The September Spotlight: Vitamin C Facial Serum
Welcome to the first of our September Spotlights in which we highlight some of the best-selling, hardest-working skincare products TruSkin has to offer. And where better to start than with our OG, the mighty Vitamin C Facial Serum?
Some skincare ingredients come and go, but you know you’ve got a good one on your hands when it sticks around and is always up there as one of the most searched skincare ingredients on the internet. Retinol is going nowhere fast (for obvious reasons!) and hyaluronic acid is also among the most highly regarded ingredients for the good of your skin – after all, they’re both clinically proven to offer real results.
And then there’s vitamin C.
Your skin actually contains a good amount of naturally-occurring vitamin C to help support, strengthen and protect it from the daily onslaught of environmental pollution, UV radiation, emotional stress and so on. You see, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which means it helps neutralize free radical damage that builds up from all of the above and, well, life in general. We could go on forever about the awesome effects vitamin C has on your skin but just know this: vitamin C promotes healthy collagen which is super important if you want to age slowly and beautifully. Vitamin C also inhibits melanin production which helps your skin maintain a bright, even tone. Oh, and it’s also thought to aid in healing which is crucial as skin matures and the healing process slows down.
So, why do you need topical vitamin C if your skin has enough of it already? Well, therein lies the key. Sure, you’re born with a decent amount of vitamin C, but as you age and expose your skin to daily aggressors, your levels drop dramatically, causing free radicals to take over and do their absolute worst on the look, feel and overall health of your skin.
Enter Vitamin C Facial Serum
Our first born and still a team favorite, Vitamin C Facial Serum launched in 2013 when we were just a twinkle in the eye of our founders. We knew we were onto something right off the bat, but we could never have predicted just how successful this little plant-powered face serum was going to be. At last count it had clocked up a mighty 145,000 incredible reviews on Amazon – far outweighing the best of the rest, btw – and it continues to be our best-selling product year after year.
Lightweight and easy to use, Vitamin C Facial Serum harnesses the powers of vitamin C (although you probably got that already!) to help eradicate free radicals from your skin and keep it healthy and youthful-looking. However, it’s unlike many other formulations because it works hard, for sure, but is also kind on your skin, meaning you can use it every day without fear of your skin freaking out.
What Makes Vitamin C Facial Serum Different From The Rest
1. We use a special type of vitamin C called sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Topical vitamin C comes in many guises, the most common of which is l-ascorbic acid. Now don’t get us wrong, l-ascorbic acid is great. It’s super powerful and really does what it promises. However, it’s very unstable which means it breaks down when it’s exposed to light and air. This means it loses its powers quickly. Not ideal, we think you’ll agree. L-ascorbic acid can also be kinda irritating on the skin, often causing unwanted effects like dryness, redness and itching.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP), however, is a salt form of the pure stuff which makes it a) more stable and longer-lasting, and b) way gentler, but still effective, on your skin. No brainer, right?
2. Our vitamin c serum also contains witch hazel
So what, you may ask? Well, witch hazel is an astringent which combines really well with SAP, helping to reduce inflammation, mop up excess oil and tighten your pores. It also has antioxidant properties to amp up the powers of your vitamin C and give your skin a real boost.
3. MSM helps vitamin C play harder and better
MSM (or methylsulfonylmethane if you really want to know) is a fabulous ingredient that rarely gets the praise it deserves. But we adore it. How so? Well, it plays a vital role in the production of collagen and elastin while also promoting healthy blood flow, fighting inflammation and helping to protect your skin from environmental damage. And that’s not all. It’s also thought to make the skin more permeable, allowing toxins to escape more readily and other active ingredients in your skincare products like vitamin C to absorb better.
4. It contains a nutrient-rich blend of ingredients to soothe and hydrate
If that’s not enough for you, our Vitamin C Facial Serum also contains a bunch of other fantastic ingredients proven to counteract irritation and keep your skin soft, healthy and hydrated. This incredible line-up includes vitamin E, aloe vera, cica, hyaluronic acid, kosher vegetable glycerol and jojoba oil.
How To Make Vitamin C Facial Serum Work For You
One of the most challenging things about topical vitamin C is getting it to go about its business without irritating the skin. But we think we nailed this by using SAP rather than the pure stuff, and combining this with a whole bunch of soothing, hydrating wonder-ingredients as above. And this, IOHO, makes it the best vitamin serum for sensitive skin. It also goes without saying that it’s fabulous for all other skin types, too.
Simply apply a small amount to clean skin in the morning, gently patting or smoothing it over your face and neck. However, don’t use too much – it won’t work harder or quicker, but is just a waste of product! Somewhere between three and five drops of serum should be plenty. And if you find you have more than you need, you can always smooth it over the back of your hands to give them some much-needed TLC.
Give your facial serum a minute or so to settle then apply your moisturizer and sunscreen as normal. You can also apply it at night if that’s your jam – it’s fine to use twice daily if your skin can tolerate it – but we prefer to use vitamin C in the morning and a different treatment (maybe Retinol Facial Serum) before bed. Because, you know, it’s nice to mix things up a little as long as it’s done safely (aka you don’t apply more than one serum at the same time) and smartly (by patch testing first).
Convinced your skin needs a little vitamin C in its life? Then you simply have to try Vitamin C Facial Serum today.
You won’t regret it.
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![How To Prime Your Skin For The Party Season]()
Don’t let fragile, wintry skin and boozy breakouts ruin your skin when the rest of you is ready to rock the party circuit.
It’s the season of champagne, bright lights, festive apps and Santa hats and we, for one, are thrilled. But as much as we love all the fun and fabulousness of the holidays, your skin can take a real beating. Cold, dry weather; warm, steamy bars; a little more alcohol and a lot less sleep can all add up to stress on your skin, compromising your barrier function and throwing your moisture levels out of whack.
Granted, if you have the skin of an angel, you might not notice issues with dryness, shiny foreheads or annoying breakouts during the party season. Well, lucky you because for the other 99.99999 percent of us, party skin often needs an extra bit of TLC to look and feel as high-spirited as our moods.
Here’s how to help get your skin on its merry way this festive season…
One Week Before
To truly get your skin in the right frame of mind for partying, you have to start looking after it early. A good week in advance, in fact. Of course, we know you have a great and consistent skincare routine up your sleeves, period, but there are three things you should really concentrate on in the week up to a big do.
1. Chemical Exfoliation
A great way to kick-start your skin into looking more plump, energized and fresh, is to embrace exfoliating acids. These are the AHAs, BHA and PHAs of the world and include powerhouses like glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids.
Try applying 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant daily to cleansed skin to help boost cellular turnover, improve collagen synthesis and give sluggish skin a real kick in the booty.
2. Facial Massage
A simple facial massage is awesome for improving lymphatic drainage and blood flow. It gets everything moving thus helping to remove toxins while boosting nutrients and oxygen to the surface of the skin – super important for the party season when salty snacks and boozy beverages zap all the life from your skin. Simply work your hands all over your face and neck while cleansing each morning and night, taking your time to lift and smooth the skin in circular motions. You could also invest in a face roller or gua sha tool if they’re your jam.
3. Energizing Serum
While we wouldn’t suggest doubling up on your coffee intake (ever!), adding topical caffeine to your skincare routine will do your complexion all sorts of favors. An incredible antioxidant and with lots of anti-inflammatory powers, caffeine is a fantastic way to counteract all those free radicals that stress, lack of sleep and a poor diet produces. Gold star right there.
Caffeine also energizes your skin by tightening the blood vessels and stimulating circulation. Say hello to brighter, firmer skin and less puffiness and under eye bags as an added bonus. Get involved by applying Caffeine Facial Serum to your skin morning and night.
The Night Before
Big night out tomorrow? Then the following are some super effective ways to ensure your skin is clean, clear, beautifully hydrated and ready to partay!
1. Double Cleanse
We’re not massive fans of double cleansing – it just seems a bit excessive, as a rule. However, do it gently and on the odd occasion, and it can truly help to give your skin a proper ‘clear out,’ leaving you with a smooth foundation for some serious party makeup (if that’s your thing, of course!).
To double cleanse with success, first use an oil-based makeup cleanser to remove makeup, sebum and any other oily stuff from your skin. Then, go for a water-based cleanser to get rid of other surface debris while boosting your complexion with skin-loving ingredients like vitamin C, minerals, aloe vera or plant extracts. We love Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser for a party season detox.
2. Facial Steam
Steaming your face increases perspiration to help remove toxins and boosts blood flow to get oxygen and lots of nutrients flowing to your skin. Win-win. What’s more it’s arguably the easiest and cheapest (aka: free!) way to give yourself the results of a spa-like facial in the comfort of your own home.
Simply place your face over a bowl of recently boiled water (although not freshly boiled, that’ll be too hot!). Place a towel over your head to trap in the steam and hold your face over the surface of the water without getting too close for about 10 minutes. Just remember to always follow with moisturizer. Speaking of which…
3. Layered Hydration
Before bed, baby your skin with as much hydration as it will take – without overloading it with heavy coats of rich creams that might block your pores, of course. That can be disastrous. The best way to crush this? With layers. First up, smooth on a moisture-magnet serum like Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum then wait a few seconds before applying moisturizer over the top. We have tons to choose from but a current favorite comes in the form of Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream which contains skin-reviving bakuchiol (just like retinol, but gentler on the skin!), plus snow algae to boost radiance and protect your skin from any party stress factors!
The Day Of
OK, it’s crunch time. Hopefully, if you’ve kept to your routine and added in a few choice extras, your skin is ready to glow – who needs makeup, anyway!? However, if you still need a little pick-me-up, try these last-minute glow-getting tricks.
1. A Morning Scrub
First things first: don’t overdo it with the exfoliation, people. If you’ve been applying a chemical exfoliant in the run-up to party time, a facial scrub might be a tad excessive. However, if you’ve not had time to get ahead of the exfoliation game, a face scrub is game-changing for instantly smoother, brighter-looking skin. Grab our Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub as a matter of urgency, and smooth it all over your face and neck, using gentle circular motions to work it all over.
2. Vitamin C
We rate very little above topical vitamin C when it comes to rejuvenating ingredients that get the job done. So, apply the best vitamin C money can buy after cleansing and feel smug in the knowledge that your skin has started off the day right. Sure, it may end the day a little tipsy and full of sugar and salt, but at least you started well and, hey, we have just as many great tricks for hungover skin as we do for party prepping!
Try our Vitamin C Super Serum+ for a punchy pack of skin brightening goodness.
3. Ice Globes
A favorite with makeup artists for prepping celebrities’ skin for red carpet events, ice globes are glass or metal wands that have balls on the ends and are kept in the fridge or freezer. They're kind of like rubbing ice cubes all over your skin without the watery mess or potential skin damage.
Awesome for depuffing the eye area, ice globes also work wonders on facial redness, inflammation and sluggish skin. Cleanse your skin first, then apply serum before working them over the skin for 10 minutes or so. Use upwards movements to lift your skin and add radiance, or downwards strokes to encourage lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling. But make sure you don’t press too hard as this could drag and damage your skin.
Finish with moisturizer and you are ready to, well, get ready!
How To Prime Your Skin For The Party Season
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