True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Elastin is the unsung hero of resilient, bouncy, healthy-looking skin. So, sure, collagen needs your undivided attention, but don’t forget about this other important protein working hard to keep your skin in shape.

Put your hands up if you dream of the bouncy skin you had when you were young. And, while we might not remember our own, how adorable is the skin of a young baby? It’s. Just. So. Plump. Not to mention insanely springy and so incredibly soft. Gosh, why doesn’t our 30/40/50/60/70-something skin have the same bouncebackability? Not fair!

The thing is, just like the entire human body, your skin changes as you get older. It’s as inevitable as day turning to night. The clocks tick, life continues and your body ages. And that’s never going to change.

The structure of your skin is super important when it comes to how strong, supple, soft and smooth it remains during the aging process. Of course, collagen is the biggie – mainly because it’s the most abundant protein in the body, accounting for between 70 and 80 percent of all proteins within the skin alone. But collagen can’t do it all alone. It needs a wing man.

Enter elastin, the Robin to collagen’s Batman. The Watson to its Sherlock, if you will. And officially the unsung hero of bouncy, fabulous-looking skin.

What Is Elastin, Anyway?

Elastin is a structural protein (just like collagen) that’s produced by the fibroblasts in the middle layer of your skin, aka the dermis. While collagen provides the backbone to your skin, giving it strength and firmness, elastin helps the skin seamlessly work with your body’s natural movements, allowing it to stretch, flex and bounce back to its original position.

During childhood your skin is literally chock full of collagen and elastin. But as you race past early adulthood, you get to say a slow farewell to your skin’s strength and supple nature. It happens around your mid-20s ­– give or take ­– when your body starts to slow down and all the good stuff that made your skin so plump and baby-soft ups and leaves. Not only does your skin produce fewer of these important proteins but all the existing stuff begins to break down. 

Of course, natural aging is the major factor here, but don’t forget that many of your lifestyle choices also play their part in the rate at which elastin packs its bags and leaves town. And they’re the things you can actually do something about. UV radiation from prolonged sun exposure is one of the biggest elastin-killers, as is chronic stress, environmental pollution and a diet that’s high in things like processed carbs and refined sugar. All these things trigger inflammation and oxidative stress which break down your skin’s elasticity at lightning speeds.

The result? Skin becomes weaker, thinner, less supple and less resilient. Which is why serious action is required. You know what they say, prevention is better than cure. And in this case, never a truer word has been spoken.

5 Ways To Protect & Preserve Your Skin’s Important Elastin Supplies

Stopping time is not something even the latest AI technology can accomplish. So, instead of worrying about your age, let’s focus on some of the things you CAN do to help protect your elastin (and your collagen as an added bonus!)…

1. Never Scrimp On Sunscreen

We know it’s tempting to lap up the sun’s warming, skin-bronzing rays, but UV radiation is the biggest cause of external aging. And science has proven it so. You see, UV rays actively break down elastin fibers by creating free radicals in your skin. And these free radicals compromise the structure of all the good proteins that keep your skin ticking over nicely. Nothing good comes from free radicals so you must do everything you can to keep them to a bare minimum. The easiest way to accomplish this? Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen like SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C to any areas of exposed skin. Do this every day (even when it’s cloudy) and you can pat yourself on the back for safeguarding your skin and simultaneously protecting its important stash of collagen and elastin. Take that, sun.

2. Double Down With Topical Antioxidants

Did you know that topical antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea and niacinamide also act like your skin’s very own personal repair crew? While sunscreen limits the number of free radicals that form in your skin in the first place, antioxidants help to neutralize any that manage to slip through the net. Clever, right?

All of our facial serums are packed with antioxidants so if you’re not sure which is best for you, check out our guide right here.

3. Rethink Your Dietary Habits

As we mentioned earlier, sugar is one of the worst culprits for screwing up your collagen and elastin. The problem is a process called glycation.

Glycation occurs in the skin when excess sugar binds itself to vital proteins, leading to the formation of advanced glycation end products, aka AGEs. AGEs are everything their name suggests. They degrade collagen and elastin and thus compromise the entire integrity of your delicate skin, aging you up way quicker than you signed up for.

Try to avoid sugar-laden foods and alcohol and, instead, enrich your diet with foods that are rich in vitamin C (fruit and veggies), zinc (meat, eggs, beans and seeds) and omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, walnuts and chia seeds). Also, stay hydrated. And if you are partial to an alcohol beverage or two, make sure you counteract every glass with equal measures (or more) of water.

4. When In Doubt, Pick Retinol (Or Bakuchiol!)

As gold standards in skincare go, retinol is more often than not the pick of the crop. A form of topical vitamin A, retinol is a smart little cookie because it’s able to ‘communicate’ with your skin at a cellular level to truly rev up its production of both collagen and elastin.

Of course, retinol is not all moonlight and roses because it’s an extremely potent beast and can upset sensitive skin if it’s not used carefully. Follow a few retinol rules, however, and most people can use it comfortably and to great effect. We truly believe, for example, that if you patch test our Retinol Facial Serum or Retinol Moisturizer first, then introduce it slowly into your routine, you’re on to a real winner. Not convinced? NP. Try our Rejuvenating Longevity Serum which harnesses the powers of bakuchiol – that's nature’s gentler alternative to retinol, in case you’re yet to be acquainted. Note to self: it’s real good.

5. Manage Your Levels Of Stress

Stress raises your levels of cortisol and boosts the number of free radicals in your skin which upsets your skin’s barrier function, screws up your skin’s natural pH levels and seriously ruins its supplies of collagen, elastin, even hyaluronic acid. Nothing good comes from stress like that.

However, with today's busy lifestyles, keeping your stress levels under control is often easier said than done. But it's not impossible. Some of our favorite ways to de-stress include yoga, going for walks, reading, taking a bath or trying a new hobby. Basically, do whatever you can do to carve out a little me-time on the reg (even just a few minutes will help) and you will immediately help reduce your levels of stress and therefore look after your skin as an added bonus. 

Want to crush lit-from-within skin this spring? Then you’d better start your glow-getting routine immediately.

We don’t know about you, but this time of year is when we generally start thinking about getting our skin prepped and primed for spring. After all, brighter sunshine, longer days and warmer temps mean more time spent outside and so we want our skin to reflect the joys of springtime weather – bright, radiant and full of life.

Don’t get us wrong, we’ve done everything we can to keep our skin moisturized and looking good all winter long, but it’s not always easy, especially after the holidays when the focus has been more on wine and cheese than topical antioxidants and deep moisturization.

So what’s on the ‘must do this’ list for getting skin glowing and ready for spring? Follow these pointers and you’ll be well on the way. 

1. Focus On Moisture

Winter is notorious for drying out the skin. You can blame the weather, for sure, because dry, cold air sucks all the hydration from the skin’s uppermost layers. But there are plenty of other things going on that ruin your skin’s moisture mojo. Central heating has to take some responsibility, as must things like hot baths and comfort foods.

If your skin is still feeling somewhat thirsty after battling the elements all winter long, stick with what you’ve likely been doing for the past few months. It’ll pay off eventually – promise. Invest in a humidifier for your bedroom to boost the moisture content in the air as you sleep and make sure your diet includes plenty of water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon and tomatoes, as well as omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish and seeds.

As for your skincare routine, we love to layer a hydrating, nourishing serum under moisturizer as this supercharges the skin’s levels of moisture, without it needing to rely on super-heavy creams that can weigh it down.

Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is always a smart choice but you could also try our much-loved but often underestimated Peptide Facial Serum which combines three of the best hydrators we know – aloe, glycerin and panthenol – alongside collagen-enhancing peptides. Apply your serum of choice under moisturizer morning and night and your skin will soon have a brighter pep in its step. Plus, it'll feel downright amazing as an extra bonus.

2. Get Friendly With Exfoliating Acids

Chemical exfoliants are awesome for gifting your skin with a smoother (and therefore brighter) surface. Unlike facial scrubs which use grains like fine sand or salt and require physical motion to work, chemical exfoliants simply sit on your skin and go about their business with no effort at all. They work by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells so they’re able to slough away quicker and more efficiently. Simple as that. 

Furthermore, if you choose wisely and opt for a kind-to-skin formulation that harmonizes different kinds of chemical exfoliants, you may even be able to use it every day. Take our 6% AHA, BHA and PHA Liquid Exfoliant, for example. This hard-working, but never too hard-on-your-skin toner accelerates cell turnover with a perfectly balanced blend of glycolic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA) and gluconolactone (PHA). And, yes, we know that might sound like a lot of exfoliating acids for one face, but fear not, we made sure to include just the right amount of each to gently exfoliate without leaving your skin feeling stripped or dry.

It’s the perfect product to give your skin the coveted glow you’ve been seeking since September said goodbye.

3. OD On Vitamin C

One of our favorite skin mottos is ‘when in doubt, reach for topical vitamin C.’ And do you know what? It’s never let us down. In fact, vitamin C is what’s known at TruSkin HQ as the ultimate brightening powerhouse. Not only is it one of the most trusted and tested antioxidants (reminder: antioxidants fight free radicals and keep your collagen levels in check) but it’s also thought to inhibit melanin production which means fewer dark spots, less patchy areas and a more glowy, even-looking complexion all round.

Of course, we don’t literally want you to OD on vitamin C. Some forms can be extremely potent and even a little irritating if you use them too much and apply them too often. So you have to tread carefully. Our advice? Introduce new products slowly into your routine, patch test them first, and stick with sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP). SAP is a salt form of the pure stuff which makes it more stable and therefore much gentler.

You'll find vitamin C, and more specifically SAP, in a ton of our skincare formulations so you really can pick and choose depending on your skin’s needs and preferences. Serums are the obvious choice, but since you're likely concentrating on hydration with your facial serum right now, how about trying our Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser instead? With a name like that, it would be rude not to.

4. Think Of Bedtime As TLC Time

You might be under the impression that overnight skincare is a bit pointless when you’re tucked up in bed doing nothing but dreaming of the teenage skin you wish you still had. But on the contrary, your skin does its best repair work when you’re asleep. Cell turnover peaks, collagen production revs up, blood flow increases and your body’s natural antioxidants system kicks in to help neutralize any pesky free radicals that may have built up during the day. Leave your makeup on and go to bed with dirty, unmoisturized skin, however, and all this good stuff becomes basically redundant.

To encourage the magic to happen, cleanse your face and neck gently but thoroughly before bed and start a slow-building retinol regime to naturally accelerate cell turnover and collagen synthesis. Our Retinol Facial Serum has your back here as it’s also infused with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to boost radiance and hydration both in the short- and long-term.

Mimic your morning routine by always following your serum with moisturizer. In this instance try Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream which contains that all-important, glow-getting vitamin C, as well as ‘nature’s beauty mineral,’ MSM which is one of the most underrated but overachieving ingredients for healthy skin. And we don’t say that lightly.

5. Make Massage A Must

We can think of little better for waking up your skin than a morning massage. The benefits of a facial massage are undeniable. For starters, it boosts blood flow and therefore allows more oxygen and nutrients to rush to the surface of your skin. Hello big-time glow! It also improves lymphatic drainage to help remove toxins away from the skin, reducing things like puffiness and inflammation. Not to mention how relaxing and stress-reducing a morning facial massage can be.

Don’t worry, though, we don’t expect you to learn all the tricks of the massage trade just like that. You can actually do this facial massage quickly and easily in mere minutes. You can also do it while cleansing, or applying facial oil – it totally depends on your jam. 

Simply work your chosen product all over your face and neck, using the pads of your fingers, then sweep your fingers down your nose a few times, across your cheeks from the center outwards, then up and around your forehead. After your forehead, take your hands down to the middle of your chin and use sweeping motions to lift the skin up and out towards your ears. Finish with your neck, using the palms of your hands to perform light strokes from the base of your neck up to your jawline. Repeat this as many times as you like, using medium pressure to work the skin and get everything flowing.

Now, how long until March, again?

It’s time to break free from the irritating cycle that is itchy, persistently dry skin. And we’re here to help.

Similar to how oily skin is often plagued with acne breakouts, dryness and itchy skin frequently go hand in hand. And while we’re sure anyone who has to deal with oily skin on the reg would happily trade places with their dry skin friends, it works both ways with dry skin sufferers being prepared to give anything to swap a little extra oil for a lot less itch. 

The grass is always greener and all that.

The unfortunate thing is that the amount of sebum (oil) your skin produces is not something of which you have complete control. Yes, you can help balance things out with better skincare and smart lifestyle choices, but your overriding skin type is the one you were born with. Annoying? Maybe. But the good news is that it's usually pretty manageable. 

Extreme dryness that’s coupled with dehydration, tightness and makes you want to scratch away at your poor, delicate skin 24/7? Well, that’s a whole other issue.

Why Is Your Skin So Itchy?

Itchy skin (aka pruritus) is basically the evil partner to skin dryness. And while the amount of sebum your skin produces is an important player, there’s also another factor at work. And that’s your skin’s barrier function which is its outermost layer, aka the stratum corneum. 

If itchy skin is not the norm for you, this is a red flag that something’s going on with this important protective layer which acts like your skin’s very own personal bodyguard, keeping moisture in and toxins, allergens and irritants out. When this barrier function becomes compromised thanks to things like extreme weather, harsh cleansing, overly active skincare products or even a lack of sleep, it weakens, becomes unable to do its job efficiently and cries out for help. Moisture, oils and important nutrients start to escape way too easily. Not to mention the free rein given to external irritants to do their worst on your skin. 

All this can result in serious bad news for your poor skin. Dryness and dehydration are the first signs of a weakened barrier – all thanks to the skin’s inability to retain moisture. Then there’s the redness, sensitivities and inevitable itch. Itching, in particular is all thanks to your nervous system being activated by irritants that have made their way through the weakened barrier. 

What To Do About Dry, Itchy Skin: Your Barrier Function Rescue Plan

The most common triggers of a compromised barrier function will come as no surprise. Emotional stress, insufficient sleep, extreme weather, overbathing and environmental pollution are all major contenders, so it's important to avoid these by working on the following things…

* Look after your mental health. Breathing exercises, yoga, even brisk walks are great ways to help reduce anxiety and stress.

* Go to bed at a decent hour and try to stick with a regular sleep routine. It’s also smart to invest in a bedroom humidifier to reduce overnight dehydration.

* Increase your intake of omega-3s and vitamin-rich foods to ‘feed’ your skin from the inside out.

* Stick with lukewarm, rather than hot showers and baths. And don't wallow for too long!

* Keep your air conditioning and indoor heating at reasonable, rather than extreme temperatures – sudden changes in temperature are a killer on dry skin.

Your skincare routine also deserves your undivided attention.

Gentle cleansing is crucial because certain ingredients like harsh alcohol, synthetic fragrance, strong sulfates and unnecessary fillers can really screw with your barrier function. Instead, look for cleansers that are non-stripping and nourishing with ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing oat milk and gentle, skin-friendly oils like sweet almond. Our Soothing Cleansing Milk is a total winner in our eyes.

You should also dial back on exfoliation and reduce your use of active ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid – at least temporarily. Pause them for a week or two until, fingers crossed, your skin recovers. Then you can slowly introduce them back if your skin is up to the job. If not? Well, maybe it’s time to rethink your routine. You could always switch out potent retinol for bakuchiol or niacinamide which both thrive on sensitive skin. Try Rejuvenating Longevity Serum or Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum.

Then there's the most important step of all: moisturization. 

The Best 3-Step Moisturization Regime

Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized is everything. But it doesn’t begin and end with face cream. To truly ensure your skin has all the moisture it needs, you have to think outside the box and treat it on three different levels.

1. Start With A Soothing Toner

Toner might not be front of mind for dry, itchy skin, but if you steer clear of alcohol-heavy, pore-stripping formulations, the right toner can bring a lot of benefits to the table. Our Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner, for example, contains only pure Moroccan Rose water (honestly, that’s it!) and is a great way to kick off the ultimate hydration plan, gently toning, refreshing and calming inflammation. 

2. Sandwich With A Hydrating Serum

After toning, don’t reach straight for the face cream. Layer up with a facial serum to lavish your skin with a quenching hit of moisture. Serums contain smaller molecules than moisturizers which means they’re able to penetrate the skin at a deeper level, thus tapping concerns that a face cream might otherwise not reach.

Our Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is a fabulous choice here, but we also love Smoothing Collagen Serum which simultaneously helps to strengthen the skin barrier with peptides, ceramides and superfruit extracts.

3. Finish With The Best Moisturizer For Dry Skin

Your choice of moisturizer is important. Go too light and you risk not bringing enough moisture to the skin. But go too heavy and you could potentially clog your pores and exacerbate breakouts and itching. The key is to look for creamy emollients that replace lost lipids, seal in water and help replenish your barrier function.

Our favorite moisturizers for dry, itchy skin are Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream in the morning and Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream before bed. Of course, UV protection is also non-negotiable so always finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen like SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C.

Finally, Know When To Call In The Heavies

Most dryness and itching issues can be dealt with at home, but if your symptoms persist longer than a few weeks, or they get worse despite doing everything you can to keep them under control, it may be worth seeking professional help from a dermatologist. Underlying chronic skin conditions like eczema and rosacea are major culprits for causing dryness, flaking and itchiness, and oftentimes these need more than at-home TLC can offer.

If you suffer with regular breakouts we bet you often wonder about the best skincare ingredients for acne. Well, wonder no more, we got you.

Acne breakouts, whatever your age, are no joke. They can be frustrating, confidence-destroying, challenging and sometimes downright painful. Nobody wants that. But sometimes life just deals you a bad hand, and being prone to breakouts (or not) is exactly that. You don’t get pimples, blackheads and whiteheads because you have poor personal hygiene or eat too much chocolate. You get them because your genes dictate the makeup up of your skin and, in this case, are encouraging it to produce too much oil. This excess oil (or, more specifically, sebum) then teams up with dead skin cells and bacteria to have a party in your pores, leading to all sorts of congestion and potential breakouts.

Granted, it’s all well and good knowing your pimples aren’t your fault, but this doesn’t make them go away. So what can you do to control oil production, balance your skin and help keep zits from upsetting your mojo? Well, understanding what you put on your skin and, more specifically, knowing which skincare ingredients mean business is a great place to start.

Behold the best ingredients for acne-prone skin – in our (and most skin experts') humble opinion.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that’s steam distilled from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia (tea) tree. Chock full of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, it’s been used for centuries to heal the skin, and as an acne-fighter, it’s pretty unstoppable.

Exactly how does tea tree oil work on acne? For starters, it works hard to kill certain acne-causing bacteria that sit on the surface of the skin. Couple this with its ability to calm redness, reduce swelling and soothe irritation and it becomes a great choice for anyone wanting to deal with breakouts with a natural, effective skincare ingredient.

Word to the wise, however, tea tree oil is full-on potent so you should never apply it in its purest form. Instead, leave it to the pros to curate an effective formulation you can use every day.

Try: Tea Tree Super Cleanser+

Salicylic Acid

Keeping your skin ticking over is super important if you’re susceptible to the slings and arrows of blocked pores and acne breakouts. When your skin fails to turn over at a reasonable rate, dead skin cells get stuck at the surface, where they love to hang out in your pores causing total havoc. 

As you may know, the rate at which your skin turns over seriously slows down as you get older. This is why it’s super important to kick-start this process with exfoliation. Scrubs are great for removing dead skin cells and encouraging the skin to turn over more efficiently, but to really tackle acne-prone skin, your best bet is to choose skincare containing salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) which means it’s a oil-soluble chemical exfoliant. Hydroxy acids work by breaking down the bonds between your skin cells so they slough away easily and make way for the new stuff. However, unlike glycolic acid, which is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), BHAs cut through grease which gives them the extra edge with oily skin, allowing them to truly work on your sebaceous glands and balance oil production. 

Another point in salicylic acid’s favor? It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. And if you have angry pimples or facial redness, you’re so going to want to get in on that.

Try: 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant

Retinol

A go-to in the skin aging world, retinol, a topical form of vitamin A, also offers some pretty impressive results for acne-prone skin. Who knew? Well, we did, but then again that’s what we’re paid for! 

Similar to exfoliating acids ­­– although it works very differently to salicylic acid and friends – retinol promotes cell turnover to ensure your pores stay clear of unwanted dead skin cells. Instead of breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, however, retinol works by attaching itself to nuclear receptors in the center of each living cell where it activates certain genes to accelerate turnover.

It might not be the most obvious choice for when your skin breaks out, but use it on a regular basis and it’s been proven to reduce the frequency and improve the severity of breakouts. Plus, if you’re of a certain age, you get all the added age-fighting benefits as an added bonus. Put like that, it seems silly not to.

Try: Retinol Moisturizer

Niacinamide

If you’re stuck with the double-whammy of acne and sensitive skin, you’ll know only too well how difficult it is to find skincare formulations that improve your breakouts but don’t irritate your skin. The struggle is real. However, it’s not impossible. And one ingredient that should top your must-tries? Niacinamide.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of the most effective active ingredients for sensitive skin. It also makes the list for best ingredients for acne-prone skin. And that’s no mean feat.

As well as being one of our favorite antioxidants, working hard to counteract the damaging effects of environmental free radicals, niacinamide also increases the production of ceramides in the skin’s uppermost layers. Ceramides enable the skin to remain strong, supple, hydrated and able to protect itself from unwanted irritation. Sweet.

But what about acne breakouts? Which is why we’re here, after all. Well, niacinamide has been proven to reduce inflammation (check), regulate sebum production (check) and it can even help minimize the appearance of enlarged pores when used regularly and together with a great cleansing regime. Research also shows it may have antimicrobial effects, helping to destroy acne-causing bacteria that may be lurking in your skin’s microbiome. Hells yeah!

Try: Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum

Finally, A Few Important Things To Remember

1. Always patch test new ingredients on a small area of skin before regular, all-over use. Not sure how to do this? No problem, here's a guide on how to patch test your skincare products.

2. Introduce potent, active ingredients gradually into your skincare regime. Start once or twice a week to begin with, then build slowly as your skin acclimates. This will allow the product to work its magic with fewer risks of irritation.

3. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, without fail. Active ingredients encourage fresh skin cells to the surface, so they need extra TLC to protect them from UV damage. No arguments.

4. Don’t expect miracles overnight. Skincare formulations that treat at a deeper level aren’t an immediate fix so be patient and give them the time they deserve ­– two to three months is usually the sweet spot.

5. Skincare alone may not be enough to manage persistent or severe acne, so consider seeking professional help from a dermatologist if yours simply won’t go away.

Because removing full-on foundation, budge-proof mascara and long-lasting lip stain can be tricky business.

Here at TruSkin, we love makeup almost as much as we love skincare. Skincare is the true foundation to great skin ­– the clue is in the name, after all – but we also love to enhance our retinol-infused, antioxidant-rich regime with a little foundation here and some waterproof mascara there. They’re like the backup singers to our skincare routine’s Taylor Swift, if you will.

Sometimes, however, despite your best efforts, removing your makeup at the end of the day can feel like a ridiculously tricky task. Because no matter how much face wash you use or how hard you scrub it into your skin (which, in itself, is a major no-no), it seems like you can never remove that last scrap. 

Sounds familiar? Then you’re probably doing something wrong. Because, yes, there is absolutely a right and a wrong way to cleanse your skin of makeup and all the other surface debris that builds up on your skin throughout the day. The wrong way? Scrub your skin like your life depended on it. And the right way? Two words: double cleansing. 

Below, we walk you through how to double cleanse like the pro we know you are (or, at least, could be).

Why Thorough Night Time Cleansing Is Crucial For Healthy Skin

Every day your skin spends the best part of 16 hours exposed to the world. You probably spent some time outside, maybe you went to the gym or popped to the supermarket. Heck, even if you simply sat at your desk all day, surface dirt will have built up on the surface of your skin during that time. Your skin will also have sweated and produced oils to help keep it moisturized. And even if you don’t wear a huge amount of makeup on the reg, you’ll have likely applied serum, face cream and SPF to your face and neck first thing in the morning. 

No matter how you look at it, that’s a lot of ‘stuff’ for your skin to deal with on a regular basis. Of course it can and it does – every, single, day – but leave all this surface debris sitting on your skin throughout the night and you’re pushing it way past its limits, potentially clogging up your pores, causing congestion, dryness, dehydration and even accelerating the visible signs of aging.

The truth is, you have to thoroughly cleanse your skin before bed, every night, makeup or no makeup. And to truly cut through heavy makeup, the best way to do this is with some double cleansing.

What Is Double Cleansing?

Regular face wash alone doesn’t always cut it with heavy makeup because most makeup formulations are oil-based, meaning water-based cleansers aren’t up to the task. It’s like trying to wash greasy saucepans with tepid water and precious little else. Pretty useless.

Instead, to effectively break down oily products like makeup and sunscreen, your skin needs an oil-based cleanser. Oil dissolves oil. Simple as.

Once you’ve dissolved all the oily stuff, you then apply a water-based cleanser to further treat your skin and remove other, water-based surface debris like sweat and environmental pollutants.

And that's double cleansing in a nutshell. It's simply cleansing your skin twice.

How To Double Cleanse In Two Simple Steps

Step 1. Start Strong With An Oil-Based Cleanser

Wash your hands first – important stuff right there ­­– then grab a cleansing oil or balm to melt away everything from creamy foundation to matte lipstick.

Using your hands and the pads of your fingers, massage your cleanser all over dry skin (yes dry, not damp) in gentle circular motions. It’s important not to rush, so spend a good minute or so really working the product into your skin, paying extra attention to often overlooked areas like around your hairline, around your nose, over your neck and in the corners of your eyes.

Once you’ve given your face and neck a good cleansing massage, rinse your skin with clean, lukewarm water. Hot water might feel good on your skin in the moment but it can strip it of natural oils and nutrients, leaving it feeling tight, dry, dehydrated and irritated. And that’s no fun for anyone. Lukewarm water is always the way to go.

Step 2. Finish With A Water-Based Cleanser

Next, follow up with a water-based cleanser to finish up the job and get rid of any leftover surface enemies. We have some fabulous formulations to choose from right here, depending on your skin type and concerns, but to really detoxify your skin and whisk away residue and impurities our go-to is Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser. This little gem contains coconut-derived activated charcoal which draws out dirt and decongests your pores. It also combines aloe vera, ylang ylang oil and reishi mushroom to keep your skin hydrated, protected, soft and strong. It’s the whiskers when it comes to clean, healthy skin.

Again, massage this into your skin for a good minute, but this time apply it while your skin is damp, then rinse and pat dry with a clean, cotton towel.

Done.

Beyond Cleansing: 3 Extra Tips for Makeup Lovers

1. Cleansing oils can work wonders on stubborn eye makeup but, oftentimes, a dedicated oil-based eye makeup remover is best. Saturate a cotton pad with your remover first, then hold it over your eye for a good 20 seconds before swiping it away. This gives the remover time to start dissolving your makeup which cuts down on any scrubbing you might be tempted to do.

2. Don’t forget to exfoliate. Exfoliation doesn’t replace cleansing but it’s a great addition to your routine once or twice a week, especially if you cleanse first, then exfoliate to boost turnover and really brighten up the surface of your skin. Just remember to always go gently and use a kind-to-skin formulation that won’t cause irritation. We love Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub.

3. Invest in some gentle makeup wipes, but remember, they’re for emergencies only. Cleansing wipes are OK in a pinch and, sure, they’re better than nothing, but they should never replace proper cleansing. Also, they often contain chemicals, fragrance and harsh alcohols that can be tough on your delicate skin. And deep down, you know this. Use them only when you really have to.

Want to target all the things you don’t love about your skin? Then it’s time to get to know your (vitamin) ABCs…

Honest question: are you more of a ‘cleanse, moisturize and let nature do the rest’ kind of person, not caring for the finer side of skincare because, well frankly, you don’t have the time? Then we’d like to try and change that. Because just one extra step in your skincare routine could reap incredible rewards. And, come on, we know you can put aside one measly minute each day to apply a single layer of product to your skin.

You can’t argue with that, right?

The product we'd love for you to get on board with is serum. More specifically, vitamin-packed facial serums that are smoothed on your skin after cleansing and before moisturizing. Now, these tiny little bottles of concentrated juice might look unimportant to the untrained eye, but on the contrary: topical vitamins do for your skin exactly what those in your diet do for your health. They give valuable support, allowing your skin to not only look better, but also to feel and behave better as well. 

We get it, though: the number of lotions, potions, serums and tinctures available to you is overwhelming. So how are you supposed to know which vitamin is best for your skin’s needs and how do you ‘feed’ your skin without getting too carried away and risking vitamin overkill which, in all honesty, does the skin no good at all.

Below are six of the most common skincare goals, plus our thoughts on the best vitamin serum to crush each goal. Let’s do this.

Your Skincare Goal: To Fight The Signs Of Aging

Try: Vitamin A

Namely: Retinol Facial Serum

No matter how strongly certain brands may claim otherwise, skincare products can’t get rid of wrinkles. However, certain ingredients can 100 percent help minimize the speed at which your skin ages, thus helping to keep fine lines, wrinkles and sagging, lax skin at bay. 

One of those ingredients? Vitamin A, more commonly known in the skincare world as retinol. Retinol, when applied to the skin, activates collagen production and stimulates cell turnover. The result is smoother-looking, softer-feeling skin that’s stronger, healthier, firmer and basically the best version of itself. It’s the absolute cream of the vitamin crop. And you’d be wise to get on board if you want to ensure your skin ages healthily and beautifully. Worried about using retinol for the first time? Good, because it’s not to be taken lightly. However, it can truly work for all skin types if you know what you’re doing. So wise up, right here.

Your Skincare Goal: To Brighten Dull Skin

Try: Vitamin C

Namely: Vitamin C Facial Serum

You’re probably aware, vitamin C is our middle name here at TruSkin. Quick recap: our entire company grew from the launch of our classic Vitamin C Facial Serum which went on to be the best-selling vitamin C serum on Amazon and is still as good as ever.

As topical vitamins go, Mr C is the glow-getting member of the team. Don’t get us wrong, it’s one of the best antioxidants out there, helping to protect your skin from the slings and arrows of daily life like little else. However, most people turn to vitamin C because they want to add radiance to their complexion or are hoping to blur out uneven, patchy skin. And the good news is, it truly works. Of course, its environmental protection prowess is a big plus, but it also has mildly exfoliating effects and inhibits melanin production as extra bonuses.

Learn everything you need to know about vitamin C here.

Your Skincare Goal: To Minimize Redness Or Sensitivities

Try: Vitamin B3

Namely: Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum

Another awesome antioxidant, niacinamide has powerful anti-inflammatory qualities which makes it a fantastic choice for sensitive skin types looking for active skincare that doesn’t cause flare-ups. Studies show that niacinamide can increase the biosynthesis of ceramides and various other lipids in the uppermost layers of your skin which makes it a super-effective ingredient for helping your skin to retain moisture. It's also vital for maintaining a strong, protective barrier function while improving strength and resiliency. Music to the ears of anyone with easily irritated skin.

Here’s everything we know about niacinamide and how it can work for your skin.

Your Skincare Goal: To Boost Moisture

Try: Vitamin E

Namely: Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum

One of the oldest ingredients in skincare, vitamin E shows no signs of going away. And why should it? This classic has proven itself time and time again and it thoroughly deserves its place among buzzy newbies like bakuchiol and friends.

Another fantastic antioxidant (are you sensing a theme, here?), vitamin E helps to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized by being both a humectant AND an emollient. What does that mean? Well, humectants draw moisture to the top layers of your skin (hyaluronic acid is the most common humectant) while emollients help to repair and smooth tiny cracks at the surface which works to seal all that delicious moisture in. It’s the kind of top drawer moisturizing skills other skincare ingredients can only dream of. And it’s all in a day’s work for vitamin E!

Learn more about this skin-loving powerhouse right here.

Your Skincare Goal: To Reduce Acne Breakouts

Try: Vitamin A (yes, again!)

Namely: Retinol Facial Serum

Not to go on about retinol too much, but it's not just about fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, when it comes to controlling and reducing the severity of acne breakouts, retinol is up there with ingredients like tea tree oil and salicylic acid. Remember how we told you that retinol is one of the best ways to boost cell turnover, encouraging dead skin cells to skip town quickly and effectively? Yeah, well this is also a great way to keep your pores from getting clogged. Makes perfect sense when you think about it. 

For more, check out our ultimate skincare routine for adult acne.

Your Skincare Goal: To Boost Overall Skin Health

Try: A Multivitamin

Namely: Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum

If you’re not one for specifics and don’t have one major skin concern to target, try an all-in-one topical multivitamin. Similar to how oral multivitamins give your entire body a much-needed pick-me-up, their topical cousins also make your skin feel and look a hundred times better. What’s more, combining a curated blend of vitamins rather than concentrating on just one key player gives your skin a complete, holistic treatment that's well tolerated and offers visible benefits on so many levels. Ours, for example, blends energizing vitamin C and soothing vitamin E with B vitamins plus vitamins D, F and K to balance the skin, neutralize damaging free radicals, protect your collagen supplies and strengthen the barrier function. It’s kind of a big deal.