Don't Make These Common Mistakes With Your Face Scrub
Face scrubs can be fabulous for the health of your skin. Using yours incorrectly, however, is not. So, don’t be that person who screws up their exfoliation routine and makes their skin pay for it.
With the launch of our awesome new Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub, we’ve finally made it into the wonderful world of exfoliating scrubs. Can we have a group hug for that, please? Packed with some of the most incredible, skin-boosting ingredients, our new scrub instantly wakes up your skin, encouraging efficient cell turnover and healthier collagen to give your skin the best (but most gentle!) exfoliation of its life.
Yet to try Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub? Don't worry, a) you’re forgiven, it’s very new, after all and b) here’s a quick lesson in what you need to know. For starters, this super lightweight scrub is fragrance-free which is very important if your skin flares up at the mere mention of synthetic fragrance in your skincare routine. And instead of fruit seeds or ground nutshells (which can cause micro tears in your skin) we use white Bora Bora sand to exfoliate. This superior type of sand is much finer than your regular beach sand, helping to gently buff your skin without risk of irritation.
If all this wasn’t enough, Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub also contains a whole host of plant-powered ingredients including our new bestie, yuzu lemon which is brimming with vitamin C. We combine this with another C-vit favorite, sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) to provide top quality antioxidant protection and a hard-to-break shield against free radical damage.
So, what’s the best way to use our new scrub without causing your skin to freak out? Well, we cut out the harsh ingredients and over-scrubby particles to help you out there. But, still, you have to do your bit, so read on for seven deadly (dramatic, much?) face scrub mistakes you do not want to make…
Face Scrub Mistake #1. Exfoliating Too Often
You know that phrase about having too much of a good thing? Yeah that. When it comes to how often you use your face scrub, always keep that phrase front of mind. Daily exfoliation, for example, can send your barrier function into a total frenzy, stripping it of essential moisture and leaving it vulnerable to breakouts, dehydration, dryness, redness and sensitivities.
If you’re experiencing any of these right now and reckon your over-excited scrubbing routine could be the culprit, pare it back by a good 50 percent.
Face Scrub Mistake #2. Not Exfoliating Enough!
Of course, not exfoliating your skin enough (or, gasp, at all!) can be just as detrimental for your skin, allowing your pores to become clogged, collagen synthesis to become sluggish and your skin to become dull or congested as a result. As you know, exfoliating your skin helps to remove dead skin cells and debris like oil, makeup, and dirt which can build up on the surface if you allow it. So don’t. Introduce a face scrub to your routine to keep your skin healthy and glowing but remember to listen to your skin and find your exfoliating sweet spot depending on your skin type and concerns.
If you have oily skin, for example, you might be able to get away with more frequent exfoliation to help balance sebum – maybe three or four times a week. Dry skin, on the other hand, is more susceptible to irritation so once or twice a week could be enough for you.
Face Scrub Mistake #3. Bombarding Your Skin With Other Exfoliating Formulations
Exfoliation comes in two different guises: chemical and physical. Chemical formulations like our 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant use ingredients like fruit acids to sit on your skin and break down the bonds between dead skin cells, whereas physical formulations (like scrubs) require pressure and movement in order to exfoliate your skin.
Both are great in their own special ways, but it’s not the best idea to use both at once. Again, too much of a good thing. Of course, your skin might be able to cope with a scrub one day and a gentle chemical exfoliator the next, but don’t double up at the same time. And always read your skin – any signs of irritation, redness or inflammation is a red flag and you need to cut back.
Face Scrub Mistake #4. Being Too Rough With Your Scrub
Sure, physical exfoliation requires physical pressure (the clue’s in the name, after all!) but let’s not get too physical, OK?
Scrubs are excellent for sloughing off dead skin cells but you do not need to rub away at your skin like your life depended on it. This can cause micro-tears in your skin, leaving it red, raw, sore and inflamed. Not only that, but it will compromise the delicate balance of your barrier function, encouraging irritation and dryness. Conversely, it could also over-stimulate your sebaceous glands, causing your skin to become super oily and break out.
Basically nothing good can come of exfoliating too hard, so apply gentle pressure only, using your hands and the pads of your fingers to massage your scrub lightly all over your skin. Also, remember to be extra careful when dealing with thin, fragile areas like around the eyes and over your décolletage.
Face Scrub Mistake #5. Skipping Your Cleanser
Are you one of those people who uses their face scrub instead of a face wash? Then you’re doing your skin a real disservice. A face scrub shouldn't substitute your cleanser but should be used alongside it – as and when your skin needs it, of course.
There really is no rule about which comes first, however – cleanser or face scrub – because both ways have their benefits. Cleanse before exfoliating (the more common combo) and you’ll have prepped your skin to give your face scrub a beautiful, clean base to work on. But exfoliate before cleansing and your fresh skin will reap the benefits of your cleanser much better.
Try them both to see which you prefer. Just don’t ditch your cleanser. Ever.
Face Scrub Mistake #6. Not Moisturizing Post-Scrub
While you’ll love the look and feel of your skin after physical exfoliation, it’s crucial to replenish any lost moisture and nourishment by following with a good moisturizer and, even better, a healing or hydrating serum. What’s more, freshly exfoliated skin will accept other skincare products more readily, allowing all those fabulous active ingredients in the rest of your routine to penetrate the skin and get to work more effectively.
We love the awesome combination of Smoothing Collagen Serum and Firming Collagen Day Lotion which, together, help to ‘feed,’ firm and strengthen your skin while boosting collagen production and restoring moisture.
Don't miss this vital, post-exfoliation step in your routine. You'll regret it if you do. Simple as that.
Face Scrub Mistake #7. Forgetting Your Sunscreen
And then there’s sunscreen which is vital every day of the year, but especially on days when you’ve exfoliated and removed the dead, uppermost layers of your skin. Those new, fresh cells are extremely vulnerable and likely to burn and age up in the sun in no time. Which kind of defeats the purpose of exfoliation in the first place.
Get involved in our SPF 3 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C every day, applying it after or instead of your moisturizer depending on your skin type. Trust us, this gorgeous sun protection cream is so good you will actually want to wear it!
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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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![5 Unusual Things That Can Trigger Breakouts]()
No idea why you’re getting an influx of acne right now? Many lifestyle habits can trigger your breakouts – and sometimes they’re found in the most unsuspecting places.
As you know, acne is caused by one thing and one thing alone: an excess of sebum that causes your pores to become blocked with oil, dead skin cells, bacteria and other impurities. Eating too much chocolate doesn’t give you pimples. Neither does moisturizer. Sure, they can trigger breakouts if you’re genetically susceptible to them, but acne isn’t caused by uncleanliness, a poor diet or crummy skincare routine. It’s caused by blocked pores. End of.
OK, so this begs the question: why bother trying to cure them if your breakouts are totally out of your control? Well, here’s the thing. You can’t change your genes, that’s for certain. However, what you can do is keep acne-triggering factors under control to help lessen the blow. Sleeping well, reducing emotional stress and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet; all these things are important for maintaining balanced sebum and therefore reducing the likelihood of you breaking out week after week.
But there are also some less obvious reasons why you face might be suffering with regular breakouts. So if you’ve already dispensed with things like smoking, poor cleansing and too much exfoliation, but you’re still getting pimples on the reg, it might be time to look at some of the more unexpected areas of your life.
On that note, read on for five slightly more unusual causes for your breakouts.
1. Your Pillowcase
Getting enough beauty sleep is crucial for the health of your skin, but if you’re sleeping on a dirty pillowcase for a solid eight hours every night dirt and bacteria is inevitably going to build up and irritate your pores. This is especially true if you sleep on a synthetic pillowcase because man-made fibers don’t absorb sweat as effectively as natural fibres like cotton or linen.
The answer? Go natural all the way, for starters. Also, cleanse and moisturize your skin before bed to reduce the amount of grime getting on your pillowcase. Tea Tree Super Cleanser+ is a great acne-fighting cleanser that balances and clarifies your pores. Follow this with Retinol Moisturizer to lightly hydrate and moisturize your skin while boosting cellular turnover to keep your pores free of dead skin cells.
Finally, wash your pillowcase every three or four days. And ditto, your face towel. Old, dirty towels that are used by the whole family for drying their hands and who-knows-what-else are another breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Do you really want to be swiping this all over your freshly cleansed skin? Thought not. So, invest in a couple of cotton face towels for you and you alone and wash them every other day.
2. Your Makeup & Hair Products
Your skincare routine might be spot on, but what about your makeup and hair products? Rich hair conditioners, for example, are notorious for containing heavy ingredients like cocoa butter and coconut oil which, granted, are incredible for moisturizing your precious locks, but are not so great for acne-prone skin. Of course, we know you’re not smothering your face with conditioner but still, it can settle on your face when you rinse your hair so always cleanse your skin after, never before conditioning.
Makeup can similarly clog up your pores, especially if you use formulations that contain oil. So don’t do that. Instead, look out for noncomedogenic products (this means they’re less likely to block pores) and use powder rather than liquid formulations whenever possible.
3. Your Workout Routine
Do you love to get a good sweat on when you’re working out? High fives to you. However, allow all that sweat and grime to sit on your skin and your pores are going to clog up quicker than your instructor can say ‘hit the floor for ten push-ups.’
Cleanse your skin thoroughly and swiftly after exercising (the longer you leave your skin doused in sweat and grimy workout gear, the more bacteria is likely to breed), and always use a mild but effective cleanser that helps to detoxify your skin without drying it out. Our Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser is a goodie as it harnesses the powers of coconut-derived activated charcoal which destroys skin-smothering impurities to offer a deep, gently purifying clean every time.
4. Your Winter Cover-Ups
Any fabric that rubs against your skin can lead to unwanted issues in the long-term. Remember how face masks were causing ‘maskne’ back in the pandemic? This was all due to friction from the mask combining with the obvious culprits of sweat, dirt, oil, bacteria and humidity which caused dryness, irritation and pimples.
Thankfully, for most of us, the days of having to wear a mask 24/7 are over. However, if you spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter and like to wrap yourself up in woollen hats and thick, heavy scarves, these can cause similar problems, trapping sweat and increasing friction around your chin, jaw, neck and forehead.
To help reduce breakouts caused by beanies, scarves (and even turtleneck sweaters), avoid synthetic fabrics and launder your winter cover-ups regularly. Weekly, at least.
5. Your Laundry Detergent
Speaking of laundry, your choice of detergent is also imperative. Just like your beauty routine, certain ingredients in your laundry detergent can be super irritating – especially if you have extremely sensitive or acne-prone skin. Fragrance, for example, can be a real Debbie Downer, as can harsh dyes, essentials oils, strong surfactants and preservatives.
To reduce the likelihood of your laundry detergent triggering those pesky breakouts, first up, choose liquid over powder detergents. Why? Because these leave behind less residue on your clothes and fabrics (who knew?!). Also, never use more detergent than is recommended on the label, avoid fabric softeners and try double rinsing your laundry after washing to remove as much residue as possible.
5 Unusual Things That Can Trigger Breakouts
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