True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Little known fact: what you eat can seriously impact your skin.

There will always be a place for chocolate lava cake and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in our lives, but if you’re worried that your sweet tooth/savory snack addiction is ruining your skin, it might be time to make some changes to your diet. And the best way to get the job done without feeling like you’re completely torturing your tastebuds? Simply employ a few smart food swaps. And luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work right here…

Smart Swap #1: Sugar For Agave

As a nation, we consume about 17 teaspoons of sugar every day which is about five more than the maximum recommended amount. And sugar doesn’t just pile on the pounds. Studies show that a sugar-heavy diet produces what are known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the skin. This happens through a process called glycation, which occurs when excessive amounts of sugar become too much for your natural insulin levels to handle. These sugars then end up attacking your vulnerable skin cells, latching onto collagen and elastin and causing them to become stiff and weak. The result? Harmful compounds called AGEs that cause dryness, exacerbate fine lines, deepen wrinkles and age you up lightning fast – as the name suggests!

Instead of using sugar to sweeten your food and drinks, try agave or monk fruit sweetener which both have lower glycemic index values, so they get absorbed more slowly into your bloodstream, causing less damage as they go. And don’t forget those devilish sodas, also. Soda is packed with sugar, often more than the entire daily recommendation, so switch them out for water wherever possible.

Smart Swap #2: Red Meat For Fish

Most red meats are high in saturated fats and cholesterol which can lead to inflammation in your body. And you all know what inflammation does to your skin. Cue irritation, redness, acne flare-ups and damage to your valuable collagen levels which can lead to premature aging in the form of lines, wrinkles, dark spots and dull skin.

Rather than pack your diet with red meat, choose wild fish like salmon which is low in cholesterol but high in good fats – namely omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are great for the complexion as they help regulate sebum production, soothe irritation, improve healing and increase hydration. A major plus for your skin.

Smart Swap #3: Chips For Nuts

Anything fried is bad for your skin, and there’s a very simple reason for that. Just like sugar, fried food increases free radicals and AGEs in your skin. Fried potato chips, for example contain almost 900 AGEs per serving compared to baked chips which only contain around 150. Now, correct us if we’re wrong, but that feels like a pretty major difference to us. Frying foods also kills essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients which your skin need to remain healthy, glowing and youthful-looking.

Regular, store-bought chips are not only fried, but they’re covered in salt which is vital for your health, but when consumed in large amounts, is a devil on your skin’s barrier function, sucking all the moisture out of it and making your skin feel dry, dehydrated and sensitized. Salt also causes inflammation, weakens your collagen and exacerbates conditions like eczema and acne.

Word to the wise? Ditch the bumper bags of Kettle Chips and Nacho Cheese Doritos in favor of unsalted nuts like walnuts, almonds and cashews. These are not only salt-free but packed with antioxidants. Win-win.

Smart Swap #4: Refined Carbs For Low GI Carbs

Thought you were done with AGEs? Think again. Refined carbs like white bread, pasta and rice are high-glycemic foods which means that, just like sugar, they get turned into glucose by your body, causing a spike in your blood sugar levels and a serious amount of skin-wrecking AGEs. Dang.

Breads and grains are also high in gluten which can aggravate your skin and cause inflammation and breakouts if you have a gluten intolerance. So, there’s that.

Ditching bread and pizzas may sound like absolute hell but try to at least cut down on the white ones if you can bear it. Friendlier alternatives are wholemeal breads, brown rice and when it comes to pasta, try zoodles (zucchini noodles), spiralized carrots or eggplant lasagne. Delicious and way better for your skin.

Smart Swap #5: Cow’s Milk for Nut Milks

Dairy products are essential for the health of your entire body, but for lactose intolerant people, it can wreak skin havoc. When your body can’t digest a certain food group, you see, it starts to ferment and breed bacteria – terrible for your gut, just as bad for your skin. Dairy cows are also frequently treated with hormones which can throw yours off balance and trigger acne breakouts.

If you’re lactose intolerant and are having trouble with dairy, replace cow’s milk with organic milks made from nuts or seeds such as coconut, flaxseed, hazelnut or cashew.
 

Red, bumpy skin? Itchy cheeks? Chances are you could be suffering with rosacea. Bummer, sure, but good news: great skincare and a few lifestyle switches can make a truly positive difference. 

Rosacea: if only the reality was as nice as the word sounds. But the harsh truth is, rosacea sucks. Not only that, but after decades of research, its causes are still not entirely understood. Dang. 

Reckon you might have a case of rosacea? Then let’s have a look at what it’s all about so you can try to understand why it might be occurring and how to manage it.

What Is Rosacea?

According to the National Rosacea Society, around 16 million Americans suffer from rosacea and that number continues to rise. Rosacea can rear its head at any time but it often starts in your 20s or 30s when symptoms seemingly start to come and go at random. Sigh. Common signs are excessive redness and flushing – particularly on your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead; crusty bumps; burning; swelling; itching; thickening of the skin and even dry eyes and blurred vision. Also, great news to all you middle-aged, pale-skinned women out there – you’re the most likely to suffer. Sorry about that.

What Causes Rosacea?

If only we knew. The real cause of rosacea is yet to be identified which is why it’s a tricky one to prevent, manage and treat. Rosacea is often misdiagnosed as acne, but acne is all about overactive sebaceous glands whereas rosacea is thought to be linked to your vascular system.

OK, so why does rosacea affect some people and not others? Well, many experts believe your genes are the main culprit at play here, but factors that seem to exacerbate symptoms include alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, stress, physical exercise and extremes of temperature.

Another cause could be right there in your microbiome. The skin’s microbiome is a tiny ecosystem of harmless bacteria, viruses, fungi and mites which live on your skin and, when balanced, create the perfect environment to keep unwanted pathogens at bay. The key, however, is balance, and studies have shown that people with rosacea have an overabundance of microscopic Demodex mites in their microbiome – sometimes up to four times as many as those without rosacea. Further research is required to confirm the direct link but in the meantime, erm, yikes.

What Are Some Of The Best Ways To Control Rosacea?

Unfortunately, you can’t cure rosacea but understanding your triggers and managing your symptoms are great ways to help keep it under control. Here’s how to do just that…

1. Diarize Your Symptoms To Help Identify Triggers

Knowing your triggers will help you understand the things you should avoid – without doubt, one of the most important ways to keep rosacea under control. And the best way to do this? By keeping a diary. Make a note of when you go to the gym or feel particularly stressed, and try building a food, drink and maybe even a skincare diary to see if anything you consume or apply coincides with your flare-ups.

2. Avoid Super Potent Ingredients Like Tretinoin

If you have rosacea, your skin can be extremely sensitive to highly active ingredients like tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone and even essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, menthol and eucalyptus. All of these can cause tingling, redness and be potentially irritating to your skin’s delicate barrier and that’s not something you’re going to want to climb on board with. You've been warned.

The good news is you may be able to tolerate antioxidants like vitamins C, E and niacinamide but you should still err on the side of caution and ALWAYS patch test new products before using them for the first time. To test any new product, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends dabbing a small amount near, but not on, the area where you’re most prone to flare-ups. Then, wait 72 hours and if it stings, burns or causes any kind of discomfort during that time, don’t use it.

3. Rethink Alcohol, Spicy Food and Hot Drinks

Studies show that alcohol (especially red wine), spicy food and hot drinks cause many people’s rosacea to go crazy. Sounds familiar? Then try to avoid them as much as possible. Go easy on the spices; allow hot drinks to cool down before drinking them; switch to white, instead of red wine, and make sure you counteract the effects of alcohol by supping a large glass of cold water after each glass of vino.

Still suffering? Then you might need to give up spicy foods, booze or hot drinks altogether. But let's hope it doesn't come to that.

4. Nail A Gentle Skincare Routine

Harsh cleansers, astringent toners and abrasive scrubs are seriously bad news for rosacea-prone skin, upsetting the balance of your skin’s microbiome and compromising your protective barrier function. In other words, they’re a one-way ticket to redness, irritation, inflammation and worse-than-normal flare-ups.

Avoid chemical-laden products, parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate, and look for non-drying products that care for your skin without stripping away essential oils and nutrients. While not specifically formulated for rosacea-prone skin, many people find our Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner ideal for calming redness and soothing irritation.

When cleansing , avoid hot water like your life depended on it (because your skin really does). Stick with lukewarm water alongside a kind, gentle cleanser and never forget to moisturize.

5. Protect Your Skin From The Elements

Wind is a major trigger for rosacea flare-ups – especially in the winter when it’s cold as well as blustery. Limit time spent outside and when you do venture out, protect your skin by wrapping a scarf around your face. Scratchy wool is not advisable but soft fabrics like silk, cotton or acrylic will take care of business nicely.

The sun can also aggravate rosacea. In fact, it’s one of the most common causes, so don’t forget to apply broad-spectrum SPF every morning – whether it’s rainy, sunny, cloudy or even snowing. Look for sunscreens containing mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as these are best for sensitive skin.

Finally, How Can You Actually Tell If You Have Rosacea?

If you think you might have recently developed rosacea, visiting a skincare professional for a proper diagnosis is the only way to go. As we mentioned before, it can be hard to distinguish between acne and rosacea, and treating each condition is very different, so if you self-diagnose and get things wrong, you could make matters way worse. Lecture over.

Getting to grips with acne scars is not as hard as you think. You just need to know where to turn.

Whether you have scars from teenage acne or are worried your adult acne could be causing your skin long-term harm, here’s everything you need to know in order to stay ahead of the acne scarring game.

Firstly, what causes acne scars? Well, they’re the result of inflammation in the skin due to pimples and blemishes. Breakouts occur when a build-up of excess oils, dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria clogs up your pores making them swell and cause damage to the follicles, tissues and skin around them. When pimples heal, your skin goes into serious repair mode, producing collagen in various quantities in an attempt to get it structurally, functionally and aesthetically back to ‘normal’. Sadly, this doesn’t always work out as well as you’d like and often your skin produces either too much or too little collagen, resulting in bumpy or pitted skin – otherwise known as acne scars.

It’s important, however, to know that not all acne scars are created equal…

What Are The Different Types Of Acne Scars?

Many pimples come and go without leaving you scars to prove they’ve ever been there. But this is not always the case. Even if you’ve left well alone and not so much as touched a pimple, let alone squeezed, picked or prodded it, it can still cause long-term scarring. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) whether or not your acne leaves a scar is down to a number of things. Inflammatory acne, for example, which is deep, red and painful is way more likely to scar than a less serious-looking pimple – especially if left untreated. And then there are your genes. Say no more…

Acne scars also come in two different guises.

1. Atrophic Acne Scars

Atrophic scars include any kind of acne scar that’s depressed below the surface of your skin. They occur when the healing process produces too little collagen, causing a pit, dent or ‘hole’ in your skin. Atrophic scars come in all different shapes in sizes but usually fall into one of three categories: ice pick scars (narrow, almost pin-like looking scars); boxcar scars (slightly wider and rounded); or rolling scars (which create wave-like depressions across the surface of your skin).

2. Hypertrophic Acne Scars

While less common than atropic acne scars, hypertrophic acne scars are thickened areas of skin that are raised and often itchy. They occur when too much collagen is produced during the healing process and scar tissue consequently builds up above the surface. This type of acne scar is more likely to appear on your chest, back or shoulders than on your face. Which is something, at least.

Then there’s post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) which isn’t actually scarring at all, but a whole other business. PIH is a type of discoloration that appears when some kind of trauma – in this case, acne – causes your skin to overproduce melanin and leaves you with a dark or uneven patch of skin. Unlike acne scars, PIH isn’t pitted or raised and often heals with good sun protection and the use of topical antioxidant treatments like Vitamin C Facial Serum. Let’s put a pin in PIH for now…

Why Prevention Is Always Better Than Cure

The sad news is that acne scars are notoriously hard to get rid of. Which is why avoiding acne in the first place with a gentle cleansing, balancing and moisturizing routine is super important. Our Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser is a great choice for keeping your skin clean and clear of pore-clogging debris, and try Retinol Moisturizer to improve cell turnover and keep your skin healthy and moisturized.

Of course, you can never tell if a pimple will scar or not, but if you do get one, avoid picking at it because this really won’t help. Instead, stop it from getting worse by spot treating with Tea Tree Super Serum+. This smart treatment contains salicylic acid and tea tree oil to keep your pores clean, plus healing aloe and hydrating hyaluronic acid to stop your skin from drying out. Also, look out for anti-inflammatory ingredients across your whole regime – think ceramides, green tea, chamomile and niacinamide (oh, hi there Niacinamide Serum).

How To Help Treat Acne Scars

Too late to employ the ‘prevention is better than cure’ rule? Don’t sweat it, there are still plenty of options for helping to treat, fade or smooth out existing acne scars.

At Home

Unfortunately, skincare alone can’t totally heal acne scars. However, some things will certainly help fade discoloration and give your skin a smoother appearance. Gentle exfoliation, for one, is a great way to improve your skin’s texture by sloughing away dead skin cells and improving cellular turnover. Facial scrubs are the obvious choice, but chemical exfoliation is also very effective. Again, our salicylic acid-enriched Tea Tree Super Serum+ is a great shout, but if you’re applying it all over, use it just two or three times a week – it’s potent stuff.

Make sure your routine also contains retinol in some form. As well as helping to speed up collagen production and cell regeneration for healthier, smoother skin, retinol is fabulous for fading uneven skin tone. Try our Retinol Facial Serum in the evenings when you’re not using your tea tree serum.

At The Derm’s Office

Serious acne scars are going to need more than great skincare, so if yours are getting you down and won’t go away, pay a visit to your dermatologist for advice on how best to treat your particular concerns. Dermabrasion, microdermabrasion and chemical peels are awesome for resurfacing your skin and encouraging fresh, new skin cells to grow, whereas dermal fillers can significantly help reduce the appearance of pitted, atrophic scars. You could also try laser resurfacing, microneedling or even surgery.

The options as they say, are endless.

Because one thing’s for sure, your skin will never triumphantly sing ‘Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.’

Whether you’re the type of person who hibernates as soon as a mere flutter of snow hits the skies, or you’re that girl who can’t wait to get outside to ski, snowboard, hike or enjoy a good old-fashioned snowball fight, there’s no denying that snow days can have major effects on your skin. Even if you’re not willing to step a foot outside, cranking up the heating is enough to send your skin all over the place. Couple with this with a few extra glasses of cab to warm your boots and, well, dehydrated skin is never more than a few snowflakes away.

Below, we impart some of our finest snow day skincare advice – because it’s nearly the holidays and we can’t have you walking around with sad skin now, can we?

Snow Day Skin Tip #1: Never Go To Bed Without Cleansing

Do we bang on about cleansing too much? Sorry, not sorry. Cleansing your skin twice daily is super important every day of the year, for obvious reasons. But in the winter, ridding your skin of surface debris such as oil, makeup, pollution and dirt isn’t the only reason cleansing is so vital. Cold, dry weather (as well as cranked up indoor heating) can be extremely drying on your skin which means your moisturizer needs to work doubly-hard. And how can it do that if you’ve not cleansed your skin thoroughly – especially at night after your skin’s been subject to a whole day of environmental onslaughts? Answer: it can’t.

Always cleanse thoroughly before bed with a gentle, but effective cleanser like Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser or Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser. Use lukewarm water so as not to upset your skin’s barrier function and pat dry (don’t scrub) with a clean towel. Then and only then can your serums and moisturizers really do their jobs properly. And, while we’re on that subject, may we suggest our super hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum to give your skin extra hydration before bed, followed by Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream? Thanks.

Snow Day Skin Tip #2: Drink A Ton Of Water

There’s little research to prove that drinking water directly hydrates your skin. However, dehydration can certainly have an effect on your skin so it’s important to note – especially on super cold days when it’s likely you drink less water due to feeling less thirsty. Dehydration can lead to dizziness, cramps, headaches and a lack of concentration, as well as less radiant skin, tired eyes and dry lips.

Word to the wise? Make sure you stay hydrated – and if it’s way too chilly for cold water, try hot water or caffeine-free herbal teas or coffee. A healthy hydrated body will always be reflected in the state of your skin.

Snow Day Skin Tip #3: Invest In A Humidifier

Not only do wind, frost and snow cause the air to be extremely dry outside, but cranking up the heating indoors does the exact same thing – zapping moisture from the air, stripping your skin of natural oils and causing it to be vulnerable to dryness and dehydration. Try to keep your heating at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 58 at night, and invest in a humidifier for your bedroom to add moisture into the air while you sleep.

Humidifiers are awesome for balancing your skin’s natural moisture barrier and counteracting all the other winter stuff that can drip your skin dry. This not only stops your skin from becoming dry and dehydrated, but it also balances sebum production so your face doesn’t become super oily as a result. And double bonus, a humidifier will also help you sleep better.

Experts agree that somewhere around 40 or 50 percent humidity for your home is best.

Snow Day Skin Tip #4: Don’t Forget To Moisturize Your Lips

Dryness doesn’t begin and end with your face. In fact, your lips are often the first to feel dry, flaky and chapped. This is because the skin on your lips is extremely thin, fragile and contains no sebaceous glands to keep itself moisturized.

The best way to look after your lips on super cold, snowy days – and in fact, all winter long, is firstly to stop licking them. Saliva contains digestive enzymes which skin can irritate your skin. So, there’s that. Also, slather your lips in balm every night before bed and make sure you apply it just over your lip line as this is the area that’s often the driest. If your lips are flaky and peeling, you could also try exfoliating them gently with a damp face cloth a few times a week. Just remember to go gently so you don’t irritate your skin.

Snow Day Skin Tip #5: Up Your Sun Protection

The sun can be extremely powerful on bluebird days, reflecting right off that delicious white snow and straight on to your poor, unsuspecting skin. So, never forget to apply broad-spectrum SPF to all areas of exposed skin when you’re out in the winter sun. In fact, you’d be wise to up your SPF on sunny snow days because it can cause no end of damage. You have been warned.

But that’s not all. Even on dull, gray snow days, the sun is still there going about its skin-damaging business. It might not be hot or look ‘sunny’ per se, but the sun’s not gone anywhere and its damaging UVA rays (they’re the ones that ruin your precious collagen and age you up faster than you can say ‘hot cider, anyone?’) can penetrate right through those clouds. Mic. Drop.

So you know that sunscreen you packed away in September? Get it back out because it should be a staple in your skincare routine all year long. Rain, shine, cloud, snow, the whole darn lot.

For even better sun damage control, apply an antioxidant serum underneath your moisturizer every morning. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E, niacinamide and ferulic acid are the cat’s whiskers at nuking sun-induced free radicals before they get a chance to do a number on your skin.

Try Vitamin C Super Serum+ which contains a curated blend of effective antioxidants, plus nourishing essential oils like lavender, ylang ylang and pink grapefruit to help seal in vital moisture.

Collagen is one of, if not the most important building blocks of your skin. But what’s the deal with collagen loss and can skincare really help put back what’s gone? Here’s everything we know…

If you’re here, you’re probably semi-interested in your skin and how it works. And if that’s the case you’ll know a little bit about collagen and the role it plays in the overall health of your skin. Hint: it’s a LOT.

But how much do you really know about collagen? Like, what happens as you age? And what collagen in skincare truthfully means?

Interested to up your collagen knowledge (ooh, try saying that three times in a row after a few pinots!)? Then read on for the full intel…

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the whole of your body and it’s made up of a combination of amino acids. While there are many different types of collagen, there are only four main variants, and of these, just one (type I) accounts for a whopping 90 percent of your body’s collagen levels.

Collagen is found in the body’s connective tissues and it has a kind of dense, fiber-like structure which acts like ‘glue’ to make these tissues strong, supple and resilient. You’ll find collagen in your bones, muscles, teeth and blood, but it’s most prevalent in your skin where it’s produced just beneath the surface in the dermis.

How Does Aging Affect Collagen?

When you’re young, your skin is awash with lots of delicious collagen which keeps it soft, strong, plump and wrinkle-free. However, once you hit your 20s, you start to produce around 1-1.5 percent less collagen every year. This is what’s known as intrinsic aging and it’s what causes the inevitable thinning and weakening of your skin you literally have no control over.

Of course, there are plenty of other factors at play here, too. Your lifestyle, your diet, how much sleep you get and your levels of stress all work to deplete collagen in your skin. Then, there’s the environmental stuff like pollution and UV damage that cause collagen-damaging free radicals. All this you can control and it’s what’s known in the biz as extrinsic aging.

So, Can You Slow Down The Rate At Which Your Skin Loses Collagen?

Yes and no. Intrinsic aging is a done deal and unless you’ve invented some kind of Back To The Future style DeLorean, you can’t alter time. But you can control all the other factors. The sun is the biggest player and responsible for around 80 percent of extrinsic aging, so you must protect your skin from UV damage every day by applying an antioxidant like Vitamin C Facial Serum followed by sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage.

Getting a great night’s sleep, not smoking and reducing emotional stress are also super important. And so is your diet. Sugar and refined carbs can really screw up collagen synthesis so try to avoid these. Instead, up your intake of antioxidant-rich fruit and veggies and ensure you get plenty of protein as this helps your body produce more quality collagen in order to maintain firmer, younger-looking skin.

Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, beans and tofu are real BFFs for quality collagen production.

What’s The Deal With Collagen In Skincare?

Experts are divided as to whether applying skincare containing collagen really works. The issue is that collagen is a large, very complex molecule making it pretty hard to penetrate the skin when applied topically. Hydrolyzed collagen (which is collagen that’s been broken down into peptides) may absorb more easily, but the jury’s still out.

If you're not convinced, stick with skincare ingredients that work to increase your own rate of collagen production, rather than to apply topical, synthetic collagen. Ingredients like retinol, MSM and vitamin C have all been studied and proven to stimulate your skin’s natural collagen production and inhibit its breakdown. Retinol, in particular, has been used for decades and has an awesome track record when it comes to upping your collagen levels.

Try Retinol Facial Serum or Vitamin C Super Serum +. And of course, don’t forget that super important sun protection to reduce the formation of free radicals in your skin and consequently decrease your risk of collagen damage. 

Finally, What About Collagen Drinks & Supplements?

There's not a huge amount of evidence to support whether collagen shots or supplements can realistically make your lines and wrinkles disappear. Some research papers point to them having definite potential, but other experts believe that by the time the collagen has been ingested, digested and made its way into your bloodstream its potency and quantity could be somewhat lacking.

Again, hydrolyzed collagen supplements seem to have potential as studies show these to be more easily absorbed by your body. 

Our advice for maintaining quality collagen for as long as you possibly can? Go for a healthy diet, use daily sun protection and apply antioxidants and retinol on the reg. 

Don’t forget to shower your skin with love this Thanksgiving. Because it deserves your thanks just as much as the other fabulous stuff in your life.

We don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving is officially our favorite holiday. Time with family? Check. A day off work? Check. A great excuse to overindulge? Check. Most importantly it’s a time to reflect on the year and give thanks to everything you’re grateful for. Well, we bet that when you’re coming up with the list of things you appreciate, your skin’s not one of them.

And what a mistake that is.

Your skin is one of the most important parts of your body. You have around 21 square feet of the stuff and it’s not just there to plague you with lines, wrinkles, pimples and dark spots. It helps regulate your body temperature, prevents moisture loss and provides an essential barrier against injury, infection, trauma, disease and everything else the world likes to throw at you. So, give it a break already.

We understand it’s oh-so-easy to dislike your skin and complain about the bad stuff, but here’s the thing: you’re the only one who notices your so-called ‘flaws.’ Who else gets close enough to notice that tiny line between your brows? No. One. In fact, they’re way too busy coveting whatever it is about your skin they think they don’t have. Human nature. It’s a crazy thing.

Face it: your skin is pretty darn amazing. Every line, crease and freckle is a reminder of the roads you’ve travelled to get to this point in your life. And we think it’s time to celebrate that by showing your skin you care. Here’s how…

1. Be Positive About The Good Stuff

More importantly, don’t sweat the bad stuff. Sure, you might have a small acne scar on your cheek and yes, the skin around your eyes is nowhere near as smooth as it once was. But that’s just fine. So, instead of seeing only these things when you look in the mirror, smile at your reflection and be conscious of all the awesome features your skin has to offer. Maybe it’s looking particularly glowy today. And OK, you might have crow’s feet but what about that kick-ass smooth forehead of yours? Dang, you’re gorgeous.

Being positive will not only make you feel better, but it’ll immediately make you look happier, healthier and radiant. And showing gratitude has been proven to reduce cortisol levels in your body which will help balance and de-stress your skin. Cortisol is also known as the ‘stress hormone,’ you see. So, there’s that.

2. Shower Your Skin With Kindness

Treating your skin with a gentle, effective skincare routine is actually fairly simple. The motto is: less is more. Pare back the number of products you use (no, you don’t need 10 lotions, potions, essences and oils) and steer clear of nasty chemicals like parabens, sulphates, and phthalates which can upset the balance of your skin’s barrier function and exacerbate dryness, irritation and redness.

Start as you mean to go on with a super gentle cleansing routine using Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser and lukewarm – never hot – water. Hot water strips away the protective layer on your skin’s surface, sucking dry all those natural lipids and moisture that help keep your skin hydrated and healthy. After cleansing for a minute or so, rinse thoroughly and gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Vigorous rubbing is a major no-no.

The rest of your regime should consist of just three or four more products to work on your concerns and beautify your complexion. Of course, moisturizer and sunscreen are musts, but anything further is up to you. Our go-tos would be an antioxidant serum like Niacinamide Facial Serum plus an eye treatment like Peptide Eye Gel, but the choice is yours.

3. Try To Manage Stress

There’s no doubt life has been more stressful than ever these past few years, and this can take a real toll on your skin. Stress plays havoc with your sleep (more on that in a minute) and causes your body to produce higher levels of cortisol which encourages inflammation, depletes vital collagen and interferes with your skin’s healing process. Studies also show that stress compromises your barrier function making your complexion feel dry, dehydrated and exacerbating existing conditions like acne, psoriasis, rosacea and eczema.

Managing emotional stress is easier said than done, but small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Meditation, for example, is an extremely effective way to relax your body and mind; even some simple breathing exercises are great for clearing your head and lowering your levels of stress. Our friends at the Mayo Clinic have some great breathing tips, right here.

Also, set aside half an hour (or more!) every day for a little me-time. Go for a walk, read a book, take a bath, whatever you need to do in order to take time out will be worth its weight in gold for your mental health.

Of course, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, never be afraid to ask for help from a qualified health professional.

4. Get Plenty Of Quality Sleep

When you miss out on valuable zzzs, your skin is one of the first things to suffer. How so? Because sleep is the most important time for your skin to heal and regenerate. When you turn in for the night blood flow increases, transporting oxygen and nutrients to the skin to help nourish and strengthen it. Simultaneously, cell turnover accelerates to bring fresh, healthy skin cells to the surface; collagen production revs up and your natural antioxidant system kicks up a gear to reduce unwanted damage from the slings and arrows of daily life.

Sleep could not be more important for the health of your skin. End of. The National Sleep Foundation recommends between seven and nine hours every night for a healthy adult, so try to hit this sweet spot as much as possible. Your skin will thank you for it – especially if you cleanse thoroughly, then treat it before bed with Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream to boost radiance and help your skin renew itself as you sleep.

5. Think About What You Eat

A balanced diet is important, you know that. But it’s not just essential for your health; it can play a vital role in the overall look and feel of your skin. A diet that’s packed with sugar, for example, will lead to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in your skin. These damage a lot of important good proteins, causing them to stiffen and weaken. Oh, and they’re aptly named AGEs which speaks volumes.

Too much salt can also trigger dehydration, eczema flare-ups, acne breakouts and is a devil on eye bags. And don’t even get us started on fried food and refined carbs. Skin's mortal enemies, right there.

Anything in moderation is fine, for sure, but make sure you get way more good foods in your diet. The key is to ensure things like antioxidant-rich fresh fruit, veggies, beans, lean poultry, fish and nuts outweigh the bad stuff. 

Now smile, relax and enjoy your skin. And it will do the same.