True Radical Honesty From Our Community

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.’

Because not even Jennifer Lopez was 'born' with her infamous JLo glow…

Summer might be almost over (gasp!) but we’re still in full-on vacation mode at TruSkin HQ. And, for us, vacations are all about glowing, radiant skin – as well as a few new fabulous sundresses, of course. Ooh, and those Chloe sunglasses we’ve been eyeing up since June…

But we digress. Back to glowing skin, which, frankly, is not something most of us wake up with. Truth is, radiant skin takes work. Sure, you can spend a few minutes slapping self-tanner on your face and body, and, absolutely, makeup is fabulous for bronzing up your cheeks and adding shimmer to your décolletage. But wouldn’t you rather do real, longer-lasting good for your skin in the quest for an illuminating complexion?

Us too. That’s why you’ll find us mostly doing the following for the next few months. Scratch that, we’ll actually be doing them forever more. Because glowing skin is not something we want to give up once summer is over.

Get Handsy

A fantastic way to boost your circulation and simultaneously get your skin glowing and ready for the day is to give yourself a facial massage each morning while cleansing. It’s also totally free. And easy. Nice.

Wash your hands first, then wet your skin with lukewarm (never hot) water and squeeze a dime-sized amount of cleanser (Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser is a joy!) into the palms of your hands. Apply this all over your face and neck and really work it into your skin using the flats of your hands and the pads of your fingers – just NOT your nails as these can scratch and damage the surface of your skin.

Start on your forehead, pressing your fingers along the brow area and up your forehead towards the headline. Repeat this a few times, then work from the center of your nose and out along your cheeks to your temple area. Use large circular motions for a gentle, but fairly firm massage, again, repeating a couple of times, then continue with the same motions over your chin, along your jawline, then finish with long, smooth strokes down your neck.

Spend just two or three minutes doing this in the shower each morning. You'll be amazed by how much healthier your skin will look (and feel!).

Tone Down Your Exfoliation

Don’t get us wrong, summer is a great time to exfoliate more often than normal – if nothing else but to keep your pores clean and clear of excess oils, sweat and sunscreen. However, when you’re in the sunshine all day, every day, for however many days you’re lucky enough to be on vacation, exfoliating too much can make your skin extremely vulnerable to UV damage.

Of course, you can still reap the benefits of certain exfoliants while you’re away, you just need to choose your formulation wisely. Our Ocean Minerals Super Toner, for example, contains a super low percentage of glycolic acid to help boost cellular turnover without overdoing it. It’s a great little product to take away with you as it also helps to refresh and hydrate your skin.

If you prefer more of a scrub and can’t bear to be without it when you’re on vacay, stick to just once a week and exfoliate it in the morning rather than in the evening when your skin might be feeling the heat of a long day in the sun. Choose a super (and we mean, REALLY super) mellow scrub like our Vitamin C Gentle Facial Scrub and use a very delicate touch to smooth it over your skin and neck using lukewarm water to rinse thoroughly.

Layer Sunscreen & Vitamin C Before Beach Days

Want to ensure your skin is shielded from UV radiation in the best way possible? Then you not only have to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day (SPF 30 is the sweet spot), but you also need to layer up with a vitamin C serum. This powerful double act is pretty unbeatable when it comes to winning the battle and the war against sun damage. No exaggeration.

Vitamin C is one of the best topical antioxidants you can use on your skin as it counteracts damaging free radicals which, if left alone, can and will screw up your collagen and elastin, causing premature aging lightning fast. It basically supercharges your sunscreen while strengthening and fortifying your skin. Not to mention the fact that it also helps keep melanin under control to stop dark spots from ruining your mojo.

The issue, however, is that vitamin C can be pretty powerful if you don’t use it wisely. So we recommend choosing sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) over pure vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) as it’s way gentler. It also remains more stable when it hits light and oxygen as an added bonus.

The great thing is that our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen already comes packed with SAP, but for an extra morning boost, we always apply a few drops of Vitamin C Facial Serum underneath. Because it’s nice to be smug. And doubly protected from the wicked ways of the sun.

Try An Evening Double-Cleanse

Your skin gets subjected to a lot throughout the day: especially on vacation when you’re out in the sun, sweating more, producing more oil and layering on the SPF. 

This is why a thorough, pre-bedtime double cleanse is so crucial. As you sleep, your skin goes into full recharge mode, regenerating itself and repairing environmental damage, but it simply won’t be able to do this properly or efficiently if it’s clogged up with daily grime.

To nail an effective, but not-too-harsh double cleanse, start with a cream or oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, sebum, sunscreen and other oily surface debris. Then use a water-based formula like a gel or lotion to take care of sweat, pollutants and anything else that might still be hanging around on your skin.

As a rule, double cleansing can be too intense and, frankly, kind of unnecessary for most skin types on a daily basis, but for a thorough, summer vacay clean-up job we are all in.

Moisturize Like A Demon Before Bed

Heat from the sun can suck all the moisture and oils from your skin making dehydration and dryness a real issue. And get this: dry, dehydrated skin is never, we repeat never going to look radiant and healthy because it isn’t able to reflect light as well as soft, moisturized skin. 

So what must you do? Easy. You simply must replace lost hydration with Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum (it’s the bomb for drawing water to the surface of your skin). Then, moisturize thoroughly and effectively morning and night. We specifically like to amp it up before bed, slathering our face and neck with Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream to repair skin from everything a day on the beach throws at it (cocktails, chlorine, salt water, sunshine, need we go on?).

Waking up with great skin with very little effort? That is what we live for!

Sweat, sunscreen and excess oil can screw up your clear skin game. But so can stripping it of every last inch of moisture. It’s all about balance.

Summertime brings many fabulous things. Longer days, spritz o’clock and, this year, the Olympics which, we don’t know about you, but we love.

As far as your skin’s concerned, however, summer has its drawbacks. Sure, all that extra humidity is excellent for helping your skin to stay hydrated. And yes, sunshine instantly makes your skin take on a more healthy glow (as long as you’re wearing your SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C, of course).

But then there’s all the other stuff that can clog up your pores and make your face look shinier than a freshly awarded Olympic gold medal (obsessed, us?!). Sweat is more prevalent. Ditto, sebum. And all that sunscreen, no matter how lightweight, is an extra layer of product to wash away at the end of the day.

So, how do you ensure you effectively cleanse your skin each night and remove every last scrap of built-up summer grime, without sapping all the life from your skin, leaving it dry, dehydrated and potentially irritated as hell?

Here’s how.

Stay In The Shade

This may seem like a weird one but bear with us because how you spend your day is going to play a major part in how much sweat, oil and grime your face has to deal with at the end of it. What’s the phrase? Prevention is better than cure…

It’s simple, really. Direct sunlight equals more intense heat which makes you sweat more. Not only that, but higher temperatures accelerate your skin’s production of sebum, and when your skin feels sweaty and oily, you’re more likely to touch it more often, transferring dirt, grime and bacteria from your hands to your face.

Stay in the shade, however, and you will stay cooler so therefore sweat less, produce less sebum and hopefully keep your dirty hands away from your face. It’s a win win.

Freshen Up Throughout The Day

A great way to keep your cool throughout the day and help control sebum production so you don’t have so much to contend with later, is to keep a balancing facial spritz at hand.

Our Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner, for example, is awesome for refreshing and balancing oily and combination skin while hydrating and calming irritation or redness. It also only contains one ingredient, Moroccan rose water, so you don’t have to worry about overloading your skin with unnecessary ingredients if you get over-excited with it! Think of it as a smart, ‘plan ahead’ kind of product to help keep harmony in your skin on particularly hot, sweaty days,

Cleanse Well… But Not Too Well

Cleansing is often brushed aside as something you do without much thought. And that’s a big mistake because cleansing is a crucial step in your routine. How on earth is your skin supposed to function properly if it’s constantly suffocated by layers of grime? Similarly, how’s it supposed to maintain its strength and softness if it’s stripped of essential moisture thanks to poor cleansing practices and harsh ingredients. What was that word again? Oh yeah, balance.

Summer cleansing is all about detoxifying your skin by removing sweat and sunscreen and cutting through excess oils. But it needs to do all of this without upsetting the equilibrium of your skin’s barrier function. Otherwise, your skin will end up feeling tight and dehydrated with the added pain of being oilier than ever thanks to your sebaceous glands going into overdrive to counteract all that dehydration. Eesh!

The good news is there are plenty of fabulous cleansing formulations that will thoroughly remove of all the bad stuff, without stripping it of all the good stuff. Search out ingredients like tea tree oil, which does all of that while purifying and nurturing your skin to simultaneously reduce inflammation and minimize pesky breakouts. Try our Tea Tree Super Cleanser+ if that sounds like something you can get on board with.

Activated coconut charcoal, which you’ll find in our Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser is also fantastic for mopping up summertime debris. And, more good news, none of our cleansers contain sulfates which are notorious for drying out your skin. Bonus.

When cleansing, use lukewarm water rather than water that’s too hold or too cold. Cold water won’t cleanse your skin thoroughly enough whereas scorching hot temperatures will strip away too many oils. Lukewarm is the sweet spot.

Pimp Up Your Cleansing Routine With Toner

Some people swear by toner. Others find it to be a step in their skincare routine they just don’t need. And, honestly, unlike cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen it’s not an absolute must for the health of your skin. However, choose the right toner and it can offer all manner of benefits to your complexion.

As we just mentioned, after a hot summer’s day you want to remove every bit of sunscreen and who-knows-what-else from the surface of your skin. But, and it’s a BIG but, you don’t want to go cleanser-mad for fear of stripping your skin dry.

A great way to truly freshen up while nurturing your skin is to follow cleanser with toner. Those squeaky-clean-skin-promising toners from the 1980s, however, can take a running jump because they’re just as bad at over-stimulating your sebaceous glands as pore-stripping cleansers. Instead, go gentle, with formulations that pump goodness into your skin as they revive the surface and prepare your skin for th next steps in your routine. Ocean Minerals Super Toner, btw, is a very fine specimen to crush all this – plus it contains awesome ingredients like protective vitamin C, strengthening peptides and energizing ginseng.

Exfoliate Once More Per Week

A little extra exfoliation in the summertime is a great trick for keeping your pores especially clean and clear. Added bonus: it’ll also balance excess sebum and help control summer breakouts.

It’s important to remember, however, that over-exfoliating is a massive no-no because it screws up your barrier function and can make your skin itchy, red and super dehydrated. So don’t do it every day.

To get the balance just right, adding in one extra exfoliation each week. This should be enough to improve cell turnover and keep your skin fresh and glowing, without over-stimulating sebum or irritating your skin.

Depending on your jam, we have two incredible exfoliators for you to try.

First up we have 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant, a leave-on lotion you apply before moisturizing that combines gentle exfoliating acids to work on your skin all day long. If you prefer to actually ‘feel’ your exfoliant do its thing, however, give our new Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub a go.

Whichever one you choose, your summer skin will be super thankful for it.