True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Retinol is one of the best ingredients for your skin, battling the signs of visible aging like no other skincare ingredient can even dream of doing. But it needs to be used consistently for the best results. So, if you’re of the opinion that retinol should be packed away in the summer, we’re here to change that.

When it comes to skincare powerhouses, retinol is top of the class. Ask any derm, skincare expert, A-lister or influencer and they will all agree it’s the gold standard in anti-aging ingredients. 

Derived from vitamin A and a gentle cousin to retinoic acid (otherwise known as tretinoin), retinol has this clever way of getting under your skin to communicate with important proteins like collagen and elastin. This stimulates their production and kick-starts them to do their jobs more efficiently and more effectively, speeding up cell turnover and helping to improve your skin’s tone and texture. Retinol also helps fade sun spots and boosts the production of blood vessels in the skin to enhance radiance. Gotta love that.

But retinol isn’t just an anti-aging whizz kid. Studies prove that retinol also has anti-inflammatory powers which makes it a very effective anti-acne treatment, keeping pores clean, clear, bacteria-free and therefore stopping your skin from breaking out like a hormonal teenager’s.

So, why is retinol often perceived as something to be wary of in the summer months? Well, it’s a little bit misunderstood. Most people think retinol is unsafe during the daytime because it makes your skin extremely sensitive to the sun. Which is kind of true… but not really.

The hard truth is that retinol itself is not sun sensitizing. We’ll just let that sink in for a minute...

NOT sun sensitizing? So, why the myth? Well, it does thin the very top layer of your skin (the stratum corneum) which is why it’s a bit of a bummer when it comes to reducing your skin’s ability to protect itself from UV radiation. But, to be honest this is why it’s so effective at controlling acne and reducing the signs of aging.

The main reason retinol is usually formulated into night treatments is not because of what it does to your skin in the sun, but the fact that it can become deactivated by sunlight. When a skincare ingredient becomes deactivated it doesn’t particularly harm your skin, per se, it simply becomes less effective. And retinol is such a fabulously effective ingredient, this is exactly the opposite of what you want.

So, how can you make the most of your retinol treatment this summer? Here are five things to bear in mind…

1. Summer Is Actually A Great Time To Start Applying Retinol

Many people experience increased dryness and sensitivities in the winter, which makes summer a much better season to introduce retinol into your routine. Summer equals more humidity and this extra moisture in the air helps keep your skin healthier, more hydrated and better equipped to start getting used to such a powerhouse of a skincare ingredient. Take that non-believers.

2. However, Retinol Can Cause Irritation – Any Time Of The Year

It’s true, retinol can irritate your skin come rain or shine, so you should always do a patch test before introducing it into your routine. Then, once you’ve established your skin can tolerate it, go low and slow.

Start with a moisturizer as these are usually less potent than treatment serums. Our Retinol Moisturizer is great for retinol newbies as it cleverly blends retinol with hyaluronic acid (HA) to hydrate your skin and help fend off flaky or peeling skin, which often occurs with regular use of retinol. If your skin is super sensitive you can even get away with alternating Retinol Moisturizer with our equally-as-awesome Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer. It'll still have a great impact on the look and feel of your skin.

3. Retinol Serum Is Perfect For Balmy Summer Evenings

Can’t bear heavy night creams when the mercury is rising and your bedroom feels hotter than the surface of the sun? Yeah, we hear you girl. And this is when our Retinol Facial Serum comes to the rescue.

Blended with HA and vitamin E for hydration and extra healing qualities, we call this our go-to-summertime serum because it’s super lightweight and absorbs into your skin in seconds so you can get some valuable beauty sleep without feeling like your face is totally suffocating. Even though it’s perfectly safe to use in the morning, UV light can destabilize retinol and diminish its effectiveness, so you’re always better off using it a night. Apply it two or three times a week (after patch testing first, of course) to freshly cleansed skin, then follow with moisturizer.

4. You MUST Go Heavy On The Sunscreen

The powerful rays of the sun, coupled with retinol’s potent, thin-skinning actions are asking for trouble if you don’t wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. We’re talking dryness, redness, itching, burning and worse. So, make sure you protect your skin carefully and regularly.

Around half a teaspoon of sunscreen is recommended for your face and you should reapply the same amount every two hours if you’re spending all day in the sun. Also, try to spend as much time with your face in the shade and wear a large-brimmed hat and good quality sunnies that block both UVA and UVB radiation for an added safety net.

5. Stop Using Retinol If Your Face Gets Sunburned 

As previously mentioned, retinol thins the outermost layer of your skin which increases your chances of sunburn. However, as long as you take care to protect your skin, this should rarely, if ever happen. If you do get caught short, stop applying your retinol products immediately – and in fact any active ingredients including exfoliating acids. Instead, use super gentle cleansing products and soothing moisturizers only for at least a week or until your skin heals.

You see, due diligence and a bit of common sense is all it takes to crush an awesome retinol routine.

All. Year. Round.

Not that we’re saying sunscreen isn’t important. It is. It SO is. But couple your daily SPF with these other sun safety tips and you can be happy knowing you're doing everything you can to protect your skin from the sun.

While we love the sun and, well, couldn’t survive without it, studies show that sunlight is the number one cause of external skin aging. Now, we don’t like to point the finger, but this means almost everything you hate about your skin – fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture, lack of firmness, dark spots, enlarged pores, the works – is primarily down to sun damage. Dang.

We constantly bang on about the importance of applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily and make no apologies for it. But today, we’re here to give that particular lecture a temporary rest because we want to talk about all the other things you can do to protect your skin from the slings and arrows of the sun.

Make the below a top priority this summer (along with your essential SPF, of course) and who knows, you might ward off those visible signs of premature aging just that little bit longer.

Apply Topical Antioxidants

As we’re sure you’re aware, we’re massive fans of topical antioxidants here at TruSkin. And one of the main reasons we love them? Sun damage control.

Exposure to the sun is one of the biggest causes of free radicals – those pesky compounds which love to do a number on your skin, destroying important proteins and causing what’s known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress spells major bad news for your skin as it leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, resulting in lines, wrinkles and premature sagging.

The good news is antioxidants fight tooth and nail against free radicals to limit harm and keep your skin looking awesome for as long as possible. Studies have shown that two of the best antioxidants for sun protection are vitamins C and E. And more good news: we combine these two free radical-fighting powerhouses with hyaluronic acid in our Vitamin C Facial Serum. Apply it underneath your moisturizer and sunscreen daily to really amp up your protection game. But remember, antioxidants do NOT protect your skin from sun burn so don’t think applying a vitamin C serum makes you invincible from the sun. It does not.

Avoid Direct Sunlight Whenever You Can

Nothing beats lounging outside on a hot, sunny day. Actually, add a frozen margarita into the mix and now we’re getting somewhere. But sitting outside in the direct, midday sun? So not good for your skin. Shade always trumps sun, hands down.

Depending on the density and coverage of your chosen shady spot, sitting in the shade protects you from around 15 percent of UV light. Granted, this doesn’t sound like a lot, but when it comes to looking after your skin, we say every smidge of protection counts.

Look for a tree to sit under when picnicking in the park, or remember to take an umbrella if you’re going to spend a day out in the sun. And when looking to buy a new beach umbrella or awning, make sure you look for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Approval which guarantees the fabric has reached the minimum requirements of 30 UPF (ultraviolet protection factor).

Wear Protective Clothing

Did you know what you wear can also have an impact on your level of sun protection? Plus, clothes don’t wear off like sunscreen as an added bonus. Simple choices like wearing loose fitting clothes, long sleeves or densely woven fabrics such as denim or wool are way more protective for your skin than tight, stretchy or sheer clothing.

Also, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation, dark or bright colors are way better than lighter tones because they help absorb UV radiation before it reaches your skin, adding further protection from sun damage.

Finally, don’t forget a good, tightly-woven hat that doesn’t show too much light through it (you can always check this with a flashlight). A 3-inch brim around the entire circumference is optimum, but if you’re a baseball cap kinda gal, think about adding some kind of drape over your neck and ears to protect those delicate areas.

Don’t Forget Your Sunglasses

Looking after the skin around your eyes is arguably even more important than the skin on the rest of your face. How so? Because this area is thinner and more delicate meaning it’s much less efficient at protecting itself from environmental damage. Also, between 5 and 10 percent of all skin cancers are found on the eyelids. Big warning, right there.

Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses all year round (even on cloudy days) and choose those that are 100 percent effective at blocking both UVA and UBA radiation. And remember, dry, dehydrated skin around your eyes will age you up super fast so always apply a hydrating eye cream twice daily. Try Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream which, on top of HA, contains hard-working antioxidants and age-defying ingredients like plant peptides, panthenol and botanical oils.

Think About Your Diet

Last but not least, up your sun protection from the inside out by making a few smart healthy eating choices. Laden your diet with antioxidant-rich fruit and veggies like kiwis, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes and broccoli and snack on almonds, walnuts and seeds to up your levels of omega 3 essential fats which help reduce UV-induced inflammation.

Studies have also shown that foods which are high in beta-carotene may also play a part in protecting your skin from sun damage. These included sweet potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, spinach and butternut squash.

(Don't forget, however, none of these steps are as important as regular sunscreen. Always, we repeat, always protect your skin with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 lotion or moisturizer as the final step in your morning routine)

Dark, under-eye circles getting your goat? Facial redness seriously starting to cheese you off? Then it’s time to take action against these common skin concerns. And thankfully, we know how… 

What’s your skin hangup, because we know you have one? Maybe even more than one. Come on, even the most perfectly porcelained among you will have something you hate about your skin. And yes, even if it is the tiniest of lines between your brows that nobody else notices, but you see EVERY TIME you look in the mirror.

When it comes to taking care of annoying skin issues like lines, wrinkles, acne and dark spots, a regular skincare routine doesn’t usually cut the mustard. But all it takes is that one awesome product to take your regime to a whole other level.

Here, we take a look at eight of the most common skin concerns you might face… plus what to do to minimize their effects on your skin – and your mental wellbeing.

1. Redness

Severe facial flushing can be caused by anything from rosacea and psoriasis through to eczema and seasonal allergies. And the most important thing here is not to even try to self-diagnose. Rosacea, for example, is often mistaken for acne which can lead to nothing short of disastrous results for your skin. So, first up, visit a skin specialist straight away to talk through your symptoms and treatment options.

If you think your skin is red due to harsh cleansing or irritation from potent actives in your skincare, you should also pare back your routine. Remove a facial serum from your regime for a few weeks and see if this helps. Or switch up your cleanser to a gentler formulation that avoids parabens, sulfates or harsh fragrances. This will help you understand if there’s a certain ingredient your skin has taken offense to. Rose Water Refreshing Toner is also a great shout for calming and soothing irritation.

2. A Shiny T-Zone

Excess shine around your nose, chin and forehead is due to too many overactive sebaceous glands in your skin which produce an excess of oil. And while shiny hair and shiny lips are all well and good, a slick face? Not so much.

The best ways to control excess shine are to avoid oil-heavy moisturizers, invest in some salicylic acid which cuts through oil like no other ingredient, and cleanse regularly, but gently, using a detoxifying ingredient like charcoal.

Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser is just the guy for the job here. Containing activated coconut charcoal, it not only draws out toxins from your skin but also mops up excess sebum while it’s at it. Thankfully, it also contains aloe, glycerin and non pore-clogging lavender oil to keep your skin hydrated and balanced while it works it’s wonders. Because we're smart like that.

3. Dark Circles & Bags Around Your Eyes

Puffiness and dark, under-eye circles generally form as you age, when your skin loses collagen and therefore weakens and sags. Why is the area under your eyes so susceptible to aging? Because the skin here is thin, fragile and lacks fat and muscle to support it.

Dark circles are usually hereditary, but both conditions can be exacerbated by sun damage, cruddy sleep, stress, dehydration and irritation, so your first step to clearer, smoother eyes is to make better lifestyle choices. Our top three pieces of advice? Wear sunglasses outside, sleep with your head elevated and add a topical eye treatment to your daily routine. Peptide Eye Gel is the nuts for tackling dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles around your eyes.

4. Visible Pores

Your pore size is another skin grievance that’s determined by genetics and newsflash: it’s physically impossible to shrink them – even though many skincare manufacturers would like you to believe otherwise.

However, by keeping your skin healthy, strong and supple, you can definitely improve the look of enlarged pores. Of course, protecting your skin from the sun is super important as UV rays break down collagen and compromise the structure of your skin. Therefore always wear a lightweight sunscreen and introduce antioxidants into your regime to further boost your protection.

You should also look out for gentle cleansers and toners containing salicylic or glycolic acid as these boost cellular turnover and help remove dead skin cells which can hang around on the surface of your skin and block your pores. Try Ocean Minerals Super Toner which contains glycolic acid along with MSM and our favorite antioxidant, vitamin C.

5. Cracked, Flaky Skin

Cracked, flaky skin is usually a result of dryness (or eczema, of course). Dry skin is hereditary, caused by a lack of natural sebum and is not to be confused with dehydration which is due to a lack of water in the skin and can affect any skin type – dry, normal, oily, you name it.

The best way to look after dryness and cracked skin is to treat it super carefully. Avoid harsh chemicals in your skincare and never wash your face in hot water which compromises your barrier function and depletes essential fatty acids and lipids from the surface of your skin. 

It’s also a great idea to include occlusive or emollient ingredients in your skincare to help repair and smooth over cracks and reduce moisture loss. Our Vitamin C Night Cream contains some of the best emollients including cocoa butter, beeswax and botanical oils like jojoba, rosehip and evening primrose oil.

6. Frown Lines

You might be applying the best eye treatment to the lines around your eyes, but what about those pesky 11 lines that lurk right between your eyebrows? What can you do about those – without having to resort to a syringe full of Botox, of course?

Frown lines are caused by the natural loss of collagen and elastin as you age, coupled with repeated facial expressions like raising your eyebrows, squinting and frowning.

Facial yoga can be an effective way to combat a crinkly forehead. A great one is to open your eyes as wide as possible – without wrinkling your forehead – then stare at the horizon for 10 seconds, relax and repeat five times.

Of course, the usual suspects of stress, excessive sun exposure and pollution also play their part, so protect your skin with SPF and antioxidant serums. We recommend our super-powered Vitamin C Super Serum+ which is packed to the brim with antioxidant favorites like vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and retinol.

7. Hormonal Acne

Acne is the most common skin condition in the US and can affect any one of us, at any time in our lives. Research shows that hormonal acne, which makes you break out while dealing with hormonal fluctuations during your periods or the menopause, affects 25 percent of women in their forties and a massive 50 percent of women in their twenties.

Retinol is an awesome ingredient for treating and controlling mild hormonal acne because it boosts cell turnover which helps slough off dead skin cells and prevents your pores from becoming blocked. Retinol can be pretty potent, remember, so introduce Retinol Facial Serum slowly into your routine and always perform a patch test first.

If your hormonal acne is severe and manifests itself through deep, cystic bumps, oral medications might prove more effective.

8. Dark Spots

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sun damage is the most common cause of dark spots which usually appear on your face, hands, shoulders and/or arms – yes, the areas that are most often exposed to sunlight. It goes without saying, therefore, that if you limit your time in the sun, and protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every time you step outside, you’ll dramatically reduce your chances of developing sun-related dark spots. But you knew that.

Retinol, vitamin C and AHAs such as glycolic acid are also fabulous for dealing with minor, surface-level discolorations. Vitamin C has even been proven to prevent future dark spots from developing, so you’ve simply got to add Vitamin C Facial Serum to your daily routine if dark spots are your thing. And you really don’t want them to be…

Concerned that the skin around your eyes is aging you up way faster than the rest of your face? Then it might be time to reassess some of your beauty habits...

Aging skin is a fact of life. Like the rising sun and the changing tides, it just happens. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit back and let it take its toll without a little fight, right? Sure, fine lines are a sign you’ve lived a great life. And the odd wrinkle here and there? No biggie. But if there are ways to maintain youthful-looking skin for as long as possible, then why wouldn’t you?

This is never more important than when it comes to the skin around your eyes. Super fragile and way thinner than the skin on the rest of your face, your eye area is one of the first places to show the signs of visible aging. At around age 20, lines start to form due to collagen and elastin degradation. You may also start to notice dark circles or puffiness thanks to tissues around your eyes becoming weak and saggy, thus allowing fat to shift south and excess fluids to congregate under your eyes.

Of course, intrinsic aging (the genetic type of aging that’s totally out of your control) can’t be helped, but what about all the other stuff that contributes to how your skin ages? These you can do something about. So, let’s have a look at the top five beauty habits that could be aging up your eyes way before their time…

1. Squinting

Your facial expressions play a major part in where lines and wrinkles form on your face because repeated muscle movement compresses skin cells and causes weakness in your skin. When you’re young, no problem, your skin just bounces back, but as you age and your skin naturally loses volume, elasticity and suppleness, fine lines, then deep-set wrinkles will inevitably take up residence –especially around your eyes.

This means squinting is a big no-no if you want to avoid crow’s feet for as long as possible. Wear sunglasses whenever you go outside in the daytime (any excuse for a new pair of shades, we say) and if you find yourself squinting when you drive, watch TV or are working at a computer, it might be time for a vision test. Just saying.

2. Not Applying Eye Cream

Like toner, eye creams are constantly up for debate. Do they really work or are they just marketing hype to get you to spend more money on skincare you don’t actually need? Well, obviously we’re a little biased, but ask any dermatologist and they will agree, eye treatments are an essential part of an effective skincare routine. Here’s the thing, not only is the skin around your eyes thin, fragile and susceptible to damage, but it also contains less sebaceous glands than the rest of your face which makes it more prone to dryness. This means it needs more moisturization and benefits from other targeted ingredients to tackle concerns like dark circles and bags – stuff that isn’t an issue for the skin on the rest of your face.

So, if you’ve been dismissive of eye treatments for years, now's the time to get on board. And we have two awesome options for you – all wrapped up in fancy new packaging, but with the same super effective formulations we know you’ll love.

First up, there’s our moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream which contains everything the skin around your eyes could ever ask for. Think peptides, vitamin C, glycolic acid and thirst-quenching hyaluronic acid which work together to protect, hydrate and refresh your skin, while helping improve the look of dark circles, lines and puffiness.

Next, there’s our fabulous Peptide Eye Gel, a lightweight treatment that contains a whole host of powerful actives to instantly cool and refresh tired eyes, whilst also helping combat the other signs of visible aging around this delicate area.

Ignore the haters, eye creams rock. Debate over.

3. Applying Your Eye Cream In All The Wrong Ways

While we’re on the subject of eye creams, even the most effective treatment will be wasted if you don’t apply it properly. And by this, we mean with great care. None of your rubbing or full-on massage, thanks very much.

Here’s how to nail it. First, cleanse, tone and apply your facial serum, then comes your eye cream or gel (yes, always before moisturizer). Using clean hands, apply a tiny, pea-sized amount of product all around your eyes, using your ring fingers to ensure you don’t apply too much pressure. Either pat it into your skin, or smooth it gently around your eyes, but never pull on the skin as this will drag and damage it.

4. Constantly Rubbing Your Eyes

The odd eye rub is fine, but if you find yourself continually man-handling the skin around your eyes, you’re asking for trouble. For a start, touching your eyes with unclean hands transfers dirt and bacteria, causing irritation and redness. Which is not cool. Aggressively rubbing your eyes also does a real number on your collagen supplies, thinning your skin and wearing it down over time. Also uncool.

To help reduce the damage caused by rubbing and scratching your eye area, avoid using your whole hand. Instead, gently target irritation using the pads of your ring fingers only. Also, if your eyes are constantly itching, try to get to the bottom of why it’s happening. Chances are it’s being caused by some kind of allergy or airborne irritant which can be treated with eye drops or antihistamines. Bottom line, however, is itchy eyes can be due to any number of reasons so talk to your doctor if symptoms persist.

5. Sleeping Poorly

You all know that lack of zzzs is a recipe for skin disaster, but what about the way in which you sleep? Sleeping on one side, for example, creases the same areas of your face, increasing your chances of developing fine lines in those areas. Also, sleeping on your back is terrible for the skin around your eyes – and in fact all over your face – as, again, smushing your face into your pillow causes creasing and, over time, accelerates the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

Your best bet is to sleep on your back, with your head slightly raised. This not only avoids face-to-pillow contact, but it also stops excess fluids from pooling underneath your eyes.

So, you see, time isn't the only thing to blame for aging skin around your eyes. You have to take the hit, also.

Ever wondered whether your fine line was in fact a wrinkle? Or vice versa? But wait, aren’t they basically the same thing? Actually no, they’re quite different.

Fine lines and wrinkles – it’s like you can’t have one without the other. And we’re probably just as much to blame for this as the next skincare company, because whenever we talk about the visible signs of aging it’s all ‘fine line and wrinkles’ this and ‘fine lines and wrinkles’ that.

However, while lines and wrinkles are the most common signs of skin aging, they don’t always come as a package deal. In fact, they’re quite different. So, let’s have a quick look at what they're really about, shall we?

What Is A Fine Line?

Fine lines are the babies of the wrinkle family. They’re shallow, less than two millimeters in depth and more like small creases, if you will. 

Fine lines can appear anywhere on your face, but they’re usually more prevalent on and around areas that experience repeated muscle movement because repetitive motions like frowning and smiling cause weakness in your skin. When you’re young, your skin is able to easily bounce back, but as you get older, it becomes thinner, weaker, drier and less elastic which is why fine lines appear near expressive areas around your eyes, mouth and across your forehead.

Of course, your natural aging process isn’t the only cause of fine lines. Many other factors come into play including the usual suspects: sun damage, smoking, pollution and stress. Research also shows that darker skin is thicker and therefore stays smoother, firmer and with less lines than fair skin. But whatever your skin type, they're kind of inevitable at some point. 

What Is A Wrinkle?

Wrinkles, on the other hand, are fine lines that have simply grown-up. Over time, repeated use of your facial muscles, along with the continual degradation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid cause fine lines to become thicker, deeper and more noticeable. This is when that innocuous fine line graduates into a big, bad wrinkle. Oh, and all those other external aggressors battling away at your skin for years and years don’t help either… 

But it’s not all bad news, folks, because fine lines and wrinkles might not be the same thing, but what you do to prevent them is. Can we get a 'hooray' for that?

The 3 Most Important Ways To Prevent Lines & Wrinkles

It’s perfectly normal for your skin to age and, in all honesty, expression lines around your eyes and mouth are all part of living your best life. However, there are certain other external factors you can control to help manage the rate in which your lines appear and mature into wrinkles.

1. Look After Your Barrier Function

Your skin’s barrier (aka the stratum corneum) is its uppermost layer and vital for protecting your body and keeping you alive.

Like the mortar that holds your skin together, your barrier is primarily made up of ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol and it has three essential roles.

First, your skin’s barrier protects you from external toxins, allergens, pollution and UV radiation. Second, it works hard to reduce moisture loss. And third, it helps transport essential nutrients to the underlying layers of your skin. When your barrier works properly it maintains healthy skin by keeping it soft, supple, hydrated. It also keeps it safe from sensitivities, irritation and of course, environmental damage.

On the flipside, when it begins to weaken and function poorly, your skin becomes more prone to dryness, dehydration, inflammation and premature aging. Hello, fine lines and eventually wrinkles…

So, how can you look after your skin’s barrier function? Well, of course you shouldn’t smoke, get stressed or skip zzzs. But neither should you ever over-exfoliate. And this is really important because it’s one of the biggest mistakes people make with their skin. Sure, gentle exfoliation works wonders for increasing cellular turnover and boosting radiance, but too much of a good thing breaks down your skin’s barrier, causing it to become everything you don’t want for your complexion.

Our advice is to exfoliate your face just two or three times a week, using either a physical exfoliator like a scrub or cleansing brush; or try a treatment cleanser or toner that contains chemical exfoliating acids like lactic, glycolic or salicylic.

2. Apply Topical Antioxidants

Free radical damage (aka oxidative stress) is a killer for aging you up before your time, so doing everything you can to keep it under control is super important. Of course, maintaining a healthy barrier function will instantly help you ward off free radical damage from the sun and environment, but you should also include topical antioxidants in your daily skincare routine.

Antioxidants are vitamins and minerals that help protect your skin from oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals. This stops free radicals from attacking all the good stuff in your skin that keeps it soft, strong and supple (yes, we’re talking to you, collagen and elastin), therefore reducing damage and helping your skin defy the signs of extrinsic aging.

Want to say ‘hold on a minute’ to fine lines and wrinkles? Then apply at least one topical antioxidant to your skin every day. Obviously, we’re massive fans of vitamin C, but vitamin E, niacinamide, retinol and hyaluronic acid also have antioxidant qualities that effectively get the job done. Not sure which one is right for you? Here’s some help choosing your perfect weapon.

3. Wear Sunscreen Every Day

If we had a dollar for every time we’ve stressed the importance of sunscreen we’d be millionaires... no, billionaires by now. But we’ll continue to bang on about it and make no apologies for it. Why? Because that big ball of fire in the sky is THE NUMBER ONE cause of external skin damage. Lines, wrinkles, dark spots, sagging, poor texture, the works. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, a massive 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun and people who wear a daily sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher show 24 percent less skin aging than those who don’t.

Apply a good amount of sun protection (foundation, tinted moisturizer, powder... literally anything!) as the last step in your morning routine and we promise you, those lines will be much slower in coming.  

Lecture over. For now.

Aging skin isn’t just a result of getting old and spending too much time in the sun. What you eat also has a major impact on how fast your skin ages…

When it comes to skin aging, you can’t stop time (AKA intrinsic aging), but there are many other ways for you to control the rate in which fine lines, wrinkles, poor texture and sagging skin strike. Everything from pollution and sun damage through to stress, lack of sleep and of course, your diet are totally at your command and they’re major players in the look, feel and health of your skin.

We like to think we’re pretty thorough with our skin education and have already covered most causes of extrinsic aging (the fancy term for all the external stuff that affects the youthfulness of your skin). But one topic that’s passed us by is your diet.

Until now.

Eating a well-balanced, rounded diet that’s high in fibre and protein, yet low in carbs and fat is kind of a given. But knowing what you should or shouldn’t be devouring and actually putting this knowledge into practice are two very different things. However, if you’re anything like us, understanding what some of the biggest culprits are doing to your skin will make you question whether that second helping of key lime pie is really worth it.

To follow are five of the biggest dietary sins for skin aging, plus how to choose better alternatives. Don’t fret, we don’t expect you to completely cut these out of your diet for good (we’re not total savages). Just try to be mindful of what you eat. And that, we know you can do…

Skin Sin #1: Sugar

Research shows that excess sugar leads to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs are harmful compounds produced by the skin through a process called glycation. They form when you bombard your body with sugar and it attacks your skin cells, latching onto fats and proteins such as collagen and elastin, causing them to stiffen, weaken and performing poorly. This onslaught of sugar damage shows up on your skin’s surface in the form of lines, wrinkles, sagginess and dullness. No fun.

When you’re young, your body has the ability to fight oxidative stress caused by AGEs by producing plenty of fresh collagen and fighting off free radicals. However, as you get older, your body can’t keep up which is why a sugar-high diet causes your skin to age up lightning fast

Make The Switch: Cut down on refined white sugar and corn syrup, swapping it out for honey wherever possible. And snack on fruit to help curb your sweet cravings – go for antioxidant-rich options like blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.

It's also wise to add some topical antioxidants into your daily skincare routine to further fight free radical damage. We have many favorites, but a great place to start is Niacinamide Facial Serum which is super gentle but no less effective than some of its more potent friends like vitamin C and retinol.

Skin Sin #2: Salt

A diet that’s laden with salt is a fast-ticket to eczema flare-ups, acne breakouts and puffy, under eye bags. It’s also terribly dehydrating for your poor complexion. Excess sodium literally sucks all the moisture out of your skin which completely ruins your barrier function and results in dryness, itching, irritation and flakiness. It also causes inflammation and weakens collagen which, as you all know, is essential for plump, youthful-looking skin.

Make The Switch: Don’t get us wrong, salt is vital in small amounts for your health and well-being. Plus, avoiding it completely would be impossible. Instead, avoid adding salt when cooking, cut down on cheese and processed meats, and next time you’re tempted to throw a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in your shopping cart, go for unsalted nuts, instead. 

Skin Sin #3: Fried Food

Fried, processed foods like burgers, fries and brats not only raise your bad cholesterol and lower your good cholesterol, but they also increase the number of AGEs in your skin. They’re a little different to the ones sugar plague you with, however. How so? Well, these AGEs are not created inside your body, but form within the food when it's cooked at especially high, dry temperatures.

Studies have shown that dry heat may increase the amount of AGEs in food by up to 100 times their levels before cooking. Baking, broiling, roasting and barbecuing all cause AGEs to form in certain high fat/high protein foods (especially red meat), but frying is undoubtedly the worst for your skin and health. For example, fried bacon contains around ten times the number of AGEs as microwaved bacon. Dang.

Make The Switch: If you can't say no to fried foods, at the very least swap regular fries for sweet potato fries (preferably baked). Also, choose lean, white meat such as chicken and turkey above fatty, processed meats like hot dogs and beef patties.

Skin Sin #4: Refined Carbs

Again, this is all about AGEs – yeah, we know, those pesky devils get everywhere, don't they? As with sugar, your body turns refined carbs like white bread, pasta and rice into glucose, causing a serious amount of glycation and all the skin damage that comes with it. Say no more.

Make The Switch: When digested, all carbs are converted into sugar, but good carbs like wholemeal bread and brown rice produce way less and do it in a much slower fashion. This makes them much better for maintaining younger-looking skin. Furthermore, ‘good carbs’ retain more fibre and B vitamins, so nutritionally they’re far superior.

Skin Sin #5: Dairy

Dairy’s a controversial one because it’s a key source of potassium, calcium, zinc and vitamins A, B12 and D, so it's essential for the health of your skin. It’s also perfectly fine for many people and causes few problems for their skin. That being said, there are a significant number of people who are lactose intolerant and find that dairy increases inflammation which leads to free radical damage among may other things. As you know, free radicals break down collagen and elastin, accelerate skin aging and give your skin a general feeling of ‘meh.'

Make The Switch: If you think dairy could be causing your skin problems, try alternatives like almond milk, vegan cheese and coconut yoghurt.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Of course, a balanced healthy diet is always key and completely eliminating any essential foods (fried food aside – we said essential!) can have serious health implications. Therefore, always visit your doctor or a dietician for advice before doing anything drastic.