5 Winter Skin Hacks To Get You Glowing For Spring
Want to crush lit-from-within skin this spring? Then you’d better start your glow-getting routine immediately.
We don’t know about you, but this time of year is when we generally start thinking about getting our skin prepped and primed for spring. After all, brighter sunshine, longer days and warmer temps mean more time spent outside and so we want our skin to reflect the joys of springtime weather – bright, radiant and full of life.
Don’t get us wrong, we’ve done everything we can to keep our skin moisturized and looking good all winter long, but it’s not always easy, especially after the holidays when the focus has been more on wine and cheese than topical antioxidants and deep moisturization.
So what’s on the ‘must do this’ list for getting skin glowing and ready for spring? Follow these pointers and you’ll be well on the way.
1. Focus On Moisture
Winter is notorious for drying out the skin. You can blame the weather, for sure, because dry, cold air sucks all the hydration from the skin’s uppermost layers. But there are plenty of other things going on that ruin your skin’s moisture mojo. Central heating has to take some responsibility, as must things like hot baths and comfort foods.
If your skin is still feeling somewhat thirsty after battling the elements all winter long, stick with what you’ve likely been doing for the past few months. It’ll pay off eventually – promise. Invest in a humidifier for your bedroom to boost the moisture content in the air as you sleep and make sure your diet includes plenty of water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon and tomatoes, as well as omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish and seeds.
As for your skincare routine, we love to layer a hydrating, nourishing serum under moisturizer as this supercharges the skin’s levels of moisture, without it needing to rely on super-heavy creams that can weigh it down.
Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is always a smart choice but you could also try our much-loved but often underestimated Peptide Facial Serum which combines three of the best hydrators we know – aloe, glycerin and panthenol – alongside collagen-enhancing peptides. Apply your serum of choice under moisturizer morning and night and your skin will soon have a brighter pep in its step. Plus, it'll feel downright amazing as an extra bonus.
2. Get Friendly With Exfoliating Acids
Chemical exfoliants are awesome for gifting your skin with a smoother (and therefore brighter) surface. Unlike facial scrubs which use grains like fine sand or salt and require physical motion to work, chemical exfoliants simply sit on your skin and go about their business with no effort at all. They work by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells so they’re able to slough away quicker and more efficiently. Simple as that.
Furthermore, if you choose wisely and opt for a kind-to-skin formulation that harmonizes different kinds of chemical exfoliants, you may even be able to use it every day. Take our 6% AHA, BHA and PHA Liquid Exfoliant, for example. This hard-working, but never too hard-on-your-skin toner accelerates cell turnover with a perfectly balanced blend of glycolic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA) and gluconolactone (PHA). And, yes, we know that might sound like a lot of exfoliating acids for one face, but fear not, we made sure to include just the right amount of each to gently exfoliate without leaving your skin feeling stripped or dry.
It’s the perfect product to give your skin the coveted glow you’ve been seeking since September said goodbye.
3. OD On Vitamin C
One of our favorite skin mottos is ‘when in doubt, reach for topical vitamin C.’ And do you know what? It’s never let us down. In fact, vitamin C is what’s known at TruSkin HQ as the ultimate brightening powerhouse. Not only is it one of the most trusted and tested antioxidants (reminder: antioxidants fight free radicals and keep your collagen levels in check) but it’s also thought to inhibit melanin production which means fewer dark spots, less patchy areas and a more glowy, even-looking complexion all round.
Of course, we don’t literally want you to OD on vitamin C. Some forms can be extremely potent and even a little irritating if you use them too much and apply them too often. So you have to tread carefully. Our advice? Introduce new products slowly into your routine, patch test them first, and stick with sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP). SAP is a salt form of the pure stuff which makes it more stable and therefore much gentler.
You'll find vitamin C, and more specifically SAP, in a ton of our skincare formulations so you really can pick and choose depending on your skin’s needs and preferences. Serums are the obvious choice, but since you're likely concentrating on hydration with your facial serum right now, how about trying our Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser instead? With a name like that, it would be rude not to.
4. Think Of Bedtime As TLC Time
You might be under the impression that overnight skincare is a bit pointless when you’re tucked up in bed doing nothing but dreaming of the teenage skin you wish you still had. But on the contrary, your skin does its best repair work when you’re asleep. Cell turnover peaks, collagen production revs up, blood flow increases and your body’s natural antioxidants system kicks in to help neutralize any pesky free radicals that may have built up during the day. Leave your makeup on and go to bed with dirty, unmoisturized skin, however, and all this good stuff becomes basically redundant.
To encourage the magic to happen, cleanse your face and neck gently but thoroughly before bed and start a slow-building retinol regime to naturally accelerate cell turnover and collagen synthesis. Our Retinol Facial Serum has your back here as it’s also infused with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to boost radiance and hydration both in the short- and long-term.
Mimic your morning routine by always following your serum with moisturizer. In this instance try Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream which contains that all-important, glow-getting vitamin C, as well as ‘nature’s beauty mineral,’ MSM which is one of the most underrated but overachieving ingredients for healthy skin. And we don’t say that lightly.
5. Make Massage A Must
We can think of little better for waking up your skin than a morning massage. The benefits of a facial massage are undeniable. For starters, it boosts blood flow and therefore allows more oxygen and nutrients to rush to the surface of your skin. Hello big-time glow! It also improves lymphatic drainage to help remove toxins away from the skin, reducing things like puffiness and inflammation. Not to mention how relaxing and stress-reducing a morning facial massage can be.
Don’t worry, though, we don’t expect you to learn all the tricks of the massage trade just like that. You can actually do this facial massage quickly and easily in mere minutes. You can also do it while cleansing, or applying facial oil – it totally depends on your jam.
Simply work your chosen product all over your face and neck, using the pads of your fingers, then sweep your fingers down your nose a few times, across your cheeks from the center outwards, then up and around your forehead. After your forehead, take your hands down to the middle of your chin and use sweeping motions to lift the skin up and out towards your ears. Finish with your neck, using the palms of your hands to perform light strokes from the base of your neck up to your jawline. Repeat this as many times as you like, using medium pressure to work the skin and get everything flowing.
Now, how long until March, again?
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![How To Relieve Dry, Itchy Skin On Your Face]()
It’s time to break free from the irritating cycle that is itchy, persistently dry skin. And we’re here to help.
Similar to how oily skin is often plagued with acne breakouts, dryness and itchy skin frequently go hand in hand. And while we’re sure anyone who has to deal with oily skin on the reg would happily trade places with their dry skin friends, it works both ways with dry skin sufferers being prepared to give anything to swap a little extra oil for a lot less itch.
The grass is always greener and all that.
The unfortunate thing is that the amount of sebum (oil) your skin produces is not something of which you have complete control. Yes, you can help balance things out with better skincare and smart lifestyle choices, but your overriding skin type is the one you were born with. Annoying? Maybe. But the good news is that it's usually pretty manageable.
Extreme dryness that’s coupled with dehydration, tightness and makes you want to scratch away at your poor, delicate skin 24/7? Well, that’s a whole other issue.
Why Is Your Skin So Itchy?
Itchy skin (aka pruritus) is basically the evil partner to skin dryness. And while the amount of sebum your skin produces is an important player, there’s also another factor at work. And that’s your skin’s barrier function which is its outermost layer, aka the stratum corneum.
If itchy skin is not the norm for you, this is a red flag that something’s going on with this important protective layer which acts like your skin’s very own personal bodyguard, keeping moisture in and toxins, allergens and irritants out. When this barrier function becomes compromised thanks to things like extreme weather, harsh cleansing, overly active skincare products or even a lack of sleep, it weakens, becomes unable to do its job efficiently and cries out for help. Moisture, oils and important nutrients start to escape way too easily. Not to mention the free rein given to external irritants to do their worst on your skin.
All this can result in serious bad news for your poor skin. Dryness and dehydration are the first signs of a weakened barrier – all thanks to the skin’s inability to retain moisture. Then there’s the redness, sensitivities and inevitable itch. Itching, in particular is all thanks to your nervous system being activated by irritants that have made their way through the weakened barrier.
What To Do About Dry, Itchy Skin: Your Barrier Function Rescue Plan
The most common triggers of a compromised barrier function will come as no surprise. Emotional stress, insufficient sleep, extreme weather, overbathing and environmental pollution are all major contenders, so it's important to avoid these by working on the following things…
* Look after your mental health. Breathing exercises, yoga, even brisk walks are great ways to help reduce anxiety and stress.
* Go to bed at a decent hour and try to stick with a regular sleep routine. It’s also smart to invest in a bedroom humidifier to reduce overnight dehydration.
* Increase your intake of omega-3s and vitamin-rich foods to ‘feed’ your skin from the inside out.
* Stick with lukewarm, rather than hot showers and baths. And don't wallow for too long!
* Keep your air conditioning and indoor heating at reasonable, rather than extreme temperatures – sudden changes in temperature are a killer on dry skin.
Your skincare routine also deserves your undivided attention.
Gentle cleansing is crucial because certain ingredients like harsh alcohol, synthetic fragrance, strong sulfates and unnecessary fillers can really screw with your barrier function. Instead, look for cleansers that are non-stripping and nourishing with ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing oat milk and gentle, skin-friendly oils like sweet almond. Our Soothing Cleansing Milk is a total winner in our eyes.
You should also dial back on exfoliation and reduce your use of active ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid – at least temporarily. Pause them for a week or two until, fingers crossed, your skin recovers. Then you can slowly introduce them back if your skin is up to the job. If not? Well, maybe it’s time to rethink your routine. You could always switch out potent retinol for bakuchiol or niacinamide which both thrive on sensitive skin. Try Rejuvenating Longevity Serum or Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum.
Then there's the most important step of all: moisturization.
The Best 3-Step Moisturization Regime
Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized is everything. But it doesn’t begin and end with face cream. To truly ensure your skin has all the moisture it needs, you have to think outside the box and treat it on three different levels.
1. Start With A Soothing Toner
Toner might not be front of mind for dry, itchy skin, but if you steer clear of alcohol-heavy, pore-stripping formulations, the right toner can bring a lot of benefits to the table. Our Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner, for example, contains only pure Moroccan Rose water (honestly, that’s it!) and is a great way to kick off the ultimate hydration plan, gently toning, refreshing and calming inflammation.
2. Sandwich With A Hydrating Serum
After toning, don’t reach straight for the face cream. Layer up with a facial serum to lavish your skin with a quenching hit of moisture. Serums contain smaller molecules than moisturizers which means they’re able to penetrate the skin at a deeper level, thus tapping concerns that a face cream might otherwise not reach.
Our Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is a fabulous choice here, but we also love Smoothing Collagen Serum which simultaneously helps to strengthen the skin barrier with peptides, ceramides and superfruit extracts.
3. Finish With The Best Moisturizer For Dry Skin
Your choice of moisturizer is important. Go too light and you risk not bringing enough moisture to the skin. But go too heavy and you could potentially clog your pores and exacerbate breakouts and itching. The key is to look for creamy emollients that replace lost lipids, seal in water and help replenish your barrier function.
Our favorite moisturizers for dry, itchy skin are Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream in the morning and Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream before bed. Of course, UV protection is also non-negotiable so always finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen like SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C.
Finally, Know When To Call In The Heavies
Most dryness and itching issues can be dealt with at home, but if your symptoms persist longer than a few weeks, or they get worse despite doing everything you can to keep them under control, it may be worth seeking professional help from a dermatologist. Underlying chronic skin conditions like eczema and rosacea are major culprits for causing dryness, flaking and itchiness, and oftentimes these need more than at-home TLC can offer.
How To Relieve Dry, Itchy Skin On Your Face
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![How To Prime Your Skin For The Party Season]()
Don’t let fragile, wintry skin and boozy breakouts ruin your skin when the rest of you is ready to rock the party circuit.
It’s the season of champagne, bright lights, festive apps and Santa hats and we, for one, are thrilled. But as much as we love all the fun and fabulousness of the holidays, your skin can take a real beating. Cold, dry weather; warm, steamy bars; a little more alcohol and a lot less sleep can all add up to stress on your skin, compromising your barrier function and throwing your moisture levels out of whack.
Granted, if you have the skin of an angel, you might not notice issues with dryness, shiny foreheads or annoying breakouts during the party season. Well, lucky you because for the other 99.99999 percent of us, party skin often needs an extra bit of TLC to look and feel as high-spirited as our moods.
Here’s how to help get your skin on its merry way this festive season…
One Week Before
To truly get your skin in the right frame of mind for partying, you have to start looking after it early. A good week in advance, in fact. Of course, we know you have a great and consistent skincare routine up your sleeves, period, but there are three things you should really concentrate on in the week up to a big do.
1. Chemical Exfoliation
A great way to kick-start your skin into looking more plump, energized and fresh, is to embrace exfoliating acids. These are the AHAs, BHA and PHAs of the world and include powerhouses like glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids.
Try applying 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant daily to cleansed skin to help boost cellular turnover, improve collagen synthesis and give sluggish skin a real kick in the booty.
2. Facial Massage
A simple facial massage is awesome for improving lymphatic drainage and blood flow. It gets everything moving thus helping to remove toxins while boosting nutrients and oxygen to the surface of the skin – super important for the party season when salty snacks and boozy beverages zap all the life from your skin. Simply work your hands all over your face and neck while cleansing each morning and night, taking your time to lift and smooth the skin in circular motions. You could also invest in a face roller or gua sha tool if they’re your jam.
3. Energizing Serum
While we wouldn’t suggest doubling up on your coffee intake (ever!), adding topical caffeine to your skincare routine will do your complexion all sorts of favors. An incredible antioxidant and with lots of anti-inflammatory powers, caffeine is a fantastic way to counteract all those free radicals that stress, lack of sleep and a poor diet produces. Gold star right there.
Caffeine also energizes your skin by tightening the blood vessels and stimulating circulation. Say hello to brighter, firmer skin and less puffiness and under eye bags as an added bonus. Get involved by applying Caffeine Facial Serum to your skin morning and night.
The Night Before
Big night out tomorrow? Then the following are some super effective ways to ensure your skin is clean, clear, beautifully hydrated and ready to partay!
1. Double Cleanse
We’re not massive fans of double cleansing – it just seems a bit excessive, as a rule. However, do it gently and on the odd occasion, and it can truly help to give your skin a proper ‘clear out,’ leaving you with a smooth foundation for some serious party makeup (if that’s your thing, of course!).
To double cleanse with success, first use an oil-based makeup cleanser to remove makeup, sebum and any other oily stuff from your skin. Then, go for a water-based cleanser to get rid of other surface debris while boosting your complexion with skin-loving ingredients like vitamin C, minerals, aloe vera or plant extracts. We love Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser for a party season detox.
2. Facial Steam
Steaming your face increases perspiration to help remove toxins and boosts blood flow to get oxygen and lots of nutrients flowing to your skin. Win-win. What’s more it’s arguably the easiest and cheapest (aka: free!) way to give yourself the results of a spa-like facial in the comfort of your own home.
Simply place your face over a bowl of recently boiled water (although not freshly boiled, that’ll be too hot!). Place a towel over your head to trap in the steam and hold your face over the surface of the water without getting too close for about 10 minutes. Just remember to always follow with moisturizer. Speaking of which…
3. Layered Hydration
Before bed, baby your skin with as much hydration as it will take – without overloading it with heavy coats of rich creams that might block your pores, of course. That can be disastrous. The best way to crush this? With layers. First up, smooth on a moisture-magnet serum like Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum then wait a few seconds before applying moisturizer over the top. We have tons to choose from but a current favorite comes in the form of Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream which contains skin-reviving bakuchiol (just like retinol, but gentler on the skin!), plus snow algae to boost radiance and protect your skin from any party stress factors!
The Day Of
OK, it’s crunch time. Hopefully, if you’ve kept to your routine and added in a few choice extras, your skin is ready to glow – who needs makeup, anyway!? However, if you still need a little pick-me-up, try these last-minute glow-getting tricks.
1. A Morning Scrub
First things first: don’t overdo it with the exfoliation, people. If you’ve been applying a chemical exfoliant in the run-up to party time, a facial scrub might be a tad excessive. However, if you’ve not had time to get ahead of the exfoliation game, a face scrub is game-changing for instantly smoother, brighter-looking skin. Grab our Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub as a matter of urgency, and smooth it all over your face and neck, using gentle circular motions to work it all over.
2. Vitamin C
We rate very little above topical vitamin C when it comes to rejuvenating ingredients that get the job done. So, apply the best vitamin C money can buy after cleansing and feel smug in the knowledge that your skin has started off the day right. Sure, it may end the day a little tipsy and full of sugar and salt, but at least you started well and, hey, we have just as many great tricks for hungover skin as we do for party prepping!
Try our Vitamin C Super Serum+ for a punchy pack of skin brightening goodness.
3. Ice Globes
A favorite with makeup artists for prepping celebrities’ skin for red carpet events, ice globes are glass or metal wands that have balls on the ends and are kept in the fridge or freezer. They're kind of like rubbing ice cubes all over your skin without the watery mess or potential skin damage.
Awesome for depuffing the eye area, ice globes also work wonders on facial redness, inflammation and sluggish skin. Cleanse your skin first, then apply serum before working them over the skin for 10 minutes or so. Use upwards movements to lift your skin and add radiance, or downwards strokes to encourage lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling. But make sure you don’t press too hard as this could drag and damage your skin.
Finish with moisturizer and you are ready to, well, get ready!
How To Prime Your Skin For The Party Season
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