True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Because if your routine is all over the place, your skin could easily end up in the exact same boat.

Do you love your skin? And we’re not talking about your so-called imperfections because you’d be kind of weird if you truly loved your dark spots, lines and pimples. No, what we’re actually talking about is your skin as a whole. That massive and super important organ which accounts for around 15 percent of your entire body weight, covers an average of 20 square feet and is your body’s first line of defense against the world and everything it throws at you.

Understanding your skin and coming to terms with the fact that it may not be what it used to be is the first step to loving your complexion. And the second? Working diligently every single day to help protect, treat and maintain what you now have.

We believe that looking after your skin with a consistent regime is the single most important way to help balance your skin, prevent acne, treat dryness, reduce the visible effects of aging and so on and so forth. By sticking to a routine that includes gentle cleansing, targeted treatments, smart moisturizing and, of course, that all-important sun protection, you can rest assured you’re doing everything you can to manage the effects of time. And by doing this you automatically maximize your skin’s full potential. Which is all you can ask for, right?

So, how do you know what’s the correct routine for you? Well, first you need to understand your skin type.

What’s Your Skin Type?

Sure, you may have days when your skin feels oilier than others, but do you honestly have oily skin? And yes, your skin may feel a little irritated sometimes (don’t we all!), but is it genuinely sensitive?

To work out your true skin type, wash your face with a mild cleanser, then pat it dry and leave it completely bare for an hour or so. After this time, study it in the mirror and feel it with clean hands. If it feels tight and a little itchy it’s dry; if it looks shiny and feels greasy – especially around your t-zone – it’s oily; if it’s a bit of both it’s combination and if it looks the same as it did an hour ago – ie: peachy keen – then we hate you (jokes) because you’ve been blessed with the much-coveted normal skin.

Once you know your skin inside out, you can then tailor a smart routine that caters for both your skin type and your current concerns. Trust us, this knowledge is worth its weight in gold.

How To Build An Awesome Skincare Routine

Here’s how to nail the five most important steps…

1. Cleansing

No matter your skin type, gentle is always the way to go when it comes to cleansing your skin. Choose products that are free of irritating ingredients like sulfates, PEGs, phthalates, silicones and bad alcohols, and make sure you cleanse every morning and night – without fail. Your skin is subject to all manner of toxins, chemicals and pollution throughout the day, not to mention the natural oils and sweat that blend with your makeup and build up on the surface of your skin. All this simply has to go before turning in for the night if you want to keep your skin clean, clear and healthy.

When you cleanse, use lukewarm water only as hot water could cause redness and irritation. Massage your face and neck (don’t forget your neck, people) using the pads of your fingers to boost blood flow and lymphatic drainage, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel. That communal hand towel the whole family uses to dry their hands? Unacceptable for the delicate skin on your face.

2. Toning

After cleansing, don’t forget to spritz your skin with toner. Long gone are the days when toners stripped your skin of every last drop of oil, claiming to be the cat’s whiskers for getting rid of acne spots but often making matters worse. Nowadays, toners are formulated to flood your skin with hydration, antioxidants, minerals, peptides, exfoliating acids, the works.

Even the most sensitive of skin can benefit from toner. Take our Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner, for example. This 100 percent pure and natural Moroccan rose water gently balances, hydrates, calms and heals the skin, making it ideal for all skin types, but particularly great for irritated skin.

Simply mist it all over your skin immediately after cleansing. So easy, but so effective.

3. Treating

Now’s the time to apply your eye treatment and serum. Serum should come first, straight after toning, and remember, less is more. Apply just one or two drops to your fingers, then smooth or press it all over your face and neck. Take care not to massage it in too much as serums are formulated to penetrate your skin without too much effort on your behalf.

Think about what niggles you about your complexion and choose your serum accordingly. Are you concerned with dehydration? Then something with hyaluronic acid or glycerin should be your first port of call. Perhaps you want to target the visible signs of aging. Then you can’t go wrong with retinol. Or maybe your skin is looking dull and you want to up your radiance game. Say hello to vitamin C. We have a whole team of serums just waiting to help deal with your skin woes. You’re welcome.

After applying your serum, allow it to settle for a few minutes while applying an eye cream or gel to moisturize this notoriously dry area and target issues like dark circles or puffiness. The skin around your eyes is around 10 times thinner than the rest of your face, so avoid applying your regular moisturizer here – it could overload the skin and cause irritation or bags.

Again, a tiny amount of eye treatment is plenty, so dispense just one pump between the pads of your ring fingers, then dab it gently all around your eyes, taking care not to apply too much pressure or drag the skin. Big no-no, right there.

4. Moisturizing

Give your serum and eye treatment another minute to settle before applying the next stage in your awesome routine: moisturizer. This will help avoid pilling –  those annoying balls of product that build up on the surface of your skin.

Your moisturizer should be formulated with a blend of humectants (to hydrate) plus emollients and/or occlusives (to smooth and seal in moisture) and should be targeted to your specific skin type. Look out for oil-free, gel formulations if your skin is super oily, and richer butters or balms if you’re extremely dry.

Lotions and creams are ideal for normal or combination skin types, but if they’ve been formulated cleverly they can be great all-rounders for all. Our Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer, for example, is an awesome choice for hydrating, moisturizing, brightening and protecting most skin types. Same goes for Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.

Apply a dime-sized amount all over your face and neck, using the palms of your hands. Start either side of your nose and sweep it out towards the hairline. Repeat this a few times, then work in the same motions over your forehead, chin, jawline and neck.

5. Protecting

Your nighttime regime is now complete. Not so for the morning because there’s one vital component missing here: sun protection. Of course, great serums and moisturizers will be packed with antioxidants to help protect your skin from sun-induced free radical damage, but you must further protect it with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day of the year: rain or shine.

Unlike the rest of your regime, sun protection is not something you can afford to scrimp on. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a good nickel-sized dollop for your face, so don't be tight and apply it evenly and generously.

Now, Stick With It, People

You know your skin type, you’ve pinned down an awesome routine, now all that’s left to do is to stick with it. Of course, the odd lazy evening when you’re too tired to spend 10 minutes on your skin is OK, but try to keep up with a consistent routine as much as you can. And no matter how tired you are, at least cleanse and moisturize your precious skin before bed.

Your skin will thank you for it, we promise.

Whether you’re off to college, back at the office or doing the morning school run, life’s about to get busy. But don’t let your skin suffer; just 10 minutes is all it takes to get your skin ready to face the world again…

Summer is almost over and the goose is getting fat. No wait, sorry, wrong season. Thankfully, there are no fir trees and holiday lights to contend with quite yet, but still, with the kids going back to school, college life beginning and offices opening up for business, life is certainly moving up a gear. 

With the start of new beginnings comes the stress of juggling your morning skincare routine. And when time is of the essence, spending 30 minutes looking after yours truly is often the first thing to go. But your skin shouldn’t suffer simply because you have a million other things to do before getting out of the house by 8 am. You just need to hone your morning routine to maximize your time.

And that’s exactly what we plan to do with this 10-minute super-speedy step-by-step skincare routine that’s short on time, but big on benefits. Because even the minimum amount of effort can make the world of difference to your skin… and when you look good, you feel great.

Step 1: The 2-Minute Cleanse

Start strong by spending a good two minutes cleansing your face and neck. You shouldn’t have too much grime to contend with after washing your face before bed, but still, cleansing is a great way to boost blood flow and lymphatic drainage to bring oxygen and nutrients to your skin while flushing away toxins.

Use a radiance boosting cleanser like Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser which contains potent antioxidants and aloe vera to maximize your glow and set your skin up for success. Massage the pads of your fingers over your skin in circular motions, then rinse with lukewarm water and gently pat dry with a clean towel.

Step 2: Tone In 30 Seconds

Don’t be tempted to dismiss toner, just because you can’t be bothered. This is the speediest step of all and toning’s a great way to drench your skin with extra moisture and feed it with nutrients and antioxidants. What’s more our Ocean Minerals and Rose Water toners both come in handy spray bottles, so all it takes is a few spritzes over your face and you’re done. In all honesty, 30 seconds is being generous. You could probably nail this step in 10.

Step 3: Set Aside 2 Minutes For Your Serum

As soon as you’ve toned, apply your favorite treatment serum straight away, while your skin is still damp. This will help lock all the moisture and goodness into your skin – plus that’s an extra 30 seconds saved, right there!

Dispense just two or three drops of serum to the pads of your fingers, then gently pat and press it evenly over your face and neck. You don’t need to spend too much time massaging it in because its small molecular makeup should allow it to absorb into your skin with very little effort.

We have many serums to choose from, depending on your skin type and concerns, but our current go-to for instant get-up-and-go skin is Vitamin C Super Serum+. How so? Because it’s literally chock-full of everything your skin needs to face the day. We’re talking vitamin C to brighten and protect; hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate; niacinamide to strengthen and plump up your skin, plus a list of skin-loving essential oils as long as your arm. It also contains salicylic acid to exfoliate your skin into the bargain – so no need to add that extra step into your morning routine.

Step 4: A Minute On The Eyes

Next, spend just a mere minute dabbing a moisturizing treatment around your eyes. Much better than slapping moisturizer all over the eye area which can be too heavy and cause puffiness, a targeted treatment will hydrate and moisturize the skin around your eyes while attacking things like dark circles and bags at the same time.

Pat or press Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream all around the eye area, using your ring fingers to reduce unnecessary pressure and remember, a tiny amount goes a long way.

Step 5: Multi-Task For One And A Half

OK, now’s the time to breathe and relax for a couple of minutes to allow your serum and eye cream to fully absorb into your skin. This is super important if you don’t want to end up with pilling – that’s when too many products build up on the surface of your skin and form annoying little flakes or granules.

Take this time to brush your teeth, make some coffee, shout at your kids, pack your bag or whatever else might float your boat.

Step 6: Moisturize In 2 Minutes

After a few minutes resting time, apply moisturizer to feed your skin with oils and nutrients and to help seal in hydration.

We love Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer as a morning skin pick-me-up. Work a quarter-sized amount between the palms of your hands and fingers, then place your hands in a prayer position on either side of your nose and smooth your hands up and out towards your hairline. Repeat this a few times to ensure an even coverage, then repeat the same action over your forehead, chin and jawline.

Step 7: 60 Seconds For The Finishing Touches

Great skincare means you shouldn’t need much makeup, but good news, you have a whole minute left to use as you please. SPF is vital, of course, so apply this first, then finish with lip balm, gloss, mascara or whatever you need to face the day.

And stop the clock, you’re done!

Just when you thought you’d nailed everything from AHAs to GAGs, another skincare acronym joins the beautysphere. Say hello to TEWL, people. And listen carefully, because it’s an important one that's all about the ultimate essence of life: water…

Water is a vital component of your skin. Healthy skin contains around 64 percent water and is the building block of new skin cells and the key nutrient for their survival. In order to maintain truly hydrated skin, your skin needs to be drenched with plenty of water. Not oil (that’s what determines the dryness of your skin), but pure, simple water.

You know the deal when it comes to hydrating your skin. Yes, drinking plenty of water and eating a water-rich diet is vital for your overall health, but very little of this water actually reaches your skin. How so? Because other vital organs need it much, much more. In fact, your skin is way down on the pecking order which is why you need to include humectants in your skincare routine. More on those later…

So, what’s this all got to do with the elusive TEWL? Let’s see, shall we?

What Is TEWL?

TEWL stands for transepidermal water loss which is all about the amount of water that evaporates from your skin’s surface into the air. Research shows the average amount of water lost by the skin every day is around 300-400 ml although this depends on many factors. Your genetic makeup obviously predetermines how well your skin naturally regulates your level of moisture retention, but many other internal and external factors come into play, including things like humidity, skin damage, poor skincare and your hormones.

There’s also one very important factor you have the ability to look after – and equally to destroy. And that’s your skin’s barrier function.

Your skin is made up of three main layers: the deep hypodermis, the dermis which sits in the middle and the top layer which is called the epidermis. Your skin’s barrier function is the uppermost layer of the epidermis and is your skin’s ultimate layer of protection, working like a brick wall to protect you from environmental damage, block out irritants and help retain moisture in your skin, therefore reducing transepidermal water loss. A poor barrier function means moisture is easily lost from your skin’s surface, causing a spike in TEWL and all manner of problems including dehydration, dryness, lines, wrinkles, itchiness and irritation. Skin disorders like psoriasis, rosacea and eczema can also be exacerbated by too much TEWL.

Bad. News.

How To Minimize TEWL

It figures that if you look after your skin’s barrier, your TEWL will look after itself. But is that easier said than done? Actually no. Sure, your barrier function naturally weakens with age (no surprises, there), but there are many ways to care for it which will simultaneously reduce TEWL, balance your moisture levels and keep your skin softer, stronger and healthier.

Here, three important tips for top-of-the-class TEWL…

1. Avoid A Harsh Cleansing Routine

Too much face washing and exfoliating with hot water and harsh products is the ultimate devil for your skin’s barrier function. For starters, it strips your skin of any moisture it naturally has... plus it gives nothing back.

Cleansers containing nasty chemicals like sulfates, for example, can be extremely detrimental to your barrier function. Yes, they work like dogs to lather up and remove oil, dirt and bacteria from the surface of your skin, but they also strip away protective cholesterol, fatty acids, ceramides and other nutrients, allowing moisture to escape way too easily for our liking.

Avoid ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) which are the worst offenders and instead, choose cleansers that contain gentle, non-drying alternatives like disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate or disodium 2-sulfolaurate. Good news: we use these in our Vitamin C and Charcoal cleansers.

2. Keep Your Skin Hydrated AND Moisturized

Applying water to your face is all well and good, but if you don’t seal it in quickly with a hydrating moisturizer, it’ll evaporate from the surface of your skin in no time.

The most well-rounded moisturizers contain ingredients that offer both hydration and moisturization. What’s the difference? Well, hydration adds water to the skin while moisturization helps your skin keep it there. Yes, it’s that simple. To achieve all of this, look for formulations containing a combination of humectants, emollients and/or occlusives.

Humectants draw water to the skin’s surface either from the air, or from deeper within your skin’s dermis. They work like a sponge and are an essential way to hydrate your skin and maintain a soft, supple surface. Hyaluronic acid is a super effective humectant, but we also love ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera.

Emollients, meanwhile, include things like coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil and squalane which work to smooth and repair cracks in your skin to help prevent TEWL. Occlusives like cocoa butter and beeswax are similar, but they’re often richer, heavier and create a physical barrier on the surface of your skin. Occlusives aren’t great for oily or acne-prone skin types, however, as they can clog your pores. Just a little side-note to bear in mind.

Depending on your skin type, choose a moisturizer that contains a blend of humectants and emollients or occlusives. Our Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer contains aloe, kosher vegetable glycerin, jojoba oil and shea butter which checks those boxes nicely. Always apply it immediately after cleansing or applying serum to further reduce TEWL.

3. Invest In A Humidifier

A humidifier is a great way to force moisture into the air, especially in the winter or if you live in areas of low humidity. But why is this important for your skin? Simple. Dry air automatically compromises your skin’s barrier function by stripping your skin of its natural oils. Without this protection, TEWL increases and skin becomes dry, flaky, cracked and may even start to peel.

Invest in a humidifier for your bedroom (this is where you spend the most of your time, after all) and if it allows you to control the humidity, set it to between 40 and 60 percent. This is the sweet spot for skin hydration.

Ready to get your glow on, peeps – without having to reach for your shimmering bronzer, of course? Excellent timing, we’re on it…

There’s a fine line between glowing skin and shiny skin. The former’s something we all strive for, but the latter’s not so appealing. The difference is that glowing skin is radiant and healthy, whereas shiny skin is often due to an excess of oils (or sweat… or both!). Of course, you can’t change your genetic makeup and suddenly transform your oily skin into a perfectly balanced, flawless complexion. And similarly those of you with dry skin know you can’t magically force your skin to start naturally producing more oil. But what you can do is help what Mother Nature gave you to boost your glow and up your skin's radiance game.

Here’s how…

Glowy Skin Rule #1: You Gotta Exfoliate, End Of

Clean skin is obviously super important here, so make sure you cleanse gently twice a day. Use upwards strokes as you cleanse your face to ensure you get right into the pores and always rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. You could even try a final splash with cool water to really boost your circulation… if you can bear it.

But clean skin doesn’t stop there. Gentle exfoliation is also vital. For your face, we advise using a chemical exfoliator that contains AHAs or BHAs such as glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid. Unlike scrubs which can sometimes be a little abrasive on your face, chemical exfoliators break down the bonds that hold dead skin cells in place. This helps them gently slough away without you forcing them off. Try Vitamin C Super Serum+ which contains salicylic acid to exfoliate and balance sebum at the same time.

When it comes to your body, a salt scrub is a fabulous way to buff away rough skin and boost your glow. Or try using a loofah or body mitt with your favorite cleanser.

Glowy Skin Rule #2: Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Toner

Never sure whether you really need a toner in your life? Well, if you’re looking to get your glow on, the answer is simple: you do. Today’s new generation of toners aren’t just there to make up the skincare numbers, in fact they’re quite the opposite, working hard to hydrate, feed and balance your skin. And healthy skin is the absolute foundation of radiant skin. 

Looking for the perfect toner for the job? Then try Ocean Minerals Super Toner which contains glycolic acid to accelerate cellular turnover, vitamin C to protect and brighten, plus MSM, a sulfur compound that boosts collagen production and significantly helps improve the tone and texture of your skin. This awesome toner also comes in a handy spray bottle meaning you can spritz it on thirsty skin any time you please.

Glowy Skin Rule #3: Go To The Upside Down

It might be a while since you did a headstand, but if you’re a yoga pro, you’re in luck here. Being upside down for two or three minutes a day is a great way to boost blood flow and oxygen to your face for an instantly more glowing complexion.

Not a headstand kinda girl? Then lay on your back and tip your head back over the side of your bed. Same result, less falling over.

Glowy Skin Rule #4: Concentrate On Dry Skin

Dry skin is a fact of life, but this doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to it, or worse, leave it untreated, to become even drier and potentially irritated. Dry, flaky patches are often due to an impaired skin barrier, so make sure you look after it by soothing and replenishing your skin from head-to-toe with gentle skincare products (no synthetic fragrance or unnecessary chemical, thanks) and an impeccable moisturizing routine.

Moisturize after every time you cleanse and make sure your chosen formulation includes a combination of humectants, emollients and/or occlusives. Humectants draw water into your skin, emollients smooth cracks and occlusives lock all that moisture in. Our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream combines glycerin, aloe, botanical oils and cocoa butter which checks all those boxes nicely. It also contains the mighty vitamin C. Speaking of which…

Glowy Skin Rule #5: Embrace Brightening Skincare Ingredients (cough, vitamin C)

When it comes to brightening your complexion, certain skincare ingredients punch way above their weight. Retinol, niacinamide and kojic acid, for example are all fabulous for helping to brighten uneven or dull skin. But the absolute queen of brightening? Vitamin C. It’s everything.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a potent antioxidant and works hard to protect your skin from the damaging onslaught of free radicals caused by environmental aggressors like that pesky, but beautiful sun. It also reverses existing damage and inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme that fuels melanin production. All this combines to help reduce dark spots and mottled skin while amping up your skin’s radiance like nothing else.

Pure vitamin C can be volatile, however, and too potent for sensitive skin types, so we use a gentle, but super effective derivate called Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP to its friends). You’ll find it in all of our vitamin C products and is the reason some of them have a cloudy look to them – it's the sodium component of our awesome vitamin C doing its finest work, right there.

Glowy Skin Rule #6: Try A Little Dry Body Brushing

If you’ve never tried dry body brushing, the time is now. A fabulous way to encourage cell turnover, dry body brushing stimulates your circulatory and lymphatic systems to effectively remove dead cells, metabolic waste and toxins. After a few weeks, guaranteed you’ll notice your skin is softer and much more radiant. It also prepares your skin for your moisturizer, allowing it to be more readily absorbed and therefore way more effective.

The best time to dry body brush is in the morning, before showering. Work from your ankles, upwards using long strokes or circular motions and be gentle, especially over delicate areas like your tummy and chest. You should also avoid open wounds, rashes, varicose veins, freshly shaven legs and sunburn.

Being happy with your skin is easier said than done, but it’s the only skin you’ve got, so it’s about time you learned to love it – starting right now.

‘Love the skin you’re in.’ How many times have you heard that phrase only to fob it off with a sigh about your personal imperfections and so-called flaws? But here’s the thing: lines, wrinkles, pimples, dark spots and the odd bit of slack skin here and there are nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, they’re quite the opposite. They’re all signs that you’re alive. And that’s something to celebrate.

So today, we want to make a toast to your amazing skin. Because this massive organ is a pretty big deal, working hard to maintain your internal temperature and protect your body from disease. Not only that but your skin covers an average of 20 square feet and makes up around one seventh of your entire body weight. It’s no wonder, then, that skin is rarely picture perfect. And that’s OK, because not even those A-listers you see on the red carpet have flawless skin. And certainly not the influencers who’ve been filtered to within an inch of their lives.

Reckon you can start loving the skin you’re in? Just a tad? Excellent. Then here are a few tips for practicing a little skin self-love.

Be Gentle With Your Skincare

One of the most important ways to treat your skin with love and respect is to be kind to it. Like, really kind. Sure, it’s tempting to slather all the latest lotions, potions, acids and ‘miracle’ ingredients on your skin day and night, but you’re dealing with a delicate part of your body here, so be gentle.

Avoid skincare ingredients that have been proven to cause irritation and inflammation because, even if you think your skin is strong enough to take whatever you throw at it, continued use of certain chemicals will break down your skin’s protective barrier and give you no end of problems in the long-term. Things like parabens, sulfates, PEGs and silicones are all known irritants, so these are best avoided. And we can take of that for you, no problem, because all TruSkin products are free of these common nasties. Just saying.

Also, avoid cocktailing too many serums and treatments that contain potent, active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids like glycolic and salicylic. Don’t get us wrong, these ingredients are all skincare powerhouses and work hard to improve and maintain your already-awesome skin. But use too many at once, and you’ll irritate your skin causing sensitivities, dryness, redness and maybe even breakouts.

Instead, stick to one of our carefully curated serum formulations in the morning and one at night. And if your skin is super-sensitive? Apply each just once or twice a week – don’t worry, your skin will still see the benefits.

Maximize Your Glow

Nobody (least of all you) is going to care about your lines and wrinkles when your skin is literally lit from within. In our opinion, radiant skin is the absolute key for showing the world you’re happy, healthy and alive. And good news: getting your glow on is simple. You just need to introduce a little vitamin C into your life.

Vitamin C is one of our favorite skincare ingredients and arguably the most effective topical antioxidant out there. Not only does it fight hard to combat free radical damage caused by environmental aggressors, but it also helps even out your skin tone, reduce dark spots and give you a bright, sunny glow – minus any damage from the ‘actual’ sun, of course.

We use sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) in our fan favorite Vitamin C Facial Serum which is a gentle, but very effective salt derivative of vitamin C. We believe it’s far superior to pure vitamin C, and much better tolerated by the skin. It’s also why our serum has a slightly cloudy look to it – that’s the salt doing it’s awesome work! Patch test first, then apply it to cleansed, dry skin twice daily for a glowy complexion you can’t fail to fall in love with.

Love Your Skin’s True Color

Why is it that we all want what we haven’t got? Constantly envious of your friend’s beautiful curls? Chances are she’d kill for your straight hair. Wish your legs were longer/thinner/more toned? Well, how about concentrating on your amazing arms, instead.

We know all this is easier said than done, but when it comes to the color of your skin, it’s actually quite simple – and much better for the health of your skin.

Two words: forget tanning. The sun is the number one cause of external skin aging, accelerating the formation of lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and even leading to skin cancer. So, instead of constantly craving darker, more bronzed skin, accept your paleness and be proud.

And while we’re on the subject, forget skin bleaching, too. Beautiful skin comes in every shade. End of.

Don’t Hide Behind Makeup

Piling on heavy make-up to mask an annoying zit or dark patch may seem like a good idea at the time, but thick, oil-based foundations can block your pores and cause even more breakouts in the long-term.

Instead of masking your skin, enhance it with natural-looking makeup. Barely-there skin has never been more on trend (hi there, skinimalism) so work to enrich the natural tones of your complexion and let your freckles/blemishes/expression lines shine through. Swap out heavy foundations for tinted moisturizer and highlight your best features – whether they’re fabulous cheekbones, arched brows or full lips ­– with a tiny amount of highlighter applied in just the right places.

Get Tons Of Sleep

A lack of zzzs not only makes you feel cruddy, but it gives your skin an unnecessarily dull appearance. So remember, while your skin is awesome, you still need to look after it.

According to the Sleep Foundation, healthy adults require between seven and nine hours of sleep every night to power the mind, drive the body and help maintain healthy skin. Sleep allows your skin to heal and reboot itself, ready for the next day. Blood flow increases, cell turnover almost doubles, your natural antioxidant system kicks in and collagen production amps up big time.

Make sure you get your eight hours in and treat your skin to an effective night treatment like our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream which helps revive and strengthen your skin while you sleep. You will immediately wake up with happier skin.

And a much happier you.

Not that we’re saying sunscreen isn’t important. It is. It SO is. But couple your daily SPF with these other sun safety tips and you can be happy knowing you're doing everything you can to protect your skin from the sun.

While we love the sun and, well, couldn’t survive without it, studies show that sunlight is the number one cause of external skin aging. Now, we don’t like to point the finger, but this means almost everything you hate about your skin – fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture, lack of firmness, dark spots, enlarged pores, the works – is primarily down to sun damage. Dang.

We constantly bang on about the importance of applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily and make no apologies for it. But today, we’re here to give that particular lecture a temporary rest because we want to talk about all the other things you can do to protect your skin from the slings and arrows of the sun.

Make the below a top priority this summer (along with your essential SPF, of course) and who knows, you might ward off those visible signs of premature aging just that little bit longer.

Apply Topical Antioxidants

As we’re sure you’re aware, we’re massive fans of topical antioxidants here at TruSkin. And one of the main reasons we love them? Sun damage control.

Exposure to the sun is one of the biggest causes of free radicals – those pesky compounds which love to do a number on your skin, destroying important proteins and causing what’s known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress spells major bad news for your skin as it leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, resulting in lines, wrinkles and premature sagging.

The good news is antioxidants fight tooth and nail against free radicals to limit harm and keep your skin looking awesome for as long as possible. Studies have shown that two of the best antioxidants for sun protection are vitamins C and E. And more good news: we combine these two free radical-fighting powerhouses with hyaluronic acid in our Vitamin C Facial Serum. Apply it underneath your moisturizer and sunscreen daily to really amp up your protection game. But remember, antioxidants do NOT protect your skin from sun burn so don’t think applying a vitamin C serum makes you invincible from the sun. It does not.

Avoid Direct Sunlight Whenever You Can

Nothing beats lounging outside on a hot, sunny day. Actually, add a frozen margarita into the mix and now we’re getting somewhere. But sitting outside in the direct, midday sun? So not good for your skin. Shade always trumps sun, hands down.

Depending on the density and coverage of your chosen shady spot, sitting in the shade protects you from around 15 percent of UV light. Granted, this doesn’t sound like a lot, but when it comes to looking after your skin, we say every smidge of protection counts.

Look for a tree to sit under when picnicking in the park, or remember to take an umbrella if you’re going to spend a day out in the sun. And when looking to buy a new beach umbrella or awning, make sure you look for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Approval which guarantees the fabric has reached the minimum requirements of 30 UPF (ultraviolet protection factor).

Wear Protective Clothing

Did you know what you wear can also have an impact on your level of sun protection? Plus, clothes don’t wear off like sunscreen as an added bonus. Simple choices like wearing loose fitting clothes, long sleeves or densely woven fabrics such as denim or wool are way more protective for your skin than tight, stretchy or sheer clothing.

Also, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation, dark or bright colors are way better than lighter tones because they help absorb UV radiation before it reaches your skin, adding further protection from sun damage.

Finally, don’t forget a good, tightly-woven hat that doesn’t show too much light through it (you can always check this with a flashlight). A 3-inch brim around the entire circumference is optimum, but if you’re a baseball cap kinda gal, think about adding some kind of drape over your neck and ears to protect those delicate areas.

Don’t Forget Your Sunglasses

Looking after the skin around your eyes is arguably even more important than the skin on the rest of your face. How so? Because this area is thinner and more delicate meaning it’s much less efficient at protecting itself from environmental damage. Also, between 5 and 10 percent of all skin cancers are found on the eyelids. Big warning, right there.

Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses all year round (even on cloudy days) and choose those that are 100 percent effective at blocking both UVA and UBA radiation. And remember, dry, dehydrated skin around your eyes will age you up super fast so always apply a hydrating eye cream twice daily. Try Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream which, on top of HA, contains hard-working antioxidants and age-defying ingredients like plant peptides, panthenol and botanical oils.

Think About Your Diet

Last but not least, up your sun protection from the inside out by making a few smart healthy eating choices. Laden your diet with antioxidant-rich fruit and veggies like kiwis, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes and broccoli and snack on almonds, walnuts and seeds to up your levels of omega 3 essential fats which help reduce UV-induced inflammation.

Studies have also shown that foods which are high in beta-carotene may also play a part in protecting your skin from sun damage. These included sweet potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, spinach and butternut squash.

(Don't forget, however, none of these steps are as important as regular sunscreen. Always, we repeat, always protect your skin with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 lotion or moisturizer as the final step in your morning routine)