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This week, our September Spotlight Series highlights the always awesome Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum. Never a bad choice for your skincare routine, this hydrating treatment serum deserves all the love…

Unless you’ve been living underground for the past 10 years, you’ll have heard a lot of chat in the beauty world about hyaluronic acid. Granted, you might not know its chemical formula or the fact that it’s an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan (what the…?) but what you will know is that it’s touted as one of the most hydrating ingredients in skincare.

However, like its other top-of-the-class friends, retinol and vitamin C, hyaluronic acid (HA) isn’t just a one-trick pony. Yes, it’s an awesome humectant but it’s so much more than a tool for drawing moisture into your skin. It’s also super important for strengthening your skin’s barrier function to fight off irritation and premature aging. Oh, and it works hard to help keep free radical damage to a minimum. So there’s that.

In our opinion, almost all skin types can benefit from a boost of HA in its life, so if you’re yet to get on board and want to treat your skin to the best hyaluronic acid serum around (minus the eye-wateringly huge pricetag), here’s what you need to know…

Say Hello To Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum

One of our best-selling serums for all skin types, Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is your go-to if you want to cocoon your skin in delicious, nutritious hydration. And who doesn’t want that? After all, dehydration is one of the main triggers for accelerating premature aging, sucking the life out of your skin and highlighting fine lines and wrinkles. You see, your skin naturally contains a healthy amount of HA, but just like collagen, elastin and other important components that keep your skin in great shape, you lose a bunch of it as you age and subject your skin to the perils of the daily grind. Things like UV radiation, pollution, stress, poor sleep and smoking all work together to accelerate HA degradation and suck the moisture from your skin. And that’s why you have to do everything you can to retain what you have and replenish that which is lost.

A great solution for moisture loss is to include a butt-kicking humectant in your skincare routine. Humectants attract water from their surroundings and draw it into the epidermis where it holds it in like a sponge to moisturize the upper levels of your skin and reduce dryness, flakiness and cracking at the surface. If your environment has enough humidity, humectants will pull water vapor from here, but they may also draw it up from the underlying levels of your skin. And the best humectants in skincare? Glycerin, aloe and, of course, hyaluronic acid.

From the first use, you’ll notice how lightweight our Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is. That’s because combined with HA are other skin-loving ingredients, purposely included to offer you the ultimate hydrating experience without making your skin feel sticky or weighed down.

What Makes Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum Different From The Rest

1. It Offers Triple, Yes Triple Hydration 

While our vegan, plant-derived hyaluronic acid has been crafted to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, we wanted more. Because when it comes to the health of your skin, we’re greedy for the best. So what did we do? We also pumped our Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum with aloe vera and kosher vegetable glycerin for triple-whammy hydrating effects.

Be afraid, dehydration, be very afraid.

2. Botanical Essential Oils Help Seal In Moisture

Humectants are fantastic for your skin, replacing moisture loss and helping to keep your barrier functioning properly. There’s no denying that. However, the thing with humectants is that while they’re great for drawing in moisture, they’re not so hot at keeping it there.

For humectants to work to their best ability, they need to be sealed into your skin with an emollient or occlusive ingredient like some kind of butter or oil. Otherwise all that moisture can evaporate into thin air, making the whole process kinda pointless. This is why you’re always advised to apply moisturizer on top of your serum.

Thankfully, we planned ahead for this kind of vicious circle by including organic jojoba oil into our Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum. One of the gentlest and most skin-friendly oils around, jojoba is a big favorite for locking in moisture without blocking up your pores. You see, we’re not just a pretty face.

3. We Also Harness The Powers Of Cica

Cica might not be in your everyday skincare vocabulary but this K-beauty soothing ingredient has been gaining popularity for a few years now. And it's well-deserved.

A staple in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat wounds, cica (which is often referred to as gotu kola or tiger grass) is a leafy green herb that’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids which all work in harmony to firm, repair and soothe the skin. It’s probably one of the best ingredients for soothing sensitive skin, calming inflammation and reducing redness. And these often come hand in hand with dehydration. You can see where we’re going here, right?

Look out for this guy on your ingredients listings. It’s going nowhere fast.

4. Where Would We Be Without Vitamins C and E?

Vitamins C and E are just too good to ignore, so we can’t help but include them in a ton of our serums. And Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is no exception. Topical vitamin C, however, comes in many guises, the most common of which is l-ascorbic acid which is extremely potent and often a bit much for sensitive, dry or dehydrated skin.

This is why, instead, we use sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) which is a salt form of vitamin C and way gentler on the skin. It’s the perfect partner to hyaluronic acid, upping its antioxidant prowess but without any risk of irritating the skin. Add in the soothing, emollient powers of vitamin E and you’ve got a total winner on your hands.

We think so, anyway.

How To Make Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum Work For You

Hyaluronic acid is easily tolerated by most skin types so this serum can be used daily, even twice daily if you like. Of course, we always advise patch testing any new product first (just in case!) but this treatment is one of our gentlest formulations so it’s unlikely you’ll have any unwanted side effects. Unlikely, but not impossible.

Always apply your serum to clean skin, after cleansing and before moisturizing. Pop no more than five drops into the palm of your (clean!) hands then gently smooth it all over your face and neck. You could also try smoothing it on while your skin is still damp to maximize all that extra free moisture. Just don’t forget to moisturize to further lock it all in. And if you fancy an added boost of HA for the eye area, why not try our super hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream?

Check them both out, right here.

We’re back again with our September Spotlight series and today we’re singing the praises of our fabulous Vitamin C Super Serum +. Yet to be acquainted with this super powered brightening serum? Then let us introduce you…

Vitamin C is one of the hardest-working ingredients in skincare. It’s like the Taylor Swift of skincare: never tiring, always delivering.

If you’re a true TruSkin fan you’ll be well aware of our Vitamin C Facial Serum which has been around for over ten years now (gosh, where did the time go?) and continues to brighten skin up and down the country thanks to its harmonic blend of rejuvenating vitamin C, beautiful botanicals and other skin-nourishing ingredients.

But we’re not all Vitamin C Facial Serum this and Vitamin C Facial Serum that at TruSkin HQ. In fact, we have many other incredible facial serums in our arsenal. And one you really should know about is Vitamin C Super Serum +. Because if you’re a C fan, you will be all over this potent, skin-changing treatment.

What Is Vitamin C Super Serum +?

Often thought of as Vitamin C Facial Serum’s more grown-up sibling, Vitamin C Super Serum + is one of the most powerful skin treatments we have in our serum collection. The name ‘Super Serum’ kind of gives it away, right? And we weren't joking when we named it because it really is super by name and super by nature.

Of course, it’s greatest superpowers come from vitamin C which is one of the most trusted skincare ingredients we know, packing a punch against environmental damage and helping to keep your skin bright, radiant and healthy-looking. But vitamin C is really just the tip of the iceberg here, for Vitamin C Super Serum + is powered by so much more.

And if you think it’s going to be heavy and too rich for your skin, think again. It may be concentrated and packed with ingredient heavyweights, but its texture is the exact opposite – lightweight and an absolute joy to use. So good, you’ll want to use it every minute of the day, in fact. Full disclosure: don’t do that. More on how to use Vitamin C Super Serum + safely and effectively to follow…

But First, What Makes Vitamin C Super Serum + Different From The Rest?

1. It contains a special type of vitamin C called sodium ascorbyl phosphate

Just like the Vitamin C Facial Serum (and all of our vitamin C products, actually), our Super Serum + doesn’t contain pure vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid). Wait… what? Ha, of course it contains a certain type of vitamin C, just not the pure stuff. Why? Two reasons. One, we believe it’s way too potent which, sure, that can be a good thing. Until it isn’t. The hard truth is that many skin types can’t handle pure vitamin C as it’s kind of irritating – especially if you have sensitive skin.

Secondly, pure vitamin C is very unstable which means it breaks down when it’s exposed to light and air and thus loses efficacy. Which is kind of annoying.

Instead of l-ascorbic acid, we load up our vitamin C formulas with sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) which is a salt form of the original. This little gem is much more stable and longer-lasting, plus it’s way gentler on your skin. But don't worry, it's still packed with all the same benefits. It's just better. We think so, anyway.

2. Retinol and salicylic acid add further power to this potent blend

As if the mighty forces of vitamin C weren’t enough to power up this serum, it also comes chock full of other skincare greats. Do retinol and salicylic acid mean anything to you?

Some skincare experts scoff at the thought of using vitamin C and retinol together and, true, if you try cocktailing them at home, you could end up with disastrous results. However, when they’re blended thoughtfully and smartly by the experts (that’s us, btw!) they team up perfectly to help smooth and brighten your skin while defending it from environmental damage and supporting collagen production. Say hello to youthful-looking skin for years to come.

When you add salicylic acid into the mix you also get a little gentle exfoliation as an extra bonus. This helps your vitamin C (and retinol) penetrate the skin better and more effectively. And that’s what we call a skincare win-win.

3. Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide help keep skin calm and collected

If all this sounds like a whole bunch of irritation waiting to happen, fear not. Granted, Vitamin C Super Serum+ may include a combination of some of the hardest-hitters in skincare, but it’s also balanced with hydrating, soothing and calming ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

It’s also free of common irritants like synthetic fragrance, silicones, parabens and sulfates which makes it surprisingly gentle on the skin as long as you don’t apply it too frequently. 

4. Unlike inferior vitamin C serums, it smells incredible

Of course, the smell of skincare isn’t the most important thing in the world, but we believe it plays a crucial part in the way you experience beauty products. Scent evokes emotions and memories: it can make you feel alive and energized (hello citrus and mint), and it can similarly make you feel sleepy and relaxed (here’s looking at you, lavender and chamomile).

This is why Vitamin C Super Serum+ is infused with a light touch of grapefruit essential oil. Fresh, subtle and uplifting, grapefruit is thought to help reduce stress and balance your mood. And who doesn’t want a piece of that?

How To Make Vitamin C Super Serum + Work For You

The most important thing to remember about our Vitamin C Super Serum + is that you don’t have to use it every day to see incredible results. In fact, we advise against it. Instead, we find that two or three times a week is enough for most skin types to reap the benefits of its four-way age defense formula.

On your days off, alternate it with Vitamin C Facial Serum, or any other of your TruSkin favorites for that matter. Have you tried our NEW Energizing Caffeine Facial Serum, for example? That one's a real goodie and an incredible morning wake-up call for tired, flagging complexions.

Apply a couple of drops of Vitamin C Super Serum + to clean skin and gently pat or smooth it over your face and neck. Give it a minute or so to settle into your skin, then finish with moisturizer. And remember, this juice contains tons of potent, concentrated ingredients which accelerate cell turnover to help you enjoy your freshest skin ever. So don’t ruin all of that hard work by skipping your morning supply of SPF. Generously treat your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. And yes, we said every day and we mean it.

Now go and load up on Vitamin C Super Serum + while it's still front of mind! 

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.

Jetting off somewhere fun but don’t want to hit arrivals with dry, dehydrated, AC-screwed skin? Here’s what we know about looking after in-flight skin.

Sure, the summer vacation period is nearly over but we still have the holiday weekend coming up and heck, time off to decompress and explore new places is always a good idea, any time of the year.

Flying, however, can really take its toll on your skin. Just ask any cabin crew member and they will attest to frequently having to deal with excess oil, dehydration, dullness and pesky breakouts.

So what’s the deal and why does airplane air affect the skin so much?

Well, firstly, there’s a huge amount of intense UV radiation high up in those skies above the clouds, so if you’re a big fan of nabbing the window seat you could be subjecting your skin to a whole lotta sun damage.

Also, airplanes contain pressurized cabins to protect us from the low air pressure that’s a given at such high altitudes. This is vital because it maintains an adequate amount of oxygen so you can breathe properly and not get altitude sickness, fatigue or worse. It’s kind of a big deal and crucial for keeping you alive.

Pressurized air, however, contains very little humidity – around 10-20 percent. And your skin prefers the humidity levels to sit around the 50-60 percent mark in order for it to remain hydrated and supple. So, you can imagine how angry it gets when it doesn’t get this vital moisture. Your barrier function becomes compromised, swiftly causing your skin to become dry, flaky, red and dehydrated. It can also cause your sebaceous glands to get extremely trigger happy, leading to excess oiliness and breakouts at the drop of a hat.

But that’s not all. Low air pressure also slows down lymphatic drainage and reduces the levels of oxygen in your blood which starves your skin of the essential nutrients it needs to remain bright and healthy-looking.

Getting the drift yet? Ha, we still haven’t finished because flying for long hours and travelling through different time zones can also mess with your body’s natural circadian rhythm. This upsets your sleep like nobody’s business, encouraging dark circles around your eyes and accelerating dullness and sad-looking skin.

Now that you understand why airplane skin is such a big deal, let’s see what you can do about combating the effects of flying on your skin…

Action Point #1. Cleanse Well & Layer Up With Moisture

Maintaining clean, moisturized skin while you’re at altitude is crucial. So, whether you cleanse and moisturize at home, whilst in departures or just after take off, make sure you do it thoroughly, but gently. Skin that’s stuck for hours with sweat, sebum, dirt and pollution on its surface will feel horrible when you land... and it'll look even worse. You have been warned.

Our favorite pre-flight cleanser is our Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser which helps to truly detox and purify your skin without drying it out completely. You could also try our fabulous Tea Tree Super Cleanser which is super refreshing and ideal if you’re worried about in-flight breakouts.

After cleansing with lukewarm, never hot, water, gently pat dry and then layer up with hydration. Layering serum under moisturizer will give your skin the best start on its travels, helping to reduce dehydration and therefore maintaining its soft, glowy edge.

Try our brand new Caffeine Facial Serum after cleansing to energize your skin and boost its moisture content, then apply your favorite moisturizer. Which one do we prefer for traveling? That depends. For long-haul flights, we love the richness and intensity of Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream but for shorter hops across the country, try Firming Collagen Day Lotion.

Either way, expect happy skin when you touch down.

Action Point #2. Don’t Apply Heavy Makeup

Don’t get us wrong, we love makeup and literally could not live without our mascara-lip-gloss combo on a daily basis. But caking your skin in makeup, for a long-haul flight in particular, could clog up your pores and encourage breakouts. You’re way better off sticking with clean, moisturized skin as above.

If you really can’t bear the thought of walking around the departures lounge foundation-free, carry your favorite cleanser and moisturizer in your hand luggage and make sure you remove your makeup properly, just after take-off.

Action Point #3. Smother Exposed Skin With SPF

Sunscreen might not be front of mind when you’re sitting on a plane for x number of hours, but it’s probably undoubtedly your most important in-flight skin-savior. As previously mentioned, UV radiation is way stronger when you’re up in the air and, while windows block most UVB rays (they're the ones that burn your skin) UVA rays pass right through them. Reminder: UVA rays are the ones that age you up lightning fast.

Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen before your flight to combat photo damage. Our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C shields your skin from both UVA and UVB harm, plus it contains vitamin C to help improve radiance and further protect you from sun damage.

That’s what’s called a beauty no-brainer, btw.

Action Point #4. Keep A Moisturizing Mist Handy

Does your skin often feel parched when you’re mid-air, yet you still have four hours to go? We hear you. This is why we love to keep a small bottle of Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner in our hand luggage.

This gem is the absolute nuts for balancing, hydrating, calming and soothing the skin, and it never overloads it with unnecessary ingredients since its made only from pure Moroccan rose water. It also feels super refreshing and smells darn fine, too. It’s right up there with Colleen Hoover’s latest novel as a traveling must-have.

Action Point #5. Avoid Anything That’ll Further Dehydrate Your Skin

Staying hydrated on the inside is going to do your skin all kinds of favors. So, limit alcohol, caffeine and foods that are high in salt (bye-bye free packets of mini pretzels) because all of these are super dehydrating.

Instead, knock back plenty of water and load up on fresh fruit, veggies and healthy snacks like nuts, seeds and unsalted popcorn.

Now, fare thee well, flight face!

Because a brighter, glowing complexion is skin goals. But dull, tired, unhealthy-looking skin? No, thank you.

When it comes to things you desire for your skin, bright, healthy-looking, clear and energized top most people’s list. Because even if you have wrinkles, the odd pimple, or a little sagging around your jawline, wide-awake skin trumps them all.

There’s simply no denying it: radiance instantly makes your skin look better. It just does. And although it may feel like an impossible reach, there are many easy ways to up your radiance game. Boosting blood flow to the surface of your skin is a great start, but ridding your face of dulling dead skin cells, boosting hydration and counteracting the damage effects of environmental pollution and UV radiation are also super important if you want to legitimately say a fond farewell to dull, tired skin.

To follow are six simple skincare and lifestyle tricks which are currently on repeat in our quest for brighter, more energized skin. We suggest you get on the same page, pronto.

Make Caffeine Your Friend

Drinking tons of caffeine on the reg might not be the greatest idea for the health of your skin (hi there dehydration), but topical caffeine – the stuff you put ON your skin – is one of the best ingredients for putting a pep in your skin’s step.

For starters, caffeine has an innate ability of tightening the tiny little blood vessels in your skin. This helps stimulate circulation which brings extra oxygen and nutrients to your skin to help it look brighter and firmer. And we don’t know about you, but we’re never going to say no to either of those things.

Caffeine is also a powerful antioxidant, and you know how important antioxidants are in your skincare routine, don’t you? No? Well, to recap, antioxidants help reduce environmental stress on your skin by neutralizing damaging free radicals that form when skin is exposed to things like pollution and UV radiation. Free radicals are killers because they break down important proteins like collagen and elastin causing the strength, suppleness and firmness of your skin to become extremely compromised. The result? Sad skin that looks dull and old before its time.

The even better news is that caffeine has a small molecular structure which makes it a great ingredient for penetrating the skin’s surface and getting deeper into the parts that could really benefit from all of the above. Try applying our new Caffeine Facial Serum every morning before moisturizing to reap all the rejuvenating benefits of caffeine, plus a healthy dose of niacinamide and skin-awakening ginseng. You won’t regret it.

Balance Your Diet

A bright complexion also needs to come from within, so don’t think a diet that’s high in sugar, salt and processed carbs is going to do your skin’s mojo any favors. Because it won’t.

In fact, the quality of the food you eat has a major effect on the look, feel and health of your skin so try to cut down on the bad stuff (c’mon, you know what they are) and switch them out for more skin-friendly foods like fresh fruit and veggies which are high in antioxidants. Beets are particularly awesome for upping your glow game as they contain nitric oxide which is known to have energizing effects on both your skin and your entire body.

And it goes without saying that you should never forget oily fish, seeds and nuts. They're all packed with omega fatty acids which are crucial for fabulous skin.

Start Your Day With A Gentle Face Scrub

We love exfoliation for removing dulling dead skin cells and instantly reviving your skin. It’s just so easy to do and equally as beneficial for the health of your skin. In fact, we rate it up there as the key to glowing skin.

But, of course, you must do it gently and correctly.

One of the best ways to exfoliate and glow up your skin is to grab a gentle face scrub and work this over your face and neck in the shower first thing. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not overly keen on doing this every day (too much exfoliation can overstimulate and thus irritate the skin), but two or three times a week if your skin can tolerate it? Priceless.

For the best wake-up call of your life, we can’t recommend our Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub enough. The secret to its success lies in yuzu lemon which is a powerful citrus fruit packed with antioxidant properties (see above!). And if that’s not enough for you, we combine it with another of our favorite skin-brighteners, vitamin C, or sodium ascorbyl phosphate to be exact. Work it gently over moist skin after cleansing and rinse thoroughly. Heaven.

Improve Your ZZZs

When you turn in for the night, your skin repairs, regenerates and restores itself in preparation for a new day. Collagen production accelerates, blood flow increases, cell turnover almost doubles and your skin’s natural antioxidant system works extra hard to help repair free radical damage. Miss out on your sleep and you miss out on all this important stuff. And your skin will not thank you for it, resulting in dryness, dehydration and dullness. All the ‘d’s if you will.

If you’re a terrible sleeper, therefore, it’s time to change that. Of course, for some people, that’s easier said than done but if you know what’s causing your sleep to be cruddy, think about ways in which you can change them. Are you glued to your smartphone before bedtime? Stop that. Does your mind go into overdrive as soon as you hit the sack? Try making a ‘to-do’ list earlier in the evening to help clear your mind. Love a bedtime milky coffee? Then make it caffeine-free or, better yet, try a soothing chamomile tea instead.

Oh, and make sure your bedroom is dark, neither too hot nor too cold, and quiet. All these simple tweaks will help you get more quality sleep.

Wake Up Morning Skin With Vitamin C

We mentioned vitamin C earlier but it’s too good not to drive the point home. Because, yes, it’s a total winner for energizing dull skin.

You see, as well as its powerful antioxidant properties, vitamin C helps inhibit melanin production. Why is that crucial for bright, radiant skin? Well, melanin can get a bit wayward thanks to things like sun damage and hormones, and this can cause things like dark spots and an uneven skin tone. Neither of which make for anything close to clear, bright skin.

We have a whole bunch of vitamin C products which are all awesome for rebooting tired skin, but one of our favorite powerhouses is our Vitamin C Super Serum+ which is so good you only need use it two or three times a week to reap its incredible benefits. Its superpowers like in a curated blend of dynamic ingredients including vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide and salicylic acid. Try alternating it with our Caffeine or Vitamin C Facial Serum for truly fabulous results.

It’s official, retinol is the business for upgrading the tone, texture and general gorgeousness of your skin. But it’s a powerful force so it requires respect.

Retinol. Boy is it good. So good that it almost certainly deserves a spot in your skincare routine. Do you have fine lines and wrinkles you’d like to soften the look of? Retinol’s your guy. Do you have dark spots you’d love to brighten? Again, retinol can help take care of those. And what about acne breakouts? Are they more frequent than you’d like? Hello retinol.

No matter your skin goals, retinol usually has your back. And even if you have sensitive skin, there are ways of seamlessly working it into your routine without too many repercussions. You simply have to know (and follow) a few important rules.

Rule #1: If It’s New, Patch Test It First

We get it, patch testing your skincare is yawnsome. But when it comes to active ingredients like retinol, it’s crucial. Because of all the over-the-counter ingredients you apply to your skin retinol is one of the most potent so, although unlikely, it could easily cause irritation, itching, stinging or burning.

Anyway, in the grand scheme of things, patch testing isn’t really that bad. You just need to employ a little bit of a patience. And we know you’ve got that in you. C’mon, it’s only 48 hours.

To patch test, apply a small amount of retinol to a discreet area of your skin like behind your ears, then monitor it for a couple of days. Chances are you’ll be fine and you can start to incorporate it into your routine. However, any uncomfortable reactions that feel worse than a bit of mild redness or tingling means the two of you are not a good match and you should not be using it. Sorry about that.

Rule #2: Apply It To Clean, Dry Skin

Some ingredients play really well with damp skin (hyaluronic acid and glycerin to name just two), but retinol is too powerful for that so we always advise you to apply it to clean, dry skin. Better yet, wait a few minutes after cleansing and toning and then apply it. This further cuts down your risks of irritation.

Rule #3: Remember, Slow & Steady Wins The Race

If your skin is not used to retinol, you simply have to start slowly so it gets used to the great powers that it contains. One of the biggest mistakes people make when using a retinol serum or moisturizer for the first time is to apply it every day. And that’s asking for trouble. You know that potential irritation we’ve been harping on about? Yeah that.

The rule is this: start slowly, employing the 1-2-3 step retinol rule. Step 1. Apply your product once a week for a week. Step 2. Apply it twice a week for two weeks. And step 3. Apply it three times a week for three weeks, spacing out your applications as equally as possible. If, at any time during these six weeks your skin feels irritated (yes, that word again!), return to the previous step until your skin acclimates. Then continue as you were. This whole process may take you up to three months but that’s OK, going slow will totally be worth it in the long run.

Rule #4: Try Sandwiching Retinol With Moisturizer

If you have dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin, a retinol sandwich might be right up your alley. And this technique is super simple. You just layer your retinol between two layers of kind-to-skin moisturizer. So after cleansing and toning, you apply a gentle moisturizer, wait a minute, apply your retinol treatment, then wait another minute before applying another thin layer of moisturizer.

What’s the point you may ask? Well, adding a thin barrier of moisture underneath your retinol gives your skin an extra layer of hydration which creates a buffer against the strength of the retinol. Think a reduction In redness, peeling, flaking and dryness.

Rule #5: Don’t Be A Retinol Mixologist

Did we mention that retinol is a powerful beast? We did, right? Then know that it should never be applied alongside other potent actives like glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Retinol plays well with calming and moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E and aloe vera, for sure, but if you start applying it after strong, exfoliating lotions or acne busting serums, you could be heading for a whole lot of trouble.

The secret is to alternate your actives. Try a vitamin C serum in the morning, for example, and retinol at night. Or go for retinol one day, niacinamide the next. Just keep them separate. Honestly, your skin will thank you for it.

Rule #6: Sure, You CAN Apply Retinol In The Morning, But It’s Best At Night

Contrary to things you may have read in the past, retinol does not cause sun damage. So this means that yes, you can theoretically use it in the mornings.

However, retinol is a very unstable ingredient and it quickly becomes deactivated by sunlight. That’s why it’s usually recommended for use at night time – so it can work its magic without the pesky sun getting in its way.

Rule #7: Always Apply Sunscreen Every Morning (No Arguments)

No matter how often or when you apply your retinol treatment, sunscreen is an absolute must. Retinol increases cell turnover which reduces dead skin cells at the surface and brings new, delicate layers to the top. So, don’t let UV radiation damage all that fresh skin before it’s had a chance to shine, OK? 

In fact, don't let UV radiation damage it at all. Generously apply a high factor (SPF 30), broad spectrum sunscreen that contains FDA-approved sun protective ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide every morning. It’s just common sense.

And, btw, our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen is literally ‘the one.’