True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Because caring for dry skin requires so much more than moisturizer alone…

From knowing what kind of showers can damage dry skin to understanding the rules when it comes to barrier-bothering skincare ingredients, here are 10 tried-and-trusted ways to win the dry skin war.

1. Use Hydrating AND Moisturizing Skincare

Moisturizing dry skin is a given, but did you know the type of moisturizer you choose can make a huge difference? And we’re not simply talking about going for rich creams over lightweight gels (again, a given) because it's more than this – it's what’s inside that counts.

The best moisturizers for dry skin should include a combination of hydrating ingredients (aka humectants), as well as moisturizing ingredients (aka emollients and occlusives) which help lock water into the skin. Our favorite humectants are glycerin, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, which draw water to the skin’s surface. Meanwhile, some of the best moisturizing ingredients include jojoba oil, shea butter and squalane. The good news is our Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer contains the best of both worlds, making it an awesome choice for dry skin.

2. Protect Your Skin From The Wind

Windy conditions are terribly drying on your skin, so if you’re outside on a blustery day, make sure you cover up any and all areas of exposed skin. Wear gloves in winter and wrap a large scarf around your face to protect your cheeks.

3. Rethink Your Laundry Routine

Dry skin on your body is often caused by irritating laundry detergents, so if this sounds familiar, maybe it’s time to reassess the products you use to wash your clothes and bed linen. First up, choose fragrance-free formulations and avoid common preservatives like methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and benzisothiazolinone. Mouthfuls much?

Also steer clear of fabric softeners and dryer sheets, and stick with liquid rather than powder formulations. Why so? Because liquids leave less soap residue on your clothing. To be doubly sure, rinse your laundry twice after washing.

4. Don’t Over-Dry Your Skin

After cleansing, never scrub away with a towel in an attempt to dry your skin to within an inch of its life. Not only can vigorous towel-drying potentially damage your skin’s super important barrier function, but it will also remove every last drop of water your skin actually wants to keep. Instead, gently pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel, then immediately apply your moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. Even better, apply Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum first for an extra boost of hydration, then lock it all in with your face cream.

5. Avoid Open Fires

This may sound like parental advice given to a small child, but sitting too close to a fire or, in fact, any kind of heat source will suck all the moisture from your skin, making it feel even more dry and dehydrated than normal.

If you’re feeling the cold, stay warm by wrapping up with extra clothing, but try to sit a few extra feet away from direct heat.

6. Turn Down Your Heating

Speaking of warmth, make sure your house isn’t too hot. Forced air heat reduces the levels of moisture in the air, which adds an extra level of stress to your skin, decreasing moisture and essential lipids, and potentially leading to sensitivities and peeling.

Keep your thermostat at a comfortable 67 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and turn it off, or at least down to 57, at night. This is especially important if you suffer with eczema, which is susceptible to temperature changes and a reduction in humidity. 

7. Exfoliate, For Real

Dry skin types often avoid exfoliation, thinking it will cause further dryness and redness. But it’s actually an important step in any skincare routine. Dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your skin, whatever your skin type, and if you already have dryness, this can make flaking and dullness even worse.

The answer isn't to scrub your skin daily, but to gently encourage exfoliation with a treatment serum or toner that contains exfoliating acids like lactic or glycolic acid. These acids work by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells so they’re able to shed more easily.

After cleansing, try our Ocean Minerals Super Toner, which contains glycolic acid to encourage cell turnover, plus hydrating aloe vera and botanical oils for extra moisturization.

8. Take Shorter, Cooler Showers

Hot showers and long soaks in the bath might feel fabulous, but they’re bad news for dry skin. Hot water melts away your skin’s essential lipids, impairing your barrier function and resulting in dry, dehydrated skin. And when you add bubble bath or highly fragranced cleansers into the mix? Disaster.

Stick with lukewarm showers and baths, and keep them short so you minimize your exposure to water. Oh, and you know that hot tub you love? One word: chlorine. Don’t even go there.

9. Check Your Skincare Ingredients

For all the good ingredients to look out for in your skincare products, there are also plenty to avoid. Synthetic fragrances and dyes, for a start, are major no-nos, as are sulfates, parabens, soy and gluten, which are all common allergens that can cause dryness and sensitivities.

Alcohol is also extremely drying on your skin. But, and it’s a big but, not all alcohols are created equal. Cetyl and stearyl alcohols, for example, are very skin-friendly and unlike the big bad alcohol denat (which you should DEFINITELY avoid), cetyl and stearyl alcohols help keep your skin moisturized by reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

Our Retinol Moisturizer avoids all the bad stuff but is packed with humectants and emollients, as well as a touch of cetyl alcohol, making it a great choice for anyone with dry skin who wants to dip their toes into the awesome powers of retinol…

10. Invest In A Humidifier

Forced air heat and air conditioning both create a serious lack of moisture in the air, which actively sucks water out of your skin. But this is easily rectified by buying a plug-in humidifier for your home. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a humidifier is one of the best ways to level-up your skincare routine and create extra moisture for skin to lap up.

Of course, buying one for every room in your house is a little excessive, but do get one for your bedroom, as this is the room you spend most of your time in. Set it to somewhere between 40 and 60 percent for the perfect humidity sweet spot. Trust us, your skin will love this extra moisture in the air while it repairs and rejuvenates itself overnight.

Of course, if your skin is in seriously dry shape, seek help from a skincare professional. But in the meantime, hopefully some or all of these tips will help you create a little bit of harmony for your skin.

Red, bumpy skin? Itchy cheeks? Chances are you could be suffering with rosacea. Bummer, sure, but good news: great skincare and a few lifestyle switches can make a truly positive difference. 

Rosacea: if only the reality was as nice as the word sounds. But the harsh truth is, rosacea sucks. Not only that, but after decades of research, its causes are still not entirely understood. Dang. 

Reckon you might have a case of rosacea? Then let’s have a look at what it’s all about so you can try to understand why it might be occurring and how to manage it.

What Is Rosacea?

According to the National Rosacea Society, around 16 million Americans suffer from rosacea and that number continues to rise. Rosacea can rear its head at any time but it often starts in your 20s or 30s when symptoms seemingly start to come and go at random. Sigh. Common signs are excessive redness and flushing – particularly on your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead; crusty bumps; burning; swelling; itching; thickening of the skin and even dry eyes and blurred vision. Also, great news to all you middle-aged, pale-skinned women out there – you’re the most likely to suffer. Sorry about that.

What Causes Rosacea?

If only we knew. The real cause of rosacea is yet to be identified which is why it’s a tricky one to prevent, manage and treat. Rosacea is often misdiagnosed as acne, but acne is all about overactive sebaceous glands whereas rosacea is thought to be linked to your vascular system.

OK, so why does rosacea affect some people and not others? Well, many experts believe your genes are the main culprit at play here, but factors that seem to exacerbate symptoms include alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, stress, physical exercise and extremes of temperature.

Another cause could be right there in your microbiome. The skin’s microbiome is a tiny ecosystem of harmless bacteria, viruses, fungi and mites which live on your skin and, when balanced, create the perfect environment to keep unwanted pathogens at bay. The key, however, is balance, and studies have shown that people with rosacea have an overabundance of microscopic Demodex mites in their microbiome – sometimes up to four times as many as those without rosacea. Further research is required to confirm the direct link but in the meantime, erm, yikes.

What Are Some Of The Best Ways To Control Rosacea?

Unfortunately, you can’t cure rosacea but understanding your triggers and managing your symptoms are great ways to help keep it under control. Here’s how to do just that…

1. Diarize Your Symptoms To Help Identify Triggers

Knowing your triggers will help you understand the things you should avoid – without doubt, one of the most important ways to keep rosacea under control. And the best way to do this? By keeping a diary. Make a note of when you go to the gym or feel particularly stressed, and try building a food, drink and maybe even a skincare diary to see if anything you consume or apply coincides with your flare-ups.

2. Avoid Super Potent Ingredients Like Tretinoin

If you have rosacea, your skin can be extremely sensitive to highly active ingredients like tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone and even essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, menthol and eucalyptus. All of these can cause tingling, redness and be potentially irritating to your skin’s delicate barrier and that’s not something you’re going to want to climb on board with. You've been warned.

The good news is you may be able to tolerate antioxidants like vitamins C, E and niacinamide but you should still err on the side of caution and ALWAYS patch test new products before using them for the first time. To test any new product, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends dabbing a small amount near, but not on, the area where you’re most prone to flare-ups. Then, wait 72 hours and if it stings, burns or causes any kind of discomfort during that time, don’t use it.

3. Rethink Alcohol, Spicy Food and Hot Drinks

Studies show that alcohol (especially red wine), spicy food and hot drinks cause many people’s rosacea to go crazy. Sounds familiar? Then try to avoid them as much as possible. Go easy on the spices; allow hot drinks to cool down before drinking them; switch to white, instead of red wine, and make sure you counteract the effects of alcohol by supping a large glass of cold water after each glass of vino.

Still suffering? Then you might need to give up spicy foods, booze or hot drinks altogether. But let's hope it doesn't come to that.

4. Nail A Gentle Skincare Routine

Harsh cleansers, astringent toners and abrasive scrubs are seriously bad news for rosacea-prone skin, upsetting the balance of your skin’s microbiome and compromising your protective barrier function. In other words, they’re a one-way ticket to redness, irritation, inflammation and worse-than-normal flare-ups.

Avoid chemical-laden products, parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate, and look for non-drying products that care for your skin without stripping away essential oils and nutrients. While not specifically formulated for rosacea-prone skin, many people find our Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner ideal for calming redness and soothing irritation.

When cleansing , avoid hot water like your life depended on it (because your skin really does). Stick with lukewarm water alongside a kind, gentle cleanser and never forget to moisturize.

5. Protect Your Skin From The Elements

Wind is a major trigger for rosacea flare-ups – especially in the winter when it’s cold as well as blustery. Limit time spent outside and when you do venture out, protect your skin by wrapping a scarf around your face. Scratchy wool is not advisable but soft fabrics like silk, cotton or acrylic will take care of business nicely.

The sun can also aggravate rosacea. In fact, it’s one of the most common causes, so don’t forget to apply broad-spectrum SPF every morning – whether it’s rainy, sunny, cloudy or even snowing. Look for sunscreens containing mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as these are best for sensitive skin.

Finally, How Can You Actually Tell If You Have Rosacea?

If you think you might have recently developed rosacea, visiting a skincare professional for a proper diagnosis is the only way to go. As we mentioned before, it can be hard to distinguish between acne and rosacea, and treating each condition is very different, so if you self-diagnose and get things wrong, you could make matters way worse. Lecture over.

Because one thing’s for sure, your skin will never triumphantly sing ‘Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.’

Whether you’re the type of person who hibernates as soon as a mere flutter of snow hits the skies, or you’re that girl who can’t wait to get outside to ski, snowboard, hike or enjoy a good old-fashioned snowball fight, there’s no denying that snow days can have major effects on your skin. Even if you’re not willing to step a foot outside, cranking up the heating is enough to send your skin all over the place. Couple with this with a few extra glasses of cab to warm your boots and, well, dehydrated skin is never more than a few snowflakes away.

Below, we impart some of our finest snow day skincare advice – because it’s nearly the holidays and we can’t have you walking around with sad skin now, can we?

Snow Day Skin Tip #1: Never Go To Bed Without Cleansing

Do we bang on about cleansing too much? Sorry, not sorry. Cleansing your skin twice daily is super important every day of the year, for obvious reasons. But in the winter, ridding your skin of surface debris such as oil, makeup, pollution and dirt isn’t the only reason cleansing is so vital. Cold, dry weather (as well as cranked up indoor heating) can be extremely drying on your skin which means your moisturizer needs to work doubly-hard. And how can it do that if you’ve not cleansed your skin thoroughly – especially at night after your skin’s been subject to a whole day of environmental onslaughts? Answer: it can’t.

Always cleanse thoroughly before bed with a gentle, but effective cleanser like Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser or Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser. Use lukewarm water so as not to upset your skin’s barrier function and pat dry (don’t scrub) with a clean towel. Then and only then can your serums and moisturizers really do their jobs properly. And, while we’re on that subject, may we suggest our super hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum to give your skin extra hydration before bed, followed by Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream? Thanks.

Snow Day Skin Tip #2: Drink A Ton Of Water

There’s little research to prove that drinking water directly hydrates your skin. However, dehydration can certainly have an effect on your skin so it’s important to note – especially on super cold days when it’s likely you drink less water due to feeling less thirsty. Dehydration can lead to dizziness, cramps, headaches and a lack of concentration, as well as less radiant skin, tired eyes and dry lips.

Word to the wise? Make sure you stay hydrated – and if it’s way too chilly for cold water, try hot water or caffeine-free herbal teas or coffee. A healthy hydrated body will always be reflected in the state of your skin.

Snow Day Skin Tip #3: Invest In A Humidifier

Not only do wind, frost and snow cause the air to be extremely dry outside, but cranking up the heating indoors does the exact same thing – zapping moisture from the air, stripping your skin of natural oils and causing it to be vulnerable to dryness and dehydration. Try to keep your heating at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 58 at night, and invest in a humidifier for your bedroom to add moisture into the air while you sleep.

Humidifiers are awesome for balancing your skin’s natural moisture barrier and counteracting all the other winter stuff that can drip your skin dry. This not only stops your skin from becoming dry and dehydrated, but it also balances sebum production so your face doesn’t become super oily as a result. And double bonus, a humidifier will also help you sleep better.

Experts agree that somewhere around 40 or 50 percent humidity for your home is best.

Snow Day Skin Tip #4: Don’t Forget To Moisturize Your Lips

Dryness doesn’t begin and end with your face. In fact, your lips are often the first to feel dry, flaky and chapped. This is because the skin on your lips is extremely thin, fragile and contains no sebaceous glands to keep itself moisturized.

The best way to look after your lips on super cold, snowy days – and in fact, all winter long, is firstly to stop licking them. Saliva contains digestive enzymes which skin can irritate your skin. So, there’s that. Also, slather your lips in balm every night before bed and make sure you apply it just over your lip line as this is the area that’s often the driest. If your lips are flaky and peeling, you could also try exfoliating them gently with a damp face cloth a few times a week. Just remember to go gently so you don’t irritate your skin.

Snow Day Skin Tip #5: Up Your Sun Protection

The sun can be extremely powerful on bluebird days, reflecting right off that delicious white snow and straight on to your poor, unsuspecting skin. So, never forget to apply broad-spectrum SPF to all areas of exposed skin when you’re out in the winter sun. In fact, you’d be wise to up your SPF on sunny snow days because it can cause no end of damage. You have been warned.

But that’s not all. Even on dull, gray snow days, the sun is still there going about its skin-damaging business. It might not be hot or look ‘sunny’ per se, but the sun’s not gone anywhere and its damaging UVA rays (they’re the ones that ruin your precious collagen and age you up faster than you can say ‘hot cider, anyone?’) can penetrate right through those clouds. Mic. Drop.

So you know that sunscreen you packed away in September? Get it back out because it should be a staple in your skincare routine all year long. Rain, shine, cloud, snow, the whole darn lot.

For even better sun damage control, apply an antioxidant serum underneath your moisturizer every morning. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E, niacinamide and ferulic acid are the cat’s whiskers at nuking sun-induced free radicals before they get a chance to do a number on your skin.

Try Vitamin C Super Serum+ which contains a curated blend of effective antioxidants, plus nourishing essential oils like lavender, ylang ylang and pink grapefruit to help seal in vital moisture.

Don’t forget to shower your skin with love this Thanksgiving. Because it deserves your thanks just as much as the other fabulous stuff in your life.

We don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving is officially our favorite holiday. Time with family? Check. A day off work? Check. A great excuse to overindulge? Check. Most importantly it’s a time to reflect on the year and give thanks to everything you’re grateful for. Well, we bet that when you’re coming up with the list of things you appreciate, your skin’s not one of them.

And what a mistake that is.

Your skin is one of the most important parts of your body. You have around 21 square feet of the stuff and it’s not just there to plague you with lines, wrinkles, pimples and dark spots. It helps regulate your body temperature, prevents moisture loss and provides an essential barrier against injury, infection, trauma, disease and everything else the world likes to throw at you. So, give it a break already.

We understand it’s oh-so-easy to dislike your skin and complain about the bad stuff, but here’s the thing: you’re the only one who notices your so-called ‘flaws.’ Who else gets close enough to notice that tiny line between your brows? No. One. In fact, they’re way too busy coveting whatever it is about your skin they think they don’t have. Human nature. It’s a crazy thing.

Face it: your skin is pretty darn amazing. Every line, crease and freckle is a reminder of the roads you’ve travelled to get to this point in your life. And we think it’s time to celebrate that by showing your skin you care. Here’s how…

1. Be Positive About The Good Stuff

More importantly, don’t sweat the bad stuff. Sure, you might have a small acne scar on your cheek and yes, the skin around your eyes is nowhere near as smooth as it once was. But that’s just fine. So, instead of seeing only these things when you look in the mirror, smile at your reflection and be conscious of all the awesome features your skin has to offer. Maybe it’s looking particularly glowy today. And OK, you might have crow’s feet but what about that kick-ass smooth forehead of yours? Dang, you’re gorgeous.

Being positive will not only make you feel better, but it’ll immediately make you look happier, healthier and radiant. And showing gratitude has been proven to reduce cortisol levels in your body which will help balance and de-stress your skin. Cortisol is also known as the ‘stress hormone,’ you see. So, there’s that.

2. Shower Your Skin With Kindness

Treating your skin with a gentle, effective skincare routine is actually fairly simple. The motto is: less is more. Pare back the number of products you use (no, you don’t need 10 lotions, potions, essences and oils) and steer clear of nasty chemicals like parabens, sulphates, and phthalates which can upset the balance of your skin’s barrier function and exacerbate dryness, irritation and redness.

Start as you mean to go on with a super gentle cleansing routine using Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser and lukewarm – never hot – water. Hot water strips away the protective layer on your skin’s surface, sucking dry all those natural lipids and moisture that help keep your skin hydrated and healthy. After cleansing for a minute or so, rinse thoroughly and gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Vigorous rubbing is a major no-no.

The rest of your regime should consist of just three or four more products to work on your concerns and beautify your complexion. Of course, moisturizer and sunscreen are musts, but anything further is up to you. Our go-tos would be an antioxidant serum like Niacinamide Facial Serum plus an eye treatment like Peptide Eye Gel, but the choice is yours.

3. Try To Manage Stress

There’s no doubt life has been more stressful than ever these past few years, and this can take a real toll on your skin. Stress plays havoc with your sleep (more on that in a minute) and causes your body to produce higher levels of cortisol which encourages inflammation, depletes vital collagen and interferes with your skin’s healing process. Studies also show that stress compromises your barrier function making your complexion feel dry, dehydrated and exacerbating existing conditions like acne, psoriasis, rosacea and eczema.

Managing emotional stress is easier said than done, but small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Meditation, for example, is an extremely effective way to relax your body and mind; even some simple breathing exercises are great for clearing your head and lowering your levels of stress. Our friends at the Mayo Clinic have some great breathing tips, right here.

Also, set aside half an hour (or more!) every day for a little me-time. Go for a walk, read a book, take a bath, whatever you need to do in order to take time out will be worth its weight in gold for your mental health.

Of course, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, never be afraid to ask for help from a qualified health professional.

4. Get Plenty Of Quality Sleep

When you miss out on valuable zzzs, your skin is one of the first things to suffer. How so? Because sleep is the most important time for your skin to heal and regenerate. When you turn in for the night blood flow increases, transporting oxygen and nutrients to the skin to help nourish and strengthen it. Simultaneously, cell turnover accelerates to bring fresh, healthy skin cells to the surface; collagen production revs up and your natural antioxidant system kicks up a gear to reduce unwanted damage from the slings and arrows of daily life.

Sleep could not be more important for the health of your skin. End of. The National Sleep Foundation recommends between seven and nine hours every night for a healthy adult, so try to hit this sweet spot as much as possible. Your skin will thank you for it – especially if you cleanse thoroughly, then treat it before bed with Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream to boost radiance and help your skin renew itself as you sleep.

5. Think About What You Eat

A balanced diet is important, you know that. But it’s not just essential for your health; it can play a vital role in the overall look and feel of your skin. A diet that’s packed with sugar, for example, will lead to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in your skin. These damage a lot of important good proteins, causing them to stiffen and weaken. Oh, and they’re aptly named AGEs which speaks volumes.

Too much salt can also trigger dehydration, eczema flare-ups, acne breakouts and is a devil on eye bags. And don’t even get us started on fried food and refined carbs. Skin's mortal enemies, right there.

Anything in moderation is fine, for sure, but make sure you get way more good foods in your diet. The key is to ensure things like antioxidant-rich fresh fruit, veggies, beans, lean poultry, fish and nuts outweigh the bad stuff. 

Now smile, relax and enjoy your skin. And it will do the same.

Because nobody’s perfect when it comes to their skin and beauty routine – not even us, gasp!

Why is it that along with colder, grayer days, we all seem to get a bit more lax with our skincare regimes? Maybe it’s because most of the skin on our bodies is covered up by knitwear… Which is valid. Or could it be that we’re just a bit less bothered about ourselves when we’re going out less and staying in more?

The problem is, some cold weather habits might seem innocent and harmless, but they’re actually far from it.

Here, we talk you through the five most damaging beauty habits to kick this winter. And trust us, come spring, you’ll be so pleased you don’t have to pick up the pieces of what could’ve been had you not heeded our advice…

1. Taking Long, Hot Baths

It’s Sunday night, it’s been a crazy week and all you want is a long, hot soak in a steaming bath with a glass of wine and some quality me-time, right? Well, we would never be so bold as to take this small pleasure away from you completely. But a few tweaks are going to make bath time a much kinder experience for your skin.

Scorching hot water, you see, compromises your skin’s barrier function, upsetting its balance and depleting the natural oils, fats and proteins that keep your skin protected, hydrated and healthy. This can leave it feeling dry, itchy and even inflamed – especially if you have skin conditions like psoriasis, rosacea or eczema. And even more so if you make it a regular thing.

Instead of bathing too often, shower in warm, never hot water for 5-10 minutes max. This is way better for your skin – as well as your water consumption. And if you can’t resist a weekly bath? Fine. Just remember not to go too scorchio with your water, don’t soak for longer than 20 minutes and, when you’re done, apply moisturizer all over your skin while it’s still damp. This will help lock in valuable moisture and avoid your skin from drying out like a prune.

2. Skipping Your Daily SPF

It’s funny how we don’t mind talking about certain beauty topics time and time again. And sunscreen is literally one of our favorites. Why? Because there are so many mistakes made when it comes to protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. And one of the biggest is probably happening right now. And that’s winter sun protection.

Hopefully, you’re pretty strict about applying your facial SPF in the summer and think of it as part of your morning routine – like brushing your teeth and studying Instagram. But what about when the days get cloudier and colder and the sun seems to have checked out for the year? You’re probably a little more lax come fall and winter, correct? What a mistake to make. Sure, UVB rays (the ones that burn your skin) are lessened by the clouds, but UVA rays (the aging ones) are present all year round and penetrate right through those clouds.

This means you need to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day of the year to any skin that’s exposed to the sun. We recommend SPF30+ moisturizers that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or a combination of both. Apply this on top of your favorite antioxidant serum for year-long protection.

3. Ditching Water For Coffee

Too many cups of joe can pay havoc with your skin, so as tempting as it is to up your caffeine intake as soon as Starbucks whispers the words ‘pumpkin spice latte,’ don’t.

For one thing, caffeine is a diuretic which means it makes you pee more, causing you and your skin to become dehydrated. It also constricts your blood vessels and therefore slows down your circulation which means less oxygen gets to your skin and less toxins get drawn away. This is why big-time coffee drinkers often have a sallow-looking or gray tone to their complexions.

Lastly, sure coffee contains some good stuff like antioxidants, but it can also raise the levels of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is also known as the ‘stress hormone.’ Say no more…

Our advice, if you care about keeping the signs of premature aging at bay, is to stick to one cup a day – decaff if possible. And the rest of the time, drink water. Cold water might fill you with dread if it’s freezing outside, so if that’s the case, drink hot water. Or herbal tea. Simple.

4. Cranking Up Your Heating

If you live in colder climes, of course you’re going to need to turn on the heat inside. But excessive heat indoors that turns your home into a sauna will completely dry out the air. And this is seriously bad news for your skin. Think of it this way: the combination of low humidity and low temperatures outside already reduces your skin barrier’s function and its capacity to act as a protection from the outside world. Then, when you couple this with boiling temperatures inside, your skin literally has no chance of retaining water or staying hydrated and moisturized. Cue dry, dehydrated, itchy, red skin. Not good.

The ideal indoor temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 10-15 degrees lower while you’re asleep, so stick to these guidelines as much as possible. And if your skin still feels parched? Moisturize more often and choose formulations that are laden with humectants to draw in water and occlusives to lock it all in. Our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream is a great choice for your face as it contains aloe, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, cocoa butter, jojoba oil and many, many more ingredients to thoroughly moisturize your skin.

You could also try investing in a humidifier for your bedroom to help add moisture into the air – and consequently your skin.

5. Not Exfoliating Your Skin

Reckon your skin is too dry and so you give up exfoliating in the winter? Well, as much as we hate over-exfoliating, under-exfoliating can have just as bad an effect. You see, leaving all those dead skin cells sitting on your skin will make it look dull and stop the rest of the products in your regime from working to the best of their abilities.

But this being said, please don’t start scrubbing your skin like your life depended on it as this WILL make it extremely, red and irritated. Instead, use a gentle, chemical exfoliator twice a week.

Chemical exfoliators are serums, toners and moisturizers that contain exfoliating acids like glycolic, lactic and salicylic which break down the bonds between your dead skin cells and encourage them to slough off naturally. Try our Ocean Minerals Super Toner which contains glycolic acid as well as strengthening peptides and the mighty MSM, or go for Vitamin C Super Serum+ if your skin is oily. This hard-working serum contains salicylic acid, making it ideal for targeting and balancing excess sebum.

Now, bring on the summer. Jokes!

Taking a break from your skincare routine: a good thing for your complexion or more harm than it's worth?

Skin fasting is a real thing right now. But could you give up your entire skincare routine or even just part of it for a week? Maybe even longer? More importantly, should you? Here, we take a deep dive into this challenging beauty trend to see if it lives up to the hype…

What Is Skin Fasting?

Just like it sounds, skin fasting is when you give up part or the whole of your skincare routine in order to allow your skin time to 'rest.' You might forego your moisturizer for a day or so, or you could stop using your entire routine for weeks at a time if that floats your boat. This all counts as skin fasting; it’s simply the extent to which you fast that’s in your hands.

‘OK, but what’s the point?’ we hear you ask. Well, the idea is that your skin can become reliant on skincare products and so, after a while, it kind of stops functioning properly. By taking products away, the theory is that your skin can get back to business on its own, detoxifying itself and fixing its own problems without relying on countless serums and moisturizers to bear the load for it.

Another thought process is that it’s way too tempting to pile on a whole army of skincare products which can be pretty grating on your skin, breaking down your barrier function and resulting in a whole host of unwanted issues like redness, irritation, dryness and breakouts. By hitting the reset button on a weighty routine, you shift your skin back to its original state, allowing your barrier function to get back to doing what it does naturally – protecting, moisturizing, balancing and hydrating your skin.

Sounds Fair. So, Does Skin Fasting Work?

This all depends on who you ask. Speak to the latest skin fasting influencer and they might tell you their skin has never looked better after a week of being free from skincare products. Ask another and they’ll tell you in no uncertain words that it was the worst thing they ever did for their skin.

Which side of the fence do we sit? Well, the truth is, there’s no evidence that shows skin ‘gets used to’ products and then stops functioning properly. Nor is there any proof that taking a break from your skincare routine truly benefits your skin. None whatsoever. Zilch. Nada. It's an interesting idea, for sure, but in terms of scientific proof? We're yet to see any.

We like to think we know a fair bit about how the skin works and correct us if we’re wrong but if you stop cleansing and/or exfoliating, how can your skin remove the daily build-up of dirt, oil, debris and makeup all by itself? Magic? Because that’s the only thing we can think of. Also, let’s think about moisturizing for a hot minute. You moisturize your skin to seal in hydration and balance oils, right? And this is especially important as you get older when sebum production slows down. Well, if you stop moisturizing, do you really think your skin is going to miraculously start producing its own natural oils? It won’t. Instead you’ll probably just end up with dry, itchy skin and more pronounced lines.

In fact, there are SO many better ways to look after your skin’s barrier function and care for your complexion than starving it of essential oils, hydration and antioxidants from your skincare routine. Here are five of the best…

5 (Much Better) Ways To Rejuvenate Your Skin’s Barrier Function

1. Pare Back Your Skincare Routine

Instead of fasting, think about giving your skin a little diet instead – especially if your arsenal of products has been getting out of hand recently. It’s tempting to slap on retinol, vitamin C and glycolic acid all over your skin day and night, but too many active ingredients is hell on your barrier function.

If this sounds familiar, streamline your routine to the essentials (cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen), then add in a few targeted eye treatments and facial serums to work on any concerns you may have. This will do your skin much more good in the long run than applying 15 (or in fact, zero) products on the reg.

3. Patch Test Your Products

Whenever you add a new product into your routine, don’t dive in head first and expect your skin to be cool with that. This is especially important if said product contains potent, active ingredients that have been included to work on specific conditions like dark spots, wrinkles or acne.

Everyone’s skin is different, and while every bit of research goes into products to make them safe to use, who’s to say your skin won’t be irritated by a certain ingredient or formulation? The best way to avoid irritation is to patch test ALL new products before applying them for the first time.

We have everything you need to know about patch testing, right here.

3. Review Your Cleansing Game

Cleansing is extremely important for healthy, clear skin, but if you cleanse too often, too vigorously or with super strong ingredients, your skin will hate you for it. In fact, one of the worst things you can do for your barrier function is to strip away all of its natural oils with a harsh cleansing routine.

That being said, don’t ditch cleansing altogether. Just be kind to your skin by using lukewarm, never hot water and avoiding skin-drying chemicals like sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES). These surfactants are often used in cleansers because they’re great at cleaning your skin. The problem is, they’re a little too good and can end up leaving your skin's barrier dry and compromised. We use gentler, more skin-friendly surfactants like and disodium 2-sulfolaurate in our Vitamin C and Charcoal Face Washes. Just saying.

4. Help Out Your Skin’s NMF

Your skin’s NMF is its natural moisturizing factor, an important part of the barrier function that consists of a clever blend of amino acids, minerals, peptides and other ingredients to help keep your skin soft, supple, hydrated and healthy. As you age and subject yourself to the daily grinds of life, your NMF slowly breaks down which is often why your skin becomes drier, more flaky and itchy over time.

So, what can you do to help out your NMF? You ply it with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients thanks to a fabulous skincare routine. Most dermatologists agree that ceramides are some of the most important ingredients for strengthening and restoring your NMF, so keep your eyes peeled for ceramides on your skincare labels. And of course, ensure your moisturizers contain a blend of humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe to draw water into the skin, plus emollient or occlusives like jojoba oil, shea butter and colloidal oatmeal to seal it all in. Try our TruSkin Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer if you want to nail all that... and then some.

5. Protect Your Skin 24/7

Finally, but just as, if not more importantly than anything else, you must protect your skin from that pesky sun. Studies show that UV radiation is responsible for 80 percent of the visible signs of skin aging and it can seriously damage the barrier function of your skin.

Protect your skin daily with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 + sunscreen and make sure you include plenty of antioxidants in both your skincare routine and your diet. Antioxidants are the bomb at quashing free radical damage caused by the sun and environmental pollution. They can’t and shouldn’t replace sunscreen, but they’re the ideal add-on. Topical vitamin C, for example, not only hits free radicals where they hurt, but can also boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen, so a C-enhanced serum is a great shout to add to your morning regime. Try our Vitamin C Facial Serum before moisturizing. Neither you, nor your skin’s barrier will regret it.

Now, what was that about skin fasting? No thanks.