DYK, TruSkin Vitamin C Serum Is Knocking It Out Of The Park?

We love Target, you love Target, so we’ve expanded our offerings to bring you even more TruSkin favorites at target.com. 

Internet shopping is awesome. It literally embodies the word ‘convenience.’ Nothing else allows you to act immediately when you’re sitting on the sofa in your pajamas and suddenly remember that you’re running out of your trusted facial serum. Log on, add to cart, pay and you’re done. It’s also not real money, so there’s that. Ha, if only that were true.

But seriously, we love internet shopping and, as a skincare company, might not even exist if it weren’t for the wonderful worldwide web. However, there’s also something to be said for visiting a store and seeing those beauty shelves packed with moisturizers, cleansers, scrubs and eye creams. It just brings a whole different level of touchy-feely shopping satisfaction to the table.

In our humble opinion, one of the best stores in which to pour over the beauty shelves is Target. Packed with some of the greatest and newest products available, we could easily lose ourselves in that place for hours.

This is why we chose Target to sell a bunch of TruSkin products. Up until recently, however, we only sold our top serums in store (best-selling Vitamin C Facial Serum, anyone?) plus some other favorites like Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser and Peptide Eye Gel at target.com. But we decided we should no longer play favorites but should expand the collection to include some of the newer members of our family.

Read on to discover what’s new at Target...

The Energizing Serum: Caffeine Facial Serum

Caffeine Facial Serum is the newest member of the TruSkin family and, wow, is it a good one, giving your skin a much-needed boost whenever it needs one (so… every morning, right?).

The secret lies in its double shot of caffeine which helps to boost collagen, improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, thus prolonging youthful-looking skin and holding off on the visible signs of aging like dark spots, fine lines and friends. We combine caffeine with another skin-energizing ingredient: EGCG which is a type of antioxidant found in green tea. This further boosts the buzz while improving hydration and providing much-needed protection from environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution. What’s more, this baby is super lightweight and sinks into your skin like a dream, providing an extra layer of goodness without suffocating your skin. We’re already in love.

The Retinol-Alternative Range: Rejuvenating Longevity Serum, Depuffing Longevity Eye Cream and Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream

At the tail end of 2023 we launched a complete new range of healthy aging products called the Longevity collection. Brimming with incredible ingredients and with three expertly formulated products for the skin and eyes, Longevity is based around the buzziest thing in skincare right now: bakuchiol.

Bakuchiol is a botanical extract that’s been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for years to treat skin ailments and diseases. Thanks to its popularity in Ayurvedic practices, it started making its way into western skincare around 2007 and quickly showed promise because of its similarities to the gold standard of skincare, retinol. As you know, retinol is one of the most highly regarded ingredients for improving the tone and texture of the skin. However, it’s really potent and doesn’t suit all skin types, often causing facial redness, unwanted dryness and itching. Enter bakuchiol which offers all the same benefits as retinol (albeit with a little more patience) plus way fewer annoying side-effects – if any at all. Game. Changer.

Our Rejuvenating Longevity Serum, Depuffing Longevity Eye Cream and Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream harness all of this, along with ingredients like antioxidant-rich coffeeberry and snow algae, hydrating glycerin and lingonberry stem cells.

The Skin-Fortifying Treatment: Peptide Facial Serum

As skincare ingredients go, peptides are tricky to get your head around. How so? Well, they’re similar to proteins, but they’re not proteins. You see, both are made up of chains of amino acids, but while proteins (think collagen and elastin) are huge molecules containing long chains of amino acids, peptides are their baby cousins, containing much shorter chains. This can be a tad confusing but know this: due to their similarity, peptides help boost your skin’s production of those all-important proteins. And the result? Healthier-looking skin that’s softer, stronger and more supple.

If this sounds like something you want for your skin, you have to try our Peptide Facial Serum which is chock full of powerful peptides including three of the most clinically tested: palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl tripeptide-5. Don’t worry, we won’t test you on the names!

The Sensitive Skin Savior: Niacinamide Facial Serum

If you were under the impression that sensitive skin couldn’t get in on the wonders of active ingredients, you could not be more wrong. In fact, sensitive skin is what our Niacinamide Facial Serum was born for.

A proven antioxidant, niacinamide (aka vitamin B3) boasts all the usual benefits of your favorite free radical-fighters (vitamin C, retinol and ferulic acid), but it also helps to regulate inflammation and improve your barrier function to strengthen and protect sensitive or easily irritated skin. It can also provide mild relief for acne breakouts, eczema or rosacea. It’s the exact type of facial serum sensitive skin has been searching for. You’re welcome.

The Incredible Exfoliant: 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant

Regular exfoliation is crucial as skin ages and cellular turnover naturally slows down. Skip this step in your routine and all those dead skin cells won’t slough away effectively; instead they’ll hang around at the surface of your skin causing roughness, dullness and dryness.

Of course, the obvious way to exfoliate your skin is with a scrub – as long as you make it a skin-friendly one like our Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub – but even so, scrubs aren’t for everyone.

So, if ‘everyone’ includes you, you’re going to love 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant, a leave-on chemical exfoliant. Instead of using fine grains to exfoliate your skin, its turnover powers come from exfoliating acids like glycolic and salicylic which break down the glue between dead skin cells to help them slough away at a more effective rate. Simply apply it to cleansed, toned skin, before your serum and moisturizer, then let it do its thing. Genius.

Consistency is our favorite word when it comes to a boss skincare routine. So why should you mess with yours just because the weather’s changed? Simple, because, er,  the weather has changed.

Whether you subscribe to seasonal skincare or not, one thing’s for sure, skin becomes drier and more sensitive in the winter time. 

Winter, for most of us, means colder, drier weather which can be tough for your delicate skin to take. Extreme temperatures ­­­– especially when you flip-flop between frigid temperatures outdoors and balmy ones inside ­­– stress out your skin and compromise its critical barrier function. Then there’s the lack of humidity which starves your skin of vital moisture and, well, stresses out your skin and barrier function even further.

However, as you know, we’re all about sticking with a consistent skincare routine, all year round. So what should you do in winter to ensure you’re not causing potential upset to your tried and tested routine, but you’re still giving your skin the extra care it needs to make it through the chilly months?

The answer: make small tweaks rather than massive changes. Here's how.

1. Add In An Extra Layer Of Moisture

A certain level of dryness and dehydration is pretty much a given in the winter months – whatever your skin type ­– but if you’re like us and hate to give up your trusted moisturizer, the good news is, you don’t have to. Instead, layer up by applying a thirst-quenching serum underneath your regular moisturizer each morning. This will help draw water to the surface of your skin, giving it a much-needed boost without having to apply an overly rich moisturizing cream (which, let’s face it, can ruin your makeup!).

We have tons of fabulously hydrating serums that are perfect for winter-parched skin. Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is a classic favorite because it combines glycerin, aloe and hyaluronic acid – three of the best hydrating ingredients in skincare. Peptide Facial Serum is another great choice as it really cares for your barrier function while kick-starting sluggish collagen and bringing all sorts of hydration and protection to the skin’s lower layers.

Take your pick, you really can't go wrong with either.

2. Pair Back The Actives

With little moisture in the air for your skin to enjoy during the winter months, the surface of your skin inevitably becomes more dehydrated, dry and sensitive. Of course, if you’ve managed to crush the perfect moisturizing routine for your skin type, this might not be relevant to you, but for the rest of you, it’s wise to be careful with any active ingredients you apply on a regular basis.

Retinol is the obvious culprit for sensitizing the skin so if you apply a retinol product daily, give yourself a break one or two nights a week, swapping it out for something equally as fabulous for your skin – but not quite as potent. Our Niacinamide Facial Serum, for example, is a great option for nights off as it still targets skin aging but is gentler and contains soothing and hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. It's officially awesome for winter skin.

Vitamin C is another one to be cautious around. Of course, our vitamin C formulations contain a gentle type of vitamin C called sodium ascorbyl phosphate which is very kind to the skin and extremely well tolerated by all skin types, all year round. But if you do find your skin feeling a bit winter worn, give it a break for a few days; concentrate on building moisture and hydration back into your skin instead.

3. Focus On Overnight Repair

Skin naturally produces less sebum overnight, so during winter, when there’s a serious lack of moisture in the air, it’s more important than ever to treat your skin with some nourishing overnight respect.

First up, invest in a bedroom humidifier to combat any dryness in the air caused by your indoor heating. Then focus on a really good, quality night cream.

The best night cream for winter must contain a number of emollient or occlusive ingredients. These create a barrier on the surface of your skin to help prevent moisture loss and protect your skin from drying out as you sleep. Try Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream which balances a whole bunch of botanical oils including organic sunflower, coconut and evening primrose (to name just a few!). It also contains our favorite under-the-radar ingredient, MSM, a naturally-occurring sulfur compound which supports collagen and keratin production while limiting inflammation and protecting your skin from damaging free radicals.

4. Alternate Your Cleanser

Do you love your regular cleanser more than life itself? We hear you. But in the winter, when your skin is a little more compromised than normal, you need to tread very carefully with your cleansing routine.

Cleansers play a pivotal role in your skin’s moisture balance. Go too harsh and you will strip all the life from your skin, leaving it sucked dry and prone to irritation, flaking, itchiness and redness. We recommend gentle cleansing all year round, but in the summertime when your skin is oilier and sweatier it can take a bit more than in the winter.

Our trick, once warm days become a distant memory, is to alternate our go-to cleanser with something more mild and caring, especially for the mornings when all you’re really doing is freshening up your skin and removing any minimal surface debris that’s built up overnight. We reach for Soothing Cleansing Milk every morning in the winter. Dry, sensitive skin is basically its middle name. Plus it feels like a comforting hug for your skin as soon as you apply it. And we are all over that.

5. Stay Sun Safe

One thing you shouldn’t change? Your impeccable sunscreen regime. Just because you can’t see the sun shining away in the sky every day in winter, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Daylight simply doesn’t exist without the sun, remember that. What’s more, reflective surfaces like snow and ice intensify the sun’s damaging rays by reflecting them right back onto your skin, allowing them to get you from all angles.

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin every day ­– come rain or shine – and go for an SPF of at least 30 to ensure you are well protected from both UVA and UVB radiation. Studies show that, while clouds do protect you from a small percentage of the sun’s UV rays, up to 80 percent of UVA rays (the ones that age you up) are able to penetrate right through.

Make our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C a part of your morning routine and it’ll soon become a habit you don’t even think about. Just like cleaning your teeth and brushing your hair.

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!