a bare-faced lie, but you get where we’re coming from.

The problem with retinol is that its potency can be hard to deal with – especially during the first few weeks when it can make your skin especially dry, red, flaky and even a little itchy. As long as it’s not causing discomfort, however, a little initial irritation is OK, it’s just your skin adjusting, so don’t give up. Simply reduce your frequency of use as your skin acclimates, then build back up again. Easy.

DO Give Your Neck Some Love

You may be meticulous with your facial skincare routine but if your habits stop at your chin, you’re doing yourself a real disservice. How so? Because your neck is one of the first places to show signs of aging.

The skin on your neck has fewer sebaceous glands than your face, you see, which means it can’t produce as much oil to keep it soft and moisturized. This is seriously bad news in the fight against dry skin, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging because moisture is essential for the firmness and elasticity of your skin.

Whatever you do to your face, continue down to your neck and décolletage area. Cleanse it, tone it, treat it with serum, moisturize it (we love Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream for the neck area) and protect it from the elements. It’s the least you can do.

DON’T Fret About Your Imperfections

If we asked you to name something you hate about your skin we bet you could reel off a few without taking a breath. Well, do you know what, those crow’s feet you hate or monthly breakouts that drive you crazy are not worth crying over. You’re not perfect. But big deal, who is? So instead of sweating over the bad stuff, do the best you can for your complexion with a consistent skincare and good lifestyle habits. And, instead of feeling all the skin self-hate, try to focus on the good. Sure, you have fine lines around your mouth, but hey, isn’t your forehead looking pretty fabulous?

DO Trash Old Products That Rarely See The Light Of Day

Skincare products do not last forever. In general, they’re usually good for around one year if previously opened or two years if unopened. Unless it says otherwise on the label, of course.

Go through your vanity and trash anything that’s older than two years. Allowing your products to collect dust in the vain hope you might go back to them one day? Not gonna happen.

DON’T Underestimate Your Bedtime Skincare Routine

Sleep time is crucial for your skin. As your brain goes into rest mode, your skin gets super busy. Blood flow increases to nourish it with valuable nutrients; cell turnover accelerates to bring fresh, healthy skin cells to the surface; collagen production revs up big time and your natural antioxidant system kicks it to help nix any free radicals which may have built up during the day.

If you go to bed with unclean, unmoisturized skin, this whole rejuvenation process becomes compromised. So don’t do that. Make sure you’re doing everything you can to ensure your skin is thoroughly cleansed before bed, then apply your favorite serum and moisturize with Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.

DO Exfoliate More

As you get older, your skin doesn’t turn over as quickly. What does this mean? Well, when you’re in your 20s the life cycle of a skin cell is around 28 days during which time it’s created, moves up to the surface, then dies and sloughs away. Great. As you age, however, this process slows down and dead skin cells get ‘stuck’ at the surface where they cause uneven texture, blocked pores and dull-looking skin.

The good news is that exfoliation helps keep things moving at a more favorable rate, so how about increasing the frequency of your exfoliation game going forward? This can mean anything from once a week to three or four times a week but it depends on your skin so play around to find what works.

Our Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub is fantastic for gently brightening and exfoliating your skin without drying it out making it ideal for regular use. You could also try our 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant which does without scrubbing particles and instead uses gentle skin acids to slough away dead cells. Neither are a bad choice. Far from it.

DON’T Ignore Sketchy-Looking Moles

Noticed a change in a mole? Get. It. Checked. Out. Moles that change in color, shape, texture or just start to feel or look wrong should always be immediately looked at by a qualified expert to rule out serious concerns such as melanoma. The chances are your mole is totally fine or, at least, can be treated quickly and painlessly, but it’s better to be on top of them. 

Consistency is our favorite word when it comes to a boss skincare routine. So why should you mess with yours just because the weather’s changed? Simple, because, er,  the weather has changed.

Whether you subscribe to seasonal skincare or not, one thing’s for sure, skin becomes drier and more sensitive in the winter time. 

Winter, for most of us, means colder, drier weather which can be tough for your delicate skin to take. Extreme temperatures ­­­– especially when you flip-flop between frigid temperatures outdoors and balmy ones inside ­­– stress out your skin and compromise its critical barrier function. Then there’s the lack of humidity which starves your skin of vital moisture and, well, stresses out your skin and barrier function even further.

However, as you know, we’re all about sticking with a consistent skincare routine, all year round. So what should you do in winter to ensure you’re not causing potential upset to your tried and tested routine, but you’re still giving your skin the extra care it needs to make it through the chilly months?

The answer: make small tweaks rather than massive changes. Here's how.

1. Add In An Extra Layer Of Moisture

A certain level of dryness and dehydration is pretty much a given in the winter months – whatever your skin type ­– but if you’re like us and hate to give up your trusted moisturizer, the good news is, you don’t have to. Instead, layer up by applying a thirst-quenching serum underneath your regular moisturizer each morning. This will help draw water to the surface of your skin, giving it a much-needed boost without having to apply an overly rich moisturizing cream (which, let’s face it, can ruin your makeup!).

We have tons of fabulously hydrating serums that are perfect for winter-parched skin. Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is a classic favorite because it combines glycerin, aloe and hyaluronic acid – three of the best hydrating ingredients in skincare. Peptide Facial Serum is another great choice as it really cares for your barrier function while kick-starting sluggish collagen and bringing all sorts of hydration and protection to the skin’s lower layers.

Take your pick, you really can't go wrong with either.

2. Pair Back The Actives

With little moisture in the air for your skin to enjoy during the winter months, the surface of your skin inevitably becomes more dehydrated, dry and sensitive. Of course, if you’ve managed to crush the perfect moisturizing routine for your skin type, this might not be relevant to you, but for the rest of you, it’s wise to be careful with any active ingredients you apply on a regular basis.

Retinol is the obvious culprit for sensitizing the skin so if you apply a retinol product daily, give yourself a break one or two nights a week, swapping it out for something equally as fabulous for your skin – but not quite as potent. Our Niacinamide Facial Serum, for example, is a great option for nights off as it still targets skin aging but is gentler and contains soothing and hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. It's officially awesome for winter skin.

Vitamin C is another one to be cautious around. Of course, our vitamin C formulations contain a gentle type of vitamin C called sodium ascorbyl phosphate which is very kind to the skin and extremely well tolerated by all skin types, all year round. But if you do find your skin feeling a bit winter worn, give it a break for a few days; concentrate on building moisture and hydration back into your skin instead.

3. Focus On Overnight Repair

Skin naturally produces less sebum overnight, so during winter, when there’s a serious lack of moisture in the air, it’s more important than ever to treat your skin with some nourishing overnight respect.

First up, invest in a bedroom humidifier to combat any dryness in the air caused by your indoor heating. Then focus on a really good, quality night cream.

The best night cream for winter must contain a number of emollient or occlusive ingredients. These create a barrier on the surface of your skin to help prevent moisture loss and protect your skin from drying out as you sleep. Try Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream which balances a whole bunch of botanical oils including organic sunflower, coconut and evening primrose (to name just a few!). It also contains our favorite under-the-radar ingredient, MSM, a naturally-occurring sulfur compound which supports collagen and keratin production while limiting inflammation and protecting your skin from damaging free radicals.

4. Alternate Your Cleanser

Do you love your regular cleanser more than life itself? We hear you. But in the winter, when your skin is a little more compromised than normal, you need to tread very carefully with your cleansing routine.

Cleansers play a pivotal role in your skin’s moisture balance. Go too harsh and you will strip all the life from your skin, leaving it sucked dry and prone to irritation, flaking, itchiness and redness. We recommend gentle cleansing all year round, but in the summertime when your skin is oilier and sweatier it can take a bit more than in the winter.

Our trick, once warm days become a distant memory, is to alternate our go-to cleanser with something more mild and caring, especially for the mornings when all you’re really doing is freshening up your skin and removing any minimal surface debris that’s built up overnight. We reach for Soothing Cleansing Milk every morning in the winter. Dry, sensitive skin is basically its middle name. Plus it feels like a comforting hug for your skin as soon as you apply it. And we are all over that.

5. Stay Sun Safe

One thing you shouldn’t change? Your impeccable sunscreen regime. Just because you can’t see the sun shining away in the sky every day in winter, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Daylight simply doesn’t exist without the sun, remember that. What’s more, reflective surfaces like snow and ice intensify the sun’s damaging rays by reflecting them right back onto your skin, allowing them to get you from all angles.

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin every day ­– come rain or shine – and go for an SPF of at least 30 to ensure you are well protected from both UVA and UVB radiation. Studies show that, while clouds do protect you from a small percentage of the sun’s UV rays, up to 80 percent of UVA rays (the ones that age you up) are able to penetrate right through.

Make our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C a part of your morning routine and it’ll soon become a habit you don’t even think about. Just like cleaning your teeth and brushing your hair.