True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Stay ahead of soaring temperatures and irritated skin with our easy-to-follow tips for caring for sensitive skin in the sun.

Sensitive skin can get all kinds of crazy during the summer months as the heat rises, the beach beckons and A/C gets serious. And the fact that somewhere between 50 and 70 percent of adults report having some level of sensitive skin means that potentially a whole lot of people are dealing with redness, itching, dry skin and/or discomfort right now.

Of course, there are many causes of sensitive skin, many of which are complex little beasts. But if your sensitivities are triggered by things like sunscreen, swimming, soaring temperatures and air conditioning, read on to discover the best ways to keep your skin happy this summer.

Choose Mineral Sunscreen

Sunscreen is non-negotiable, no matter your age, gender, skin color, skin type or level of sensitivities. If your skin often feels a little ‘off’ after applying SPF, however, switch to a mineral formulation that contains physical filters like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Mineral sunscreens are highly regarded as the smart option for reactive skin as they aren’t absorbed into the skin. Instead they act as an invisible shield on the skin’s surface which blocks UV radiation and delivers immediate protection without causing the irritation often linked to chemical-based formulas. Both of our sunscreens are crafted with zinc oxide –  in our opinion, the gold standard of sun protection – and deliver incredibly lightweight protection with a broad-spectrum SPF 30.

Say No To Hot Showers

It’s not often you want to crank up the water temperature in the summer, but should you be tempted by a hot shower or bath, know this. Scorching hot water messes with your skin’s barrier function, stripping away many of its vital oils and proteins thus leaving it vulnerable to dryness and redness. Do you often jump out of the shower and notice your skin looks red? This is a sure sign that your shower was way too hot. Turn. It. Down. Lukewarm temps are way more refreshing in the summer, anyway.

Avoid Synthetic Fragrances

Take a good look at the ingredients in your skincare regime to check for common skin irritants that could be triggering your summer flare-ups. Fragrance, for example, is known to be the number one irritant and the biggest cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis in the US so avoiding that should be your first port of call.

Other potential no-nos that have the potential to mess with your barrier function include strong surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), preservatives, dyes and potent alcohols like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and denatured alcohol (aka alcohol denat). These can all strip away the skin’s natural oils, leading to dryness, redness, itching and more.

Wear Loose, Cotton Clothing

It’s super important to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in the summer to minimize sweating and reduce your risk of skin sensitivities like burning and itching. This is especially important if you suffer from ongoing summertime skin issues like prickly heat or folliculitis. Organic cotton clothing is ideal but other natural fibers like linen are similarly better than man-made fabrics.

Cleanse Gently

The best cleansing technique requires the gentlest of touches – even in hot weather. Granted, it’s tempting to cleanse more vigorously in the summer when you sweat more and have extra layers of sunscreen on your face, but if you rub away at your skin using overly potent formulations your skin will not thank you for it. Think breakouts, freakouts and anything else your skin likes to do when it’s unhappy.

Instead of this utter madness, use a kind-to-skin cleanser that contains hydrating ingredients as well as those that help to remove impurities after a day in the heat. We love Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser which is formulated to suit all skin types and deep cleans the skin without drying it out. Spend a few minutes massaging it gently into your skin morning and night and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm – never hot, remember? – water.

Be Smart With Your A/C

Going inside to take a break from the heat and damaging UV rays is a smart move… but watch out for overly zealous air conditioning. A/C feels like bliss at the time but not only does it cool the air but it also removes moisture which can dehydrate your skin and give you the itch.

To minimize the risk of A/C skin meltdown (uncanny, right?), keep yours at the recommended comfortable temperature of around 78 oF. Added bonus: as well as saving your skin it’ll also save you a good wad on your utility bills.

Double Down With Moisture

Extra hydration is crucial during the summer months to help minimize the drying effects of all the summer greats – eg. swimming pools, the ocean and air conditioning – and keep your skin healthy, strong and itch-free. And the best trick for the ultimate moisturization? Layer it on with serum and moisturizer. 

Hyaluronic acid, aloe and glycerin are important ingredients to look out for here as these draw water to the surface of the skin. But you must also include ingredients in your moisturizing routine that help to seal water in – otherwise it'll evaporate lightning fast meaning all that hard work will go to waste. Shea butter is a favorite of ours as it creates a lightweight seal on the surface of the skin without clogging up your pores. Jojoba oil, vitamin E and ceramides also have equally incredible moisturizing superpowers. Try the combination of Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum (so good for sensitive skin) followed by Collagen Day Cream (ditto!).

Shower After Swimming

Chlorine is essential for pool hygiene but, if you have reactive skin, this powerful detergent can strip away at your skin’s uppermost layers, screwing up the pH level and unbalancing your skin’s delicate microbiome. The results? Anything from dryness and itching to full on eczema flare-ups.

If you love a good al fresco dip in the pool make sure to apply water-resistant sunscreen first (this’ll create a kind of barrier against chlorine disruption as well as UV damage); and shower as soon as you leave the pool. If it’s not possible to take a proper shower, rinse yourself in fresh water, then shower thoroughly at the end of the day. Same applies after going for a dip in the ocean.

Read on for all the proof you need that sleep, alongside an awesome skincare routine and a balanced diet, is everything for beautiful, healthy skin. 

‘Beauty sleep.’ How many times have you heard that phrase banded about? Funnily enough, the powers of getting your beauty sleep is not just an old wives’ tale made up to force you to go to bed at a decent hour. In fact, there’s a world of truth in it because the powers of quality sleep are almost unbeatable for the look and health of your skin.

Get your eight hours, invest in a consistent skincare routine, eat well, stress less and exercise regularly, and you’ve pretty much nailed the ideal combination for fabulous skin.

So let’s begin with arguably the most important of those five skin-saving must-dos: sleep. Sleep is crucial for every single process within the human body. From brain function and mental wellbeing to your entire physical health, without sleep, you simply would not be able to successfully live. And as far as your skin is concerned? Well, this important period of rest is when your skin undergoes a busy time of regeneration and rejuvenation.  

What Happens To Your Skin When You're Asleep?

Sleep plays a crucial role in the way your skin looks and feels because sleep time equals action stations for many of its important biological processes. After a busy day fighting hard to protect itself from environmental damage from things like pollution and UV radiation, when you hit the sack, your skin goes into full-on repair mode. The following occurs...

Collagen Production Accelerates

Collagen is an important protein found within the skin that gives it optimal strength and structure. Collagen synthesis remains pretty stable during the day but when your body is sleeping, growth hormones kick in that stimulate a boost in production.

Blood Flow Increases

Strangely enough, your circulation accelerates during sleep – even more so during deep sleep. This is great news for the skin as this high level of blood delivers nutrient-rich oxygen to the cells, supporting regeneration and helping the skin to repair itself.

Antioxidant-Rich Melatonin Kicks In

Melatonin is a hormone that’s produced by the body when it’s dark. It has incredible antioxidant properties which makes it your very own damage control hormone, neutralizing free radicals and aiding repair from environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation.

Cellular Turnover Almost Doubles

Skin cells are constantly renewing themselves throughout the day, replacing dead cells with new ones to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant. This renewal process increases when you’re asleep which expedites repair from environmental damage. Say no more.

 Cortisol Levels Drop

Otherwise known as the ‘stress hormone’ (which says it all), cortisol is an important hormone that keeps you aware and alert throughout the day. When you’re asleep, cortisol levels drop to reduce stress on the body and help your skin optimize this crucial recovery period.

It’s A Fact: Poor Sleep Can Seriously Impact Your Skin

Miss out on the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night and you deprive your skin of all the great stuff it goes through during these vital hours of regeneration and recovery. What does this mean for your complexion? Nothing good. 

Disrupting collagen production probably creates the biggest impact on the skin as collagen is the absolute foundation for healthy skin. When you deprive it of this important time your levels of collagen become depleted which has a knock-on effect across many areas of skin health. Hydration becomes impaired, your barrier function gets compromised and all manner of premature aging signs start to crop up including fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin.

Couple this with less time for a) antioxidants to work their wonders, b) blood flow to nourish the skin and c) cellular turnover to kick into gear and dull, dehydrated skin is practically inevitable. Not to mention the fact that high levels of cortisol encourage sebum production and increase inflammation. Which sounds like the perfect recipe for breakouts.

Because it is.

5 Tips For Improving Your Sleep

1. Keep A Regular Schedule

According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the most important ways to get a better night’s sleep is to go to bed and get up at a similar time each day so that you get around seven or eight hours of quality sleep daily – yes, even at the weekends. Consistency is vital for maintaining a successful sleep-wake cycle and thus allowing your skin the time to regenerate.

2. Optimize Your Sleep Environment

Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet and at a cool, comfortable temperature. Studies show that the optimum temperature for restful sleep is somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so aim for that if you can. If your curtains aren’t dark enough, invest in a sleep mask and if noise is an issue, ear plugs work wonders.

To truly help your skin do its best as you sleep, cleanse, tone, treat and moisturize before bed every night. We love the combination of Retinol Facial Serum followed by Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream. Oh, and you might want to think about purchasing a humidifier for your bedroom – especially if you live in a dry climate. This’ll help stop your skin from becoming dehydrated overnight.

3. Avoid Screen Time Before Bed

Staring at any kind of light-emitting screen before bedtime will mess with your circadian rhythm and delay natural melatonin production so put your phones, tablets and laptops down at least an hour before you hit the sack. Come on people, you’ve got this!

4. Limit Late Night Treats

Caffeine and alcohol stimulate your nervous system, and their effects take hours to wear off which stops your body from relaxing for quite some time. Not the most sensible idea before bed, so best not to indulge too heavily.

Similarly, don’t hit the sack hungry or completely stuffed full of rich food. This can cause discomfort and stop you from falling asleep. Small, healthy snacks like raw veggies, fruit or natural yogurt are fine, but a late-night, three-course meal? Nope.

5. Manage Your Thoughts

If you have a lot on your mind, a great trick to stop you from tossing, turning and worrying all night is to jot down your thoughts or worries. Make a ‘to-do’ list if you need to, or simply make a note of random thoughts and ideas. This is a very powerful way to get things off your chest and give you a clear mind for a better night’s sleep.

And as we've discovered, a better night's sleep goes a long way to giving you healthier-looking skin. 

Today is the day you start dialing up your glow factor. And we’ve made it ten times easier with these game-changing tips for radiant skin. Fun fact: they (actually) work.

You might think that radiant, healthy skin is only for the rich and famous, but with smarter skincare choices and a few lifestyle tweaks, better skin is right around the corner – no matter who you are. Don’t have an A-lister’s bank balance? No problem. Have zero time for long-winded, professional treatments? Totally fine. The quest for radiant skin doesn’t have to require complicated routines or expensive trips to a facialist. In fact, oftentimes, the most effective approach is the simplest.

Your most important must-dos are to nurture your skin’s barrier function, encourage cellular renewal, protect against environmental damage and support your skin from the inside out. So let’s get on that with ten tried and trusted tips that’ll help transform your skin from flagging to fabulous.

1. Be The Master Of Gentle Cleansing

Blocked pores are killers on your complexion, making it look dull and dreary lightning fast.  This is why cleansing – morning and night – is vital for radiant, glowing skin. The thing about cleansing, however, is that you have to do it super gently. Tight, squeaky clean skin that’s been over-cleansed with crazy harsh products is not healthy skin, it’s a scream for help.

When cleansing, always use lukewarm, rather than hot water and choose a kind-to-skin, balanced formulation like Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser. This will effectively remove dirt, oil and debris without screwing up your skin’s natural protective barrier. Massage it into your skin to stimulate blood flow (another check for getting your glow on!) but make sure to use a gentle touch and keep those fingernails well away.

2. Find Your Skin’s Exfoliation Sweet Spot

Exfoliation is a must for removing dulling dead skin cells that can otherwise outstay their welcome at the surface of your skin. If your skin errs on the sensitive side, stick with once a week but if you can tolerate more, do so. The key is to listen to your skin to find out the perfect frequency for your skin type.

If you’re not down with physical scrubs, try using a chemical exfoliator like 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant. This uses hydroxy acids like glycolic and salicylic to break down the bonds between skin cells. And it’s darn good, even if we do say so ourselves.

3. Fuel Your Skin From Within

Your diet directly impacts the look and feel of your skin so think about what you eat on a regular basis. Excessive sugar and processed foods, for example, are among your skin’s worst enemies because they form advanced glycation end products which damage collagen and elastin. They really mess with your skin.

Instead, fill up on colorful fruits and veggies as these are rich in nutrients and antioxidants which your skin goes mad for. Omega-3 fatty acids are also crucial for reducing inflammation and strengthening the barrier function so load up on oily fish, walnuts and flaxseeds.

4. Know That Daily SPF Is Non-Negotiable

We talk about the importance of daily sunscreen more than anything else. And we will continue to do so. Sorry... definitely not sorry. UV damage is the number one cause of both visible aging and skin cancer. It screws up the skin’s important proteins, causes inflammation, messes with your barrier function. And, well, need we go on? Thought not.

If you want your skin to be as healthy as possible, you simply have to wear sun protection every day. Choose a broad-spectrum formula to ensure you’re shielded from UVA and UVB radiation and make sure to stick with SPF 30 or above. Try our new SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Facial Serum which fits seamlessly into your morning routine with zero fuss and all the damage control. 

5. Improve Skin Repair With Quality Sleep

The term ‘beauty sleep’ wasn't just made-up, it’s actual skin science. You see, when you’re asleep, your skin gets busy repairing and regenerating itself. Collagen production peaks, your body’s antioxidant system gets to work, cellular turnover accelerates and blood flow increases. All of which is vital for radiant-looking skin.

Aim for the recommended eight hours of quality sleep every night – making it easier on yourself by keeping your bedroom cool, dark and quiet, and avoiding screen time for at least a couple of hours before hitting the sack. We also love to smother cleansed skin with Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream to fuel the overnight renewal process. It’s a winner for furnishing you with bright, ready-to-face-the-day skin.

6. Make Vitamin C Your Morning Go-To

As glow-getting ingredients go, few beat vitamin C. Not only is it the most studied antioxidant available to your skin (that means it neutralizes those pesky, skin-damaging free radicals) but it also makes your sunscreen work better.

If that wasn’t enough, vitamin C also works to inhibit the production of melanin within your skin, helping to reduce the formation of dark spots, fade existing ones and thus improve the tone of your skin. It’s our absolute go-to, or glow-to if you will. And if you’re worried about its powers being too much for your sensitive skin, stick with TruSkin. Our products are crafted with sodium ascorbyl phosphate – a gentler form of vitamin C that’s stable and way kinder to the skin.

7. Get Some Exercise

Regular exercise is just as amazing for your skin as it is for the rest of your body. For starters, it increases blood flow to the skin which literally ‘feeds’ it with oxygen and nutrients while carrying away nasty stuff that can dull your complexion. Just remember to cleanse your skin after working out to remove sweat, oil and bacteria from the surface. This will allow you to enjoy that natural-post-workout glow without clogging up your pores or encouraging breakouts.

8. Stay Hydrated – Inside & Out

Full disclosure, drinking water is not the best way to keep your skin hydrated and radiant. Sure, it’s vital for the health of your entire body but most of what you drink goes straight to your other essential organs before it gets even close to benefiting your skin. Your skin may be the body's biggest organ, but it’s way down on its priority list.

That being said, getting plenty of fluids from water, caffeine-free fluids and water-rich foods is, of course, going to keep you healthy – skin included.

More importantly for your skin, however, is to hydrate it from the outside in. And the best way to do this? By filling up your skincare routine with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, vitamin E and ceramides which attract and seal in moisture. Try layering Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum underneath Firming Collagen Day Lotion for a mega fix of skin-loving moisture. And don’t forget the skin around your eyes. Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream is a winner.

9. Learn How To Manage Stress

When you’re stressed your body produces an excess of cortisol which can trigger inflammation, increase sebum production, slow down healing and encourage breakouts. Not ideal for healthy-looking skin, we think you’ll agree.

To manage your stress levels, carve out some me-time each day to do something you enjoy. Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises are all great ways to balance your emotional wellness but if these don’t work for you, don’t fret. There are plenty of other things like going for a walk or reading a book that can be just as beneficial. The key is to find what works for you so that you a) enjoy doing it and b) do it regularly.

10. Finally, Be Consistent With Your Skincare Routine

Switching up your skincare routine can definitely help when the seasons change or your hormones fluctuate, but constantly changing the products you use can send your skin spiralling out of control. And that’s never going to be conducive to a radiant, glowing complexion.

Instead, establish a consistent and fairly simple regime that includes gentle cleansing, antioxidants, hydration, moisturizer and sunscreen. Do this and your skin will become immediately happier.

And happy skin = healthy-looking skin. It’s simple skincare math.

If you’re a fan of a downward-facing dog you might also be intrigued by face yoga. Read on for everything we know about exercising and stretching your face in the bid for glowing skin.

Face yoga has become a real thing in the last ten years or so. Thanks to social media and a whole host of A-list celebrities touting their love of facial exercising, it’s now commonplace to spend 20 minutes each day stretching the skin around your eyebrows and making lion faces in the mirror.

But does this natural approach to youthful-looking skin really work or are there better ways to spend 20 minutes on your skin? Let’s do a little face yoga digging…

What Exactly Is Face Yoga?

If you know anything about yoga, you’ll understand that this ancient Indian practice is all about combining physical postures, stretches and breathing techniques to help build strength and flexibility while boosting your mental wellbeing. Face yoga follows a similar philosophy but instead of concentrating on the whole body, it targets the muscles of the face and neck.

The practice involves performing repetitive movements, exercises and exaggerated stretches to strengthen, tone and relax the facial muscles. What’s the point, you may wonder? Well, the point is to improve the overall health of your skin to help boost radiance, enhance skin tone, refine skin texture and reduce the appearance fine lines and wrinkles.

What Are The Key Benefits Of Face Yoga?

Your face contains more than 50 different muscles which, as you age, naturally lose mass, strength and volume. Face yoga aims to build these muscles back up again to help them function more efficiently and therefore enhance skin health. It’s like bodybuilding. Or facebuilding, if you will. 

Specifically, face yoga is said to benefit the skin in five primary ways:

1. Muscle Strength. By building muscle back into the underlaying areas of your skin, face yoga is said to help fill in the contours of the face and tighten, sculpt and firm the skin.

2. Better Blood Flow. Exercising and stretching the face and neck increases circulation which brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin, aiding healing and improving radiance.

3. Stress Reduction. Just like traditional yoga practices, face yoga is said to tap into the parasympathetic nervous system which helps reduce emotional stress. And as you know, stress can be a killer on the look and feel of your skin.

4. Enhanced Lymphatic Drainage. Certain massaging techniques are believed to stimulate the lymphatic system which can help reduce puffiness, sluggish skin and bags under the eyes.

5. Efficient Cell Turnover. Regular massage may help accelerate cell turnover which naturally slows down as the skin ages. This helps minimize things like dullness, blocked pores and rough texture.

Is There Any Proof That Face Yoga Actually Works?

There’s not a huge amount of research to back up the efficacy of facial yoga but it’s so closely related to regular yoga that we believe there’s probably something in it. One of the few trials we could find studied a bunch of 40-65 year olds who partook in 30 minutes of daily face yoga for eight weeks, then continued practicing every other day for a total of 20 weeks. Unfortunately, this study included just 16 participants but, still, results showed modest improvements in their facial appearance, specifically in the cheek area. Experts also agreed that it seemed to shave an average of three years off the look of their skin.

Not bad, right?

Is Face Yoga For You?

Face yoga is safe for most people. However, experts recommend erring on the side of caution if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin as the extra strain on your skin can cause irritation. Also, if you have dermal fillers, regular facial exercises may compromise their longevity, so check with your dermatologist before starting any kind of face yoga routine.

One of the best things about face yoga is that it requires no needles… and it’s free! Of course, it’ll never give you the same results as Botox or fillers, but if you have realistic expectations and are looking to boost your skincare routine with a natural alternative it’s definitely worth a go. Just remember, you will need to be willing to set aside 20-30 minutes at least three or four times a week.

3 Popular Face Yoga Exercises To Try At Home

There are plenty of YouTube video and apps available to help guide you through your face yoga journey, but here are a few basic moves you can easily do at home. Some of them require a hands-on approach so ensure you cleanse your hands and face first. You can also apply moisturizer for a little extra slip. 

1. The Lion’s Pose

This is a fabulous face stretch which helps tone the skin around your eyes and jawline. It’s also super easy. From a seated position, make yourself as small as possible, scrunching up your entire being from head to toe. Then breathe out, open your arms wide, stretch your legs, stick out your tongue and widen your eyes. Basically make yourself as big as possible, then relax and repeat 5-10 times.

2. The Cheek Workout

A great one for toning and firming the cheek area. Start by smiling as wide as you can, making sure you lift the cheeks as you do so. Then simply close your eyes and hold this position for 15 seconds. Relax and repeat 15 times.

3. The Forehead Smoother

Place both hands flat on your forehead, spreading your fingers wide so they span your entire forehead from brows to hairline. Apply light pressure, then sweep your fingers outwards to the sides of your head. Hold for a few seconds then relax and repeat 10 times.

Our Take On Face Yoga

When it comes to deciding on the best route to take for healthier skin, we firmly believe that you should always do you. Whether you choose to stick with a consistent skincare routine, incorporate facial yoga into your daily regime or explore other cosmetic procedures, the key is to find whatever supports your lifestyle, budget and skin health goals.

Face yoga is unlikely to have a detrimental effect on your skin (although some experts believe that if you perform repeated exercises incorrectly, they may have the potential to make fine lines more noticeable – eek!), so if you want to try it, go nuts. Just remember, evidence-based skincare ingredients like retinol, vitamin C and peptides alongside a consistent routine form the true foundation of healthy skin.

Join us as we take a look at three TikTok skincare trends doing the rounds on social media. Because we believe you need to know the difference between the super smart and the downright dumb.

Don’t get us wrong, social media beauty hacks can be pretty cool. But while foundation dotting and Manga lashes are harmless fun, not all of what you see on TikTok is for the good of your skin. In fact, some skincare hacks can do more harm than good. And when it’s your precious skin at stake we believe it’s worth taking a beat to delve deeper into what’s really going on before doing something you and your complexion might later regret.

Here, we dissect three attention-grabbing skincare trends that have been all over social media in recent months to see which get our thumbs up and which we believe you shouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole. Because if they’re not good enough for us, they’re not good enough for you.

1. Oil Gritting

What It Is? Also known as skin gritting or oil pulling, this beauty hack is all about getting rid of blackheads. It’s a simple technique if the hordes of obsessed TikTokers are anything to go by, and it involves rubbing oil into your skin in a quest to draw out the oil-based gunk from your pores. According to many avid fans, you will actually feel gritty particles in your hands  as your blackheads are eliminated by the magic of massage. The result? Crystal clear pores and a smooth, blackhead-free (and whitehead-free for that matter) complexion.

It sounds simple enough, for sure, but the fact that you need to massage the skin continuously for a good 10-15 minutes in order for it to get the job done does not fill us with hope. Come on, that’s a pretty long time. Our hands are aching just thinking about it.

Does It Work? Yes and no. As you know, massaging the skin is an incredible way to stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage thus boosting nutrient-rich oxygen to the skin and helping unwanted toxins and pollutants to flush away. So that’s one point in its favor, right there. However, oils aren’t going to penetrate deep into the sebaceous glands to truly draw out impurities. Instead, they will simply exfoliate the top layers of your skin, sloughing away dead skin cells and removing surface debris.

Of course, gentle exfoliation is great for health of your skin and we’re all for it. However we’re not convinced this oil gritting technique offers much more than that. And the question of will it actually eliminate your blackheads in the long-term? Probably not. 

The Better Alternative: Unless your skin is very sensitive or prone to serious acne breakouts oil-gritting is not going to do your skin any harm. But who has 15 minutes in their day to spend massaging oil into their face when there are so many quicker ways to do the exact same thing? Instead, we’d rather use effective skincare ingredients that are clinically proven to work on pore health. Salicylic acid, for example, is a much more effective ingredient for sloughing away dead skin cells, plus it cuts through excess sebum to help you achieve cleaner, clearer, smoother skin.

Try our 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant which takes seconds to apply (take that, oil gritting!) and blends salicylic acid with glycolic acid and gluconolactone to unclog your pores safely and effectively.

2. Sunscreen Contouring

What It Is? This viral trend is the absolute worst and should have been shot down before it even became a thing. Unconventional, silly trends we can stomach, but when they verge on the downright dangerous? It makes us mad.

Sunscreen contouring is the act of using sunscreen to create intentional tan lines on your face or body. It involves applying sunscreen to specific areas only – usually the higher contours of the face like down your nose, on the tip of your chin and across your cheekbones – so that these areas stay pale, while the rest of your face tans. This is supposed to create a similar contoured effect to using dark and light makeup to highlight and create shade on the skin, thus replacing that often laborious step in your makeup routine.

Does It Work? Not really. In fact, the chances of achieving the precision of contouring makeup is slim to none. Instead, you’re more likely to end up with blotchy, patchy skin and, worse yet, sunburn. 

More importantly, this is a very dangerous game to play. UV radiation is not only responsible for almost 90 percent of external skin aging, but it’s also the primary cause of skin cancer which, according to the American Cancer Society, is the most common type of cancer in the US.

Exposing your skin to that kind of peril? Not. Worth. It.

The Better Alternative: For starters, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin, every day without fail. And if you hate that extra step in your skincare routine, try our brand new SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Facial Serum. This lightweight serum smooths seamlessly under your moisturizer and helps to protect your skin from the sun’s collagen-harming, DNA-destroying UV rays.

Then, if you want a more permanent contoured effect than makeup can offer, try achieving it with a self-tanning product instead.

3. Face Taping

What It Is? No matter how much we like to embrace aging, when it comes to the pursuit of youthful-looking skin, most of us are keen to try new products and techniques. But the thing about this viral beauty trend is that it’s really not so new. In fact, Hollywood movie stars and professional drag performers have been face taping (aka wrinkle taping) for decades.

Face taping involves placing strategic pieces of tape on the face before bed to keep the skin taut and immobile while you sleep. This apparently restricts muscle movement to prevent you from making facial expressions. It's also supposed to put a stop to ‘face scrunching’ as a consequence of sleeping on your front or side. By doing all this face taping is said to improve the appearance of existing wrinkles as well as to prevent new lines from forming. 

The technique is most often practiced on areas prone to aging, so think the forehead, around the eyes and down the sides of your mouth. 

Does It Work? The jury’s out on this one. While some experts are all for it, others are dubious. Celebritiy facialist, Guendalina Gennari, for example, is a big fan, stating that it not only helps to smooth out the lines she usually wakes up with, but it also lifts the skin to help improve circulation and therefore bring nutrients to the surface of the skin.

Our thoughts? Well, there’s no doubt that it offers a short-term fix and can help to soften the look of your lines and wrinkles temporarily, but it’s unlikely to scientifically change the structure and strength of your skin. Also, you really need to tread carefully with regards to the type of  tape you use. Stick with gentle medical tape that’s suitable for sensitive skin – this is not the time to reach for the duct tape. 

The Better Alternative: A much better way to ensure your skin ages healthily is to stick with an effective skincare routine that encompasses tried and tested, long-term collagen-enhancing ingredients like retinol, bakuchiol, peptides, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Retinol, for one, has been proven time and again for being best in class for wrinkle improvement. And vitamin C provides not only awesome antioxidant protection to shield your skin from environmental damage, but is also an effective way to brighten and energize your skin.

We have all sorts of incredible treatments to help control the rate at which your skin ages but if you’re looking for a complete regimen try our Longevity range which uses bakuchiol (nature’s alternative to retinol) to strengthen, firm and hydrate mature skin on the face and around the eyes.

Tape, shmape.