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Your skincare routine can make or break your skin so if yours doesn’t seem quite right, maybe it’s time for a rethink. Here’s how to spot the tell-tale signs you’re using the wrong products…

We’ve all been there – gotten swept up by some miracle-sounding wonder serum that, rather than giving us ten-years-younger skin, actually made our skin nothing short of a hot mess. And oftentimes it’s not immediately obvious that a certain skincare product is unsuitable for your skin. Instead, irritation creeps up over time or breakouts become more of a norm than the odd occurrence. Ugh!

Here are some of the most common warning signs that it’s time to reconsider what you put on your face...

Skin Issue #1: Weird Breakouts

Breakouts are caused by excess sebum that gets trapped in your pores with no place else to go. This blockage then forms a kind of plug which may or may not become inflamed, causing anything from blackheads and whiteheads through to full-blown zits.

As you know, breakouts can be down to any number of reasons – your genes, hormones, stress, you know the drill – but if your skin is usually clear and acne-free, and has broken out suddenly, with no real reason, then it’s prudent to look at the products you’ve been recently using.

Some products contain occlusive ingredients like cocoa butter, oils and petroleum jelly which are awesome for sealing moisture into the skin, protecting from external irritants and helping to repair a compromised barrier function. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, they also have a thick, heavy consistency which leaves a protective layer on the skin and blocks up your pores.

If you’ve recently invested in a new moisturizer and are breaking out, chances are it contains occlusives that are ‘suffocating’ your pores. Switch it up for a lighter formulation that’s either oil-free or formulated with non pore-clogging oils like jojoba. Good news: our Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer checks that box – and then some!

Skin Issue #2: A Burning Sensation

Nothing in your skincare routine should ever make your skin burn. End of story. Sure, some active ingredients can create a mild tingling sensation for a minute or so after application, but tingling and burning are very different things. And the latter is not good news for your skin.

Anything that causes pain is a sign you’re using something way too potent for your skin to handle. AHAs and BHAs like glycolic and salicylic acids are the usual culprits here, but retinoids can also be too strong for certain skin types so stick with retinol rather than tretinoin or retinoic acid. Retinol is a gentler type of retinoid and much better tolerated by the skin. Our Retinol Moisturizer, for example, combines retinol with skin soothing, hydrating ingredients like botanical hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to create a powerful formulation, with less irritation.

Still feeling the burn? Then call time on retinoids altogether and stick with milder anti-aging ingredients like vitamin C, peptides or MSM.

Skin Issue #3: Redness

Inflamed skin is a sure sign something’s not quite right. Of course, facial redness may be down to skin conditions like rosacea, contact dermatitis or psoriasis so it’s always worth getting your skin checked by an expert if you think one of these might be the cause.

And then there’s your skincare routine. One of the most common reasons for facial redness is over-exfoliation. Exfoliating is incredible for accelerating cell turnover and boosting radiant, healthy-looking skin, but too much can weaken your barrier function, stripping away its important layer of ceramides, fatty acids and essential nutrients. And that’s a one-way ticket to red, irritated skin if ever we heard one.

Have you upped your exfoliation game recently or introduced a new exfoliant into your routine? Then pare it back or change to a milder formulation. Chemical exfoliants like our Ocean Minerals Super Toner are a great option for sensitive skin as they contain gentle chemicals to break down dead skin cells rather than abrasive physical elements like crushed up nut shells or fruit seeds.

Skin Issue #4: Tightness or Itchy Skin

Dryness is a common skin type and needs to be looked after with gentle formulations and lots of moisturizing occlusives to help replace the lack of oils in the skin. Problems like tightness and itching generally arise when this is ignored and too many active ingredients are introduced into your routine. So there's a lesson, right there.

Of course, tightness and itching might also be down to dehydration rather than dryness. And yes, these are two very different things. While dry skin is a skin type and thanks to an absence of oils, dehydration is more of a condition and due to a lack of water in the skin. Again, over-exfoliation or over-stimulation can cause dehydration because these break down your skin’s barrier function making it unable to retain water.

Does any of this sound familiar? Then simplify your routine and, if you’ve recently invested in a new facial serum, try using it just once or twice a week rather than daily to see if this helps reduce any discomfort. Niacinamide Facial Serum is a great choice for soothing and balancing sensitive skin or try Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum to amp up your skin's moisture content.

Skin Issue #5: So. Much. Oil.

If oiliness is unusual for you, or you’re noticing your skin is way greasier than normal, something in your skincare regimen could definitely be to blame. Similar to most skin issues, using harsh cleansers or layering too many active ingredients breaks down your skin’s natural protective barrier. And while this often causes dryness, it can also result in the complete opposite – forcing your sebaceous glands to go into overdrive and produce more oils to compensate for those which have been stripped away.

Reckon you could be overdoing it with the oil-reducing skincare products right now? Chances are this is causing your skin to dry out and produce excessive amounts of sebum, so cut back and introduce lightly hydrating and moisturizing formulations into your regime to help stabilize oil production. Rose Water Refreshing Toner is awesome for this and works perfectly with our fabulous Tea Tree Super Cleanser+ to balance, hydrate and clarify oily skin.

One Last Word…

Of course adverse reactions aren’t always down to the products you put on your skin… But they can be. Which is good news and bad. Good because if this is the case you can do something about it. Bad because it’s not always easy to pinpoint exactly which product or ingredient is causing you bother – especially if you’ve invested in a whole new regime.

The solution? Never switch out your entire routine at once. Introduce new products one at a time, patch test them first, then give your skin a good month to adjust before adding in another product. Doing this will allow your skin plenty of time to let you know if it’s right for you.

Or not.

Synthetic-based products backed by science or clean, green, natural formulations? Which are better for your skin? And do you even need to make the choice? Here’s what we know.

Being more planet-conscious about what you eat, drink, wear and do is great and we salute all of you trying to do your bit to better the world we live in – no matter how small. But it’s not always easy to live a clean, eco-friendly life. 

And this is especially true when it comes to what you put on your skin. The natural and organic skincare market is expected to double in the next ten years, but nailing a clean, green skincare routine is a feat in itself. How so? Because terms like 'clean,' 'green,' 'natural' and 'organic' often mean different things to different people and, most importantly, they’re unregulated which means that some products claiming to be such things often aren't quite what they seem...

Then there’s the question of do these products even work or are you better off choosing synthetic, lab-created formulations that are supposedly more powerful and effective… but could potentially harm your skin and/or the planet? Oh. My.

Read on for the complete lowdown on the natural vs synthetic debate, plus how you can get the best of both worlds.

And breathe!

What Does ‘Natural’ Mean In Skincare?

This is the 64 thousand dollar question because there’s no real set definition in the skincare industry or, in fact, the beauty industry as a whole. For us, however, we think of ‘natural’ in its simplest form – meaning that anything termed as such should be derived from nature. Whether this is a plant extract like aloe vera or an botanical oil like tea tree or ylang ylang, if an ingredient is found in nature, it’s natural. Makes sense, right?

The important thing to note here, however, is that just because a formulation contains a number of natural ingredients, this doesn’t make the entire product natural. You’ll often see certain brands claiming their products are ‘natural’ even if they contain synthetic ingredients. We won’t name names but that’s called ‘pulling the wool over your eyes’ and we don’t subscribe to that.

OK, So What About Synthetic Ingredients?

Synthetic ingredients are basically chemicals that have been created in a laboratory. Now, if that strikes fear into your very core, think about this. The water you drink contains a whole host of chemicals. As does much of the food you eat. Even the air you breathe. The truth is, chemicals are not necessarily the enemy. In fact, some of the most effective and highly regarded ingredients in skincare are chemicals. Here’s looking at you vitamin C and retinol.

The Cases For & Against…

If 100 percent natural skincare brands are to believe, the only ingredients you should ever put near your face are natural. Because chemicals are bad news for both humans and the planet. Meanwhile, synthetic-based skincare brands will have you convinced that natural ingredients don’t work, whereas chemicals are the only choice if you care about the health of your skin.

So, is any of this true? Yes. And no.

Yes, there are some sketchy chemicals around like oxybenzone, phthalates and parabens which have the potential to harm things like marine life, your skin and even your health. But most chemical ingredients used in skincare have been tested to exceptional standards and are proven to be safe and sustainable. What’s more, not every natural ingredient is great for your skin. There are plenty of essential oils, for example, that can be extremely drying and irritating, and when you think about the poison oaks of the world, well, this proves that nature is not always such an innocent party.

Are chemicals more effective than natural ingredients? Again, some are, but others aren’t. With today’s sophisticated technologies, certain natural ingredients can be very effective for moisturizing, hydrating, brightening or toning the skin – especially when they’re formulated to high industry standards. In fact, some of the hardest-working ingredients in skincare are natural. Green tea, aloe vera, salicylic acid and rosehip oil are just a few examples of effective, natural ingredients that have been used in skincare for decades.

Because they work.

So, Which Offers The Best Results: Synthetic or Natural Skincare?

There’s no real right or wrong answer here, but we believe that responsibly combining science with nature is the best, most balanced solution. Plants offer powerful benefits to the skin, so we strengthen all of our formulations with trusted, natural ingredients that have been clinically tested to improve the health of your skin. Simply put, nature is at the core of every TruSkin product.

However, we know that certain synthetically-produced ingredients like sodium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C), d-alpha tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) and retinol are pretty much the gold-standard of skin rejuvenation so they mustn’t be ignored either. What's more, as well as their undoubted efficacy, these are some of the safest ingredients in skincare thanks to their compatibility with the skin and years' worth of clinical research.

Take our fan favorite Vitamin C Facial Serum, for example, which might be packed with natural ingredients like aloe, witch hazel and jojoba oil but similarly relies on the extraordinary powers of lab-created ingredients like vitamin C and vitamin E. As we said before, it's all about balance.

Of course, we would never add unnecessary chemicals, additives and fragrances to any of our products and rest assured, we’re free of phthalates, parabens and sulfates which are up there as three of the biggest no-nos in skincare. But chemicals that are non-toxic, skin-friendly and extremely effective? Count us in. And when they can be powered by nature’s very best? Even better.

Seems like a no brainer, right?

Say hello to the latest powerhouses for hydrated, healthy skin. And yes, as their name suggests, they’re just like Gatorade for your skin. Well, kinda…

Some skincare ingredients come and go lightning fast. Especially when they’re all talk, no action! Some, however, are built to totally stand the test of time. Think retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E and exfoliating acids like glycolic and salicylic which are all awesome examples of tried and tested ingredients that are loved the world over. Because, of course, they work.

When it comes to hydration we’re sure you’re well aware of some of the most successful and commonly used moisture-magnets used in skincare formulations. Yes, here’s looking at you hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera. But, while incredibly effective at getting the job done, these are not, contrary to popular opinion, the be-all and end-all.

Enter electrolytes which are pipped to be the new, long-lasting darlings of skincare ingredients.

But first, let’s revisit skin hydration for a hot minute – because we know it can all get a little confusing…

What Is Skin Hydration?

Hydration is simply about the levels of water in your skin. But here’s the thing; hydration has nothing to do with dryness.

Allow us to elaborate. As you may know, there are four true skin types which are categorized not by their levels of water, but by the activity of your skin’s sebaceous glands and their ability to successfully (or not) moisturize your skin with sebum (oil). These skin types are normal, dry, oily and combination. While your skin can certainly change over the years, your skin type is the one you were born with and it’s predetermined by your genes. In this sense, skin types are very different to skin conditions which are usually the result of lifestyle or environmental factors like your age, hormones, stress levels or the products you put on your skin.

OK, so how is this all linked to hydration? Well, dehydrated skin is skin that’s lacking in water (NOT oil) and is a condition rather than a skin type. Dehydration can be due to any number of reasons like cold weather, stress, lack of sleep and sun damage, but it's rarely a genetic disposition which means you can have dry skin that’s dehydrated, oily skin that’s dehydrated or, well, you see where we’re going here.

How Does Skin Naturally Stay Hydrated?

A healthy barrier function is the key to hydrated skin. This important protective layer not only pulls in water from the air, but also works hard to keep it there, creating a barrier to stop moisture from escaping from the surface of your skin. It does this thanks to its natural moisturizing factor (NMF) which is a combination of amino acids and humectants.

Pretty smart stuff, right? Indeed it is... Until it isn’t. You see the problems start as skin ages and is subject to years of UV radiation, harsh ingredients in skincare and personal care products, prolonged exposure to water, pollution and so on and so forth. All this works hard to compromise your barrier function and break down your NMF, resulting in all manner of unwanted issues – dehydration included. 

And this is where help from quenching skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and, the newest kids on the block, electrolytes come to the rescue.

So, What Are Electrolytes?

Ok, here’s the science bit. Electrolytes are essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium which, when dissolved in water, conduct electricity – hence the name. In terms of your overall health electrolytes are vital for keeping you hydrated, balancing your body’s pH levels, rebuilding damaged tissue and regulating nerve and muscle function. They’re obtained mostly through a balanced, healthy diet and are abundant in things like fresh fruit and veggies.

You lose electrolytes through sweat (as well as urine, diarrhea and vomiting) which is why many athletes or people who exercise intensely replace them with sports drinks.

And What’s The Deal With Electrolytes In Skincare?

When it comes to skincare, applying electrolytes topically has the same moisture-quenching benefits. Their electoral charge helps drive water into the skin and retain essential moisture, while simultaneously giving energy to other hydrators and active ingredients, delivering them to exactly where they’re needed most. The result? Hydrated, plump, soft and most importantly, healthier skin.

Of course, electrolytes need water in order to work, so it’s important to choose the right water-based formulas for effective results.

And have we got just the thing in the form of our brand new Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum. Containing a special electrolyte blend of magnesium, potassium and calcium to hydrate your skin with a capital ‘h’, this all-in-one serum is also chock-full of water-binding hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe. But it doesn’t stop there. It’s also brimming with a mighty seven skin-loving vitamins to protect, strengthen, brighten, soothe, restore and replenish your skin so it continues to look its absolute best.

Already becoming a big hit with TruSkin fans, this lightweight serum is ideal for all skin types but we're finding it to be particularly effective for dull, dry, sensitive or dehydrated skin.

Are electrolytes the future for skincare? Who knows? But what we do know is they’re pretty dreamy for hydrating the skin and helping the rest of your routine perform better.

And, we don’t know about you, but we’re All. Over. That.

Vitamin C as a skincare ingredient is practically a given. But do you know exactly which C-vit you’re putting on your skin? Because if it’s not sodium ascorbyl phosphate, you might want to rethink your decisions…

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate might sound like a scary ingredient that you’d rather keep as far away from your precious skin as possible. But on the contrary, it’s up there with retinol and hyaluronic acid as a veritable darling of the skincare world. Now don’t roll your eyes in exasperation as if to say ‘really? Then why haven’t I heard of it?’. Because a) you have – you just didn’t know it, and b) give us a minute and we will elaborate.

For those of you not wanting to read this entire piece, here’s the most important fact about sodium ascorbyl phosphate (we’re just going to call it SAP from now on). SAP is topical vitamin C. Granted, it’s not the pure, unadulterated vitamin C you often read about – that’s l-ascorbic acid – but it’s vitamin C nonetheless. Furthermore, it’s a far more stable, kinder-to-your-skin type of vitamin C. Here’s what you need to know…

SAP: The Facts

1. Along with a lengthy list that includes magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl-6-palmitate and sodium ascorbate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a derivative of l-ascorbic acid – pure topical vitamin C.

2. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight the daily onslaught of skin damage that can be caused by free radicals. Free radicals form in your skin when it’s subjected to all those things it hates like UV radiation, pollution, smoke, a poor diet, cruddy sleep and, well, you know the drill.

Vitamin C is basically the Obi-Wan Kenobi to free radicals’ Darth Vader, stopping the long-lasting damage before it gets a chance to do a real number on your skin.

3. SAP is a salt form of vitamin C and one of the most stable versions available in skincare. How so? Because SAP has a sodium and phosphate molecule attached to it which helps it to stabilize.  This means it not only keeps its potency for longer, but is also more stable than L-Ascorbic Acid and MAP. These forms are notoriously unstable which means they break down and lose efficacy when exposed to light and air.

4. In order for your skin to experience the benefits of vitamin C, SAP has to be converted back to ascorbic acid after it’s been applied to your skin. This may sound counter-intuitive, but pure l-ascorbic acid is a very potent ingredient, so when you apply it directly to your skin it can be irritating, causing dryness, redness, stinging and even a mild burning sensation. Not cool. Literally. Switching up to SAP and having your skin convert it into ascorbic acid after application, significantly reduces your chances of irritation.

5. Full disclosure, the visible benefits of SAP take a tad longer to experience than pure vitamin C because your skin needs to do a little work to get to the bioactive form of the vitamin (l-ascorbic acid). But, call us crazy, we’ll take that over dry, red, itchy skin any day.

What SAP Does For Your Skin

Just like pure vitamin C, SAP has been clinically proven to improve the tone, texture and clarity of your skin. By fending off free radicals before they get a chance to damage DNA and valuable proteins within your skin (hi there collagen and elastin), SAP helps fight off the visible signs of aging such as dullness, dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dark spots.

While we’re on the subject of dark spots, studies have also shown that vitamin C has a smart way of inhibiting melanin production which not only works to prevent dark spots from forming in the first place, but may also help fade any existing ones.

Now do you see why we’re all over this little gem of a skincare ingredient?

How To Up Your SAP Game

Good news: we've long been aware that active skincare ingredients are great… but not if they cause your skin to flare-up or break out. This is why we are in favor of the gentler, more stable SAP across all of our formulations.

Here’s a little reminder of some of our favorite SAP products.

The Awesome Cleanser: Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser

With a knock-your-socks-off blend of 15 percent SAP along with soothing aloe vera, collagen-boosting MSM, balancing tea tree oil and nourishing rosehip oil, this rejuvenating cleanser is the jack of all trades and master of all!

The Brightening Treatment: Vitamin C Facial Serum

As Amazon’s biggest selling vitamin C serum, you can’t fail to fall head over heels in love with this skin-brightening daily antioxidant treatment. The entire TruSkin brand was born from this, our original facial serum, and it’s still one of the best.

The Skin-Boosting Day Moisturizer: Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer

Pumped full of SAP along with its vitamin cousins, B5 and E, this classic moisturizer is a must for giving your skin’s barrier function a reboot while working hard to protect, nourish, brighten and clarify your complexion.

The Nourishing Night Cream: Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream

Rich but lightweight, powerful yet gentle, our SAP-infused night cream sounds like a total contradiction, but it has to be experienced to be believed. Ideal for all skin types it’s the best way to help your skin reach a whole new level of awesome while you sleep.

The Year-Round Sun Protector: SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C

Our new sunscreen might be the baby of our vitamin C family, but it’s by no means the weakling. Non-nano zinc oxide shields your skin from UVA and UVB rays while marine collagen, squalane and cucumber extract help hydrate and illuminate aging skin. And all this served up with a hefty helping of SAP? Yes, there is a beauty god!

Can You Use More Than One SAP Product?

Short answer, yes! Many of our customers use a whole regimen of our Vitamin C products and get awesome results. However, everyone’s skin is different, so we recommend adding new products one at a time and always patch test first to check for compatibility.

Here’s what we know about the wonderful world of peptides. Heads up: fine lines and rough texture be afraid, be very afraid.

Just when you thought you’d gotten your head around the retinols and hyaluronic acids of the skincare world, another ingredient starts to make headlines and the confusion hits all over again. Take peptides, for example, which is not just one single entity but a whole bunch of ingredients with crazy long names to figure out. Mind-blowing stuff, right? Weeeeell, not so much. Sure, there are tons of peptides used in skincare and yes, they all have pretty science-heavy names like Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, but you really only need to know a few basic things in order to get great results.

First, what they are. And second, what they do.

So, here we go…

What Exactly Are Peptides?

OK, time to get your science caps on. Peptides are chemical compounds made up of short chains of amino acids. Amino acids are also the building blocks of protein in your skin. However, the difference is that proteins like collagen, elastin and keratin are large molecules, made up of many, many amino acids, whereas peptides are shorter chains of between two and around 50 amino acids. What does all this mean? Well, studies show that because of their similar yet smaller molecular makeup, peptides are able to penetrate the skin more easily where they signal your cells to produce more of all those fabulous proteins.

How Do Peptides Benefit Your Skin?

Collagen, elastin and keratin are the absolute foundation of healthy skin, giving it valuable support, structure and strength. With age (as well as environmental bad boys like pollution and the sun), your skin produces less and less of these essential proteins which is when all those so-called imperfections you can’t bear start to rear their heads. Pesky lines around your mouth… annoying crow’s feet… a bit of sagging skin here and there… you know the drill. Frankly, other people barely notice these 'flaws' you can't stand, so they're not THAT big of a deal, but that being said, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to care for your skin in order to hold onto your best complexion for as long as possible. And we get that.

It figures, then, that anything you can do to boost collagen, elastin and keratin production (aka apply peptides!) is a major plus for the look and feel of your skin. Think less pronounced lines; firmer, lifted skin and tighter-looking pores. Some peptides even have anti-inflammatory benefits which is great if you suffer with irritation, redness and sensitivities every now and again.

The fact is there's very little to disprove the amazing anti-aging benefits of applying peptides to your skin. 

The TruSkin Golden Rules For Peptides In Skincare

1. Peptides Work Best As A Team

Most skincare brands combine a carefully curated cocktail of two or more peptides to offer the best, most complete anti-aging deal for your skincare routine. So, look for multiple ingredients that end with 'peptide' and/or begin with 'palmitoyl’ for a great, all-round product. Also, stick with formulations that are packaged in dark, airtight containers. Light and air can degrade certain peptides which makes them less effective.

Our new Peptide Facial Serum checks all these boxes by combining palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl tripeptide-5 which are well-known in the biz for their collagen and elastin-boosting skills. Together with a blend of ten silk-derived amino acids this skin-loving serum is the ideal way to help your complexion snap back to life.

2. Leave-On Peptides Are What It’s All About

Experts agree that to gain the best results from peptides you should go for products that get left on your skin, so they have time to penetrate the surface and go about their age-busting business. This means serums, toners and moisturizers are your best bet rather than cleansers or face masks.

As well as our awesome new Peptide Facial Serum, Ocean Minerals Daily Face Super Toner is a great shout here. It contains palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 to support collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production and help kickstart more youthful-looking skin. 

3. Peptides Are Awesome for the Skin Around Your Eyes

Certain active ingredients like retinoids can be a little too powerful for the delicate skin around your eyes. Not so with peptides. Much safer and kinder to your skin, peptides are the ideal choice for dealing with aging eye concerns like crow’s feet, crinkling and crepey skin. This is why we packed a whole bunch of peptides into both of our eye treatments. Peptide Eye Gel, for example, is chock-full of them (the clue is in the name, after all!) and contains palmitoyl tripeptides-1 and -5, plus the mighty matrixyl 3000.

Matrixyl 3000 is a combination of several peptides and has been proven to boost collagen synthesis and help repair damaged, aging skin. In fact, one study showed that Matrixyl can almost double the amount of collagen your skin. We’re so on board with that.

4. Peptides Are Safe For Most Skin Types, But…

Patch testing is still important. Your body makes amino acids and proteins naturally, making peptides very well tolerated by most skin types. However, skin irritation can still occur if you’re super sensitive or if there are other active ingredients in the same product.

To perform a patch test, apply a small dot of product to a discreet patch of your skin. Maybe behind your eyes, inside your elbow or on your wrist. Then leave it for 48 hours to check for irritation. The chances are, you’ll be totally fine but any unlikely reaction that’s painful, uncomfortable, stinging or itchy is a major red flag and a sign that you should discontinue use.
 
 

Eating chocolate and greasy fries won’t necessarily give you pimples, and a week in the sun won’t make them vanish, either. But there are certain things that really can help prevent and treat acne breakouts. Here, we’ve rounded up ten of the best…

Acne is the most common skin woe in the whole of the United States. Not dark under eye circles, not sun spots, not even wrinkles, but acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), it affects up to 50 million Americans every year, and around 15 percent of women are plagued by some form of acne during their adult lives.

Sigh.

If you’ve had acne on and off for most of your teenage and adult life, you’ll have heard every last trick about how to avoid breakouts. Most of which were probably complete BS. So, we’re here to set the record straight once for all with our guide to the most tried and trusted ways to keep acne under control. 

1. Don’t Pick

The world’s fascination with popping pimples shows no signs of going away (thanks mainly to dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper!), but attempting this at home is rarely a good idea. Sure, squeezing that white top might be hard to resist, but it can trigger inflammatory responses in your skin which can delay healing and potentially make your pimples worse.

Picking and prodding zits also introduces a bunch of new bacteria to your skin and quite frankly, it has enough to deal with already. Finally, if all that wasn’t enough, popping pimples creates trauma to your skin which can lead to scabbing, infections, pigmentation and scarring. Don’t do it. Just don’t.  

2. Keep Your Skin Clean

A primary cause of acne is blocked pores that get clogged up with oil, dirt and dead skin cells, and then become inflamed or infected with bacteria. This makes cleansing your skin twice daily extremely important – especially at night after sweat, sebum, makeup and sunscreen have built up on the surface of your skin.

Try our new Tea Tree Super Cleanser + which is ultralight, super refreshing and mega calming. It also douses your skin with a powerful blend of nature’s blemish-controlling superstar, tea tree oil, and our ultimate secret weapon for breakouts, MSM.

3. Wash Your Hands

While we’re on the subject of cleanliness, don’t underestimate the power of clean hands. Of course, you’re far too disciplined to pick at your pimples (see above), but even touching your face or leaning on your hands spreads unnecessary dirt, oil and bacteria all over your skin. It’s a tricky habit to kick because it’s usually an unconscious move, but the least you can do is wash your hands regularly to minimize the after-effects.

4. Keep Everything Clean

Not to keep banging on about cleanliness, but there’s more… Towels and pillowcases can also harbor bacteria if they’re not laundered regularly, so make sure you change these out on a weekly basis. And perhaps consider using a fragrance-free detergent if your skin tends to be reactive.

Also, wash your makeup brushes twice a week (especially if you wear makeup daily); shampoo your hair often to avoid oils from your hair transferring to your face, and wipe down your smartphone with a hand sanitizing wipe as often as you remember.

5. Use Retinol

Retinol is an anti-aging given, but it’s also a powerful tool for acne-prone skin. How so? Well, retinol helps unclog your pores by stimulating collagen production and encouraging cell turnover. It also promotes healing and, by keeping your pores clear, can help other skincare or topical acne medication penetrate more effectively.

Introduce Retinol Serum into your evening routine a few times a week and apply it to cleansed skin before moisturizing – you won’t regret it.

6. Wear Sunscreen

This might not be one of the most well-known anti-acne tricks, but it’s important, so hear us out.

In addition to the obvious protection from UV damage, sunscreen reduces redness and can help skin avert post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (those dark spots that pimples often leave behind). It also reduces the likelihood of your skin becoming dry in the sun which keeps sebum balanced and under control.

So there you go, sunscreen for acne – surprisingly important. Just remember to avoid heavy, pore-clogging sunscreens that can cause breakouts or make the pimples you have even worse. Instead, try our new SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen which is sheer, lightweight and oil-free.

7. Moisturize… But Do It With Care

Acne often goes hand-in-hand with oily skin which can get forgotten about when it comes to moisturizing. It’s a huge mistake to skip this vital step, however, no matter how oily or pimply your skin may be. If you fail to moisturize your skin, the surface will become dry and your sebaceous glands will overproduce oil to compensate. Cue excess oil which can block your pores and make acne worse.

Your best bet is to hydrate with a light serum like Hyaluronic Acid Serum, then follow with a non-comedogenic moisturizer that’s less likely to block your pores. Oh, and make sure you do this day AND night, especially if you use harsh acne treatments that dry out your skin.

8. Avoid Over Exfoliation

Scrubbing your face feels great, but it’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make, particularly if you’re prone to breakouts.

Exfoliation is great for boosting cell turnover and keeping your pores clean and clear, but too much can cause redness and inflammation – something you definitely don’t want to encourage if acne is already making your skin both of these things. Stick to once a week max, or better yet, allow chemical exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid to gradually do the job for you.

9. Manage Your Stress 

As with seemingly everything, when it comes to acne, stress only makes matters worse. Research has pointed to a direct link between stress and acne, thanks to stress-related hormones like cortisol encouraging your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Cortisol also reduces your skin’s natural levels of hyaluronic acid which makes your skin more dehydrated and further triggers sebum production. All this excess oil is a veritable playground for bacteria to breed and acne to worsen.

Of course, keeping stress under control is no mean feat, but breathing exercises, yoga, or taking a short walk each day may help clear your mind. Go for whatever form of relaxation suits you and helps take the pressure off, even if only for a few minutes. And remember to get your seven or eight hours of quality sleep while you’re at it. Sleep is SO important.

10. Strike Down Inflammation, Inside and Out

As helpful as skincare tips may be, acne is often an inside job rooted in internal factors influenced by diet and hormones. While addressing these triggers is an important part of getting chronic acne under control, it’s also key to hit back at topical inflammation. This beauty baddie not only exacerbates breakouts, it can increase the likelihood of hyperpigmentation and scarring, so it’s especially critical to diminish it as much as possible.

To help do this on the daily, look for skin saviors with anti-inflammatory clout like vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, as well as MSM and aloe, all of which have a reputation for mitigating inflammation and blemishes alike. You can find them teamed up in our Vitamin C Serum, as well as across several other TruSkin formulas—because we know how invaluable these good guys can be for all skin types.