True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Don’t be fooled by that gorgeous ball of fire in the sky. Sure, it makes you feel instantly happier and healthier. But word up, it’s hell on your skin.

The sun and your skin have a real love-hate relationship. On the surface, the sun makes your skin feel warm and glowing. But there’s a much darker side of the sun – if you’ll pardon the paradox.

The center of our entire solar system and the closest star to the Earth, the sun is a veritable fire ball of hot, glowing gases. Without it, we would not survive. However, as important as the sun’s rays are for fueling life as we know it, they’re also responsible for a massive amount of damage to your skin (as well as your eyes, health and immune system but that’s whole different story for another day).

Of course you know you need to protect your skin from the sun. But do you really understand why and, be honest, do you actually do it on the reg? Well, here are ten important facts about sun protection that will hopefully nudge you to get ahead of the sun damage game. Because, frankly, it’s no game at all…

1. Sun damage is all about UV radiation.

Sunlight is split into various forms of energy. It’s called the electromagnetic spectrum if you want to get technical, and it includes ultraviolet (UV) radiation, among others. UV is not the stuff you see (that’s called visible light), nor does it create heat (that’s infrared), however, it’s extremely powerful and the absolute devil when it comes to the health of your skin. It generates premature aging (think dark spots, wrinkles, sagging and leathery skin) and is believed to be one of the biggest causes of skin cancer.

2. Then there are your ABCs.

UV radiation is split into three different types: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC rays are the shortest and, thanks to the ozone, don’t reach the Earth’s surface or your skin. So, you really just need to be concerned about the As and the Bs.

UVA rays have the longest wavelength and account for around 95 percent of all UV radiation that gets through the ozone. Because of their longer length, UVA rays are able to penetrate through clouds and even glass, which means that a) they hit your skin all year round and b) they can even get you if you’re inside, sat next to a window. UVA rays go deep into your skin where they produce free radicals, break down collagen and elastin and age you up in no time.

UVB rays, on the other hand, are slightly shorter in wavelength and penetrate only the uppermost layers of your skin. They’re still bad news, though, damaging the cells at a surface level, and causing redness and sunburn.

Confused as to how to possibly remember all this? Simple: think UVA for aging and UVB for burning. Both, consequently, play their part in damaging DNA and causing skin cancer.

3. UVA is present ALL YEAR ROUND.

While UVB rays are more prevalent in summer, and especially during the middle of the day when the sun is at its peak, UVA rays stay pretty constant all year long. Experts agree that even on gloomy days, around 80 percent of the sun’s UVA rays still pass right through those clouds. This means that your risk of UVA skin damage never really goes away.

4. Newsflash: SPF only protects you from UVB radiation.

The SPF rating you see on your sunscreen is a great idea of how much protection it offers you from sun damage. But it really only concerns UVB radiation and burning, not UVA and its consequent effects on premature aging. So, how can you ensure you get the full monty? Well, the most important phrase you need to know and look out for is ‘broad spectrum'.

Broad spectrum means that a formulation has been tested to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays – aka, a broad spectrum of radiation. This was historically a very gray area but in 2011, the FDA issued a new ruling for sunscreen labels which meant that in order for a product to be labeled ‘broad spectrum’ it had to offer UVA protection that was proportional to its UVB protection. This means a higher SPF equates to higher UVA protection as well as higher UVB protection, which makes it much easier for you to know what you're buying into. 

5. Group hugs for mineral sunscreens which block both UVA & UVB radiation.

Ingredients in sunscreens can be split into two categories: chemical and mineral. Chemical ingredients like oxybenone and octinoxate have been under great scrutiny recently and are continually being studied for their potential negative effects on the environment and your health. In fact, no chemical sunscreens are currently proposed to be safe and effective by the FDA. The only two are mineral ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide form a physical, protective barrier on your skin which reflects the sun’s rays away from the surface. They provide instant protection from the sun and not only that, but they protect your skin from both UVA and UVB radiation. Chemical sunscreen ingredients can’t always boast such abilities, which is why our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen has been formulated with non-nano zinc oxide – in our opinion, it’s the ultimate defense against sun damage.

6. 30 is the magic number.

When it comes to the best SPF, most experts agree that 15 is as low as you should go. SPF 15 blocks out roughly 93 percent of the sun’s UV rays when applied thoroughly and generously – we’ll come to that in a bit.

As you get higher than SPF 15, your levels of protection increase minimally, but significantly. We believe SPF 30 is the sweet spot (especially when it comes to the fragile skin on your face), because this blocks around 97 percent of UV radiation.

7. In the case of sunscreen application, more is always more.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, most people don’t apply enough sunscreen, which means the level of protection promised on your bottle isn’t what you’ll get. Big mistake. To protect your skin the way it deserves, apply about a nickel-sized amount to your face and a good two tablespoons for the rest of your body – if it’s not hidden underneath clothes, of course.

8. Sunscreen should be the final step in your routine.

It can be confusing to know when to apply all the products in your skincare routine, but sunscreen must always be last. This way, it won’t interfere with or block out the ingredients in your moisturizer, but will sit nicely on top to block out the stuff it’s supposed to – in other words, the sun.

9. The longer you’re in the sun, the more often you need to reapply.

Most sunscreen labels tell you to reapply at least every two hours; more often if you’re swimming, sweating, sunbathing etc. This is super important because the harder your sunscreen has to work, the quicker it will lose its powers.

But what about for everyday use when you’re either sitting at your desk, or just going about your normal life? Do you really need to cleanse your face and reapply your facial SPF every two hours in these instances? In all honesty, this is up to you and a little bit of common sense. If you’re picnicking in the park all day long, then yes, you should definitely reapply regularly. But if you’re working inside, away from a window and only going outside to grab some lunch or a coffee then your sun exposure will be limited, so a generous morning application should do the job.

10. Sunscreen is awesome… but it’s not the be-all and end-all.

The best way to protect your skin from sun damage, aging and skin cancer is to go for a multi-pronged approach that shields you from all angles. Our top sun safety rules are:

• Stay out of the midday sun and search out the shade as much as possible – especially on scorching hot days.
• Wear sun-protective, long-sleeved clothing as well as cute sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Invest in some UV protective film to fix to the windows around your house. This is especially important if you sit at a desk all day and your desk happens to face a window.
• Apply an SPF 30 sunscreen to all exposed areas of your skin every morning. Our new SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen is ideal because it’s light enough for everyday use, yet packs a real punch to protect your skin from UVA and UVB radiation.
• Double up your sun-battling skincare regimen by including antioxidants like vitamin C in your morning routine. Vitamin C not only helps mop up skin-damaging free radicals, but it’s also been proven to help maximize the powers of your sunscreen, giving you added protection. Our sunscreen includes its own shot of vitamin C but you can up the ante by applying Vitamin C Serum every morning after cleansing and before moisturizing.

You might not be able to spell hyaluronic acid, but who cares? What you really need to know is what it does and exactly why you need to include it in your skincare regimen.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a veritable darling of the beauty world, and almost every skincare brand we know has harnessed its powers to help bring your skin to a better place. But it’s one thing to see this wonder ingredient on your ingredient list and think, ‘Yeah, I’ve heard of hyaluronic acid. That stuff’s supposed to be good,’ to truly grasping what HA can offer.

As you probably know, our main MO is to fill in these little gaps to help give you a better understanding of your skincare options so you can make excellent decisions for the benefit of your skin. Because knowledge is power, right?

Well, here are five things you might not know about hyaluronic acid.

1. Hyaluronic Acid Is A Humectant

Hyaluronic acid, otherwise known as hyaluronan, is a sugar molecule that’s naturally found by the bucketload in your body. It’s present in your joints, eyes and cartilage, but around 50 percent of the body’s total amount of HA is in your skin, where it helps keep things cushioned and lubricated. How does it do this? Well, HA is known as a humectant, which means it works like a sponge to attract water to hydrate the skin – either from the air or from deeper within the skin’s dermis. Other humectants include the likes of aloe, glycerin, honey and urea.

The amazing thing about hyaluronic acid is that it’s been proven to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. And if that sounds like a lot... well, that’s because it is.

2. Age-Related Hyaluronic Acid Loss Is A Thing

Aging is a privilege, but it’s also darn hard on your skin. As you know, much of the good stuff that keeps your skin plump, radiant, soft and youthful decreases as you get older. Collagen and elastin are the obvious ones here, but your levels of naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid also diminish over time.

According to the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, HA loss can begin as early as your 20s, with levels reducing by as much as half by the age of 50. Ouch! This is one of the main reasons your skin feels more dehydrated as you get older, and of course it contributes to those fine lines and wrinkles creeping up on you.

It’s also why counteracting this massive loss with some topical HA in your skincare routine is such a fine idea.

3. If Used Incorrectly, Hyaluronic Acid Can Actually Dehydrate Your Skin

Shut the front door.

This is an interesting one because sure, HA is a moisture-loving skincare ingredient that’s great for adding much-needed water and hydration to the surface of your skin. But it can also do the opposite. Bear with us for a minute…

As we’ve already explained, HA needs water in order to hydrate your skin. Well, it has to get this from somewhere and if there’s no water on the surface or if you live in a climate that’s seriously lacking in humidity, any HA you apply will pull water up from deeper within your skin. And that’s not ideal.

Thankfully, this is easily rectified – you just need to apply your HA moisturizer or serum (and may we suggest our awesome Hyaluronic Acid Serum?) to damp skin, straight after cleansing. Then, if you’ve gone for a serum (and just to reiterate, you probably should!), apply moisturizer over the top to seal all that water in. Serums, while awesome at delivering active ingredients to your skin, often lack emollient or occlusive ingredients like fatty acid-rich oils, which are vital because they help lock moisture into your skin. We repeat, always follow your serum with a creamy moisturizer like Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer.

4. Hyaluronic Acid Is Not Just About Hydrating The Skin

Far from a one-trick pony, hyaluronic acid offers countless other benefits for your skin – other than the obvious effects of improved hydration like smoother, stronger skin and fewer visible lines and wrinkles. For starters, HA works hard to help fortify your skin’s important barrier function, which helps your skin defend itself from environmental factors like pollution, sun damage and toxins.

HA is also an anti-inflammatory and, not to be a complete show-off, but it boasts awesome antioxidant properties, too. Antioxidants are super important for the health of your skin because they target skin-damaging free radicals, helping to neutralize them before they seriously harm and age up your skin.

5. Hyaluronic Acid Works For Most Skin Types

Unlike some active skincare ingredients we won’t name (because we love them just as dearly), the form of botanical HA we use in our formulas is known for being gentle and well tolerated by most skin types. After all, it's designed to mimic the the naturally-occurring HA in your skin, so it's less likely to cause irritation, sensitivities or trigger existing skin conditions like rosacea or acne. Our Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream is packed with botanical HA for these very reasons.

Of course, there’s always a slim chance you might have a mild reaction to hyaluronic acid but this is more common with HA fillers than with skincare. We always recommend performing a patch test just in case. In fact, this is something you should do when using any treatment or active skincare formulation for the first time. Then you can catch anything untoward before it's too late, and make a decision on whether that particular product is right for you.

Other than pairing well with most skin types (even sensitive), botanical HA also works seamlessly with other active skincare ingredients like retinol, niacinamide and vitamin C. In fact, HA and retinol get on VERY well together, hence the popularity of our Retinol Facial Moisturizer, which contains both.

Now, can we have a big hurrah for hyaluronic acid, please? For it truly does deserve every bit of praise it receives.

You know sunscreen is important. You know you need to apply it on the reg. But do you know that there are two very distinct types of sunscreen formulations? Allow us to explain…

As beauty products go, sunscreens can be a lot to wrap your head around. You know where you are with cleansers, right? Even moisturizers, for the most part, are fairly simple guys. But sunscreens are far more complicated. Not only do you have things like SPF, UVA and UVB to get to grips with, but terms like ‘broad-spectrum,’ ‘photostability’ and ‘noncomedogenic’ also get thrown into the pot and, well, mind… officially… blown.

The good news is you don’t need to be a complete sun protection know-it-all – that’s what sunscreen manufacturers, skincare experts and dermatologists are for. But it is useful to understand a few things in order to avoid sun damage, do the absolute best for your skin, and make fair judgements when choosing the right products for your needs and concerns.

On that note, today’s lesson is all about the two main types of sunscreen available to you: chemical and mineral. What’s the difference and which is best? Let’s have a look, shall we?

What Are Chemical Sunscreens?

Chemical sunscreens use active chemical ingredients (although you probably guessed that much) to protect your skin from the sun. They do so by absorbing UV radiation like a sponge just below the surface of your skin. These UV rays are then broken down into heat and released through your skin. Typical chemical sunscreens include ingredients like oxybenzone, octisalate, avobenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate.

Granted, these chemicals are pretty clever and due to their molecular structure, they allow for sunscreen formulas to be lightweight, sheer and ideal for everyday use. However, there are some potential downsides. Many experts believe that some of these chemicals are being absorbed by the body way too much, possibly causing hormonal disruption and cell damage. Other studies have shown that certain chemicals sunscreens like oxybenzone may have an environmental impact, negatively affecting our planet’s waterways and marine life.

In 2019, the FDA proposed some regulation changes to chemical sunscreen ingredients and, while this proposal did not categorically deem these ingredients to be unsafe, it did state that more information and research was needed before they were proposed safe and effective.  

Because of all this, many companies have completely stopped using certain chemical sunscreen ingredients in their formulations. Hawaii has even banned some of them. Oxybenzone is one of the main offenders, even though much work is still to be done to prove hands-down that chemical sunscreens are harmful to humans and the environment.

The Pros Of Chemical Sunscreen

• Lightweight & easy to apply 
• Long-lasting 
• Great for all skin tones 

The Cons Of Chemical Sunscreen

• Must be applied at least 20 minutes before sun exposure 
• Not ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin
• Potentially harmful to your health & the environment

What Are Mineral Sunscreens?

Also known as physical sunscreens, mineral sunscreens contain active mineral ingredients that sit on the surface of your skin to form a physical, reflective barrier against the sun’s rays. (Although some research suggests absorption may also be at play.) One thing's for certain, they're super effective at stopping those rays from penetrating and potentially damaging your skin. Typical mineral sun blockers are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which both offer natural, broad spectrum protection and are consequently the only two sunscreen ingredients currently proposed safe and effective by the FDA.

Mineral sunscreens naturally protect your skin against both UVA and UVB radiation (not all chemical sunscreens do that), are less irritating than chemical sunscreens and they also provide instant protection – you need to apply chemical ones a good 20 minutes before exposure.

So, what’s the catch? Well, mineral sunscreens have historically been thick, sticky and harder to apply and, because they sit on the surface of  your skin, they tend to rub off more easily. However, thanks to technology moving on in leaps and bounds over the last few decades, those gloopy white, impossible-to-spread sunscreens you remember as a child are no longer the norm. 

The Pros Of Mineral Sunscreen

• Works immediately 
• Effective for all skin types 
• Safe for your health & the environment 

The Cons Of Mineral Sunscreen

• Needs to be reapplied frequently
• Thicker formulation
• May leave a slight white cast

So, Which Sunscreen Is Better: Chemical Or Mineral?

The answer to this question depends on who you ask. Someone with very dark skin might have a tough time with mineral sunscreens because, although many formulations today are tinted or sheer, there’s still a slight chance of some formulas leaving a whitish cast on skin. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens can block your pores and cause breakouts or irritation, so people with sensitive or acne-prone skin are often better off with mineral sunscreens.

And then, of course, there are the health and environmental debates which are constantly ongoing. Studies still need to be made to clarify any negative issues caused by chemical sunscreens, but we care about our oceans, reefs and marine life just as much as we care about your skin and health, so just to be sure, we personally sit firmly in the mineral sunscreen camp. This is why (drumroll, please) we just launched our very own Mineral Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 30, which has been formulated with non-nano zinc oxide and comes jam-packed with other skin-loving ingredients like vitamin C and vegan marine collagen. 

To finish, the most important thing to remember is that whichever type of sunscreen you choose, make sure you apply it regularly and generously. The sun is responsible for between 80 and 90 percent of external skin aging, so protecting your skin and shielding it from those damaging UV rays should be one of the most important parts of your daily routine. And when we say daily we mean every day of the year. Not just spring, not just summer. Every day. No arguments.

Because without proper cleansing, your skin will never (we repeat, never) live its best life.

Cleansing: not really that important in the grand scheme of things, right? Wrong. Very wrong. In fact, cleansing is just as important as moisturizing, treating and protecting your skin. Maybe even more so. Not convinced? Then ask yourself this: how is your skin supposed to function properly if it’s being ‘suffocated’ by layers of oil, dirt, makeup, sunscreen, sweat and bacteria? Answer: It can’t. Not only that, but how’s the rest of your skincare routine supposed to go about its business if it has all that nasty, pore-clogging stuff to get through? Again, it can’t.

So, if you feel like your cleansing routine isn't up to scratch, now’s the time to change that. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you get it spot-on.

The Three Golden Rules Of Cleansing

Before we get into the best cleansing tricks for your skin type, there are a few important rules to have up your sleeves…

Rule 1. Cleanse Twice A Day

Always cleanse your face and neck every morning and every evening – stat. Your morning cleanse is important to prep your skin for what’s to come from the rest of your daily skincare routine, while the nighttime one is essential for whisking away the woes of the day. If you go to the gym during the day, it’s also a wise move to cleanse after exercising, so all that sweat doesn’t sit on your skin and clog up your pores.

And where do we stand on double cleansing? Truthfully? We don’t believe it’s necessary unless you have super oily skin or wear a lot of heavy makeup. We said it!

Rule 2. Make Good Product Choices

Whether you choose a lotion, micellar water, foam or face wash is up to you and your skin type (more on that in a minute), but to get the best results, choose a gentle formulation that isn’t jammed with unnecessary chemicals and synthetic fragrance.

Sulfates, for example, are often found in cleansing formulations because they do a great job of cleaning your skin. But they can also strip away skin's natural oils, which ends up drying out your skin and causing irritation. We don’t like sulfates. Neither should you.

Rule 3. Perfect Your Cleansing Technique

When washing your face with water, never go too hot. Just like nasty chemicals, hot water sucks away natural oils and upsets your skin’s barrier function. It’s one of the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) biggest cleansing no-nos and we totally agree.

Finally, take your time when you cleanse. Apply your product all over your face (not forgetting your neck) and work it all over for at least two minutes. Use gentle, circular motions and think of it as a mini-massage – your skin will love you for that.

How To Choose The Best Cleanser For Your Skin Type

Now that you have a basic understanding of the best cleansing practices for ALL skin types, here's how to tailor-make them for your own personal needs...

Dry Skin

As we just mentioned, our number one rule for all skin types is to choose the gentlest cleanser you can. And this is never more important than if you have dry skin. Dry skin has little to do with water (that’s dehydration rather than dryness), but rather it lacks the natural oils needed to lock in said moisture to keep your skin soft and supple.

When choosing the right cleansing formula for dry skin, look for soothing products that contain humectants to draw moisture to the surface, and emollients to hold it there. Ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and fatty acid-rich oils are perfect for helping to reduce dryness, dehydration and irritation.

Try: Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser

Balanced Skin

Good on you if you have balanced skin. (Jealous, much? Us?)

But seriously, very few people have perfectly balanced skin, so if you count yourself in this elite group, you’re very lucky. This skin type can get away with using foams, lotions, micellar waters or gels (whatever floats your boat). Just remember to look for antioxidant-enriched cleansers to help protect your skin from environmental damage, and continue to avoid harsh ingredients. Otherwise, you might find your balanced skin pays you back – and not in kind.

Try: Any one of our awesome cleansers!

Oily Skin

Oily skin is due to overactive sebaceous glands that produce more sebum than your skin really needs. Sebum is super important because it contains several types of complex oils and lipids such as triglycerides, fatty acids, cholesterol and squalene, which work together to lubricate and support the health of your skin. It also plays an essential role in maintaining a slightly acidic pH level to prevent bacteria and viruses from penetrating the skin. But that being said, overly oily skin can be a real pain in the butt to deal with.

Good news and bad. Oily skin is usually genetic (sorry about that), but while you can’t change what you were born with, you can manage and control it. And cleansers are probably one of, if not the most important ways to do that. The biggest mistake is to strip your skin of oil which, contrary to popular belief, will exacerbate oil production. So, don’t do that. Instead, look for ingredients that whisk away dirt, oil and impurities without sucking every last drop of life from your complexion. We love tea tree oil, which does all that while purifying and nurturing skin to reduce inflammation and minimize pesky breakouts.

Try: Tea Tree Super Cleanser+

Combination Skin

Combination skin is oily in certain areas and dry in others due to unbalanced sebum production. Again, it’s hereditary and never the same for everyone, but the excess oil is often concentrated around your t-zone where the sebaceous glands are usually more active. Dry patches, meanwhile, tend to be found on the cheeks or around the eyes.

Depending on your ratio of oiliness to dryness, you’ll probably have a tendency to concentrate on oily areas while you cleanse, and dry areas when you moisturize. Try to avoid this. Instead, use pH-balanced cleansers and light, non-comedogenic moisturizers all over to help stabilize your skin.

Also, make sure to steer clear of drying alcohols and unnecessary fragrances which will do nothing but dry out your skin further and exacerbate oil production around your t-zone.

Try: Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, so make sure you treat your favorite mom (or mother figure) to something she’ll REALLY love this year. Hint: it begins with ‘skin’ and ends with ‘care'.

Do you love your mom more than anything in the world? Or maybe you feel like showing your appreciation for another fine and fabulous woman in your life – perhaps a friend who just had a baby, or a dog-mom BFF? Well, good news, people: you’ve come to the right place because this Mother’s Day it’s all about giving the gift of great skin.

Of course, you can’t wave a magic wand and transform even your own skin, let alone someone else’s. But what you can do is gift them with kind, gentle and effective skincare that helps care for and look after their complexion. Now, we’re not sure about you, but we think that’s the best gift ever. Biased? Us? Not even.

Whatever floats your favorite woman’s boat, we have just the product for them…

For the woman who craves the 'latest thing’: Tea Tree Super Cleanser +

Who doesn’t love new stuff? Well, have we got the ideal gift for the woman who goes wild for the hottest new products. Our Tea Tree Super Cleanser+ launched just last month and has already become a fan favorite. Super refreshing and ultralight, this awesome cleansing gel targets all the nasty stuff that gets left on the skin but will never leave it feeling depleted, tight or dry.

What’s more, get in there quick and you’ll also receive a free gift with purchase in the shape of our skin-balancing Tea Tree Super Serum+. Bonus!

For the woman who loves her sleep: Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream

Frankly, every human we know loves their bed, but there are some women who count bedtime as the best time and simply can’t get enough of their beauty sleep. You know the ones, they love their fancy silk PJs and spend a good amount of time treating their skin with loving care before they even think about turning in for the night. We believe the best gift for them is our luxurious Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream, which is bursting with nourishing, soothing and brightening ingredients to help skin rejuvenate itself overnight. You could even couple it with a soft-as-a-cloud eye mask for the greatest Mother's Day gift ever.

For the woman with sensitive skin: Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner

Giving skincare to someone with sensitive skin is not something to be taken lightly. But it’s not impossible, you just need to be extra careful about the products you buy them. Overly fragranced formulations are a major no-no, as are harsh, unnecessary ingredients like sulfates, parabens and phthalates. You’ll be pleased to hear we don’t use any of that nonsense in our products, but still you can never be sure what’s going to cause a reaction in super sensitive skin types. So the answer? Buy them something pure and simple like our Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner. Made with just one ingredient – Moroccan rose water – it gently hydrates, tones and refreshes skin with minimal irritation. We love that journey for sensitive souls.

For the fitness fanatic who loves to work out: Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser

Sure you could buy her some Lycra or a new water flask, but why bother with those when you can lavish her post-workout skin with this deep cleansing facial cleanser? Perfect for balancing skin while removing oil, sweat, dirt and makeup, our Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser contains activated coconut charcoal to detox the skin, plus antioxidant-rich reishi and propolis to help repel the visible signs of aging. We call this a true gym-bag essential.

For the woman you adore more than anyone in the world: Age Defying 3-Pack Bundle

Show how much you appreciate her with not just one, but three of our bestselling facial serums. Now that’s love, right there! This age-defying trio contains our Retinol, Vitamin C and Hylauronic Acid Facial Serums, which all come loaded with active ingredients and natural botanicals to target signs of aging and help hydrate, refine, brighten and smooth skin. A real goodie for any discerning skincare fan.

For the woman who can’t get enough of the great outdoors: Vitamin C Super Serum+

Little beats the great outdoors for boosting the spirits and lifting the soul. However, there’s one major problem with the outside world: the sun. Research proves that the sun is responsible for between 80 and 90 percent of all external skin aging so it’s simply unacceptable to be outdoors without protecting your skin from those damaging UV rays. Of course, SPF is always a must but no one wants to unwrap a bottle of sunscreen on Mother’s Day – where’s the fun in that? This gorgeous, pumped-up facial serum that’s chock-full of free radical-fighting antioxidants, however? Bring it.

For the woman who works around the clock: Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream

A busy schedule often means a lack of sleep and tired, puffy or dark-circled eyes. Why do the eyes suffer so much? Because the skin here is thinner, drier and more fragile than the rest of the face, so it ages much quicker. Thankfully, we have just the product for helping her look more sprightly – even if she is existing on just a few hours of zzzs each night. Say hello to our Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream, which is formulated to work on the delicate, hardworking skin around the eyes, morning and night.

For the woman who’s serious about anti-aging: Day & Night Duo

Forget dogs; serums are a girl’s best friend. Actually, don’t forget dogs because we love our four-legged friends almost as much as we love our skincare. But we digress…

If you’re looking for a complete anti-aging serum package that deals with the daytime issues of environmental pollution and UV radiation while also helping to revive and rejuvenate skin through the night, this Day & Night Duo is the gift you’ve been waiting for. Containing our bestselling Vitamin C Facial Serum along with the mighty Retinol Facial Serum, it’s the complete morning and nighttime skincare package. No arguments.

Now, don’t mind us while we add a few (read: 'all') of these to our carts right now. One for mom, one for us...

What are holistic skincare ingredients and what can they honestly do for your skin?

Don't get us wrong, we love safe and effective synthetically-created skincare ingredients here at TruSkin. After all, without them our lives would be devoid of some true powerhouses like retinol and vitamin C. And frankly, we’re not willing to give those up.

At our core, however, we’re all about combining science-bred substances with natural, holistic ingredients sourced directly from our planet. Why? Because not only does this avoid overloading skin with unnecessary additives and irritants, but it’s better for the world AND, we wholeheartedly believe, better for your skin.

But first, what does holistic mean? According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of ‘holistic’ is ‘relating to or concerned with whole or complete systems rather than the treatment of parts.’ You’ve heard the phrase, ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,’ right? This is the essence of holism (or ‘wholism’ as it’s also known… *penny drops). 

In terms of skincare, holism is all about using natural and/or organic ingredients to improve your mind, body and spirit and help create a feeling of total wellness across the entire body. It’s not simply about treating the surface of your skin for a quick, but often short-term, fix. It’s deeper than that and looks at the bigger picture in a bid to understand and address the root cause of your skin concerns to yield better, longer-term improvements.

As you know, your skin is a major reflection on your mental and physical health as a whole. Stress, for one, can wreak havoc on your complexion, causing inflammation, dryness and breakouts, to name just a few. Ditto when it comes to things like wayward hormones and food allergies. Holistic skincare aims to work in harmony with better lifestyle habits to counteract any internal and external forces that may be affecting your skin. By tackling your concerns from both the inside and the outside, holistic therapy aims to create a better balance, which not only improves your health… but also your skin.

Hopefully that all makes sense, but if it’s still a tad confusing, just remember this: holistic skincare ingredients are centered around improving your entire being and they’re always defined by nature. Essential oils, plant extracts, herbs and phytonutrients, all of these are holistic ingredients.

So, what are some of the best? Good question. Here are our current top five.

1. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is steam-distilled from the leaves of the Australian melaleuca alternifolia tree. Native Aborigines have used it for centuries to heal their skin, and over the years it’s become a trusted favorite among holistic therapists. Why is it so revered? Because as acne-clearing, skin-purifying ingredients go, tea tree oil is pretty hard to beat. It’s naturally chock-full of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which means it not only fights off acne-causing bacteria at skin's surface, but also helps reduce the oiliness, facial redness and irritation that always come as part of the acne deal.

Try our truly unique new Tea Tree Super Cleanser + to see and feel the benefits of this awesome essential oil.

2. Chamomile

A real superstar in the holistic skincare world, chamomile (anthemis nobilis) contains powerful antioxidants, making it a beauty for fighting off damaging free radicals and helping keep your skin strong, soft, youthful and radiant. Just like the calming benefits of a nighttime cup of chamomile tea, topical chamomile is also super-soothing on your skin. Oh, and it’s an anti-inflammatory thanks to its abundance of flavonoids, meaning it doesn’t merely offer immediate comfort for irritated or sensitized skin, it also helps fight inflammation in the long run.

Chamomile is part of the magic of Tea Tree Super Cleanser+, and it's also blended into our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream – because chamomile in a night cream totally figures, right?

3. Aloe

We heart aloe and formulate it into all of our skincare products except one (more on that particular product later). Aloe’s piece de resistance is the juicy, water-rich gel found in its leaves, which is brimming with skin-loving enzymes, minerals, vitamins and amino acids, plus anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial compounds.

Similar to tea tree, aloe has been used for eons, in this case to help hydrate and soothe skin. But it’s not just a healing champ primarily used for sunburn and chaffing (although it’s pretty darn great at that). Aloe also contains phytosterols which are cholesterol-like molecules that help strengthen skin’s barrier function. And your barrier function lays the foundation for healthy, strong skin, so it’s super important, especially in holistic skincare. Check out the ingredients list of your favorite TruSkin product – chances are it’ll be somewhere near the top. Because yes, it’s that good.

4. Dead Sea Salt

Another healing superpower that’s incredible for countering inflammation, redness and dry skin, there are no prizes for guessing where Dead Sea salt comes from. Yes, it’s extracted from the Dead Sea in Israel which is known as one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth.

Unlike most sea salt which consists primarily of sodium chloride, Dead Sea salt contains a higher concentration of more beneficial minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium and sulfur. Magnesium, for example, is great for hydrating your skin, boosting cellular turnover and strengthening that all-important barrier function. Meanwhile, sulfur works a little like salicylic acid to reduce excess sebum and fight acne breakouts. Along with many other fabulous holistic ingredients, you’ll find Dead Sea salt in Tea Tree Super Cleanser +.

5. Rose Water

Remember that one single product we mentioned earlier that doesn’t contain aloe? Well, Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner is it. And the reason it doesn’t harness the skin-soothing powers of aloe? Because it contains just one, pure, unadulterated ingredient: rose water.

Rose water is created by steaming rose petals in water and it’s frequently used in skincare because of its antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Of course, this makes it a shoo-in for red, itchy or sensitive skin, but it’s not just a one-trick pony. Rose water is also super-hydrating, making it ideal for parched skin. It’s also great at balancing skin’s pH levels and controlling wayward sebum production, which is excellent news for anyone looking to improve the appearance of enlarged pores.

Of course, a truly holistic skincare regime also encompasses other positive lifestyle habits to further balance your skin and body while improving your emotional wellbeing. This means stress, cruddy sleep, an unhealthy diet and smoking are all major no-nos. Try to work on these if any of them ring true.