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Witch hazel has been a skincare staple for centuries, but have you ever wondered why it crops up in so many products? Here’s what we know about this natural beauty.

We love a good botanical extract here at TruSkin. Combined with expert knowhow, awesome technology and other tried and tested ingredients (natural AND synthetic) botanicals truly furnish the skin with the best nature has to offer.

And witch hazel is no different. Found in all kinds of different skincare formulations, from cleansers and toners through to serums and moisturizers, unless you’re allergic (which is rare) it can be an extremely effective addition to any skincare routine.

Here’s why witch hazel deserves pride of place in your skincare routine.

What Is Witch Hazel?

A flowering shrub native to parts of Asia and the Atlantic coast of North America, witch hazel (whose scientific name is hamamelis virginiana) has been used for medicinal purposes for, like, ever. And the twigs, bark and leaves are where the magic happens. You see, when these are extracted and distilled from the plant, they become a natural astringent with tons of anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant qualities. 

How Exactly Witch Hazel Benefits The Skin

Have an annoying zit to deal with? Witch hazel’s got your back. Want to minimize the appearance of pores? Witch hazel is here for you. In fact, when it comes to relieving irritation, inflammation and tightening the skin, witch hazel is hard to beat. Read on for five of our favorite witch hazel benefits...

* It Keeps Enlarged Pores In Check

Witch hazel has a high tannin content which gives it natural astringent properties. What does that mean? Well, an astringent is a substance that draws out water, causing a restricting and tightening effect on the skin. This, in turn, helps to temporarily minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. You must tread carefully, however, because astringents also have a drying effect which can stimulate oil production and make your skin feel greasy. The solution? Make sure you stick with a balanced formulation like 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant, which won’t dry out your skin entirely. And always follow with moisturizer. 

* It’s A Trusted Ally For Oily Skin

Witch hazel can be an effective way to keep sebum production under control. By compressing proteins in the skin, the tannins create a kind of invisible shield on the skin’s surface which makes the skin look and feel less oily. Of course, this makes it tempting to douse your oily skin with witch hazel on the reg, but do this and you could cause all sorts of irritating skin issues. Dryness and actual irritation being odds-on favorites.

Our advice is to use carefully crafted skincare formulations that use just the right amount of witch hazel to help keep oil under control without stripping your skin completely dry. Our Ocean Minerals Super Toner is a great choice post-cleanse as it’s blended with powerful peptides and MSM to boost your bid for healthy, balanced skin. It also contains double-distilled witch hazel which produces a richer witch hazel that contains less alcohol.

* It’s A Big Deal In the Acne-Fighting World

Acne occurs when excess sebum hooks up with dead skin cells and bacteria, then gets stuck at the surface of your skin where it sits in your pores and clogs them up. It makes sense, there, that if you apply a product containing witch hazel (which works to keep sebum under control), you’ll simultaneously help minimize breakouts.

But that's not even the half of it because another good thing about witch hazel is that it has antibacterial properties which which work hard to eliminate acne-causing bacteria. And then there are its anti-inflammatory qualities which help to reduce the angry redness that often comes hand-in-hand with breakouts.

Be afraid, pimples and blackheads, be very afraid.

* It Helps Minimize Facial Redness 

Speaking of inflammation, if you suffer with facial redness, the soothing and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel can be a real life saver. Just know that it’s best used in conjunction with soothing and/or moisture-boosting ingredients.

(As a sidenote, some people swear by witch hazel for sunburn relief. But we know you never get sunburn so we figure that's a moot point.)

* It's Great For Reducing Puffy Eyes

Great news if you suffer with under eye bags: witch hazel’s astringent and soothing properties can work wonders on this often frustrating area, reducing fluid retention under the eyes and also minimizing redness. The skin around your eyes is extremely sensitive, however, so make sure you go slow and low with a gentle formula like Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream.

Puffiness often doesn’t stop around the eyes, so if you also suffer elsewhere on your face thanks to a build-up of excess fluids below the surface of your skin, look out for witch hazel in your daily facial serum. Our Caffeine Facial Serum, for example, contains a smidge of witch hazel, combined with caffeine, EGCG, ginseng, matcha tea and niacinamide to strengthen, energize, tighten and brighten tired, puffy skin. It’s a new fan favorite and a must-try if you’re yet to feel the love.

Before You Leave, Here's 5 Witch Hazel Facts To Remember

1. Pure witch hazel is mega potent. Sure, it can be applied direct to the skin in its pure, undiluted form to spot-treat pimples, but it’s often better to use formulations that blend witch hazel with other ingredients for a more all-round approach to skincare.

2. If you have sensitive skin, opt for products that blend witch hazel with calming, soothing and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and vitamin E. Try Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum.

3. While generally safe for everyday use, witch hazel has the potential to dry out or irritate the skin if used too often. Listen to your skin when introducing it to your routine and if it feels drier or more sensitive than normal, apply it less frequently.

4. Look for alcohol-free, or at the very least low-alcohol, formulations to minimize dryness.

5. Always patch test before using products containing witch hazel. Apply a small amount to a discreet area of your skin and allow it to sit for 24-48 hours. If you don’t have a reaction in that time, you’re good to go.

Ready to discover which powerhouse vitamins and minerals will ‘actually’ make your skin look and feel better than ever? Here's the lowdown on ten of the best… 

Skincare ingredients are ten-a-penny these days with all manner of alleged miracle workers available to spread and massage over your precious complexion. But the thing is, you can splash out hundreds of bucks on products, then you wait… and wait… and well, nothing really changes. ‘Disappointing’ doesn’t even touch the surface.

So which ingredients offer true, visible results and therefore deserve their coveted spot in your routine? Well, we believe the classics are rarely beaten. And in this case, the true classics are vitamins and minerals. 

Read on for ten of the most elite vitamins and minerals we have the pleasure to know. And, just so you know, we don’t like to play favorites, so we’ve listed them in alphabetical order. Because fair’s fair.

The Mineral Masters

1. Calcium

Calcium rarely gets shouted about in skincare but it’s actually a bit of an unsung hero. You’re well aware of calcium’s benefits for your teeth and bones, right? Well, it’s also a key component of the skin – reinforcing and strengthening its natural resilience by fortifying the barrier function. 

As skin ages, its barrier function can become compromised due to daily wear and tear (UV radiation is a huge offender, of course), plus poor skincare choices and unhealthy lifestyle habits. This can make the skin feel, dry and dehydrated because moisture is able to more easily escape from the surface of the skin. But not only that; a weak barrier function also encourages irritation and sensitivities that weren’t there before. Which is no fun.

The good news is there are many awesome ingredients out there that help counteract a substandard barrier function – calcium being one of them. Added bonus: it’s also been shown to encourage healthy cell turnover for brighter, clearer skin.

2. Magnesium

Like calcium, magnesium often goes under the radar as a skincare ingredient, but it’s a very important, stress-relieving mineral that works both inside and out.

While essential for regulating various important bodily functions (think blood pressure and nerve function to name just two), in skincare, magnesium has been shown to reduce irritation and inflammation. It does this by strengthening cell growth, lowering cortisol (the stress hormone), supporting DNA repair, protecting the skin’s barrier function and regulating important proteins that play a key role in the body’s inflammatory response.

Magnesium has also been found to be a pretty nifty skin hydrator, helping to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while also driving extra moisture into the skin thanks to its electrolyte properties.  (PS: calcium and potassium are also electrolytes)

3. MSM

We have the utmost respect for MSM – which stands for methylsulfonylmethane in case you were wondering. You can see why we shorten it to MSM now, right?

MSM is a naturally-occurring sulfur compound that encourages your skin to produce healthy, plentiful collagen (a vital protein for strong, plump skin). It also works to protect it from environmental damage by increasing glutathione synthesis, one of the body’s most important, naturally-occurring antioxidants. Another thing: MSM has anti-inflammatory qualities which enable it to help decrease damage to the skin caused by other lifestyle baddies such as stress, lack of sleep and a poor diet. This makes it a shoo-in if you’re looking to win the battle against premature aging. 

4. Potassium

Another super important electroyte for boosting your skin’s natural moisturizing factor, potassium works hard to ensure balance and harmony at a surface level. We’ve mentioned electrolytes already (hi there calcium and magnesium) but just so you’re aware, electrolytes are minerals that carry a small electric charge. In skincare formulations, this charge helps to regulate pH, transfer nutrients throughout the skin and attract water in order to facilitate optimum hydration. All this ensures the skin cells function at their very best. And the result? Healthier-looking and healthier-feeling skin. Love.

5. Zinc

An awesome ingredient for angry or acne-prone skin, zinc, in its purest form, is known for its healing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s extremely well tolerated by sensitive skin and helps to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized by balancing sebum, fortifying the skin’s barrier function and significantly reducing TEWL.

Zinc also has incredible protective qualities which is why zinc oxide is such a powerhouse in the sun care market. In fact, according to a 2019 proposal by the FDA, zinc oxide is one of only two sun filters undeniably proven to be a safe and effective barrier against the sun’s damaging UV rays (titanium dioxide is the other). Unlike chemical sunscreens which kind of absorb UV radiation and then break it down in the skin, mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide create a physical barrier which reflects UV rays away from the surface of your skin. We’re obsessed. 

The Vitamin Kings

1. Vitamin A

In the world of skincare, vitamin A likes to go by the name of something else: retinol. 

One of the most valuable ingredients you could have in your arsenal, retinol is the gold standard of skincare powerhouses and constantly recommended by anyone who knows anything about the skin. The reason? Simple, it works.

Retinol has been proven time and again to speed up cell turnover while stimulating collagen and elastin production and helping to keep the visible signs of aging (wrinkles, dark spots etc.) under wraps. However, its power is also its downfall so remember to always patch test a new retinol product before using it regularly, then introduce it slowly into your routine to give your skin time to acclimate.

2. Vitamin B3

Another skin nutrient that has a stage name, vitamin B3 is also known as niacinamide. And, we have to admit, niacinamide is a bit of a show-off, boasting a list of benefits as long as your arm.

Niacinamide is a very effective antioxidant which means it helps to neutralize skin-damaging free radicals. It also helps to boost ceramides in the uppermost layers of your skin which helps to maintain a strong, protective barrier function. Add to this the fact that niacinamide has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and it then becomes a great tool for reducing unwanted facial redness and pesky breakouts. If that wasn’t enough, its do-it-all attitude includes regulating oil production, minimizing the appearance of pores and reducing the appearance of dark spots. Phew.

And the best news of all? As powerful as niacinamide is, it’s also a softie at heart and suits even the most sensitive skin types.

3. Vitamin C

We’d be nowhere without the undeniable skin hero that is vitamin C. Our first baby was our Vitamin C Facial Serum which launched in the fall of 2013 and is still our best-selling serum to date – trust us, almost 150,000 Amazon reviews do not lie!

The thing about vitamin C is that it’s a proven antioxidant which makes it a great addition to your sun-busting morning routine. It’s also a mild exfoliant and has been shown to inhibit melanin production so is a fabulous choice for anyone seeking to boost radiance and help reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Vitamin C can be listed in your skincare ingredients in many forms, including l-ascorbic acid (the pure stuff), ascorbyl palmitate, sodium ascorbate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. We know that’s a lot to remember, but our advice is this. Stick with sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Why? Because it’s one of the most stable, kind-to-skin versions so is able to offer all of the benefits with very little irritation.

4. Vitamin E

While it rarely grabs the headlines, vitamin E has been quietly looking after skin for decades.

Often seen on your ingredients list as tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate or alpha-tocopheryl acetate, vitamin E is another antioxidant that helps keep your skin safe from environmental harm. However, its main MO is to strengthen the skin’s barrier function by locking in moisture, soothing inflammation and calming irritated skin. And what makes this baby truly special? It plays nicely with almost every other skincare ingredient out there. In fact, pair it with vitamin C and you’ve got one of the most unstoppable protective power duos on your hands. 

5. Vitamin K

Last, but not least, comes probably the least known of the vitamin family, vitamin K. A fat soluble vitamin produced by the liver, vitamin K is also known as phytonadione and it plays an important role in heart health, bone growth and blood clotting, making it vital to your overall health. 

In skincare, vitamin K hasn’t undergone anywhere near the amount of clinical research as your As, Bs, Cs and Es. However, it’s definitely one to keep an eye on. Because of its role within the blood clotting process some skincare experts believe that vitamin K has the ability to offer similar effects when applied topically to things like bruising, swelling, redness and excess blood that can pool under your eyes. This makes it an interesting one to watch if you suffer with dark circles.

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

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

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

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

Tea Tree Oil

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

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

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

Try: Tea Tree Super Cleanser+

Salicylic Acid

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

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

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

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

Try: 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant

Retinol

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

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

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

Try: Retinol Moisturizer

Niacinamide

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

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

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

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

Try: Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum

Finally, A Few Important Things To Remember

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can’t argue with that, right?

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

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

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

Your Skincare Goal: To Fight The Signs Of Aging

Try: Vitamin A

Namely: Retinol Facial Serum

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

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

Your Skincare Goal: To Brighten Dull Skin

Try: Vitamin C

Namely: Vitamin C Facial Serum

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

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

Learn everything you need to know about vitamin C here.

Your Skincare Goal: To Minimize Redness Or Sensitivities

Try: Vitamin B3

Namely: Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum

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

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

Your Skincare Goal: To Boost Moisture

Try: Vitamin E

Namely: Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum

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

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

Learn more about this skin-loving powerhouse right here.

Your Skincare Goal: To Reduce Acne Breakouts

Try: Vitamin A (yes, again!)

Namely: Retinol Facial Serum

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

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

Your Skincare Goal: To Boost Overall Skin Health

Try: A Multivitamin

Namely: Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum

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

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

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

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

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

What’s The Deal With Milk In Skincare?

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

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

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

3 Benefits Of Non-Dairy Milk In Skincare

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

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

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

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

2. They’re Naturally Moisturizing

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. They’re Awesome For Soothing Sensitive Skin

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

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

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

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

One wish: to enjoy the tight, gravity-defying skin of 20 years ago. Sadly, it’s not going to happen, so the next best thing? Skincare ingredients that boost collagen and help your skin appear subtly firmer and just a tad more lifted.

Let’s get one thing straight: skincare cannot perform miracles. We’d love to be able to tell you that our new Caffeine Facial Serum can give you the skin of someone 30 years your junior or that our Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub will eradicate every single one of your much-loathed dark spots after just one use. But we’d be lying. Skincare is awesome, absolutely. And yes, it can 100 percent help to subtly improve the appearance of acne breakouts, wrinkles and aging skin. But it has its limits. And knowing that your favorite moisturizer or prized facial serum can only do so much is crucial. Otherwise, you will always be disappointed. And that’s not what we want for you.

OK, so now this bombshell is out of the way and you understand that skincare ingredients aren’t going to give you an instant facelift or smooth out your laughter lines like fillers or Botox, here’s what they can do.

Choose the right formulation, crafted with thoughtful, clinically-proven ingredients, and skincare can very much improve the look, feel and health of your skin. And if you’ve ever woken up after trying a new serum for the first time, only to be greeted in the mirror by visibly brighter skin, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.

So, which ingredients should you pin your hopes on if you’re specifically looking to lift and firm sagging skin? Well, skin starts to go south because of dwindling collagen supplies so boosting collagen production is your first and best bet. Bearing in mind everything we’ve just said about managing expectations, therefore, here are five topical favorites we believe are the most effective for encouraging healthy collagen and helping you on the road to firmer, more toned skin.

1. Peptides

Without blinding you with science, peptides are chemical compounds made from amino acids. They’re very similar to proteins, but where proteins are large molecules made up of long chains of amino acids, peptides are their baby cousins, containing much shorter chains. Why is this of interest? Because due to their similarity, peptides have the smart ability of being able to penetrate the skin where they work like little messengers, signaling for your cells to produce more proteins. And which protein is most abundant in your skin? Yes, you got it, collagen.

In simple terms, applying topical peptides encourages your cells to keep on producing collagen (and elastin, for that matter), thus helping to counteract the skin’s inevitable loss of this vital protein and staving off all that comes with it ­– namely wrinkles, lines and sagging skin.

Try: Firming Collagen Day Lotion which contains vegan collagen peptides, amongst other skincare powerhouses like ceramides, green algae, vitamin E and aloe.

2. Retinol

When it comes to boosting your skin’s supply of healthy collagen very few topical ingredients trump retinol. Ask your derm or any skincare expert and we bet 1,000 bucks they will agree. So, what makes it so darn good? Well, it’s been studied for decades and it never fails to deliver the same skin-regenerating results. You see, retinol has an innate ability to communicate with your skin at a deep cellular level to encourage a speedier production of collagen and elastin in a bid to heal and strengthen your skin. Simple as. Well, it’s not that simple, but that’s all you really need to know.

Of course, retinol isn’t for everyone – it’s so good, it can be a tad irritating for some skin types – but if you used it slowly and carefully, always patch testing it first, you’ll find it can be a fantastic way to help keep your skin firm and youthful-looking for years to come.

Try: Retinol Facial Serum which has been formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, helping it to be as gentle on your skin as possible.

3. Bakuchiol

If retinol isn’t for you but you’re looking for something that does almost the exact same thing and offers very similar results, allow us to introduce you to bakuchiol.

One of the newest ingredients to the skincare world (but an absolute keeper unlike other ridiculous ingredients that are all fluff and no function), bakuchiol is nature’s best alternative to retinol. How so? Because it works just like its long-running counterpart, stimulating collagen synthesis and accelerating cellular turnover at a deep, below-the-surface level.

Bakuchiol is extracted from the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant and has been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. The reason it’s gained such momentum in Western skincare recently is that, granted, it's very similar to retinol, but more importantly it comes with way fewer unwanted side effects. Of course, its gentle nature means it works more slowly but if you sensitive skin and have patience, bakuchiol is a great choice for fighting the visible signs of aging –including sagging skin but certainly not stopping there!

Try: Rejuvenating Longevity Serum which combines bakuchiol with antioxidant-rich lingonberry stem cells and snow algae.

4. Vitamin C

If you don’t know by now how awesome vitamin C is then we’ve been doing something wrong! In our minds, this antioxidant wonder kid can do no wrong.

Like retinol, vitamin C is one of the most trusted and clinically-proven ingredients in the entire world of skincare. It’s known mainly for providing brightening benefits but never forget what an excellent antioxidant it is, offering the absolute best in environmental protection by neutralizing free radicals before they get a chance to destroy collagen – and believe us, that is exactly what free radicals will do if you don’t get in there first.

But it's not just vitamin C's antioxidant prowess that’s crucial for preventing collagen and elastin breakdown. Its highly acidic nature also works hard to boost your collagen and elastin levels. So there’s that.

Try: Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream which gives your skin a delicious overnight boost of protective vitamin C, along with skin-loving botanical oils like jojoba, rosehip and evening primrose.

5. MSM

Sure, we’re all about vitamin C for president here at TruSkin, but another of our skin-firming favorites comes in the form of methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM to friends like you.

Very well tolerated by even the most sensitive of skin types, MSM is a naturally-occurring form of sulfur. And if you didn’t know, sulfur is one of the most important elements in the human body, often touted as the ‘beauty’ or ‘healing’ mineral.

What does that mean for sagging skin? Yeah, we’re getting to that. And the answer is simple: MSM plays a key role in the production and composition of collagen and keratin. Its anti-inflammatory qualities also help decrease damage to the skin caused by lifestyle aggressors like stress, lack of sleep and a sugar or carb-heavy diet. Oh, and as an extra sidenote, MSM also boosts the body’s production of glutathione which is one of your most important, naturally-occurring antioxidants. Take that free radicals!

Try: Vitamin C Super Serum+ which partners MSM with its bestie, vitamin C. Why do they love each other so? Because vitamin C helps the skin readily absorb MSM, thus doubling up their combined collagen-boosting effects.