5 Of The Most Skin-Friendly Food Swaps

When battling breakouts, what you put on your skin can make or break your complexion. So which ingredients can truly help acne-prone skin and which make matters worse? Let’s find out…

When it comes to the ingredients in your skincare routine it’s important to know if what you’re putting on your skin is doing any good. And if you suffer with oily, acne-prone skin, this is absolutely crucial. Because some ingredients can be a total dream for dry skin... but they're the absolute enemy of pimples and blackheads. They can block your pores, over-stimulate your sebaceous glands and cause all sorts of unwanted side-effects like redness and inflammation.

If you’re stuck in a bit of a breakout zone right now and are suspicious of your skincare routine, here’s a quick guide to some of our favorite breakout-busting skincare heroes… plus a list of some potential villains you'd be wise to avoid.  

5 Of The Best Skincare Ingredients For Acne

Acne occurs when an excess of sebum becomes stuck at the surface of the skin where it chokes up your pores and combines with other debris and bacteria. It makes sense, therefore, that your skincare ingredient BFFs include those that balance sebum, increase cellular turnover and reduce inflammation.

1. Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is up there as one of, if not the best ingredients for reducing the severity and frequency of acne breakouts. A beta hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid is what’s known as a chemical exfoliant which means it works to break down the bonds between dead skin cells so they’re able to shed more efficiently.

But it doesn’t stop there. BHAs also have another string to their bow because unlike water-soluble AHAs like glycolic and lactic acids, they’re oil-soluble which enables them to help balance your sebaceous glands to reduce excess oil and minimize breakouts. Add to that the fact that salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and there’s very little that can beat it.

2. Tea Tree Oil

Nature also offers some incredible benefits for acne-prone skin, not least of which comes from tea tree oil.

Tea tree oil is one of the most effective oils for reducing acne breakouts because it kills certain acne-causing bacteria that sit on the surface of the skin. When that kind of bacterium gets left to its own devices, it blends with excess sebum, congests your pores and the inevitable happens lightning fast. 

By treating your skin with a thoughtfully crafted tea tree oil formula (applying it neat is not advised) it will also work to calm inflammation and minimize the other visible effects of acne, namely redness and irritation. It’s kind of like the natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide – with fewer side effects.

3. Retinol

Retinol is usually thought of as the queen of aging treatments. But it’s also fabulous for fighting acne. A derivative of vitamin A, retinol helps boost collagen and increase skin turnover. It has a similar end result to exfoliation but instead of removing dead skin cells at the surface it activates specific genes at a deep cellular level, encouraging the cells to turnover quicker and more efficiently.

Cell turnover often goes awry in acne-prone skin so retinol keeps things ticking over nicely, helping to prevent blocked pores and thus reduce breakouts and minimize scarring.

4. Bakuchiol

Say hello to bakuchiol, another effective skincare ingredient from nature. Often referred to as the natural alternative to retinol, bakuchiol is extracted from the leaves and seeds of the babchi plant and has been proven to offer almost like-for-like benefits as its vitamin A counterpart.

Is it as kick-ass as retinol? Yes and no. It’s a much milder alternative, for sure, so it definitely takes a little longer to reap the same benefits as you’d get from a similar retinol-based treatment. However, its mildness means it’s much better tolerated by sensitive skin which means it's more likely to be applied consistently.

Both are fantastic in their own special ways, so our advice? Try them both (although not at the same time!) to help you decide which is best for you.

5. Niacinamide

Active ingredients can often irritate sensitive skin so it’s important to go carefully with what you put on your skin, especially during periods of breakouts when your skin is delicate and potentially inflamed.

If your skin falls into that sensitive camp, we recommend niacinamide.

A gentle giant among the skincare greats, niacinamide (vitamin B3) is extremely effective for sensitive skin that’s prone to breakouts. Not only does it help strengthen the barrier function and regulate sebum production but it also works hard to reduce inflammation and redness while aiding repair and reducing the appearance of existing scars and discolorations. Another thing: niacinamide plays well with other acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid making it a great way to tackle things head on without causing your skin to freak out.

3 Of The Worst Skincare Ingredients For Acne

Your biggest enemies? Harsh ingredients that dry out the skin and over-stimulate the sebaceous glands. Oh, and anything that ranks high on the comedogenicity scale. More on that to follow…

1. ‘Bad’ Alcohols

Certain alcohols like cetyl and stearyl alcohols have a rightful place in the skincare world. But many of them don’t. Low molecular alcohols like denatured alcohol (aka alcohol denat), ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, for example, are really no good – for any skin type. They can be super irritating and extremely drying on the skin which has the reverse effect on oily skin types, making the sebaceous glands produce even more oil to overcompensate for that which has been lost. When your skin produces too much sebum it clogs up your pores… and the rest is history.

2. Heavy Occlusives Like Cocoa Butter

While excellent at moisturizing, occlusives are ingredients that form a protective barrier over the surface of the skin, trapping in water and keeping dry skin moisturized. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, however, occlusives are the absolute enemy because their thick, waxy composition makes them comedogenic. This means they have the potential to plug the pores and encourage pimples as quick as a flash. Other occlusives include mineral oil, coconut oil, beeswax and lanolin. Don’t go there.

3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Have you ever been so good at something that it's seen as a disadvantage? No? Well, that’s exactly what SLS – and its buddy SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) – is. As two of the most powerful cleansers around, these sulfates clean so well that they often strip all the goodness from your skin which disrupts the skin’s protective barrier. This can leave your skin feeling squeaky clean, for sure, but also completely parched. Even irritated and inflamed. We do not advise them for skin that breaks out. The good news is, our cleansers contain neither. 

Neck aging is very real, so read on for some of the best skincare products for delaying fine lines, wrinkles, dryness and sagging skin on your neck.

Are you guilty of giving the skin on your neck zero attention? Warning: fine lines, wrinkles, dryness and sagging skin can creep up on your neck lightning fast. One day you’re lovingly enjoying your youthful-looking skin then before you know it, ‘bam!’ your neck looks 75 on your 45^th birthday.

Why does the skin on your neck age so visibly and swiftly? Well, other than the fact that it often lacks the care and attention it deserves (entirely your fault, btw!), the structure of neck skin is also slightly different to your face. It’s thinner, for starters, which makes it more delicate and susceptible to the slings and arrows of everyday stressors like UV radiation and pollution that break down collagen and elastin and cause premature wrinkling, crinkling, crepiness and sagging. The skin on your neck also contains fewer sebaceous glands which means it lacks the sebum necessary to combat dryness and keep it soft, strong and lubricated. 

But that’s not all because it doesn’t help that we’ve become a nation obsessed with our smartphones. So what, you may ask? Well, hours spent looking down whilst you scroll through YouTube videos can lead to all manner of neck, back and posture issues,. The most common and obvious to the naked eye? Horizontal bands around the neck, aka neck wrinkles or ‘tech neck.’

The good news is there are plenty of ways to deal with neck lines and wrinkles – most of which are covered right here. And our favorite? An awesome skincare routine that doesn’t stop when you reach your chin.

To follow, five of our most effective products for staying one step ahead of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging neck skin.

1. SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Facial Serum

We’re massive fans of treatment serums here at TruSkin and the newest addition to our serum family is a real beauty for both the face and the neck. A multi-faceted product, SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Facial Serum is a serum with bells on, delivering the antioxidants powers of vitamin C (or sodium ascorbyl phosphate, to be precise), alongside a broad-spectrum, all-encompassing SPF of 30 – the dermatologist-recommended level for everyday damage control. We hate to brag too much but it’s pretty much the sun protection product you’ve always dreamed of.

The thing is, though, sun protection isn't just for the face. Unless you wear scarves and turtle necks every day of your life, your neck is exposed to the elements just as much as the skin on your face, making daily SPF protection an absolute must. Also, as you now know, the skin on your neck is thin, fragile and vulnerable to premature aging so a treatment serum is going to work wonders for preserving your collagen and delaying wrinkles and a lack of firmness in the area. Simply smooth an extra drop over the neck area when you apply it to your face – after cleansing and before moisturizing. Simple.

2. Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream

One of the most effective ingredients for aging skin is undoubtedly retinol (more on that in a minute). However, certain types of sensitive skin don’t play well with this potent ingredient. The skin on the neck can also feel even more sensitive than that on the face, so what’s a good alternative for tackling lines and wrinkles when retinol is not a viable option? Bakuchiol.

Touted as nature’s alternative to retinol, bakuchiol offers all the same skin-rejuvenating benefits… but with fewer of the common side effects like redness, irritation and dry skin. We harness the powers of this excellent botanical in our Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream. Combined with hydrating aloe vera, soothing vitamin E and revitalizing snow algae it’s a winner for the face and neck area. Apply it morning and night after your serum using upwards motions to help lift and tighten the skin.

3. 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant

As you know, a fabulous way to improve cell turnover and enhance the look and feel of your skin is to exfoliate regularly. Exfoliation encourages dead skin cells to slough away, enabling the fresh, healthier-looking ones to reveal themselves at a surface level. Of course, your skin cells do this naturally, but as you age, the process becomes slow and sluggish, allowing the old cells to sit around longer than you’d like. This can cause all sorts of issues like clogged pores, breakouts, rough texture and dull, lackluster-looking skin.

To help keep cell turnover ticking along at a decent rate, it’s smart to exfoliate two or three times a week, depending on your skin’s tolerance levels. Our 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant is a real winner for smoothing over your neck because, instead of using physical grains which might not suit this delicate area, it’s crafted with non-abrasive glycolic acid, salicylic acid and gluconolactone, which break down the bonds between dead cells so they fall off on their own accord. Extra vitamin C also helps to brighten and protect the skin. Bonus.

4. Retinol Facial Serum

OK, back to retinol which is pretty much the queen of collagen-stimulating skincare ingredients and consistently seen as ‘the one’ for anybody over the age of 30 who’s looking to age beautifully… but not prematurely.

A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is indisputable in its powers to encourage cellular turnover and improve quality collagen in the skin. Granted, it’s not for everyone (which is where other ingredients like bakuchiol, peptides and vitamin C step in to save the day), but if you choose your formulation wisely, patch test first and go slowly, most people are able to incorporate retinol seamlessly into their skincare regime.

Our Retinol Facial Serum, for example, is super gentle on the skin because it’s partnered with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to hydrate and help reduce irritation. It’s so good you can even apply it to the delicate skin on your neck. Just remember, the neck area can be prone to dryness and itching so apply it to this area just once or twice a week to clean skin before bed, then increase frequency only as tolerated – if at all.

5. Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream

Vitamin C is the most studied and widely used topical antioxidant in skincare. And antioxidants are crucial for aging skin because they reduce oxidative stress. What’s that exactly? Good question. Oxidative stress is the damage caused by environmentally induced free radicals which, if left to their own devices, like to seriously screw up your collagen, thus accelerating the formation of wrinkles.

After cleansing at night, our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream is an absolute dream on the face and neck because it works hard to neutralize those pesky free radicals and help reduce the appearance of neck wrinkles, face wrinkles, and other signs of aging. It also contains MSM, vitamin B5, aloe vera and a whole bunch of other skincare darlings, providing your face and neck with everything it needs to wake up smoother, softer, full of life and ready to face the day.

Skin redness is no joke, especially when it just won’t go away. But there are plenty of ways to deal with a red face – whatever the cause.

Facial redness is one of those things that’s so… very… frustrating. Of course, temporary flushing can be attributed to all manner of daily triggers like a vigorous workout or a particularly embarrassing/nerve-wracking/thrilling event. But that kind of redness isn’t the end of the world – it is temporary, after all. 

When red skin becomes more of a permanent issue, however and, worse still, comes complete with other irritating concerns like itching, heat, bumps or flaky skin, something else is clearly going on.

What Is Facial Redness?

Also known as erythema, skin redness occurs when blood vessels beneath the skin dilate, causing blood to the rush to the surface. This increased blood flow can be caused by many factors but when it’s persistent or severe it’s usually a sign of some kind of inflammation or irritation.

The 5 Most Common Culprits Of Facial Redness

1. Rosacea: This chronic (and surprisingly common) inflammatory condition causes persistent redness along with bumps, hard pimples and itching. Rosacea is often genetic and can lay dormant until triggered by external factors.

2. Irritation: Some skin types are way more reactive making them prone to redness from things like potent skincare, dietary choices and emotional stress, to name just a few.

3. Acne: Acne is the most common skin problem in the US, affecting around 50 million individuals every year. It occurs when the pores becomes blocked by oil, dead skin cells and bacteria.

4. Psoriasis: According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis is a chronic disease where skin cells build up too quickly, causing redness and scaly, itchy patches.

5. Dermatitis: Two main types of dermatitis lead to facial redness – atopic and contact. Atopic dermatitis (aka eczema) is a genetic condition and results in itchy, sudden rashing, whereas contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an irritant or allergen.

How To Reduce Redness At Home

Let’s get one thing straight: if you can’t find relief from your facial redness, it’s wise to consult a physician for a proper diagnosis on your skin health. Conditions like rosacea can’t be cured, you see, and they require careful management. Plus, if you try to self-diagnose you could get things all kind of wrong – often making matters worse.

There are also plenty of proven strategies for calming facial redness and skin inflammation with smart, sensitive skincare choices. Read on for the most important must-dos and don’ts.

DO Avoid Potentially Irritating Ingredients

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis which makes it a massive no-no in your skincare regime.

Of course, most people have no issues with fragrances in their beauty products, but if you have sensitive skin that’s easily prone to redness, you’d be wise to avoid synthetic fragrances completely. You should also tread carefully with natural fragrances. Although rare, certain essential oils can cause reactions on extremely sensitive skin.

Synthetic dyes, parabens (preservatives) and strong sulfates like SLS and SLES can also be irritating for some people so look out for these on skincare labels and avoid them if you think they’re causing your skin to flare up.

DON’T Over-Exfoliate

One of the biggest mistakes you could make ­is to exfoliate sensitive skin too often and too vigorously. Don’t get us wrong, exfoliating is a fantastic way to encourage healthy cell turnover, remove dead skin cells and boost the results from the rest of your skincare routine. But too much exfoliation can weaken your skin’s protective barrier, stripping away all the good stuff that helps your skin remain strong, hydrated and healthy. This makes your skin extremely vulnerable to the outside world and basically asks irritation and redness to do their worst. 

Listen to your skin (it’ll tell you when it’s unhappy!) and limit your exfoliation to whatever your skin is able to tolerate. Once a week is often enough. Also, choose gentle exfoliating formulations that avoid harsh grains or high percentages of potent acids. Both of our exfoliators are super kind to the skin and can be used as little or often as you like. We particularly love our Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub which uses ultra fine Bora Bora white sand to gently buff your skin. 

DON’T Underestimate The Powers Of A Soothing Toner

The right toner can really supercharge your skincare routine, without needing to pile on too many active (and potentially irritating) ingredients.

The basic role of toner is to remove lingering makeup, cleanser and other debris from the surface of your skin while preparing it for the next stage in your routine. But they can be so much more than that. Their high water content makes them an ideal way to cool down inflamed skin, and if you search for ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, chamomile and gotu kola these are masters at hydrating, soothing and calming the skin.

DO Apply Sun Protection Every Day

UV radiation is seriously bad news for sensitive skin that’s prone to unwanted redness flare-ups, so make sure the sun stands zero chance of getting even close to your face. We recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains an SPF of at least 30. Every day, for that matter. This ensures you’re well protected from both UVA and UVB rays all year long. With a hefty helping of aloe leaf juice plus 21 percent zinc oxide, our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C is literally made for sun sensitive skin. It’s so good you will want to apply it every day.

PS: Sun-induced flushing may also be a red flag (no pun intended) that you have a sun allergy, so if your redness is persistent and comes coupled with itchiness, stinging, bumps and/or blisters seek professional advice from a dermatologist.

DO Make Calming Ingredients Your BFFs

What are the specific ingredients to look out for in a successful, sensitive skincare routine? Aloe vera is the obvious choice because it’s naturally cooling, healing, hydrating and packed with anti-inflammatory qualities. And, as a sidenote, almost all of our products contain this gentle powerhouse. Because yes, we love it that much.

Green tea is another must-have for red skin because it’s incredibly soothing and chock full of polyphenols which contain all manner of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Then there’s milk – specifically oat and rice milks ­– which contains tons of nourishing compounds and is great if your skin is particularly dry and sensitive.

Finally, a big shout out to niacinamide which works hard to increase the production of ceramides in the uppermost layers of your skin. This helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier function making it a game-changer for reducing inflammation and evening out red skin. Word is, niacinamide can even be an effective treatment for controlling rosacea or eczema, but if you're a sufferer of either of these conditions you should always seek professional advice before diving in head first.

Fancy introducing some of these sensitive skin, redness-reducing wonders into your skincare routine? Then try our Soothing Cleansing Milk followed by Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum – a winning combination for red, irritated skin if ever we knew one.

DON’T Forget To Moisturize

Like a comforting hug for your skin, moisturizer is non-negotiable for all skin types. And it’s especially important if you suffer with chronic redness. A good moisturizer not only hydrates your skin but it holds all that moisture in while simultaneously ‘feeding’ your skin with essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that help to keep your barrier function ticking along nicely.

We recommend ceramide-rich formulas like our Firming Collagen Day Lotion, alongside healing and soothing topicals. When it comes to moisturizing, some of the best ingredients for sensitive skin are aloe (wait, did we mention that already?!), vitamin E, shea butter, squalane, glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

Stay ahead of soaring temperatures and irritated skin with our easy-to-follow tips for caring for sensitive skin in the sun.

Sensitive skin can get all kinds of crazy during the summer months as the heat rises, the beach beckons and A/C gets serious. And the fact that somewhere between 50 and 70 percent of adults report having some level of sensitive skin means that potentially a whole lot of people are dealing with redness, itching, dry skin and/or discomfort right now.

Of course, there are many causes of sensitive skin, many of which are complex little beasts. But if your sensitivities are triggered by things like sunscreen, swimming, soaring temperatures and air conditioning, read on to discover the best ways to keep your skin happy this summer.

Choose Mineral Sunscreen

Sunscreen is non-negotiable, no matter your age, gender, skin color, skin type or level of sensitivities. If your skin often feels a little ‘off’ after applying SPF, however, switch to a mineral formulation that contains physical filters like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Mineral sunscreens are highly regarded as the smart option for reactive skin as they aren’t absorbed into the skin. Instead they act as an invisible shield on the skin’s surface which blocks UV radiation and delivers immediate protection without causing the irritation often linked to chemical-based formulas. Both of our sunscreens are crafted with zinc oxide –  in our opinion, the gold standard of sun protection – and deliver incredibly lightweight protection with a broad-spectrum SPF 30.

Say No To Hot Showers

It’s not often you want to crank up the water temperature in the summer, but should you be tempted by a hot shower or bath, know this. Scorching hot water messes with your skin’s barrier function, stripping away many of its vital oils and proteins thus leaving it vulnerable to dryness and redness. Do you often jump out of the shower and notice your skin looks red? This is a sure sign that your shower was way too hot. Turn. It. Down. Lukewarm temps are way more refreshing in the summer, anyway.

Avoid Synthetic Fragrances

Take a good look at the ingredients in your skincare regime to check for common skin irritants that could be triggering your summer flare-ups. Fragrance, for example, is known to be the number one irritant and the biggest cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis in the US so avoiding that should be your first port of call.

Other potential no-nos that have the potential to mess with your barrier function include strong surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), preservatives, dyes and potent alcohols like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and denatured alcohol (aka alcohol denat). These can all strip away the skin’s natural oils, leading to dryness, redness, itching and more.

Wear Loose, Cotton Clothing

It’s super important to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in the summer to minimize sweating and reduce your risk of skin sensitivities like burning and itching. This is especially important if you suffer from ongoing summertime skin issues like prickly heat or folliculitis. Organic cotton clothing is ideal but other natural fibers like linen are similarly better than man-made fabrics.

Cleanse Gently

The best cleansing technique requires the gentlest of touches – even in hot weather. Granted, it’s tempting to cleanse more vigorously in the summer when you sweat more and have extra layers of sunscreen on your face, but if you rub away at your skin using overly potent formulations your skin will not thank you for it. Think breakouts, freakouts and anything else your skin likes to do when it’s unhappy.

Instead of this utter madness, use a kind-to-skin cleanser that contains hydrating ingredients as well as those that help to remove impurities after a day in the heat. We love Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser which is formulated to suit all skin types and deep cleans the skin without drying it out. Spend a few minutes massaging it gently into your skin morning and night and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm – never hot, remember? – water.

Be Smart With Your A/C

Going inside to take a break from the heat and damaging UV rays is a smart move… but watch out for overly zealous air conditioning. A/C feels like bliss at the time but not only does it cool the air but it also removes moisture which can dehydrate your skin and give you the itch.

To minimize the risk of A/C skin meltdown (uncanny, right?), keep yours at the recommended comfortable temperature of around 78 oF. Added bonus: as well as saving your skin it’ll also save you a good wad on your utility bills.

Double Down With Moisture

Extra hydration is crucial during the summer months to help minimize the drying effects of all the summer greats – eg. swimming pools, the ocean and air conditioning – and keep your skin healthy, strong and itch-free. And the best trick for the ultimate moisturization? Layer it on with serum and moisturizer. 

Hyaluronic acid, aloe and glycerin are important ingredients to look out for here as these draw water to the surface of the skin. But you must also include ingredients in your moisturizing routine that help to seal water in – otherwise it'll evaporate lightning fast meaning all that hard work will go to waste. Shea butter is a favorite of ours as it creates a lightweight seal on the surface of the skin without clogging up your pores. Jojoba oil, vitamin E and ceramides also have equally incredible moisturizing superpowers. Try the combination of Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum (so good for sensitive skin) followed by Collagen Day Cream (ditto!).

Shower After Swimming

Chlorine is essential for pool hygiene but, if you have reactive skin, this powerful detergent can strip away at your skin’s uppermost layers, screwing up the pH level and unbalancing your skin’s delicate microbiome. The results? Anything from dryness and itching to full on eczema flare-ups.

If you love a good al fresco dip in the pool make sure to apply water-resistant sunscreen first (this’ll create a kind of barrier against chlorine disruption as well as UV damage); and shower as soon as you leave the pool. If it’s not possible to take a proper shower, rinse yourself in fresh water, then shower thoroughly at the end of the day. Same applies after going for a dip in the ocean.