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What’s the deal with vitamins in skincare and do they really work? Here’s what we know about our ABCs…

Drink plenty of water… get a good night’s sleep… don’t forget to take your vitamins. This stuff has been drummed into you for years, but are you aware that topical vitamins are just as important to your skin’s health as the ones you eat?

Skincare ingredients frequently come and go, and some (yes, we’re talking to you snail mucus) just seem downright insane. But in an often confusing beauty world, there are plenty of ingredients that make absolute sense. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin in your moisturizer? Hell yes. Salicylic acid for exfoliating the skin? Count us in.

And then there are topical vitamins. From A through K, vitamins are an essential part of an effective skincare routine and they offer so many benefits to your skin, it’s hard to write them all down in one blog post. But don’t worry, we’re going to nail it because whether you’re looking to brighten and strengthen or nourish and soothe, you’re going to need at least one skincare vitamin in your life.

Here, we talk you through six of the best…

The Anti-Aging Must-Have: Vitamin A

Vitamin A is rarely mentioned on skincare products, but it’s one of the most important and highly effective ingredients in skincare. Confused? Don’t be, you simply know it as retinol – or the prescription version, tretinoin. Penny. Drops.

Retinol and tretinoin are the topical forms of vitamin A and are two of the absolute darlings of skincare ingredients, without question. We know that’s a bold statement, but ask any derm to name their number one skincare ingredient and we bet retinol would come up more than anything else.

When absorbed by the skin, retinol gets converted into retinoic acid which is super smart acid because it’s able to ‘communicate’ with your skin cells to active collagen production and stimulate cell turnover. This offers a whole host of benefits to aging skin, namely reducing lines, wrinkles and dark spots. As a sidenote, it may also be used to treat acne. 

Retinol can be a little irritating if not used wisely, but we combine it with hyaluronic acid in our Retinol Serum to help hydrate the skin as it works. Because we're clever like that.

The Sensitive Skin Solution: Vitamin B3

We love a bit of vitamin B3. So much so that we recently launched a whole new serum dedicated to it in the form of Niacinamide Serum – vitamin B3’s other, more common name.

Vitamin B3 is fast gaining momentum in skincare for its multiple benefits for all skin types. For one, it’s a potent antioxidant so great for limiting damage caused to the skin by lifestyle and environmental aggressors (sun, booze, pollution etc.).

Vitamin B3 also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties which means it’s ideal for reducing redness, swelling and irritation. Couple all this with the fact that it’s very well tolerated by most skin types and you’ve got the perfect ingredient for anyone with sensitive or acne-prone skin. And that’s not all. It may also be a valid option for soothing rosacea or eczema – just remember to always seek expert advice from your skincare professional first.

The Hydrating Healer: Vitamin B5

While we’re on the subject of the mighty B vitamins, we can’t move on without a shout-out to vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid or panthenol, the alcohol form of pantothenic acid.

Great for most skin types, vitamin B5 is a humectant like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. This means it has the power to draw water into the skin to help keep it hydrated. But it’s hydrating powers don’t end there, because vitamin B5 is also an emollient, so it not only attracts water to the skin, but it also seals and locks it all in. This is one of the main reasons we use it in our Eye Cream, FYI.

Research also shows that vitamin B5 helps strengthen and heal the skin’s barrier function, making it perfect for aiding in the treatment of sun burn, eczema and itchy skin. Nice work, B5.

The Glow-Getter: Vitamin C

You’ll be no stranger to vitamin C, we’re sure of it. But do you know exactly how darn good this stuff is for your skin? No? Then here we go.

Vitamin C is one of the most popular antioxidants used in skincare. It’s mildly exfoliating, inhibits melanin production and has the ability to help reverse sun damage. This makes it a super popular choice for anyone looking to include a hard-working antioxidant serum in their routine, but particularly for those seeking to help lighten hyperpigmentation and add radiance to their skin.

Vitamin C can be listed in your skincare ingredients in many forms, including l-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium ascorbate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. We know that’s a lot to remember, but just look for some kind of ascorbic/ascorbyl/ascorbate term and you’ll know that's some kind of C vit. BTW, we use sodium ascorbyl phosphate in our vitamin C range because it offers all the benefits with very little irritation. Winner.

The Master Of Moisturizing: Vitamin E

Vitamin E has been used in skincare for 50 years and counting – and as you know, you should never dismiss your elders, right?

Often seen on your ingredients label as tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate or alpha-tocopheryl acetate, vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that’s naturally produced by your skin where it helps support, strengthen and maintain its overall health.

Levels of vitamin E deplete over time, however, so adding it to your skincare routine is a darn fine idea – especially if you notice your skin getting drier with age. Why? Because on top of its ability to fight free radicals and protect your skin from the sun, vitamin E has awesome emollient properties which means it’s the bomb at helping to repair and smooth cracks in your skin. And anyone with dryness or dehydration will know exactly how annoying and itchy cracked skin can be.

Try our Hyaluronic Acid Serum for a potent moisturizing hit of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E.

The Skin Strengthener: Vitamin F

A member of the omega-6 family, vitamin F is a blend of essential fatty acids, hence the ‘F’. No, honestly, that’s where it gets its name. You see, sometimes skincare really is quite simple…

Vitamin F is also known as linoleic acid and unlike most of our favorite vits, it can’t be produced naturally by the body, so including it in your diet (olive oil and leafy greens will take care of that) and skincare is vital.

So, what are its benefits for your skin? Well, vitamin F promotes ceramide production which are some of, if not the most important components of your skin’s barrier. Ceramides make up around 50 percent of your skin’s composition and basically hold everything together to keep your skin healthy and strong – kind of like the mortar in a brick wall. Like all the other good stuff in your skin, however, ceramides deplete with age, so anything you can do to help keep them replenished is a great shout. Oh hi there, vitamin F.

The Undereye Brightener: Vitamin K

Vitamin K is relatively new to the skincare world and much research is needed to prove its effects on the skin. That being said, it has definite potential – specifically for helping to reduce dark circles around the eyes. And here’s why.

A fat soluble vitamin produced by the liver, vitamin K is also known as phytonadione. It's essential to your overall health and plays an important role in blood clotting. Because of its role within the blood clotting process many skincare experts and manufacturers believe vitamin K can offer similar effects when applied topically to things like bruising, swelling, redness and excess blood that pools under your eyes. Yes, that's the stuff that causes unwanted dark circles.

The jury's still out on vitamin K, but it's one to keep an eye on. No pun intended.

So, what do you reckon? Time to add a vitamin or two to your skincare routine? We think so. 

It's time to wave goodbye to unwanted dark spots that spring up on your face from literally nowhere. Agreed? Then let’s do this.

What a pain in the butt dark spots are. Just when you’ve finally learnt to embrace your crow’s feet and gotten to grips with pesky hormonal acne spots, an unidentified patch of dark skin shows up on your forehead or cheek. What the heck is that all about?

Dark spots are known in the skincare industry as hyperpigmentation and while they’re rarely harmful to your health, they’re super, like super annoying. They’re also extremely common and are caused by an overproduction of melanin – the pigment that gives your skin (as well as your eyes and hair) its color. If you have dark skin and hair, this is because they contain more melanin and if you’re blonde and fair, well, you get our drift.

This is all simple enough, but when melanin production gets a little wayward and unwanted patchy areas of darker-than-normal skin crop up on your face (of all places), things get a little more complicated…

Not All Dark Spots Are Created Equal

There are three main reasons for uneven melanin production: the sun which, frankly, is to blame for a LOT of skin concerns; your hormones (ditto), and some kind of trauma to the skin such as acne spots or a burn. Diagnosing the exact type of hyperpigmentation you have might not be in your skillset, but here’s what you need to know to help you get an idea.

The Sun Spots: Solar Lentigines

You may be under the impression that melanin naturally protects your skin against UV damage and yes, it’s true darker skin is less likely to burn or suffer from photodamage. However, anyone can be affected by sun damage warn experts at the American Cancer Society. If you think, therefore, that you’re actually helping to protect your skin by tanning, think again – when you tan, this is simply a sign that your skin is releasing melanin to try to protect itself. And it can only do so much before your skin inevitably becomes prematurely damaged and shows signs of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging.

In some cases too much sun causes melanin production to become uneven and this is when irregular dark patches appear on the skin, called solar lentigines. According to the Mayo Clinic, solar lentigines are usually small brown, black or gray spots and appear on the most exposed areas of your body such as your face, hands, arms and upper back. Unlike moles they can’t turn cancerous, but if you’re a total sun worshipper watch your back (literally) because these are bound to get you in the end. You have been warned.

The Hormonal Spots: Melasma

Melasma is light brown or gray-ish brown in color and is most commonly experienced on the forehead, around the lips or over the cheeks and nose. It’s usually triggered by an imbalance of hormones which, just like the sun, send your melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin) wild.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), women are far more likely to get melasma than men due to hormonal life changes such as pregnancy, menopause, taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Melasma is also more commonly seen on people with darker skin tones due to their skin containing more active melanocytes.

The good news is that melasma often fades of its own accord once your hormones balance themselves out, but this is not always the case so it's always wise to treat it as best you can. Oh, and that devilish sun will make it ten times worse. We told you the sun was an evil beast.

The Trauma Spots: Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

Unlike solar lentigines and melasma, post-inflammatory inflammation can be red, pink, brown or black depending on the tone of your skin and the depth of the pigmentation.

PIH happens when your skin becomes inflamed and consequently scars due to some kind of trauma or injury. This trauma can include anything from acne and eczema through to bug bites and burns. You know how experts are always telling you not to squeeze spots or scratch at your eczema? Well, PIH is one of the main reasons why. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can also be triggered by improper use of skin treatments like laser therapy or dermabrasion which is why we recommend only ever letting a board-certified skin expert loose with such high-powered treatments on your skin. 

Anyone can get PIH at any time in their lives although it’s most common in darker skin tones. And no prizes for guessing what makes it worse. It begins with an ‘s’ and ends with an ‘n’…

Prevention Is The Best Cure

The Sun: not only does it cause a whole crop of hyperpigmentation issues, but it makes every single kind so much worse. This is why sun protection is the single most important way to improve it.

Invest in a physical sunscreen containing zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or a mixture of both and apply this every day to help prevent sun-induced discoloration. And yes, we mean every single day of the year – even on cold, gray days when you might not feel it, but that sun is still there doing a number on your skin. Not keen on adding yet another step to your daily routine? Then look for a moisturizer, primer or even a foundation that contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30+.

3 Awesome Ways To Treat Dark Spots At Home

High-tech options like professional chemical peels, intense pulsed light treatments (IPL) and microdermabrasion are awesome ways to target dark spots at the doctor’s office, but there are also plenty of effective skincare solutions that have been proven to work. Just remember, the below are all potent, active ingredients so you should patch test all new products first and avoid overloading your skin with too much at once.

1. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

AHAs such as glycolic and lactic acids are great for increasing cell turnover and ridding your complexion of dead, discolored skin cells that may lurk around on the surface of your skin longer than you’d like.

Glycolic acid is ideal for treating melasma in particular, but lactic acid is more moisturizing and better tolerated by the skin. So, take your pick. Or better still, look for a gentle but effective treatment that contains a combination of AHAs like our Eye Cream – perfect for brightening the skin around your eyes.

2. Vitamin C

Including a vitamin C antioxidant serum in your daily routine is another great shout for fading dark spots. How so? Research shows that vitamin C may help decrease melanin synthesis. So, there’s that. Vitamin C is also mildly exfoliating, works hard to minimize redness and helps prevent sun damage by battling damaging free radicals that form in the skin due to overexposure to the sun.

You’re probably well aware of what big fans of vitamin C we are ­– after all, TruSkin was born from our famous Vitamin C Serum. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out the never-ending reviews on Amazon to see what everyone has to say about this amazing, skin brightening formulation.

3. Retinol

Any dermatologist will agree: topical retinoids such as tretinoin (prescription-only) and retinol (over-the-counter) are fabulous for minimizing unwanted discolorations.

Retinoids work by turning into retinoic acid when they’re applied to the skin. Retinoic acid is the active form of vitamin A and is basically the special sauce that ‘communicates’ with your cells to increase turnover, boost collagen and therefore reduce hyperpigmentation. Retinol can also help treat acne and reduce fine lines and wrinkles but that’s a different story for another day.

The Serious Side Of Dark Spots

We don’t like to cause alarm, but some pigmentation issues are not to be treated lightly. Moles that change in color, shape, texture or just start to feel or look wrong should always be checked out by a doctor or qualified expert to rule out serious concerns such as melanoma. Similarly, patches of odd-colored skin that are itchy, dry, start bleeding or become inflamed should also be seen by a professional immediately.

The chances are your discolorations can be easily treated, but better to be safe than sorry, right?

Not sure what to look out for in the search for a kick-ass moisturizer? Well, there are some ingredients your skin could probably live without (cough, parabens). Similarly, others have the kind of moisturizing prowess that will never let you down…

Moisturizers often contain all manner of hard to pronounce and even more impossible to spell ingredients – some of which are absolute winners, and others? Well, not so much. So, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? Knowledge, dear readers, that’s how. Now, we don’t expect you to gen up on every acid, phosphate and peptide known to humankind, but just a smidge of ingredient knowledge will go a long way to reaching the heady heights of perfectly moisturized skin.

Here are some of the most effective, clinically researched moisturizing ingredients to look out for.

Aloe Vera

The aloe vera plant is made up of over 95 percent water so it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to get that as a hydrating skincare ingredient aloe is pretty hard to beat. Aloe also contains polysaccharides and phytosterols which are rich in vitamins and nutrients and work hard to help prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Not sure what TEWL is? Naturally, we’ve got your back: it’s the term used for the amount of water that evaporates from the surface of your skin. The upshot is, you want your TEWL to be low and to do so you need awesome ingredients like aloe vera to help seal moisture into your skin.

Aloe’s also great for treating acne, eczema, rosacea, sunburn and is well tolerated by almost all skin types.

Glycerin

After water and fragrance, glycerin (also known as glycerine or glycerol) is the third most frequently used ingredient in cosmetics. An important component of your skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF), glycerin can be produced synthetically or derived from vegetable or animal sources, but don’t sweat, we use kosher vegetable glycerin in our products.

Glycerin works as a humectant, meaning it attracts water from its surroundings then draws it in like a sponge. It figures, therefore, that by applying a humectant like glycerin on a regular basis you automatically increase the levels of moisture available to your skin to help reduce dryness and irritation. Glycerin also has slight keratolytic properties which means it helps soften and shed dead skin cells to increase cell turnover and further improve the skin’s natural barrier function. Is it fair to say that glycerin’s an unsung hero in the world of skincare? Yes, we think so.

Green Tea

Usually praised for its high-powered antioxidant properties, green tea (camellia sinesis) contains a whole host of vitamins and nutrients to help balance and hydrate the skin. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), for example, works to maintain mucus secretion which regulates sebum production and prevents dryness, cracking and even acne. Meanwhile vitamin E is a powerful emollient that repairs and smooths the skin. More on vitamin E later...

Hyaluronic Acid

Similar to its more unassuming cousin glycerin, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a humectant that sucks water into the skin. Sometimes referred to as hyaluronan on your skincare label, HA can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water which is darn impressive, don’t you think? Your skin naturally contains a fair amount of HA, but as you age and become more and more exposed to environmental stressors, these levels start to decrease – in fact by the time you hit 40 you could have lost up to 50 percent of the stuff. This is why it’s a smart move to include HA in your daily moisturizing routine.

As a skincare ingredient, HA is formulated to act just like your own which means it rarely causes reactions or irritation. Can we get a round of applause for HA, please?

Palmitates

Palmitates might sound a little scary, but they’re really not. Produced from a naturally occurring fatty acid called palmitic acid, palmitates such as isopropyl, cetyl and ethylhexyl are what’s known in the biz as emollients. Emollients help repair, smooth and seal cracks on the surface of the skin to trap in moisture and strengthen the skin’s natural protective layer. They work especially well in skincare when formulated with humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Humectants deliver the moisture; emollients seal it all in. Clockwork.

Jojoba Oil

Another effective emollient, jojoba oil is one of our favorite, nutrient-rich oils for dry skin because it’s super light, but packs a real moisturizing punch.

Produced from the seeds of the jojoba plant (or simmondsia chinensis if you’re feeling fancy) jojoba oil is extremely stable meaning it can hold up well under extreme conditions without breaking down and rendering itself, well, useless. Jojoba oil is also very similar in its molecular makeup to your skin’s natural oils – more so than any other oil, in fact. This makes it ideal for balancing sebum production while deeply hydrating your skin and sealing it all in. Triple win.

Lecithin

Lecithin is a naturally-occurring phospholipid that’s most commonly obtained from soybeans, milk, corn or eggs. It’s another member of the skin-smoothing emollient family, but also has emulsifying benefits which means it helps stabilize skincare products that contain both oil and water.

But that’s not all, lecithin also acts as a penetration enhancer to allow other active ingredients in your products to better penetrate the skin. Now, that’s what we call an awesome team player.

Shea Butter

Say hello to yet another awesome emollient ingredient: shea butter. Derived from the nuts of the karite tree, shea butter is super popular in skincare because it’s dope at smoothing the skin without the heaviness you might experience from other pore-clogging, occlusive butters like cocoa.

Shea butter is brimming with skin-loving vitamins and fatty acids, is a rich source of free radical-fighting antioxidants and helps restore balance and hydration to all skin types. And while shea butter is produced from tree nuts, those with nut allergies need not worry because it’s very low in allergy-triggering proteins. Look out for its Latin name of butyrospermum parkii on your skincare products. You won’t regret including this baby in your routine.

Vitamin E

Last, but not least, we have vitamin E, often seen on skincare labels as tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate or alpha-tocopheryl acetate.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble emollient and humectant rolled into one which means it has a clever way of drawing water into the skin and then holding it there to work its moisturizing magic. Your skin naturally contains a solid amount of vitamin E, but as with HA and glycerin, these levels deplete with age – hence its popularity in skincare for decades.

Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory and repairing benefits so it’s an excellent choice for sun damaged skin or to help heal scars.

Climate change is a massive concern for everyone, so what better time to clean up your beauty regime than now?

You may think that by recycling glass bottles and composting food waste you’re more than doing your bit for the environment, but did you know that your skincare routine could be causing just as much damage to the world as what does (or more importantly, does not) go in your trash?

Thankfully, a little beauty diligence goes a long way to helping make your world a better place. And great news: the following tips make it easy for you to switch to smarter ingredients and eco-savvy skincare habits.

Let's do this.

1. Steer Clear Of Parabens

Parabens are preservatives that prevent harmful stuff growing in your beauty products – think bacteria, fungi, mold and the like. Granted, this may sound like the kind of ingredient you should totally get on board with, but the problem with parabens is they have way too many faults up their sleeves for their preservative powers to be worth it.

Often found in beauty products containing a significant amount of water (eg. shampoo, conditioner, cleanser and moisturizer), parabens can be very irritating to the skin, but more worryingly they’ve been linked to serious health concerns including thyroid issues, hormone-related cancers, reproductive disruptions and obesity. So, there’s the first red light, right there.

Parabens are also nasty little beasts when it comes to the environment. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), parabens have been detected in surface waters, fish and sediments. Even the lowest levels of butylparaben – one of the most commonly used parabens in cosmetics – can cause significant harm and even kill coral.

The good news is many beauty companies have switched out parabens for cleaner alternatives, but they’re still out there so keep your eyes peeled for any ingredient containing the word paraben in its name. BTW, we’re a totally paraben-free company and use much cleaner preservatives like sodium benzoate and ethylhexylglycerin in our skincare products. You can thank us later.

2. Recycle As Much As Possible

Before you throw your empty boxes, bottles, tubs and tubes in the trash, take a minute to check whether or not they're recyclable. There are many different symbols to look for which indicate a product's recycling capabilities and we know they can be confusing, but a couple of minutes is all it takes to ensure your empties end up in the right place.

Glass is always an awesome, eco-friendly option and all of our serums are packaged in glass bottles that are full recyclable. Not sure about your other beauty products? Then head to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the lowdown on plastics, cardboard and more.

3. Reduce Your Beauty Miles

You might love your K-Beauty skincare creams more than life itself, but has it ever crossed your mind how many thousands of miles those products might have travelled in order to beautify your skin? The answer is many. In fact, it’s just over 6,500 miles from Korea to the US, which equates to a helluva lot of fuel consumption and consequent air pollution.

To help reduce your carbon footprint and lessen the impact of your skincare choices on the environment, stick with home-grown beauty products. Not to blow our own trumpets (again!) but all TruSkin products are formulated and bottled in the US. Group hug.

4. Ditch Those Cotton Rounds

While we’re on the subject of beauty miles, it’s not just those lotions and potions you need to evaluate. Chances are, your trusty cotton rounds have also taken a pretty long trip to reach your vanity. Not ideal. Also, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), it takes around 20,000 liters of water to produce just over 2lbs of cotton. Add all this to the fact that cotton rounds are not compostable and that cotton farming is responsible for around 24 percent of insecticides worldwide and suddenly that innocent looking fluffy stuff starts to look like one hot mess for the environment.

So, what’s the answer to this little conundrum? First up, use spray toners like our Daily Facial Rose Water Toner or Daily Facial Toner because these don’t require the use of cotton rounds (clever, right?). You could also invest in some eco-friendly, reusable makeup remover pads that can be thrown in the laundry after each use. Amazon has plenty of options to choose from or you could try Ecoroots Organic Reusable Facial Rounds.

5. Be A Cruelty-Free, Beauty Vegan

If you care about animals as much as you care about the world (and in fact, don’t they kind of come as a package, anyway?), you have to avoid products that contain animal by-products and ingredients, or have been tested on animals. No question.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), animal products are the key cause of climate change due to the amount of water, land and energy animals require to be farmed, killed, processed and transported. If you'd like to steer clear of animal by-products and ingredients, here's a list of those to avoid, courtesy of People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Meanwhile, around half a million animals suffer and die each year through cosmetic testing according to Humane Society International (HSI).

Frankly, we think this is unacceptable which is why we’re proud to be Leaping Bunny approved – and that includes every single one of our skincare products. The Leaping Bunny logo (below) is the only internationally recognized symbol which guarantees that no animal tests were carried out in the development of any product displaying it.

6. Give Oxybenzone & Octinoxate A Wide Berth

When it comes to ingredients that affect both your health and the environment, oxybenzone and octinoxate are double trouble.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate are organic compounds that absorb light very effectively. This makes them two of the most common UV filters used in chemical sunscreens. They’ve been used and approved by the FDA since the early ‘80s, but after a bill to ban their sale and distribution in Hawai’i was passed in 2018, the world became blatantly aware of their potential damage to marine life and in particular, coral reefs.

“Oxybenzone and octinoxate cause mortality in developing coral, increase coral bleaching that indicates extreme stress… and cause genetic damage to coral and other marine organisms,” cites the bill. Yikes.

Furthermore, oxybenzone is just as nasty to your health as it is to marine life. For one thing, it’s the most common skin irritant in suncare, but even more scary is that it may seriously disrupt hormone production, potentially causing all manner of problems like thyroid issues, certain cancers and reproductive harm. The fact that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that oxybenzone can be detected in the urine of almost all the population makes this a very worrying prospect indeed.

The good news is the FDA are continually working towards confirming (or rejecting) the safety of oxybenzone, octinoxate and 10 other chemical sunscreen ingredients. In the meantime, stick with products containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. These are the only two active sunscreen ingredients currently deemed safe and effective.

7. Reduce Your Shower Time

Climate changes like soaring temperatures and rising sea levels play havoc with the world’s water supplies, so do your bit to conserve water and you’ll be helping to protect the future of your planet – just like that.

Fun fact: the average shower uses around two gallons of water per minute. This means an eight minute shower (the average duration for an American adult) uses a solid 16 gallons per day, or 480 gallons per month. Now, let’s say you were to cut your shower time by one minute – just one minute, that’s all we ask. This would save 60 gallons of water every month, which is a significant amount of water for one person to save, if you ask us. Set the timer on your phone to seven minutes next time you take a shower and see if it's manageable. We bet it totally is.

Come on people, your world needs you.

Skincare that promises the world then delivers zip is annoying at the best of times, but for those with acne, it's downright soul destroying. The good news is there are a whole host of clinically-proven ingredients that offer real results for acne-prone skin. You just need to know what they are…

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne is the most common skin condition in the US, affecting around 50 million Americans every year. And it’s not just teenagers who are plagued by breakouts. In fact, research shows that approximately 12 to 22 percent of adult women in the US suffer from acne in some form. Whether you're prone to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or deep painful cysts, the fact is, acne sucks.

But what really causes acne? Well, it’s pretty simple actually: blocked pores. More to the point, acne is caused when an excess of sebum (oil) works with bacteria and dead skin cells to clog up your pores. If this pore remains closed, it’ll become a whitehead, whereas if it opens up, oil and dead skin cells oxidize and turn brown or black, making it a blackhead. Pimples and pustules, meanwhile, form slightly deeper under the surface of the skin which is why they become red and inflamed. All good fun – not.

Now we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the main trigger of excess sebum production is kind of out of your control, and that’s family history – you can’t change your genetics, after all. Oil glands also become over-stimulated by stress and an imbalance of hormones, which is why puberty, pregnancy, menstruation and the menopause can all lead to flare-ups. Think you can find a miracle cure for acne? Yes, reducing your levels of stress will help and yes, a healthy diet is a great idea. But a miracle cure? Sorry, it’s simply not going to happen. 

Treating and controlling your breakouts, however? Now that, you can do. Here’s how.

5 Of The Best Skincare Ingredients For Acne-Prone Skin

At-home skincare can be very effective for managing blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and pustules if you know what to embrace – and also what to avoid. Your first step is to look for products that are non-comedogenic which means they’re less likely to block your pores. You should also avoid rich, occlusive oils such as coconut, olive and avocado. Lighter oils like jojoba and grapeseed are less likely to cause problems and in fact some oils such as ylang ylang and lavender even have anti-inflammatory benefits, so don’t dismiss oils altogether. Just make smart choices and avoid the super-heavy ones.

Next up, look for these scientifically-proven ingredients in your skincare and remember, when trying any new treatment, always do a patch test first and give them a reasonable amount of time (at least four, but preferably eight weeks) to work.

1. Salicylic Acid

A highly researched beta hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid is one of the most effective ingredients for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble acid that works by breaking the bonds between skin cells to encourage the dead ones to fall off. Unlike alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like lactic and glycolic, salicylic acid also targets oil blockages where it thins sebum, allowing it to flow more freely to the skin’s surface. This helps decrease excess oil, reduce inflammation and minimize enlarged pores which are three important skincare needs for anyone suffering with unwanted breakouts.

Tip: For the best, visible results, look for leave-on salicylic acid treatments that are formulated with a concentration of at least 2 percent – BTW, our Tea Tree Clear Skin Super Serum checks both of those boxes.

2. Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a chemical compound that’s been used very successfully as an acne treatment for over 90 years. Similar to salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide has anti-inflammatory properties and its main job is to accelerate cell turnover while removing sebum and dead skin cells from your pores to help reduce blockages. It also has one other trick up its sleeve, however, and it’s a very important one: it totally destroys bacteria by releasing oxygen onto the skin. This makes it particularly effective for inflammatory acne such as pimples and pustules.

Tip: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach bed linen and clothing, so make sure you allow any leave-on treatment to fully dry before getting dressed or going to bed.

3. Retinol

While it’s most often thought of as an anti-aging ingredient, retinol should never be overlooked in the treatment of acne. And here’s why. Retinol is an over-the-counter derivative of vitamin A that, again, increases cell turnover, but in a very different way to salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. The difference is that retinol attaches itself to nuclear receptors in the center of your cells which is where genetic information is stored and where major cellular functions are processed. Once attached to these receptors, retinol activates certain genes to accelerate cell turnover and therefore remove dead skin cells and keep the pores clear from debris. Smart cookie.

Tip: Retinol is a super-active ingredient, so start your usage slowly by applying it every two or three evenings to clean, dry skin. As you build tolerance, you can build up to a nightly routine.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Looking for an all-round antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ingredient whose entire MO is to target your acne problems? Then tea tree oil could be exactly what you’re looking for. This essential oil has been used in traditional medicine practices for centuries and has been scientifically proven to treat and heal mild-to-moderate acne. In fact, one clinical study showed tea tree oil to be 3.5 times more effective at reducing acne lesions than a placebo after six weeks of use. Now, that’s the kind of stat we love. Tea tree oil is also less drying and irritating than salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinol which makes it a great option for sensitive skin types.

Tip: Although rare, tea tree oil has been known to cause allergic contact dermatitis, so stick with diluted formulations like our Tea Tree Clear Skin Super Serum and always carry out a patch test first.

5. Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal works by binding itself to nasty substances on the skin and whisking them clean away. Kind of how a sponge soaks up spillages. This is why charcoal is often used in medicine to remove dangerous ingested toxins such as poison. And why it’s such a great skincare ingredient for drawing bacteria, toxins, dirt and oils out from the skin – which as you know are the main causes of acne.

Activated charcoal is produced by burning a plant or animal product and then treating it to remove certain substances and increase its surface area. Don’t worry, however, we use activated coconut charcoal in our Skin Clearing Charcoal Face Wash. No animals were harmed in the process.

Tip: Activated charcoal is black (obvs), so be careful when using it near light clothing and face cloths as it may cause staining.

A Final Word On Professional Acne Treatments

If you want to hit acne from both sides, think about getting some regular professional treatments at the derm’s office. There are many awesome options for treating acne-prone skin that perfectly complement an effective at-home routine – think chemical peels, HydraFacials, light therapy, even steroid injections.

What works for some might not work for you, however, so always get a consultation first from a qualified expert.

Because eliminating bad skincare habits should always be a top priority.

We know there are many skincare sins you’d never commit in your wildest dreams. Going to bed in full makeup, for example, might be something you did in your drunken teens, but you now know better than that, right? Good, then we don’t need to lecture you about that.

There are also the beauty sins you know are really bad for your skin and you try to strictly adhere to them, but, well, life sometimes gets in the way. You know the ones we mean: wearing sunscreen every day, not picking spots and the like. Well, we have news for you, we’re not here to lecture you about those, either – your awareness and effort to get on board is enough for us. For now, anyway ;)

No, today’s lesson is to pinpoint a few other seemingly innocent beauty habits that can cause no end of problems for your poor old complexion. The ones you probably commit way more regularly than the main culprits, yet don’t even know the damage they’re causing.

Intrigued? Then here are five of the most important, not-so-innocent skincare habits we’d love you to shake off. Starting now.

Skincare Sin #1. Touching Your Face, Like ALL The Time

The skin on your face is super fragile and must be treated with the care and respect it deserves. You know that. We know you know that. But the thing is, looking after your skin isn’t simply about great treatments, awesome products and avoiding the lifestyle and environmental bad guys. Turns out, touching your face is another major no-no.

You may not be aware of this, but living on your skin is an intricate ecosystem of microorganisms called the skin microbiome. This microbiome includes things like bacteria, mites and fungi which may sound gross but they've evolved to keep toxins and invading bacteria at bay, so they play an extremely important role in the health of your skin and the strength of its natural protective barrier.

It makes sense, therefore, that keeping your microbiome balanced by treating your skin gently and avoiding chemical nasties is key. But did you know that the simple act of touching your face with your hands is just as important? No matter how often your wash or sanitize your hands, they carry millions of germs, allergens and bacteria from constant contact with the outside world (think door knobs, cell phones, money etc.). By touching your face or even resting your face on your hands you transfer all of these unwanted pathogens straight to your skin where they upset your microbiome and can trigger breakouts or worsen conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

How To Break The Habit: Not easy, this one, because touching your face is usually a sub-conscious act. The first step is to call yourself out every time you find yourself doing it, or better still, get others to call you out when they catch you at it. Then gross yourself out by thinking about what you’ve touched in the last few hours and how many other hands these same objects might have come into contact with. Baby steps like these will go a very long way.

Skincare Sin #2. Not Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

Just a quick one while we’re on the subject of bacteria: clean your makeup brushes more regularly and do more laundry. Makeup brushes, pillowcases, face masks and towels are all breeding grounds for bacteria which, when transferred to your skin, spell absolute disaster (see above). Enough said.

How To Break The Habit: If you can afford it, invest in more pillowcases, face masks and towels so you don’t fall short while the others are being cleaned. And when it comes to your makeup brushes? Dermatologists recommend cleaning them at least once a week depending on how often you apply makeup, so set aside some time (Sunday evening works for us) for a quick but thorough cleanse using gentle hand soap and warm water.

Skincare Sin #3. Over-Exfoliating

We’re big fans of gentle exfoliation here at TruSkin, but anything above and beyond ‘gentle’ can lead to seriously bad news for your skin. Those of you with oily skin will know that very little beats the instant gratification of a really full-on face scrub that makes your skin feel squeaky clean, but you’ve got to stop that, because it’s not doing your skin any good.

Oily skin is caused by an over-production of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in the dermis of your skin. This is mainly down to genetics and hormones, but your lifestyle and skincare choices certainly play their part in how much sebum your skin naturally produces. Exfoliating your skin too harshly and/or too often will make your skin feel drier and compromised, so instead of ridding it of unwanted oil, it actually does the complete opposite and makes it produce even more of the stuff. Exactly NOT what you set out to do.

Over-exfoliation can also damage and remove too much of your stratum corneum (the uppermost layer of your skin) which can lead to inflammation, dryness, irritation and discomfort.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it could be time to pare back your exfoliation routine.

How To Break The Habit: Look at your skincare products and assess anything that has exfoliation benefits. If you regularly use a physical scrub as well as products containing chemical exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid and retinol, think about cutting back or temporarily ditching one or more. If your skin gets better after a few weeks, then you’ll know you were exfoliating way too much.

Skincare Sin #4. Using Face Wipes

We don’t mind fessing up to our excitement when facial cleansing wipes entered the beauty world all those years ago. We’d long been using baby wipes for on-the-go cleansing whilst camping, at music festivals or before bed when we couldn’t be bothered to properly wash our faces. So, facial wipes that had been created especially for adult skin which helped remove makeup and promised to care for our delicate complexions at the same time? Best beauty hack ever.

Or not.

The problem with facial cleansing wipes is that they don’t actually cleanse your skin that well, often just moving grime and makeup around your face. Most are also packed with alcohol, chemicals, fragrance and preservatives which don’t get rinsed off your skin after use. This is far from ideal for any skin type, but can be particularly irritating if your skin errs on the side of sensitive.

How To Break The Habit: If all those chemicals aren’t enough to put you off face wipes for good, think about this: wet wipes are terrible for the environment. The average facial wipe takes around 100 years to decompose, during which time they’re filling up landfills, clogging sewers and devastating the oceans. A way better alternative – if you’re looking for a quick cleanse – is to use a micellar water-based cleanser, instead. Or better still, wash your face with a gentle, effective cleanser like our Vitamin C Daily Facial Cleanser.

Skincare Sin #5. Not Patch Testing Your Products

Rushing in with a new skincare product like a bull in a china shop is something we caution our customers about all the time. Yet patch testing is still not on everybody’s radar. And that’s a big mistake.

The scary fact is, most skincare ingredients do NOT have to undergo testing or approval by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration). Of course, most reputable manufacturers do their own thorough testing and research before formulating new skincare products and due to the strength and power of our active ingredients we’re one of those. But who knows if the same can be said for every single product you put on your skin?

Another thing: everybody’s skin is different and even your own skin changes over time. This means not all skincare ingredients are tolerated by every skin type. And what might have worked for you in your teens, might not be suitable as you get older.

All in all, active ingredients in skincare can be tricky to perfect in your skincare routine and flare-ups can happen to anyone, at any time. So, next time you invest in a new retinol cream, please do a patch test before applying it all over your face.

How To Break The Habit: Patch tests are easy, you just need a little patience. Simply apply a small amount of any new product to a discreet patch of clean skin such as behind your ears or on the side of your neck, then leave it for at least 24, but preferably 48 hours. If, during this time, something doesn’t feel or look right – think redness, burning, swelling or itching – your skin is clearly not happy with a certain ingredient in that product, so you should rinse it off immediately and discontinue use.

Mild reactions such as slight redness or tingling are OK, but anything worse is a red flag and obviously if these symptoms continue or worsen you should seek immediate advice from a skincare expert.

And there we go: five small skincare sins that should be pretty simple to eliminate. Not so bad, right?