True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Looking to add an extra glowy edge to your skin just in time for brighter, sunnier days? We say vitamin C for the win! Here’s why…

Vitamin C is everything to us. Our first ever product launch was all about harnessing the powers of vitamin C in skincare and since formulating our awesome OG (the award-winning Vitamin C Facial Serum in case you were wondering!), everything we’ve gone on to create has stemmed from the incredible powers of this antioxidant powerhouse.

Otherwise known as l-ascorbic acid, topical vitamin C is adored by derms, celebrities, beauty editors and skin experts all over the world. In fact, along with retinol, it’s probably the most loved ingredient of all time. It’s also consistently up there as the one of the most searched-for skincare ingredients on the internet. A true skincare GOAT if you will. So, what’s the deal? Well, first and foremost, vitamin C is an antioxidant; a real fighter against skin damage and premature aging.

You see, antioxidants are the only ingredients to be able to neutralize pesky free radicals that form in your skin when it’s been subjected to the slings and arrows of everyday life. Think UV radiation, pollution, smoking, stress and a poor diet. All these factors create harmful free radicals which attack collagen and elastin and screw up their integrity. This can only mean one thing – bad news for your skin. As you know collagen and elastin are the super important building blocks of healthy skin. Without a good amount of quality proteins in your skin, it will become dry, lacklustre, saggy and blotchy. Not to mention the fact that fine lines and wrinkles will show up in no time.

As well as it’s free radical-fighting abilities vitamin C has been shown to help your sunscreen work harder and better, souping up its protection to further shield your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. It’s not a sunscreen by any stretch of the imagination so it can never replace your SPF, but still, the combination of the two? Pretty darn good. Its anti-inflammatory properties (oh, didn’t we mention that?) are also thought to help control sebum production and therefore aid with breakouts. Which is not to be sniffed at.

All this is awesome and hats off to vitamin C for everything it does for the skin. But it boasts one more benefit and, call us shallow, but it’s probably the thing we love most about it. Simply put, vitamin C makes the skin look so much… well… better. We know that’s no scientific term but admit it, that’s what we all want for our skin, right? For it to look and feel its radiant best?

We truly believe that good skin is all about having a healthy glow. Who cares – in all honesty – if you have laughter lines and a slightly less contoured jawline than you used to? If your skin is healthy and glowing, nothing else really matters. And, as skincare ingredients go, vitamin C is almost unbeatable in its glow-inducing powers.

How Vitamin C Gets Your Glow On

Being able to fight off free radical damage is the first step here because if your collagen and elastin supplies are hunky dory, your skin cells will turn over more efficiently and all those dead skin cells will get sloughed away quicker to reveal all that fresh stuff underneath. Sluggish cell turnover is a sure-fire route to dull skin, so major kudos to vitamin C right there.

However, that’s just part one of the story because vitamin C also inhibits melanin production to help reduce dark spots and improve uneven skin tone. How does that work? Well, vitamin C decreases the production of tyrosinase which is an enzyme in your skin that accelerates melanin synthesis. Slowing all this down significantly reduces the amount of melanin in your skin. The result? Less patchy skin, fewer dark spots and a brighter, more even-looking complexion.

All. Over. That.

What’s The Best Form Of Vitamin C For Your Skin?

There are countless types of vitamin C used in skincare but we believe there’s only one real choice: sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP). Sure, pure vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) is extremely potent but this can have its downsides, causing dryness, stinging and redness – especially if your skin is sensitive. L-ascorbic acid is also very unstable, meaning it breaks down and loses efficacy when it’s exposed to light and air.

SAP, however, is a salt form of l-ascorbic acid and contains sodium phosphate molecules. So what, you might wonder? Well, these molecules are actually super important because they help stabilize the vitamin C which makes it last longer. Gold star for that. Your skin does have to convert SAP back into ascorbic acid after it’s been applied to your skin because this is its bioactive form, but this actually helps reduce your chances of irritation so we think that’s worth another gold star.

3 Of The Best Ways To Add Vitamin C To Your Skincare Routine

1. In Your Cleanser

Cleansing is one of the best ways to boost blood flow and draw nutrients to the surface of your skin thanks to a combination of massage, cool refreshing water and awesome skincare ingredients. We love starting (and ending!) the day with Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser which contains 15 percent SAP plus collagen-boosting MSM and nourishing rose hip oil.

2. In A Serum

If you’re looking for the best formulation for delivering active ingredients to your skin, straight where it needs it, serum is the absolute go-to. Serums have a small molecular structure which means they’re able to penetrate the skin better than heavier products like oils and face creams. Try Amazon’s biggest selling vitamin C serum – our Vitamin C Facial Serum (*pats selves on backs).

3. In Your Sunscreen

Our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C is the newest baby within our vitamin C range, and it’s fast becoming a fan favorite. Carefully blended with plenty of protective, radiance-boosting SAP it uses non-nano zinc oxide to shield your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays. A morning must, if we do say so ourselves.

For more fabulous vitamin C products, including our hydrating night cream, daily moisturizer and super-charged turbo serum, check out our entire range right here.

Because nourished skin = better skin and, we don’t know about you, but we are all in for that.

When you think of feeding your skin you might believe that it’s all about what you eat. And yes, a nutritious, balanced diet that’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids is vital for healthy, glowing skin. Similarly, a diet that’s packed with sugar, processed foods, refined carbs and booze can (and usually does) have the reverse effect, accelerating aging and harming your skin. Nobody’s arguing this. However, it’s worth remembering that what you put on your face is just as important as what goes into your body. In fact, topical nutrition provides your skin with even more targeted nourishment that works from the surface down to the deeper levels of your epidermis.

Not sure where to start when it comes to nourishing your skin with topical skincare? Well, if you’re a TruSkin fan (yeah you are!) you’re likely feeding your skin with some pretty kick-ass ingredients already – maybe without even knowing it. However, there’s always room for improvement, so here’s everything you need to know about amping up your skin nutrition from the outside in.

What Does Skin Nutrition Mean?

As with body nutrition, skin nutrition is about feeding your skin with certain ingredients in order for it to remain as healthy as possible. As you know, consuming your daily fill of fresh fruit and veggies, lean proteins, nuts and legumes is essential for your entire health and wellbeing (as well as your skin, of course!). Well, similarly, applying nutrients like vitamins and minerals to your skin helps it function at its best. For one thing, quality ingredients help your skin cells turn over and regenerate more efficiently. They also work hard to strengthen and fortify the skin’s protective barrier which is super important for keeping irritants out… and vital moisture in.

By feeding your skin with the nutrients it needs, it has no choice but to function like a well-oiled machine. Which is the ultimate goal for all of us, after all.

The Difference Between Hydrating, Moisturizing and Nourishing Your Skin

Often talked about in the same breath, products that hydrate, moisturize and nourish are quite different things. Yes, they sound fairly similar and some formulations manage to cleverly combine all three, but it’s worth having a quick recap about their vital functions.

An ingredient or product that hydrates is all about drawing water to your skin’s surface to add moisture and, well, hydrate it. Moisturizing, however, is the act of lubricating the skin and locking in water to prevent it from escaping from the surface. And then there’s nourishment which focuses on the nutrients required to help feed and drive your skin to function better.

Pretty simple when you think about it, right? 

Skin Nutrition: What To Look Out For In Your Skincare Products

So, which ingredients are best for nourishing your skin? Of course, the most obvious are nature’s finest offerings such as aloe vera, licorice, green tea and plant-based oils like chamomile, tea tree and ylang ylang. These all have their own unique super powers to help improve your skin by brightening tone, balancing sebum production, fending off free radicals and more.

Then you have minerals like MSM, a natural-occurring form of sulfur which reduces inflammation and accelerates collagen production; as well as magnesium, potassium and calcium which, among other benefits, are incredible for energizing your skin and helping it to retain water.

And of course, we mustn’t forget some of the most effective and clinically proven skin-feeding ingredients out there – vitamins. From A (aka retinol) through to K, topical vitamins offer so many awesome benefits, we’d need the best part of a day to go through them all. Instead, let’s have a look at three of our favorite TruSkin products for feeding your skin – and if you want to learn more about how different vitamins affect your skin, read about six of the best, right here.

3 MVPs (that’ll be the Most Valuable Products, BTW) For Awesome Skin Nutrition

1. Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum

If you’re looking for an all-round nourishing treatment that works like an oral multi-vitamin for your skin, our new facial serum is exactly the product for you. Infused with a complex blend of seven plant-derived vitamins (yes SEVEN!) including B3 (niacinamide), C, E, F and K, it’s the cat’s whiskers for feeding your skin and improving its overall health. Vitamin B3 helps clarify your skin and strengthen its barrier function, while C brightens and protects, E deeply hydrates, F aids repair and K calms inflammation. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum also contains a whole bunch of minerals and electrolytes that work hard to drive water into the skin and regulate pH, therefore improving hydration to ensure your skin retains as much moisture as possible.

Packed with super nutrients, this is skin nourishment in a nutshell.

2. Vitamin C Super Serum+

If you know anything about vitamin C, you’ll know that countless science-backed studies prove that it offers almost unbeatable, skin-changing results to dull or discolored skin. It’s also one of the most effective antioxidants available which makes it a shoo-in for any and almost every skin type.

Our Vitamin C Super Serum+ harnesses the powers of vitamin C and blends it with another big favorite among dermatologists and skin experts the world over – retinol (aka vitamin A). Like vitamin C, retinol has undergone decades of clinical research to study its effects on the skin. And the results don’t lie… it’s good stuff. Like really good stuff. By communicating with your skin at a cellular level, retinol boosts the production of collagen and elastin and improves cell turnover to strengthen your skin while improving elasticity and reducing the visible signs of aging.

This powerful serum also enjoys an added zing of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, MSM and essential oils making it a beautifully balanced treatment for ageless, gorgeous skin.

3. Ocean Minerals Super Toner

Finally, may we present to you our Ocean Minerals Super Toner which offers a fantastic, all-round hit of skin nutrition that’s often hard to come by in a toner? Toners are often swept aside in terms of their importance in your skincare routine. Big mistake in this instance.

Turbo charged with goodies like MSM, peptides, vitamin C and glycolic acid for that extra boost of exfoliation, this revitalizing spritz contains no less than 90 deep ocean minerals to stimulate your skin into action and help accelerate cell regeneration for brighter, fresher-looking skin. The addition of essential oils, plant extracts, aloe vera and witch hazel offer a further boost of hydration, protection, clarity and strength which is almost unheard of in a toner. Just saying!

Today, we're celebrating Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day in honor of all the professionals who help us make better choices regarding our diets. After all, what you put INTO your body is just as important as what goes onto your skin.

Want to step up your skincare regimen from the inside out? Then take control of your diet and ensure your skin reflects what you eat by making these 10 skin-nourishing foods your new BFFs…

1. Oily Fish

Certain fats are super important for the health of your skin because they help balance your skin’s barrier function which helps keep your skin hydrated, plump, strong and moisturized. Studies also show they may have anti-inflammatory properties which is great news if you suffer from facial redness or monthly breakouts.

The key, however, is to make sure you choose the right kinds of fats – and no, chips, burgers, fried chicken and butter are not on that list. One of the best is omega-3 fatty acid, an essential fatty acid (EFA) that’s found mostly in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring.

More good news… These skin-loving types of fish not only contain omega-3s by the bucketload, but they’re high in protein, zinc and vitamin E which are all vital for the look and feel of your skin.

2. Watermelon

Fruit and veggies, as a rule, are winners when it comes to glowing, healthy skin. One word: antioxidants. Not sure why antioxidants are the basis of great skin? Well, in a nutshell, they counteract the damaging effects of free radicals which are produced by the skin when it’s exposed to things like the sun, pollution, stress and a lack of sleep. Free radicals are seriously bad news for your skin because they break down collagen, accelerating the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin.

One of our favorite fruits is watermelon – and no, it’s not because it’s so Insta worthy (although it really is a pretty slice!). Watermelon is literally chock full of antioxidants like vitamins A, B, C and E. Furthermore, it’s packed with water which helps keep you hydrated without the hassle of having to down glasses upon glasses of water on the reg.

It also tastes awesome, so there’s that ;)

3. Broccoli

Speaking of fruit and veggies, one of the most skin-loving vegetables you can include in your diet plan is broccoli. Of course, it’s high in vitamins like A, C and K, but it also contains a beta carotene called lutein which skin loves. How so? Well, lutein is well known for protecting the eyes from light damage and macular degeneration, but it also has similar photo-protective benefits for the skin, helping to shield it from damaging UV radiation.

Broccoli also contains something called sulforaphane which works alongside lutein and other antioxidants to further support your skin’s natural protection from sun damage, spurring the skin’s natural healing process and helping to calm inflammation. Take that, sun.

4. Nuts

Like oily fish, nuts are an awesome source of essential fatty acids which help maintain strong, supple and well-moisturized skin. They’re also packed with vitamins and minerals like zinc, copper and vitamins A, C and E, and just a handful of almonds, cashews, walnuts and/or pistachios every day will work wonders for dry, dull or lackluster skin.

Walnuts, in particular, are high in protein, omega-3, omega-6 and selenium. Selenium is an important mineral which puts up a great fight against those dastardly free radicals. It also works hard to reduce inflammation and has been proven to help reduce the symptoms of psoriasis.

5. Avocados

If you ever needed a reason to eat avo toast every morning, here’s one for you. Just half an avocado a day provides 14 percent of your daily recommended dose of vitamin E, as well as 11 percent of your daily recommended dose of vitamin C. Vitamins C and E are proven antioxidants that, while great on their own, work much more effectively as a team. This makes avos pretty darn unbeatable in the fight against environment damage and oxidative stress.

But that’s not all. Avocados also contain various other vitamins, minerals, essential fats and skin-loving nutrients including plant sterols which contain UV protection and help prevent the breakdown of important proteins in your skin such as collagen and elastin.

6. Tomatoes

While tomatoes are a fabulous source of vitamin C (great stuff) and potassium (ditto), their main draw is all the incredible lycopene and lutein they're packed with. Lycopene and lutein are carotenoids which work as powerful anti-aging antioxidants, offering your skin natural sun protection and free radical fighting powers.

Some studies show that higher amounts of lycopene are found in cooked tomato products than the raw stuff, so if you love to make stews, soups and sauces with tomatoes, go nuts!

Sidenote: eating tons of toms is not enough to replace your daily sunscreen so make sure your morning skincare routine always finishes up with SPF30 Mineral Sunscreen. No arguments.

7. Natural Yogurt

It’s a well-known fact that yogurt (not the sugar-laden, fruity stuff, of course) contains lots of calcium for strong bones and healthy skin. But that’s not the only thing yogurt has up its sleeve. Let’s talk about probiotics, shall we?

Probiotics are extremely important for keeping your skin’s microbiome in check. What’s that, you say? Well, the microbiome is an ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms that live on your skin. Sure, this sounds pretty gross but it’s actually a very smart system that’s evolved over centuries to help keep bad bacteria away. Your microbiome can go a bit squiffy, however, thanks to your environment, age, diet and skincare habits, so it’s important to conserve and support it through gentle skincare and a healthy diet that includes plenty of biotics. Probiotics, for example, are living microorganisms that help increase the population of good bacteria in your body. How to up your probiotics? Look no further than plain, live yogurt. Simple. Don’t worry if you’re lactose intolerant, though – miso, kombucha and kimchi are great alternatives.

8. Chia Seeds

Most seeds are bursting with awesome skin-boosting love thanks to vitamin E, selenium, essential fatty acids and protein, so sprinkling them on salads, cereals, smoothies and soups is never a bad idea. However, if you’re looking for the absolute queen of seeds, look no further than the mighty chia.

After oily fish, chia seeds are known to be one of the richest sources of collagen-boosting omega-3 fatty acids which makes them a great choice for vegans. They’re also full of manganese, magnesium, selenium and protein which work together to soothe, protect, hydrate and strengthen your skin.

9. Bell Peppers

When you think of fruit and veggies that are high in vitamin C you probably go straight to oranges and carrots, right? Well, little known fact: red and yellow bell peppers are also extremely rich in vit C. In fact, one cup of bell pepper provides a whopping 211 percent of your daily recommended dosage of vitamin C. This makes them a fabulous choice for significantly reducing oxidative stress and helping your skin get its glow on.

Bell peppers are also a great source of beta carotene which gets converted into vitamin A by your body. Vitamin A is mega important for boosting your skin’s natural healing process, boosting your immune system and increasing moisturization.

10. Leafy Greens

Leafy green veggies like kale, spinach and collard greens are brimming with zinc for helping to reduce inflammation and breakouts, plus vitamin K which has been proven to improve blood flow. Great circulation is important for ‘feeding’ your skin with nutrient-rich oxygen to help reduce dark spots and give you the radiant complexion you so rightly deserve.

Zeaxanthin is another asset leafy greens can lay claims to. It might be trickier to spell but, like lutein, zeaxanthin is a carotenoid which has powerful antioxidant properties and may help your skin stay more protected from the perils of UV radiation. Kale, in particular, is known to be a total powerhouse for your skin and health in general.

Bottom line is a balanced, healthy diet that’s high on fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds, live yogurt and oily fish are exactly what the skin doctor ordered. Couple all this good stuff with a great skincare routine that mimics your eating habits with plenty of antioxidants (hi there Vitamin C Facial Serum) and moisture-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and you’re well on the way to healthier-looking skin.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day is celebrated by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on Wednesday March 8, 2023. 

Let’s make 2023 the year to help your skin look and feel its best yet, shall we?

It’s 2023 (can you believe it?) and with a new year comes new beginnings. Out-of-reach resolutions, however, that you’ll never achieve – let alone stick with – are so not our mojo. Instead, we believe in realistic goals that help you enjoy looking after your skin and give you visible, natural-looking results you will love.

Want to know how to set up your skincare routine for success for 2023 and beyond? Then read on for five of the best (and totally achievable) new year’s resolutions for your skin…

Goal #1. Simplify Your Daily Skincare Routine

Nailing a routine that works for you sounds simple enough but it can actually be quite tricky when there are so many awesome (and some not-so-awesome!) products out there to try. What’s important, however, is that you’re completely in tune with your skin. This means knowing your skin type and understanding what your most pressing concerns are. Once you get a hold of these important factors, you can build your skincare routine accordingly.

Of course, the basics (cleanser, moisturizer and SPF) are a must, no matter your skin type. But then it’s all about choosing those supercharged add-ons that really boost your routine and improve your skin without overcomplicating things.

To Do: First up, identify your skin type here. Then really look at your skin in the mirror and touch it with clean hands. What are you thinking right now? Does your skin feel dehydrated? Are you noticing some dark spots in certain areas? Or are those fine lines around your eyes getting super annoying?

Identify your main concern, then build your routine around your skin type and concern. And while you’re at it, toss away all those half-used bottles of ‘false promise’ products hiding in the back of your beauty cabinet. They didn’t work a year ago, so they’re not going to work now.

Try: Our Vitamin C range is the ideal way to crush an effective skincare routine without even thinking about it. From cleansing and moisturizing to skin brightening and SPF protection, it’s a great way to start the year as you mean to go on.

Goal #2. Never Go To Bed Without Giving Your Skin A Little Love

You’ve probably made the ‘I will never go to bed without taking off my makeup’ resolution many times in the past. And good on you, because cleansing your skin at night is one of the most important ways to maintain consistently great skin. After all, a build-up of 16 or so hours of oils, sweat, dirt and goodness-knows-what-else is a lot for your skin (and your pores!) to contend with.

But an effective nighttime skincare routine is so much more than cleansing. While you’re asleep, your skin gets super busy repairing damage from the day and strengthening its all-important barrier function. And this is all well and good, but your skin needs a little help as it gets to work overnight. Which is where your skincare products come to the rescue.

To Do: You don’t necessarily need a huge arsenal of extra products for your bedtime routine, but one or two products, specifically formulated to support the vital functions your skin performs while you sleep, will go a long way.

Try: Retinol Facial Serum followed by Retinol Moisturizer or Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.

Goal #3. Get Your Daily Vitamins

There are many topical vitamins that pack a real punch in skincare. But knowing what each one does and which work best for your skin is no mean feat. Do you go for vitamin C which is touted as one of the best brightening ingredients and hardest working antioxidants out there? Or maybe you stick with vitamin E which is up there as one of the most moisturizing, soothing vitamins of all. Then there’s vitamin B3 (AKA niacinamide)… vitamin K… and not to forget vitamin A, or the mighty retinol as it’s usually known.

The choices are endless. But this doesn’t mean you should back away from vitamin-based moisturizers and serums simply because you don’t know which to turn to. Vitamin-enriched formulations are a great addition to your routine – plus there’s at least one out there for you, we just know it.

To Do: Again, this is all about knowing your skin, then deciding what to focus on. Here’s a quick breakdown of your most common skin concerns and the best vitamin choice for you.

If Your Main Concern Is… Aging skin or acne, go for vitamin A (retinol)

If Your Main Concern Is… Dry skin, redness or sensitivities, try vitamin B3 (niacinamide)

If Your Main Concern Is… Dullness, dark spots and premature aging, go for vitamin C

If Your Main Concern Is… Dehydration, poor texture or dryness, try vitamin E 

Try: We have a number of facial serums packed with specific vitamins to enhance, repair and treat your skin concerns, but if you're looking for a multi-functional product that offers an incredible balance of all the good stuff, you’ll love our new Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum. Loaded with vitamins B3, B5, C, D, E, F and K, plus minerals, electrolytes, hyaluronic acid and aloe, it’s ideal for all skin types and a great addition to any ‘new year, new you’ skincare routine.

Goal #4. Protect Your Skin, Rain Or Shine

Sure, sunscreen isn’t the most fun of skincare products. But it is, without doubt, the single most important product to use if you care about warding off the signs of premature aging. How so? Because UV radiation is responsible for somewhere between 80 and 90 percent of all external skin aging. Not only that, but according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, applying SPF 15 every day helps reduce your risk of developing certain skin cancers by as much as 50 percent.

Now we don’t know about you, but that kind of pertinent information makes us want to douse ourselves in sunscreen at every available opportunity. And while that may sound dramatic, this is exactly what we want you to focus on this year… and forever more.

The truth is, the sun’s damaging rays are present even when it’s cold and cloudy outside. So, while you might not ‘feel’ the sun beating down on your skin on gray, wintry days, it’s still there. Otherwise... well, it would be nighttime.

To Do: Make sunscreen an absolute priority every morning. And stick with mineral-based formulations that include zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as these are the only sunscreen ingredients currently deemed safe and effective by the FDA. Get into the habit of applying it as your last skincare step every morning and it’ll quickly become routine.

Try: SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen With Vitamin C which is lightweight enough for most skin types and contains broad-spectrum protection. This means it shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. That’s super important, btw.

Goal #5. Don’t Ignore Your Eyes

You may be a total whizz with your facial skincare routine, but are you as vigilant when it comes to the skin around your eyes? Chances are, that’s a big, fat no. Big mistake. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face which means it ages quicker and therefore needs major love and attention.

To Do: First up, don’t underestimate the healing powers of a good night’s sleep. A lack of zzzs not only makes the blood vessels under your eyes dilate but it also leads to water retention. Neither of which are good news for the fragile skin around your eyes. We’re talking dark circles, puffy bags and fine lines.

Secondly, avoid slapping thick moisturizers and potent serums around your eyes as they could overwhelm or irritate this fragile area. Instead, choose an eye treatment and tap it gently around the orbital bone morning and night, using your ring fingers to reduce pressure and minimize drag.

Try: Peptide Eye Gel or Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream. Both of these anti-aging eye treatments are ideal for protecting the skin around your eyes and helping to promote younger-looking skin. The choice is yours!

Feel like your skincare routine isn’t quite cutting it? Here’s how to make it work harder… and better.

An awesome skincare routine is all well and good, but if you’re not using your products properly, or applying them in the correct order, you’re never going to get the optimal results you deserve.

Skincare is a fine art and, while it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how to moisturize your face, knowing the finer details that help maximize a product’s potential can result in some major differences to the look, feel and health of your skin.

Here’s how to kick-start your routine into doing the best job it can for your skin.

Rule #1: Always Read Your Labels

Are you guilty of buying a new product and using it right away without so much as glancing at the label? Big mistake. Sure, you might have spent the last 30 years cleansing your face with zero issues because, come on, how difficult can it be? But it’s worth bearing in mind that not all products are created equal. Some cleansers are formulated to be used without water, others are meant to be applied to damp skin and massaged into your skin for few minutes. And how do you know which is which if you've not read the fine print?

Reading the instructions is super important and will help you get the most from each and every product in your routine. It’ll help guide you in terms of how often to apply as well as how much to apply. So do it. No arguments.

Rule #2: Use Your Products In The Correct Order

This is another one that might sound obvious, but gone are the days when skincare routines were basically cleanse, tone, moisturize… and you’re done. Now there are tinctures, oils, essences, serums, gels, lotions, and all sorts to get your head around. And if you apply them in the wrong order, then they might not work correctly. Money. Down. The. Drain.

The general rule of thumb when it comes to layering skincare formulations is to cleanse and tone first (obvs) then work from your thinnest to your thickest product. The simple fact is that thinner products aren’t able to penetrate through the thicker stuff so you need to build up to the big guys. This means that after toning, you should apply your serum first, then your eye treatment, moisturizer, face oil and finally – in the mornings anyway – sunscreen. Of course, your specific regimen doesn’t need to include each and every one of these steps, but if it does, then this should be your order if you want to get the best results.

Rule #3: Apply Your Treatments To Damp Skin

To turn up the efficacy of your products, full throttle, always apply your first treatment product to moistened skin. This could be an exfoliating toner such as Ocean Minerals Super Toner or an antioxidant serum like our new Peptide Facial Serum. But whatever it is, try to apply it within the first minute of cleansing. The reason for this is that damp skin is more permeable than dry skin which makes it far more receptive to active ingredients like vitamin C, glycolic acid, MSM and peptides.

Gently pat your skin with a clean towel after cleansing so just a small amount of water is left on the surface, then, using fingertips, apply your treatment product all over your face and neck. Simple, but super effective.

This being said, there is one exception to the rule, and that’s to avoid doing this if you have skin that’s particularly sensitive to certain ingredients like retinol. Retinol is a potent (but awesome) little beast that can easily irritate sensitive skin. So if you apply it to damp skin you could exacerbate these irritations. Instead, apply it to dry skin, after patch testing first, and you'll likely get along with it way better.

Rule #4: Know That A Serum Is The Absolute Key For Targeting Skin Concerns

Facial serums might not be absolutely essential for clean, moisturized skin but if you really care about your complexion and the rate at which it ages, facial serums are everything. The bare minimum skincare routine is, of course, cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. But if you have concerns like acne, blocked pores, fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, sagging skin and the like, and you want to really target them with your skincare, you simply HAVE to include a serum (or two) in your daily routine.

Serums are formulated differently to moisturizers and have a smaller molecular structure. This means they’re able to penetrate the surface of your skin quicker and deeper to hone in on your particular skin gripes. Getting really peeved by dull, patchy skin? Then a moisturizer is essential, for sure, but it will never give you the same results as an antioxidant treatment serum like our best-selling Vitamin C Facial Serum.

Not sure where to start with choosing the right serum for your needs? Not a problem. Check out our helpful guide right here. And remember that important order: serum comes after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Always.

Rule #5: Understand The Importance Of An Awesome Nighttime Routine

Your morning routine is great for waking up your skin, replacing lost moisture and preparing yourself for the day ahead, but overnight is when the real business happens so it’s vital to prepare your skin for eight hours’ worth of healing, regenerating and repairing time before you hit the sack.

At night, blood flow to your skin increases, collagen production speeds up, cell turnover accelerates, free radicals get nixed by your body’s natural defense system and your skin’s barrier function works hard to restore itself. All good stuff, we think you’ll agree. But how can all this happen if your skin is covered in crud that’s built up on the surface during the day? Well, it can’t. Not properly, anyway. So you simply have to cleanse properly with a gentle but effective face wash before bed. We have three awesome cleansers to choose from depending on your skin type and needs – check them out here. Then, after cleansing, apply a collagen-boosting treatment serum like Retinol Facial Serum followed by Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream to help seal in moisture.

Vitamin C as a skincare ingredient is practically a given. But do you know exactly which C-vit you’re putting on your skin? Because if it’s not sodium ascorbyl phosphate, you might want to rethink your decisions…

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate might sound like a scary ingredient that you’d rather keep as far away from your precious skin as possible. But on the contrary, it’s up there with retinol and hyaluronic acid as a veritable darling of the skincare world. Now don’t roll your eyes in exasperation as if to say ‘really? Then why haven’t I heard of it?’. Because a) you have – you just didn’t know it, and b) give us a minute and we will elaborate.

For those of you not wanting to read this entire piece, here’s the most important fact about sodium ascorbyl phosphate (we’re just going to call it SAP from now on). SAP is topical vitamin C. Granted, it’s not the pure, unadulterated vitamin C you often read about – that’s l-ascorbic acid – but it’s vitamin C nonetheless. Furthermore, it’s a far more stable, kinder-to-your-skin type of vitamin C. Here’s what you need to know…

SAP: The Facts

1. Along with a lengthy list that includes magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl-6-palmitate and sodium ascorbate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a derivative of l-ascorbic acid – pure topical vitamin C.

2. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight the daily onslaught of skin damage that can be caused by free radicals. Free radicals form in your skin when it’s subjected to all those things it hates like UV radiation, pollution, smoke, a poor diet, cruddy sleep and, well, you know the drill.

Vitamin C is basically the Obi-Wan Kenobi to free radicals’ Darth Vader, stopping the long-lasting damage before it gets a chance to do a real number on your skin.

3. SAP is a salt form of vitamin C and one of the most stable versions available in skincare. How so? Because SAP has a sodium and phosphate molecule attached to it which helps it to stabilize.  This means it not only keeps its potency for longer, but is also more stable than L-Ascorbic Acid and MAP. These forms are notoriously unstable which means they break down and lose efficacy when exposed to light and air.

4. In order for your skin to experience the benefits of vitamin C, SAP has to be converted back to ascorbic acid after it’s been applied to your skin. This may sound counter-intuitive, but pure l-ascorbic acid is a very potent ingredient, so when you apply it directly to your skin it can be irritating, causing dryness, redness, stinging and even a mild burning sensation. Not cool. Literally. Switching up to SAP and having your skin convert it into ascorbic acid after application, significantly reduces your chances of irritation.

5. Full disclosure, the visible benefits of SAP take a tad longer to experience than pure vitamin C because your skin needs to do a little work to get to the bioactive form of the vitamin (l-ascorbic acid). But, call us crazy, we’ll take that over dry, red, itchy skin any day.

What SAP Does For Your Skin

Just like pure vitamin C, SAP has been clinically proven to improve the tone, texture and clarity of your skin. By fending off free radicals before they get a chance to damage DNA and valuable proteins within your skin (hi there collagen and elastin), SAP helps fight off the visible signs of aging such as dullness, dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dark spots.

While we’re on the subject of dark spots, studies have also shown that vitamin C has a smart way of inhibiting melanin production which not only works to prevent dark spots from forming in the first place, but may also help fade any existing ones.

Now do you see why we’re all over this little gem of a skincare ingredient?

How To Up Your SAP Game

Good news: we've long been aware that active skincare ingredients are great… but not if they cause your skin to flare-up or break out. This is why we are in favor of the gentler, more stable SAP across all of our formulations.

Here’s a little reminder of some of our favorite SAP products.

The Awesome Cleanser: Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser

With a knock-your-socks-off blend of 15 percent SAP along with soothing aloe vera, collagen-boosting MSM, balancing tea tree oil and nourishing rosehip oil, this rejuvenating cleanser is the jack of all trades and master of all!

The Brightening Treatment: Vitamin C Facial Serum

As Amazon’s biggest selling vitamin C serum, you can’t fail to fall head over heels in love with this skin-brightening daily antioxidant treatment. The entire TruSkin brand was born from this, our original facial serum, and it’s still one of the best.

The Skin-Boosting Day Moisturizer: Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer

Pumped full of SAP along with its vitamin cousins, B5 and E, this classic moisturizer is a must for giving your skin’s barrier function a reboot while working hard to protect, nourish, brighten and clarify your complexion.

The Nourishing Night Cream: Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream

Rich but lightweight, powerful yet gentle, our SAP-infused night cream sounds like a total contradiction, but it has to be experienced to be believed. Ideal for all skin types it’s the best way to help your skin reach a whole new level of awesome while you sleep.

The Year-Round Sun Protector: SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C

Our new sunscreen might be the baby of our vitamin C family, but it’s by no means the weakling. Non-nano zinc oxide shields your skin from UVA and UVB rays while marine collagen, squalane and cucumber extract help hydrate and illuminate aging skin. And all this served up with a hefty helping of SAP? Yes, there is a beauty god!

Can You Use More Than One SAP Product?

Short answer, yes! Many of our customers use a whole regimen of our Vitamin C products and get awesome results. However, everyone’s skin is different, so we recommend adding new products one at a time and always patch test first to check for compatibility.