True Radical Honesty From Our Community

What you put on your skin is only the half of it. Turns out, the way in which you apply your skincare products is just as important.

Finding your skincare products’ sweet spots can be a real art form. Does slathering your face in oceans of moisturizer somehow make it more effective? Or is less always more? Then you have your application technique to think about. Should you be ‘pressing’ serum into your skin or massaging it in with your fingers?

Yeah, yeah, we know that's a lot to think about. But you've got this. Because, while for some people it’s a miracle they even remember to take their makeup off before bed, we know you’re way more skincare savvy than that. After all, you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.

So, just how much of your products should you be applying? And is there a right and a wrong way to apply them? Here’s what we know about five of the most important steps in your skincare routine…

How To: Cleanse

This first step in your skincare routine is the best time to massage your skin to help boost circulation and ensure a thorough cleanse. Do this using the pads of your fingers – but remember, keep long nails well away from your delicate complexion to avoid scratching and damaging your skin.

Wash your hands first, then wet your skin with lukewarm (never hot) water. Squeeze cleanser into the palm of your hand, then apply it all over your face and neck before working it in with your fingers. Press your fingers along the brow area and up your forehead a few times, then work from the center of your nose and out along your cheeks towards the hairline, rubbing the cleanser into your skin in large circles. Do this a few times, then continue with the same motion over your chin and jawline. To finish, smooth your fingertips up your neck, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

How Much Cleanser Should You Use? A dime-sized amount should be plenty to effectively cleanse both your face and neck.

How To: Apply Serum

Serums are undoubtedly our favorite players in the skincare world because they pack a real punch and, is it just us or do they not feel really amazing to apply? Like they instantly work on contact or some such skincare wizardry?...

Serums require a delicate touch so, whereas cleansing is the time for working out your skin using light massage, this step is the complete opposite. Apply a little serum onto the base of your thumb (as below) or the palm of one hand, then work it between your fingertips and use the pads of your fingers to pat it evenly over your face. By all means, smooth it gently all over your face and neck for an even coverage but then leave it alone, allowing the serum to absorb into your skin without too much rubbing or massaging.

How Much Serum Should You Use? Serums are pumped with potent, active ingredients so less is definitely more. Go for a pea-sized amount (unless instructed otherwise) to create a thin, even layer over your skin.

How To: Apply Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is thinner, drier and way more fragile than the rest of your face so, again, being heavy handed with your eye cream is a major no-no. Instead, pump a little onto the tip of one of your ring fingers, then press both your ring fingers gently together to distribute it evenly between them. Next, dab the cream around your eyes, working in gentle tapping motions to evenly apply the product around your orbital bone. Using your ring fingers rather than your forefingers helps you maintain a delicate touch and reduces any risk of dragging your skin.

How Much Eye Cream Should You Use? Overloading the skin around your eyes can cause problems like puffiness, so stick with a pea-sized amount, shared between both eyes.

How To: Moisturize

Once any serums, treatments and eye creams have settled, it’s time to moisturize. The best way to apply moisturizer is by applying light pressure to massage it all over your face and neck. Work a little between the palms of your hands and fingers, then put your hands in a prayer position and place them over your nose before smoothing your hands out and up towards your hairline. Repeat this a few times to ensure an even layer, then do the same over your forehead and finally your chin and jawline. 

How Much Moisturizer Should You Use? Stick with a quarter-sized amount of moisturizer for your whole face – whatever your skin type. If your skin is super dry and you feel like this isn’t enough, chances are you don't need more product, you simply need a different formulation. Time to switch up your moisturizer, people.

How To: Apply Facial Sunscreen

Apply your sunscreen exactly as you would your moisturizer – easy. Just make sure it’s the final step in your morning skincare routine.

How Much Sunscreen Should You Use? This is where you can afford to be more generous because you want nothing less than an even layer of sun protection all over your face. Similar to your moisturizer, a quarter-sized amount should be sufficient, but if you’re planning to be outside all day, make sure you apply a little more than that.

One Last Tip Before We Go. If you’ve been a bit handsy and poured out way too much serum or moisturizer, don't be tempted to slap it all on your face and hope for the best. Instead, smooth it over your neck and décolletage or even over the tops of your hands. Sharing the skincare love is way better than overloading your face.

Skincare acronyms can be super confusing sometimes, but there are some terms you really should know about. Namely AHAs, BHAs and PHAs. Why? Because skincare acids could be just what your skincare routine has been waiting for.

Slapping acid on your face was probably not among the beauty tricks your beloved grandma told you about as a young girl. Cold cream, maybe. But skincare acids? We doubt that very much.

But the thing is, facial acids can help treat any number of skincare concerns including acne, scarring, pigmentation, dull skin, dryness, heck even fine lines and wrinkles. And while they used to be only available via chemical peels or professional facials, smaller concentrations of these little dreamboats are now widely available in skincare formulations.

So, while dear grandma’s secret to ageless skin might well have been her trusty cold cream, for you newer generations it’s all about the alpha, beta and polyhydroxy acids – or more simply put, AHAs, BHAs and PHAs.

Here’s what we know…

A Look At AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids)

Alpha hydroxy acids are water-soluble chemical compounds that can be naturally occurring or synthetically produced. Most AHAs are extracted from fruit or milk sugars and they’re used primarily in skincare for their exfoliation skills – which are top of the class, btw.

Unlike physical exfoliators like scrubs and loofahs which manually slough away dead skin cells, chemical exfoliators like AHAs work to dissolve the bonds between skin cells to encourage the dead, dull ones to fall off. This process helps accelerate cell regeneration for a smoother, brighter, more even complexion. The extent of exfoliation depends on the type of AHA used, as well as its pH and concentration (usually around 4 percent for at-home use and up to 70 percent for professional peels).

The Benefits Of AHAs

You know those pesky visible signs of aging that freak you out every time you look in the mirror? Well, fighting the likes of fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration is what AHAs live for.

As you get older, the rate in which your skin cells turn over slows down which means dead skin cells hang around for way too long on the surface of your skin. This causes dullness, unevenness, dryness and dehydration which can age you up way before your time. By encouraging fresh new skin to grow, however, AHAs help solve these skin woes.

Also, if you regularly incorporate an AHA into your routine – whether through monthly chemical peels at the doctor’s office or with at-home skincare – it will continue to encourage collagen and elastin production for a cumulative anti-aging effect. We’ll take a group hug for news like that.

The Main AHA Players

Glycolic acid is the most highly researched of all the AHAs and is known as the do-it-all acid. Derived from sugar cane, glycolic acid has a very low molecular weight which makes it darn good at its job – AKA penetrating the skin. It’s a very popular peeling agent because of its efficiency and potency, but while it's great for normal, oily and acne-prone skin types, it can sometimes be irritating for sensitive complexions. 

This is where lactic acid comes into play. Lactic acid can be extracted from fermented milk sugars or vegan sources such as beets or tapioca and has a larger molecular size than its glycolic cousin. This means it doesn’t penetrate the skin quite as well, so it takes longer to take effect. Lactic acid is way gentler, however, and studies have shown that it can also have moisturizing benefits so is the safer bet for sensitive or dry skin types.

Our Eye Cream contains a clever blend of both glycolic and lactic acids

Next Up, We Have BHAs (beta hydroxy acids)

Just like AHAs, beta hydroxy acids work to increase cell regeneration through chemical rather than physical exfoliation. BHAs, however, are oil-soluble rather than water-soluble which means they not only accelerate cell turnover on the skin’s surface, but they also penetrate through the lipid layers between the skin cells to get deeper into your pores. This helps target and reduce excess sebum to clear as well as brighten the skin.

Again, the efficacy of any skincare formulation containing BHAs depends on its pH and concentration. In this case, anywhere between 0.5 and 5 percent should offer visible results.

The Benefits Of BHAs

BHAs are a massive deal for anyone struggling with oily, inflamed or spotty skin because they help reduce inflammation, fight bacteria and dry up excess oil. 

While dry, aging or dehydrated skin types dream of upping their sebum levels, for those oily or combination types among you, an excessive amount of sebum is the devil. Super-oily skin often clogs the pores and can lead to, like, a gazillion problems (OK, so we exaggerate, but if you suffer with breakouts it often feels this way, right?).  

The Main BHA Player

When it comes to BHAs, there’s only one player worth mentioning – mainly because it’s the only one used in cosmetics and dermatology, but still. This BHA, dear friends, is the mighty salicylic acid. Derived from the bark of willow trees and used to treat skin concerns for over 2,000 years, salicylic acid is found in thousands of acne-fighting treatments from cleansers and toners to serums and moisturizers. And the good news is, it works, without completely stripping the skin of moisture.

Not only does salicylic acid target pores and increase cell turnover, but it also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which is music to the ears of anyone who suffers with red, angry flare-ups.

C-Plus Super Serum contains just the right amount of salicylic acid

Finally, Don’t Forget PHAs (polyhydroxy acids)

While AHAs and BHAs have been around for years, PHAs are very much the NKOTB. Often seen as the underdogs of the hydroxy acids, PHAs are basically a new generation of water-soluble AHAs with all the exfoliating, cell regenerating benefits… but with less of the side-effects. The reason for their gentle nature? PHAs are formulated with multiple strands, so they have a larger molecular size than AHAs and are therefore unable to penetrate the deeper layers of your skin. Instead, they work exclusively on the skin’s surface to boost cell renewal without irritating your complexion.

The Benefits Of PHAs

PHAs are where to go if you’re concerned about the visible signs of aging but have super-sensitive skin – yes, even rosacea or atopic dermatitis. They might take a little longer to do their business, but if your skin flares up at even the thought of exfoliation, these are your guys. More good news for sensitive skin: PHAs have humectant and moisturizing qualities to help hydrate your skin and strengthen its natural protective barrier. As with all active ingredients, however, a patch test is still a good idea to triple-check for sensitivities.

The Main PHA Players

While a bit of a mouthful, gluconolactone (sometimes referred to as gluconic acid) is one PHA worth remembering – especially if you’re in the market for a mild exfoliation treatment for pigmentation issues like melasma and sun spots.

Lactobionic acid is another commonly used PHA which is an oxidized form of lactose and extracted from cow’s milk. Lactobionic acid has been shown to have antioxidant properties so it's a great choice for fighting the damaging effects of environmental stressors such as UV radiation and pollution.

One Last Word: Most skin acids make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so always apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily whenever using an AHA, BHA or PHA in your skincare routine.

It is the spookiest time of the year, which means it’s also time to tell scary stories. Gather around, and listen to this harrowing tale of witchcraft.

Near a small town in the countryside, there lived in a forest cave a coven of witches. They were the three Wicked Witches of the Woods, and they were known throughout the land for their hideous appearances.

There was the Wrinkly Witch, whose skin was marred all around with deep, terrible wrinkles and lines; the Withered Witch who had a complexion so dry she looked like she was covered with old worn leather; and the Waxy Witch, with skin so oily that people ran screaming at the mere sight of her.

It was the night of Halloween, and the witches wanted to go and wreak mischief on the small town. There was just one problem - although they were wickedly proud of their terrible looks, it was clear already from afar that they were witches.

What could they do to sneak into the town without alarming the unsuspecting townsfolk, they pondered. Then, the Waxy Witch came up with a dastardly plan!

“Let’s brew a magical ointment in our cauldron that will give us the fairest skin in the land! Then we can waltz into the town without anyone stopping us,” she suggested. What a wicked, witchy scheme it was. And so, with an eerie cackle, the witches got to work.

They conjured hellfire under their cauldron, and began to consider the ingredients they should add to their brew. But a spell of such power required more than the usual newt’s eye and bat’s bladder.

A Dark Wash And Deep Black Seas

For the first ingredient, the Withered Witch pulled out an ominous, black bottle of TruSkin Charcoal Face Wash.

“This cleanser, black as the darkest night, contains reishi mushrooms, coconut charcoal, and astragalus root extract,” the Withered Witch explained to her sisters as she emptied the bottle into the cauldron. “It will absorb all impurities and clear the gunk from our pores. Our skin will be as fresh as a spring rain!”

All three shuddered at the thought of anything so clean, but these were the sacrifices they needed to make for their wicked plots.

The Waxy Witch, determined to not be outdone by her friend, went to dig through her chests and bags. She rummaged through troll nail clippings and snake tongues until she triumphantly held up an old, dusty container of TruSkin Ocean ineral Daily Face Super Toner.

“Yes, yes!” she cackled. “The minerals from the deepest, darkest ocean in this concoction will help all the other potions we’ll use absorb into our skins. It’s packed with other natural, herbal ingredients too that will give us a… Ugh, bright, healthy complexion, like marshmallow and witch hazel extract.”

“That’s my favorite kind of hazel!” said the Withered Witch, clapping with excitement as the Super Toner was added to the cauldron.

A Serum to Beat the Rest

Watching her sisters work, the Wrinkly Witch tapped her foot in deep thought. She wondered what she could add to their brew that could help them bring about the most terrifying Halloween the townspeople had ever known.

Then it hit her! Another witch had ages ago gifted her some TruSkin Tea Tree Clear Skin Serum. She rushed to her cabinet of magical implements and returned with the eerily blue bottle that seemed to almost glow in the dark cave.

“Oh, this is the most powerful, concentrated serum we’ve ever used,” she hissed with malicious glee.

“Even better than toad’s venom serum?” the Waxy Witch asked.

“Much better! Its anti-aging tea tree extracts and salicylic acid will smooth out even my hideously lovely wrinkles and lines,” the Wrinkly Witch said with a sinister laugh. She poured the serum into the cauldron and turned to the Withered Witch.

“Now we’ll need something to moisten our skin. Your face is so dry that anyone with eyes would know you’re a witch from miles away!”

Perfecting the Spell

The Withered Witch flashed all of her three teeth in a mischievous grin and pulled out a tube of TruSkin Retinol Moisturizer.

“Way ahead of you, sister,” she said as she squeezed the tube that was as green as her face. “This lotion holds vitamins, botanical acids, and shea butter that will moisturize even my withered skin!”

The three wicked witches stared at their brew as it bubbled in the cauldron. It looked nice and evil, but they couldn’t help thinking that something was missing from the perfect witchy skincare recipe.

Suddenly, the Waxy Witch got an idea. She went back to a chest and produced from it another black container.

“Our eyes are all puffy and there are dark bags hanging under them. This TruSkin Eye Gel should take care of that,” she declared.

“Yes, I’ve heard of it,” said the Wrinkly Witch, nodding as the gel was added to the cauldron. “Anyone using it will get smooth, bright eyes with no dark circles around them. It must be the botanical amino acids and cucumber hydrosol contained in the gel. It’s awfully un-witchy!”

What Wicked Witchcraft!

Finally, the witches’ terrible concoction was complete! All they needed to do was to speak the magical words to activate the brew. Evil laughter echoed in the cave as they recited the spell:

“Cauldron bubble and bring trouble
Upon the town and make it double!
Licorice root and horsetail plant,
Will our witchy skins enchant!
Oils of herbs and flowers too,
All have been added in our brew.
Give us smooth skin and eyes so bright,
Make us pretty this Halloween night!”

With the spell cast upon the brew, they grabbed handfuls of the bewitched lotion and smeared it onto their faces. Like magic, the witches’ dry and terrible faces transformed into flawless visages!

“Look at me!” exclaimed the Waxy Witch, gazing at herself in a smudged mirror. “Not a drop of oil on my face. I’m hideous!”

“And my skin feels so fine and smooth,” the Withered Witch moaned, running her fingers down her cheeks. “What have we done? This is awful! Will we stay like this forever? We’ll be laughing stocks with all our fellow witches!”

“Worry not, sisters. I still have an ace up my sleeve!” the Wrinkly Witch, now without a line on her skin, said confidently. And indeed, from her sleeve she pulled out a bottle of TruSkin Vitamin C Face Cleanser.

“This gently foaming cleanser will remove even the thickest make-up lickety-split! Once we’re done scaring the townspeople senseless, we’ll have our old witchy faces back.”

And so, as shadows of bats flapped across the full moon leering in the black sky, the witches stole off into the night. What terrible tricks they played on that small town near the woods on that Halloween! But that, my friends, is a whole other story.

DISCLAIMER: Unless you’re a wicked witch casting ominous spells, don’t pile on skincare products like you’re throwing them in a cauldron. TruSkin highly recommends always using our products according to label instructions.

Avast! Ye be reading the log of dread pirate captain Abraham Carver, who be known across all the seven seas as “Fancyhide”. If ye be a landlubber, begone with ye; but if ye be a fellow pirate, read on for the secret to me greatest treasure.

I soon be sailing for a destination better not mentioned. But know ye, that the seas where I’m headed be treacherous. So, I be scrawling this note to be buried with me most precious effects, so they will not be lost to Davy Jones’ locker.

Me crew be thinking this chest holds gold and jewels. But nay, in it I store me beloved skincare products. Why, did ye think I be called Abraham Fancyhide for nothing? Harrr!

There be many a lotion and ointment here, but four be important above all. If yer one of ‘em scurvy dogs who knows not how to use them, let me tell ye how a real pirate captain takes care of his skin.

The Precious, Precious Silver

First thing I do every morning bell be cleansing me face. If ye got nothing but sea water, then that must do for ye. But if ye can mix something in it, mayhaps some charcoal from a scorched English galleon, it be all the better!

After me face be clean, I reach for me toner. Using a toner be important, for it removes impurities, like scrubbing barnacles off the side off yer ship. Impurities or barnacles, send both to the depths.

For toning, I use TruSkin Daily Super Toner. It exfoliates me skin and leaves it clean, like the barnacle scrubber I mentioned. But there be more to this tonic than just that.

Ye might think that silver be only good for plundering off Spanish ships and spending in the inns of Tortuga. But ye be wrong, says I! There be much more to the shiny stuff than that!

The colloidal silver in me toner soothes me skin and reduces the effects of environmental stress. That be many a fancy word, so let me put it simply for ye - the silver repairs me skin from the harm of the cruel seas like a shipwright fixes the holes in me ship’s hull.

Since ye and I be pirates, we both know that ocean water has many a beneficial mineral. But jumping in the sea be not so smart - though the sharks would surely love yer for it, arrr!

Not to fret, though, for the Super Toner be loaded with ocean minerals. It lets me feel the splash of ocean water on me face without me having to walk the plank.

Vitamins for Scurvy and Skin

After I’ve applied me toner, it be time to use a serum. And nay, this be not like those serums the witches on far islands swamps be brewing.

Y’see, as much I love the sea spray, ocean water be salty. Add to that the constant sun in the high seas, and ye will find yer fancy skin drying up fast.

Using a serum helps me rehydrate me skin. Serums be finer and absorb faster than moisturizers. I be told that it be because them molley-cules in serums be much smaller.

As me serum, I be using TruSkin Vitamin C Serum. I knew this be the right one for me as soon as I heard its name. What pirate could resist vitamin C?

Scurvy be ever yer enemy when sailing the seas, and some vitamin C from a sip of lime juice (mixed with some grog, to be sure) be keeping the terrible sickness at bay. But there be even more to the vitamin.

The Caribbean sun be a harsh mistress, blazing down on ye all the time. Vitamin C helps protect me skin against sun damage, and repairs what damage already be done.

But not only that, this serum contains plenty of aloe, which be well known for soothing yer skin. Aloe be growing in Arabia, not in the middle of the sea, so it be a rare commodity to come by.

For this, I be always keeping me serum under lock and key. Keelhaul the dog who be trying to steal me precious aloe!

Under Me Eyepatch

Next in me skincare routine, I be reaching for me TruSkin Eye Gel. If ye be a pirate, ye will love grog. And if ye love grog, there be nights when ye drink a whole barrel! Harr harr!

But alas, in the morning, ye may be regretting yer decisions when ye wake with puffy and bloodshot eyes. All that saltwater and flying fish getting in me ol’ peepers nay be helping either, nor sweating under an eyepatch.

Lucky me then, that I pillaged me Eye Gel from the daughter of the mayor of Port Royal! Ye need only apply a dollop the size of a pearl - like the ones I’ve adorned me cutlass with - on yer fingertip and dab it under yer eyes.

But if ye be having a hook instead of fingers like me, don’t ye worry. The back curve of yer hook works just as well.

A doctor on Hispaniola told me that this gel contains “plant stem cells and peptides”. I be not exactly sure what they be, but I assume they come from plant stems. In any case, the doctor told me they be good for ye, to be sure!

Moisturize and It’s Anchors Aweigh!

Just like a pirate ship be nay complete without a Jolly Roger up the mast, yer skincare routine be nay complete without a moisturizer. Here I only trust TruSkin Vitamin C Moisturizer.

Need I repeat meself about all the good vitamin C does for ye? The more of it I can smear on me skin, the better, I figures.

This moisturizer holds many a natural ingredient, too. I read on the label scrawlings that there be green tea, sunflower, and dandelion in it, and many more.

My previous first mate once laughed at me for liking all ‘em flowers. So I made him walk the plank! All these things be smelling good and tasting good, and that’s why they must be good for yer skin too, says I!

There also be shea butter in me moisturizer. The shea nut be growing in deepest Africa, and so its butter be hard to come by in the Caribbean, but it be worth it. It protects me fine skin from the rays of the sun and the burn of the blowing winds in the high seas.

It also pleases me that I can apply makeup over this moisturizer. Like many a pirate, I wear kohl to protect me eyes from the sun’s evil glare. The Vitamin C Moisturizer gives me no problem at all, lest I would’ve already thrown the whole tube overboard.

So, now ye be in the know of the secret to me greatest treasure - me flawless skin! If ye be reading me scrawlings here, it means I sank to the sea on me latest dangerous adventure. Or maybe I found a bonnie lass who convinced me to give up me pirating ways, harrr!

Whatever the case, may these instructions serve ye well. Abide by them, and mayhaps ye be the next one to bear the title Fancyhide!

With me best regards,

Abraham “Fancyhide” Carver

If your skin is feeling a bit ‘meh’ but you’ve neither the time nor the energy to hit up your go-to skincare guru, it’s time to amp up your at-home facial skills.

Nothing beats the feeling of indulging your skin for an hour at the hands of a true professional. Whether you’re a chemical peel lover, a microdermabrasion fan or a lymphatic drainage facial kinda girl, having someone else dedicate their time to improving the quality and health of your skin? That’s priceless.

But if only things were that simple. Life, work, finances, even the world (here’s looking at you, Covid-19) can often get in the way of your monthly me-time. And that’s kind of annoying. The good news is there is something you can do about it… and all in the comfort of your own home. We’re not saying you can take the place of a truly qualified facialist, dermatologist or esthetician – far from it – but once a week, set aside some quality time out, then arm yourself with the right intel and some clinically-proven skincare products and it’s possible to recreate a spa-level facial in no time.

Here's how.

Step 1: Set The Mood

Slapping a sheet mask on your face while rushing around doing the laundry does not make for the most ideal moment of zen. And we know you know that, so why don’t you put it into practice? Ever been to see a beauty therapist only for her to stop half-way through your HydraFacial to check her Insta feed? Thought not.

So, to create the perfect setting for your at-home pampering sesh, make sure you treat it as if it were a true professional job. First up, put your phone away, set aside an hour and tell anyone you live with – roommates, S.O.s, family, whoever – to leave you alone. End of.

Next, choose some relaxing beats, light a candle or two, pop on a clean fluffy bathrobe, wash your hands (important) and get ready for the real deal. Better still, have a pre-facial soak in a warm, lavender oil-infused bath. Now, we’re talking.

And if this all sounds too much like frivolous nonsense, remember, it’s not. Setting the perfect scene is vital for helping you to relax, de-stress and give you the right frame of mind to concentrate on what matters: your complexion, not your chores.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Step 2: Deep Cleanse

Clean, perfectly prepped skin is the only way to start, so choose a gentle cleanser that has your skin type written all over it. Not sure of your skin type? Then think about how it feels after you’ve cleansed and left your skin free of product or makeup for a few hours. If it feels greasy and looks shiny, it’s most probably oily, whereas if it feels tight, it’s dry. If it’s a bit of both, then it’s combination and if it’s neither one nor the other, then lucky you, you probably have normal skin.

Great cleansing takes a little time, so don’t just slap water and cleanser on your face then hope for the best. Instead, take a minute or two to massage your skin with the pads of your fingers as you work the cleanser into your face and neck. Focus on areas of excess oil or congestion, but be extra gentle around your eyes to avoid tugging the skin in this thin, delicate area.

All this takes a matter of minutes but will help boost circulation, remove toxins and give you the perfect canvas to continue to the next step.

Step 3: Let Off Steam

Back in grandma’s day, steaming was everything and while we love exciting new beauty tools and modern techniques, sometimes the old tricks are the best ones. Even better news? Steaming is something everybody can do, for literally zero dollars.

Steaming is one of the most beneficial skincare tricks for boosting circulation, softening the skin, opening your pores and loosening trapped oil and debris. The heat also makes you sweat, which further promotes a good clear-out of unwanted toxins. Just remember to leave the extractions to the pros to prevent damaging your skin. It’s honestly not worth it, people.

For the perfect steam, simply fill a sink or bowl with hot water, then cover your head with a towel and hover your face about 12 inches above the water for 10 minutes to trap the steam in. You could even add some fresh herbs, essential oils or tea to the water to help detoxify or soothe your skin. To finish, gently pat your face dry with a clean towel, then tone your skin to cool and whisk away all those impurities the steam has loosened from your pores.

Important note: super-hot temperatures cause the blood vessels in your skin to dilate which leads to redness and flushing. Therefore, if you suffer with dryness or sensitivities like eczema or rosacea you might want to give this step a miss.

Step 4: Time To Exfoliate

Ever had a facial that didn’t involve some kind of exfoliation? Us neither because little beats it for sloughing away dead skin cells and accelerating cell turnover ­– the key to a glowing, healthy complexion.

Don't get us wrong, physical exfoliators can be super-effective if they're gentle and avoid using nasty things like ground nutshells to scrub and often damage the skin. But here at TruSkin, we believe chemical exfoliators are superior.

Chemical exfoliators harness the power of active ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to ditch dead skin and encourage the fresh new stuff to take its place. Spend a couple of minutes after steaming to massage a gentle chemical exfoliant all over your face and this will really help leave it polished and clean.

Rushed for time? Then our Daily Super Toner, which contains glycolic acid (an AHA) will take care of business in seconds.

Step 5: Master A Mask

Now for the best bit when you can apply a face mask and become horizontal for 10 minutes (ssh, don’t tell your kids/roomie/lover).

Masks come in many different guises, so the only piece of advice we have here is to choose yours wisely, depending on your skin type or concerns, and avoid anything that’s brimming with alcohol or other skin irritants.

Clay and charcoal are awesome ingredients to look out for if you have oily or acne-prone skin as these are super-effective at detoxifying and cleaning out your pores. If you feel like your skin needs a serious hydration boost, however, try masks that contain vitamin E, B5 or aloe vera. And if you want to help reduce the signs of aging such as fine lines or pigmentation? Then go for mask that’s been formulated with antioxidants like vitamin C. It’s literally the best.

Step 6: Treat And Moisturize

The best way to finish any type of facial is with a carefully curated serum and moisturizer combo to lock in all that good work you’ve just done. You’ve got this, we’re confident of that, but to remind you, look for formulations that contain hyaluronic acid which is one of the most effective moisturizing ingredients out there and ideal for all skin types.

Your serum should be applied first, then leave it a minute or so (time to pour a glass of wine, maybe?) before applying moisturizer. Again, spend a few moments massaging your face and neck as you moisturize to help de-puff the skin while boosting circulation and collagen production. You could even invest in a jade facial roller if you’re feeling really fancy;)

And you're done.

Testing a new beauty product before applying it all over your skin or hair can seem like a real chore. But tell us this: would you ever jump straight into a hot bath without dipping your toe in the water first? No chance. So, why are you on board with patch testing hair color, but not skincare? It’s definitely time to changed that…

We recently read a sad story about a young woman who used an at-home peeling solution for the first time and ended up with terrible blisters all over her chin. She performed what she thought was an adequate test by applying a little of the formulation to her cheek for five minutes. Then, because she felt no adverse reaction, she went for it.

Big mistake. Huge. She paid the price the next day with burning skin that turned into nasty red bumps. The following day, these bumps turned into blisters. The next day they continued to worsen. And for many weeks following.

This made us think, just how important proper patch testing is. And that most consumers know little about it, let alone the reasons why they should be doing it after purchasing any new skincare product.

So, here’s everything you need to know about how and why your skin can react to certain ingredients in skincare – and what you can do to avoid it.

The Truth About What Goes In Your Skincare

When it comes to skincare ingredients, manufacturers like us are very strict about testing everything that goes into our product formulas. We are, after all, responsible for ensuring every product is safe for consumer use when used correctly and according to its directions.

However, the worrying truth is that, other than color additives, cosmetic ingredients do not have to be tested or approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) before going to market. They’re regulated, yes, and there’s plenty of research and data online about how effective and safe most ingredients are, but the FDA has no authority over any cosmetic product you put on your face and body.

Due to the strength, power and concentration of our active, plant-based formulations, we take this very seriously and thoroughly test everything before including it in our products. But still, you can’t be sure every brand has the same high standards.

Red flag number one.

How Your Own Skin Comes Into Play

Another important thing to remember is that your skin is totally unique to you. So, while the latest influencer, glossy magazine beauty editor or Love Island star might get all the feels from a much-hyped skincare product, who’s to say that your skin will behave in the exact same way?

Similarly, you may think your skin is as strong as steel and can take anything you throw at it: retinol, vitamin C, glycolic acid, the works. Well, this might be true, but whether you have sensitive skin or not, there’s always the possibility of reacting to a certain active ingredient in skincare. And here’s the kicker. People can develop allergies at any time in their lives, so even if you’ve used an ingredient before, it may still cause your skin to flare-up at a later date.

Red flag number two.

So, What Can You Do To Prevent Skin Irritation?

First up it’s vital, we repeat vital to only ever buy products from brands you trust. Once you’ve got this in your head, you can then think in more detail about what your put on your face.

One of the biggest mistakes you could make is to overload your skin with countless products containing strong actives. Word of warning: unless these actives have been carefully combined into one treatment by a reputable manufacturer, or you’ve been prescribed a curated regimen by a board-certified skin expert, this is a bad idea. Instead, introduce active ingredients one at a time, giving yourself a few weeks to acclimate before starting another. You could also try an antioxidant such as vitamin E in the morning, then an AHA or retinol treatment at night to get the benefits of both while keeping them separate and reducing your chances of irritation.

Another trick is to check the labels before you buy a new product and try to avoid some of the most common irritants in skincare such as parabens, formaldehyde and sulfates.

The best way to avoid unwanted flare-ups, however, is to carry out a patch test first.

How To Perform A Patch Test At Home

Patch tests are a piece of cake. All you need to do is apply a small dot of your new product to a discreet patch of clean skin such as behind your ears, inside your elbow, on the side of your neck or on your wrist. 

Skin can take up to 48 hours to react to a product or ingredient it doesn’t like, so you should ideally leave the product for at least 24 hours (preferably 48) before checking for a negative reaction. If you see or feel anything that doesn’t look right after this time such as redness, burning, swelling or itching, discontinue use and return it because something’s not right. And should symptoms continue or worsen, seek advice from a board-certified skincare expert. 

Any mild reaction such as slight redness or tingling that occurs within the first hour of applying your product is fine – it’s the intention of most active ingredients, especially AHAs and BHAs, to work out the skin. This should settle down within 30-60 minutes, but if it continues or gets worse, rinse your skin immediately.

If you experience no adverse reactions over the 24-48 hour time period, you should be good to apply the product to your skin as instructed. But remember, those directions are there for a reason, so stick with them. To the letter. 

What To Do If You Discover A Skin Allergy

If you’re concerned about a serious reaction and think you might have some kind of allergy such as contact dermatitis, make sure to book an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist or allergist. Chances are, you’re allergic to a certain ingredient which can be diagnosed through a more detailed type of patch testing.

Patch testing at the doctor’s office is a whole different ball game and involves having a number of small patches of allergens applied to the skin and observed for adverse reactions. During this test, your skin may be exposed to up to 30 different substances at once, so it’s a great way to eliminate certain chemicals and ingredients from both your skincare and household products.

Remember, knowledge is a powerful thing and can be a lifesaver for your skin.