True Radical Honesty From Our Community

Most of you will have had the displeasure of a blackhead or two at some point in your lives. Gosh, aren’t they annoying? Here’s everything you need to know about dealing with the pesky little things…

From whiteheads to full-blown pimples, acne is the worst and, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), it affects almost 50 million Americans every year. And blackheads are right up there among the things you definitely do NOT want on your skin. Puffy eyes, dark spots and saggy jowls can do one too, but they’re topics for another day…

So, blackheads. What the heck are they? And why you?

What Are Blackheads?

Also known as open comedones, blackheads are caused by overactive sebaceous glands that create way too much oil than your skin really needs. This oil sits in and blocks up dilated hair follicles where it combines with dead skin cells, opening the pore so much that it breaks through and hits the air where it oxidizes and turns black. This means that contrary to popular belief, blackheads aren’t pores filled with dirt; their dark color is simply because of their reaction with the air. So, there’s one piece of good news, at least. Oh and btw, when all this happens, but the hair follicle remains closed, the bump becomes a whitehead (or closed comedone) rather than a blackhead. The lesser of two evils? Potayto, potahto…

Blackheads are rarely painful because they’re not inflamed like regular pimples. They usually appear on your t-zone (especially on and around the nose), but they can also crop up on your back, chest, arms and shoulders. If you have oily skin, then you’re way more likely to be a blackhead sufferer, but hormonal changes during menstruation, menopause or while taking the pill can also increase oil production and your chances of developing them. And, of course, all the other culprits that send your sebaceous glands into overdrive can also play their part – hi there stress, environmental pollution and lack of sleep.

So, How Can You Win The Blackhead War?

Keeping oil production under control is the absolute key – and you can do that through a number of ways…

1. DO Use A Detoxifying Cleanser

Cleanse your skin morning, night and always after exercising to help remove oil buildup. But remember, steer clear of super harsh products that completely strip your skin and kick-start it to produce even more oil. That’s what we call a vicious circle. Instead, look for more gentle, non-irritating cleansers that help detox your skin while helping to restore balance.

Skin Clearing Charcoal Face Wash is great for this as it contains activated coconut charcoal to mop up any debris (oil included) from the skin’s surface to help decongest your pores and clarify your complexion.

2. DON’T Squeeze Your Blackheads

As tempting as it is to prod, poke and press away at your blackheads, removing them is a fine art and best left to the professionals. Unless you love causing inflammation and possible scarring of course? No, thought not.

Book yourself in for an extraction facial instead of attempting to squeeze them out at home.

3. DO Embrace Salicylic Acid

One of the most effective ingredients for tackling oil production is the mighty salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that works like a chemical exfoliator to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells which makes them fall off to reveal the fresh, new skin underneath. Unlike alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acids, however, salicylic acid goes one step further, penetrating deeper into your skin to target and remove excess sebum.

Our Tea Tree Clear Skin Super Serum harnesses the powers of salicylic acid, combining it with hydrating hyaluronic acid and free radical-fighting niacinamide to help unblock pores and heal your skin. It’s perfect as an all-over treatment, two or three times a week, or use it nightly to spot treat specific areas that are prone to blackheads and other breakouts.

4. DON’T Forget To Moisturize Twice Daily

Keeping your skin as balanced as possible is vital if you want to reduce oil production and maintain healthy skin. Yes, it might feel weird to put something on your skin that has the potential to block your pores, but as long as you choose wisely, your skin will be fine. In fact, more than fine: better. So, never skip moisturizer. It’s important, OK?

Just make sure to avoid occlusive ingredients which really will block your pores. Occlusives create a physical barrier on your skin’s surface to help prevent moisture loss and they’re great for dry, sensitive or dehydrated skin… but they’re terrible for oily or acne-prone skin types as they’re far too thick and heavy. Instead of occlusive ingredients like cocoa butter and mineral oils, choose formulations that contain a blend of humectants (eg. hyaluronic acid and glycerin) to draw in water and emollients (eg. jojoba oil and squalane) to seal it all in.

5. DO Apply Retinol Before Bed

Retinol is considered the cream of the crop as an anti-aging ingredient, but it’s also pretty kick-ass when it comes to tackling breakouts.

It works by speeding up cell proliferation to make dead skin cells get out of town quicker. This, of course, means retinol is ideal for helping to keep your pores clear, allowing your skin to stay smooth and blackhead-free. Not only that, but studies show retinol also has the potential to decrease sebum production. Win-win.

Retinol is a pretty potent ingredient, however, so you should always introduce it slowly into your skincare routine. After patch testing, begin applying it just once or twice a week to clean, dry skin. Then, as your skin acclimates, you can move to three or four times a week, gradually building to every night.

Finally, If your blackheads are seriously getting you down, it might be worth coupling a great skincare routine with a trip to your derm’s office. There are many powerful medications and treatments like dermabrasion and chemical peels that can help keep severe breakouts under control.

So, the moral of the story? Don’t let blackheads get you down. Simply get even.

When your skin has seen better days, the simplest changes to your routine can reap awesome rewards. Here are 10 easy skincare hacks that promise to up your complexion game in super-fast time.

Looking for ways to tweak your skincare that a) don’t cost a small fortune, b) don’t add hours onto your routine and c) make a real, visible difference to your complexion? How about we raise all that and give you ten? 

1. Always Patch Test Your Skincare

Patch testing any new skincare product is one of the most important ways for you to avoid irritation, redness and inflammation. Sure, it means you’ll have to be patient and wait a day or two before using your product all over your face, but it’s so worth it in the long run.

Not sure how to perform a patch test? We can help with that, right here.

2. Moisturize From Head-To-Toe

We think by now you understand the importance of moisturizing the skin on your face twice daily (yes, even if you do have extremely oily skin). But can you say, hand on heart, that you treat the skin on your body with just as much care and attention? We bet that's a big fat 'no,' but the thing is, your skin is your largest organ and needs looking after from head-to-toe.

Your body actually contains fewer sebaceous (oil-producing) glands than your face, scalp, neck and chest, and certain areas like your shins, for example, are severely lacking in their own natural moisturizing system. Therefore, always moisturize your body with Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer, as soon as you step out of the shower to help lock in water.

Formulas that contain a blend of humectants, emollients and occlusives are fantastic and don’t be scared of rich butters and balms, either. These are great for the skin on your body because fewer sebaceous glands mean less pore blockages and a lower risk of breakouts.

3. Workout Your Face

Skin feeling a bit meh? Facial exercises are an easy, quick and totally free way to boost circulation and stimulate collagen for a more youthful glow. One of our favorites is to push out your lips as if you’re about to kiss someone, hold this for a few seconds, then smile as widely as you can, again holding this position for a few seconds. Repeat these movement five times a day.

PS: Flipping your head upside down for a few minutes each day will also boost circulation to your skin, helping add radiance to a dull complexion.

4. Exfoliate With A Facecloth

Looking for an easy way to boost cell turnover and gently rid the surface of your face from all those dead, pore-clogging skin cells? Worried that scrubs and chemical exfoliators like AHAs are a tad potent for your skin? Then try using a damp facecloth when you cleanse. Apply your cleanser (we love Vitamin C Daily Facial Cleanser) as normal to damp skin, massage it all over with your hands, then use your washcloth to gently rub your cleanser all over. Rinse, pat dry and you’re done.

5. Go Easy On The Makeup

Many dermatologists agree that clients who wear little or no makeup have much clearer, brighter skin than those who regularly pile it on. We know going makeup-free may be easier said than done, but try toning it down for days when you’re not at work or socializing (isn’t it nice to say that again?). Swap out heavy foundation for tinted moisturizer and avoid powders which can instantly age you up.

6. Show Kindness To Your Eyes

The skin around your eyes is ridiculously thin and fragile, so if you fail to treat it with the respect it deserves, it will punish you with sagging, dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles quicker than you can say “pass the eye cream.”

No matter how young you are, looking after the skin around your eyes is priceless. And it’s really no biggie. Simply invest in a moisturizing eye cream like our Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream and use your ring fingers to pat or gently smooth a small amount around your eyes, morning and night. Using your ring fingers stops you from applying too much pressure or unnecessarily dragging the skin.

7. Be Patient With Your Skincare

Swapping and changing products week in week out because you think they're not working is a sure-fire way to irritation, dryness and sub-par skin. So, don’t be mad when your new facial serum doesn’t immediately give you the skin of an angel. Just give it some time. Adult skin has a lifecycle of around 28 days which means any product that works on a deep, cellular level (eg. serums) also need the same amount of time to do its best work.

8. Embrace Retinol

If you’re concerned about aging skin and are looking to up your anti-aging skincare routine with just one new ingredient, it has to be retinol. Proven to be one of the most effective ingredients for stimulating cellular turnover and increasing the production of collagen, retinol is the undeniable king of age-defiers. It not only helps treat and prevent skin aging, but many experts believe it can also reverse the signs of visible aging. Strong claims, right there. Try our lightweight Retinol Facial Serum which is a big fan favorite.

9. Keep Your Pillowcase Super Clean

A dirty pillowcase is a breeding ground for dirt, debris, oil and bacteria which can equal serious breakouts on your skin if you leave them to their own devices. Yes, you might be super strict when it comes to cleansing your face before bed, but what about your hair? Exactly.

Clean your pillowcase at least once a week (preferably twice) and live by the same rules for anything else that touches your skin on a regular basis, eg: face masks, makeup brushes and your smartphone.

10. Sleep On Your Back

While we’re on the topic of bedtime, make sure you don’t sleep on your belly. Smushing your face into your pillow folds up your skin, etching in fine lines and wrinkles just where you don’t want them. Continue to do this for years and years and those creases could become a permanent fixture. Eek.

According to sleep.org, the best way to avoid ‘sleep lines’ is to sleep on your back. If you couldn’t think of anything worse, invest in a silk pillowcase as these are much smoother and create less friction against your skin. Oh, and don’t forget to help your skin revive itself overnight with a nice slathering of Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.

Your skin, and how you look after it, can deeply impact your emotional well-being. Here’s how to boost your confidence and lift your spirits by learning to love and care for the skin you’re in.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we firmly believe your skin can play a major role in your state of mind.

Think about how you feel when you look at your face in the mirror. Those ‘off’ days when your complexion looks kinda lousy rarely fill you with confidence. But other days when your skin seems to naturally glow from within? Priceless for your self-esteem. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. More serious skin concerns like rosacea, eczema or hormonal acne can often stop people from leaving the house and living a normal, day-to-day life. In a 2014 study carried out by the National Rosacea Society, for example, a massive 90 percent of rosacea patients reported low self-confidence and over half said they avoided regular face-to-face contact.

The fact is simple: your skin plays a vital role in the way you feel about yourself. When it looks and feels awesome, you feel better about yourself. It’s just the way the human psyche works. But the thing is, we’re all different and your skin and its condition should never define you. Yes, your crow’s feet might drive you crazy and sure, that zit on your chin is as annoying as hell. But remember, 1) you're not alone – imperfect skin is perfectly normal and 2) nobody notices your 'flaws' as much as you do. 

If you’re feeling stressed about your complexion, however, here are a few ways to help you fall in love with your skin again – and up your self-confidence levels at the same time.

1. Enjoy A Consistent Routine

While trying new products and upping your skincare game is fabulous within reason, having a consistent skincare routine allows for true noticeable results to start happening. This makes it one of the best ways to maintain healthy skin. You wouldn’t skip brushing your teeth every other morning, would you? Then respect your skin in exactly the same way.

Set aside five or 10 minutes or so each morning and evening to gently cleanse, tone, treat and moisturize your skin using the best ingredients and formulations for your skin. And remember, apply them according to their instructions and always in the correct order. Look after your skin – especially before bed when it’s getting ready to regenerate and revive itself – and your skin will look after you.

Having a regular morning and evening skincare routine doesn't just benefit your skin, however. It also helps give you structure, grounding and has been proven to improve mental stability. Studies show that people who have more consistent routines throughout the day are less likely to suffer with mood problems and depression. To boost your state of mind even further, use products that make you feel good and you enjoy using like our Vitamin C Super Serum+ which contains essential oils like pink grapefruit, lavender and ylang ylang to help lift your mood and alleviate anxiety.

2. Get Your Glow On With A Weekly Pampering Session

Taking care of your skin is awesome for your mental health because it allows you to focus on yourself and stop worrying about all the other stuff that might be stressing you out. Set aside one hour a week to pamper your skin and you will immediately improve your well-being (not to mention your complexion) without even thinking about it. Lock the bathroom door, light a candle, run a bath, play some calming music and drink wine (hells yeah). Whatever you need to switch off and concentrate on you.

During this time, you might also want to think about indulging your senses with a little facial massage. Massaging your skin is one of the best ways to boost circulation and help lymphatic drainage for firmer, smoother, more radiant skin. This relaxation process also sends messages to your brain that it’s time to be calm which lowers the production of cortisol (the stress hormone) and simultaneously reduces your anxiety levels. Try a two or three minute facial massage as you cleanse your skin with warm water and our skin brightening Vitamin C Daily Cleanser. Close your eyes to focus your mind, then work the pads of your fingers all over your face and neck using gentle but firm circular motions.

Sidenote: when your skin looks glowing and radiant, nobody will even notice your wrinkles or age spots. Oh, the power of a little me-time.

3. Break Your Bad Beauty Habits

Do you touch your face all the time, therefore spreading germs, chemicals and bacteria all over your skin? Perhaps you just can’t resist picking at your pimples, always making them so much worse… Bad habits are often a sign of stress, anxiety or just plain boredom, and while some are harmless, the aforementioned spell disaster for your skin.

Take control of your bad beauty habits by understanding when and why you do them. Figuring out your triggers allows you to understand the reason for your actions and enables you to find alternatives that don’t totally screw up your skin. For example, if you find yourself picking your face in the evening when you’re bored watching TV, find something else to do with your hands like knitting. Can’t resist scrutinizing your skin before bed looking for something, anything to squeeze? Then throw out your magnifying mirror. Nobody ever sees your skin at such a close range, so gouging out that tiny blackhead and risking more damage than reward? So not worth it.

If you're looking for support with mental health issues or would like to help raise awareness of Mental Health Awareness Month, please head to Mental Health America for more information.

It might sound basic, but glycerin is anything but. And quite frankly it deserves just as much praise as hyaluronic acid when it comes to hydrating and protecting your skin…

Glycerin: it doesn't sound glamorous, nor does it steal all the headlines (mentioning no names, hyaluronic acid), but it should never be written off in terms of skincare ingredients you absolutely need in your daily routine. Yes, we know your brain’s already overloaded with ingredients like retinoids, hydroxy acids, peptides and MSM, but trust us, you’re going to need to make space for glycerin in your beauty vocab. And good news: it's very simple to get your head around.

What Is Glycerin?

There are three types of moisturizing ingredients in skincare: occlusives, emollients and humectants.

Occlusives are the rich, waxy ones like cocoa butter and petrolatum that create a barrier on your skin to help prevent moisture loss and protect it from irritation. Meanwhile, emollients are the smoothing oils or lipids that repair cracks and help smooth your skin – think coconut oil, argan oil and shea butter. Then, you have humectants.

Humectants work like sponges to draw water into the top layers of your skin. If the environment contains enough humidity, humectants attract water vapor from here, but they can also pull it up from the underlying layers of your skin to help protect and hydrate it at a surface level. Sidenote: for the ultimate moisturization, your routine should always include a mixture of humectants, emollients and, if your skin is super dry, dehydrated or sensitive, occlusives.

Just like hyaluronic acid (HA), glycerin is a highly effective humectant that’s naturally present in your skin. However, unlike hyaluronic acid, poor old glycerin has taken a bit of a back burner in recent years, being totally overshadowed in ad campaigns and TV commercials by its ballsy HA cousin. 

Now, don’t get us wrong, we love hyaluronic acid just as much as the next person. It’s a fantastic humectant that’s able to hold around 1,000 times its weight in water which is why we use it in plenty of much-loved TruSkin formulations including Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream and Retinol Moisturizer.

But HA is not the be-all and end-all. In fact, contrary to popular belief, studies suggest that glycerin (aka glycerol) is the most effective humectant out there. Stop. The. Press. This is due to its low molecular weight which helps it penetrate deeper into the skin, making it better at replenishing your skin’s natural moisturizing factor and helping to increase hydration and minimize moisture loss in as little as ten minutes. Glycerin also helps heal and protect your skin as an added bonus. It’s simple, but very, very effective.

A clear, colorless and odorless liquid, the type of glycerin used in skincare is derived from either vegetable oils or animal fats. We go for vegetable glycerin every time.

Is Glycerin Right For You?

Glycerin is naturally-occurring within your skin, making it a very effective and tolerable ingredient in skincare. For these reasons, derms often prescribe treatments with glycerin to help treat extremely dry, dehydrated, irritated or cracked skin, so if you have any of those concerns, your parched complexion will lap up its moisturizing benefits.

Glycerin is also great for combination or sensitive skin as it’s very unlikely to cause adverse reactions. However, before using any new product we always recommend performing a patch test first… y'know, just in case.

And if your skin is super oily? Sure, your skin will benefit from a good douse of glycerin, but you may want to back off products containing it in super high concentrations. Why? Because glycerin is so effective and hydrating that unless your skin really needs all that moisture, it can leave it feeling slightly sticky.

How To Include Glycerin In Your Skincare Routine

Glycerin is one of the most commonly used ingredients within the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, so, chances are, your skincare routine already contains it in some form or another.

Some people advise buying pure vegetable glycerin and mixing it with your favorite moisturizer for an extra hit of moisture. But we don’t really agree with skincare DIY-ing. Instead, look out for it on your product labels. And not just in moisturizers, either. Glycerin is an awesome ingredient within facial cleansers as it helps counteract the often drying effects of washing your skin. We use a small amount of kosher vegetable glycerin in our Skin Clearing Charcoal Face Wash to help balance and increase hydration while unclogging your pores and decongesting your skin.

You’ll also find kosher vegetable glycerin in many of our serums, moisturizers and eye treatments because yes, it’s that good.

Don’t see glycerin in any of your products? Look out for glycerin derivatives which include glyceryl caprylate and glyceryl stearate. These clever esters combine glycerin with emollient fatty acids like caprylic acid and stearic acid to not only draw moisture to the surface to the skin, but to hold it there while smoothing and softening your skin at the same time. Our Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer contains both glycerin and glyceryl stearate for the ultimate in hydration.

Now, move over, hyaluronic acid, it's time to share the limelight.

Skipping your zzzs is a one-way ticket to tired, dull skin. So, if you’re thinking of burning the midnight oil – perhaps with a little help from your vodka/wine/hard seltzer buddies – you’re going to need a few post-party skin tricks up your sleeves. 

It may seem like a great idea at the time, but no sleep, coupled with way too many cocktails, not only equals a banging headache and zero energy for the next 24 hours, but it spells disaster for the state of your complexion. We’re talking puffiness, dullness, dehydration, maybe even a little irritation if you’ve a) eaten your weight in fast food and b) finally rolled into bed without taking off your makeup.

Thankfully, there are many ways to cure your skin’s hangover and counteract all those nasty effects of a late night. In fact, if you’re smart you can even go so far as to take a few precautionary measures the night before. Don’t fret, you don’t need to be dramatic and avoid late, boozy nights altogether, but if you swap out high-sugar cocktails (one word: glycation) for hard seltzers, or alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water this'll go a long way to preventing your skin from looking lousy the next day.

Too late for that? Then here are five of the most effective, post-party skincare must-dos – and trust us, we’ve tried them all ;)

1. Cleanse & Detox BEFORE Bed

You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again: DO NOT go to bed without first taking off your makeup. Overnight is when your skin goes through its most important healing and regenerative phase, but clogging up the surface with oil, bacteria, sweat, makeup and goodness-knows-what-else ruins your skin’s chance to renew itself. Makeup also clogs up your pores – especially if it contains oil or silicones – and you all know what clogged pores leads to (*cue Jaws music)…

So, before your head hits the pillow, wash your face and neck with a gentle, but deep cleansing face wash like Skin Clearing Charcoal Face Wash which also helps detoxify your skin and draw out impurities. And if you really are too beat, at the very least grab a biodegradable cleansing cloth. Just this once, of course.

Finish with Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream to help hydrate and moisturize your skin as you sleep and come the morning, that old saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ will never be more true.

2. Massage Your Skin

The next morning you might want to do little more than lie on the sofa with just Netflix and coffee for company, but if you can face it, a cleansing massage will do wonders for depuffing and reenergizing your skin by boosting circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage.

First, grab a brightening cleanser like our Vitamin C Daily Facial Cleanser (side note: vitamin C also helps reduce damage from alcohol-induced free radicals) and apply this to damp skin, using the pads of your fingers. Press your fingers into the brow area and slide them up to your forehead a few times, then concentrate on your cheeks and work from each side of your nose, out towards the hairline. Do this a few times, then do the same over your chin and jawline before smoothing your fingertips up your neck. Just a couple of minutes doing this in the shower will really boost your glow. Promise.

3. Reduce Redness

Alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate which is why drinking a tad too much often results in red, flushed skin. To balance tone and reduce inflammation look for soothing ingredients in your morning-after skincare. Our Daily Facial Rose Water Toner is a great place to start, followed by Niacinamide Facial Serum. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is awesome for reducing redness and blotchiness. It also strengthens your skin’s barrier function to reduce moisture loss as an added bonus.

After cleansing, spritz your face with Rose Water Toner, then immediately apply a couple of drops of Niacinamide Serum all over your skin. Applying serum before your toner dries helps lock in moisture and counteracts the dehydrating effects of alcohol, fast food, zero zzzs and so on.

4. De-Puff Your Eyes

A big night out inevitably results in dark, puffy circles under your eyes. Why? Because all that bad stuff causes the blood vessels under the thin skin around your eyes to dilate, increasing blood retention and causing darkness and swelling. Lack of sleep also makes your levels of cortisol – the ‘stress hormone’ – go sky-high, altering the salt balance in your body and forcing it to retain water and cause unwanted swelling.

A great pep-up for your eyes is to pop a couple of cooled tea bags over them for five minutes. This might sound like an old wives’ tale, but caffeine has been proven to narrow blood vessels to help reduce swelling and dark circles. To further de-puff, brighten, moisturize and reduce redness, follow with Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream. For an extra cooling boost, you could even stash it in the fridge.

5. Most Important Of All, Rehydrate

Dehydration is the biggest issue for your skin (and in fact, your whole body) after pulling an all-nighter, and when your skin is dehydrated it looks dull, sallow and so much older (hello fine lines and wrinkles).

Drinking plenty of water is a great move for your internal hangover, but it’s not going to immediately benefit your skin. Dang. Instead, douse your face and neck with a serum containing humectant ingredients to draw water to the surface of your skin like a sponge. We love Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum which has been formulated with three super effective humectants: glycerin, aloe and hyaluronic acid. It also contains green tea, plus vitamins C and E to help reduce oxidative stress from damaging free radicals.

Finish your post-party-pick-me-up routine with Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer to seal in all that goodness and add a final boost of radiance… and bam. Late night, what late night?

Why does balancing combination skin that's oily in some places and dry in others have to be so hard? Actually, it doesn't. So, let’s take away the headache once and for all.

We all crave for that elusive ‘normal’ skin, but as skin types go combination is the one most of us end up with. You know the kind of skin we mean. Your cheeks might feel dry and little bit tight after cleansing, yet two hours later your forehead and nose look shinier than a bald man’s head. Yeah, that.

Combination skin is defined by skin that’s oily in certain areas and dry in others due to unbalanced sebum production. It’s never the same for everyone, but excess oiliness is usually concentrated around your t-zone where the sebaceous glands are often larger and more active. And those dry, sensitive patches? Well, you’ll find those primarily on your cheeks or around your eyes.

Just like your height and hair color, your skin type is the luck of the draw and is totally down to what you inherit from your parents. So, if you think you can alter your skin type, think again. Yes, you can control and manage it with smart skincare, but completely change its biological structure? No way.

That being said, certain factors will affect the levels of sebum and dryness in your skin – and this will be especially noticeable if it's combination. For example, your t-zone will be oiler in the summer thanks to warmer, humid weather, but in the winter humidity and temperature levels drop, causing certain areas to feel drier, more dehydrated and even a little irritated. It may also become oilier and possibly break out during your period, when hormones cause your skin to over-produce sebum. Fun times.

The moral of this story is that yes, combination skin can be a bit of a b*tch to control. But, it’s perfectly doable with a few smart skincare choices. Just remember one thing: it’s all about balance.

How To Care For Combination Skin

1. Use A Gentle Cleanser Morning & Night

One of the biggest mistakes when cleansing combination skin is to concentrate solely on the oily part of your skin. We know it’s tempting to whisk away all those oils with harsh, astringent cleansers, but this will do you no favors in the long term. For one thing, it’ll cause your skin to produce even more oil in areas you don’t want it, and on the flipside it’ll irritate any dryness you have, causing redness, itching and more.

Instead, use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser like our Vitamin C Daily Facial Cleanser which contains MSM, vitamin C and tea tree oil to balance the skin and prevent breakouts, along with aloe vera and rosehip oil to soothe and moisturize. And if you’re really concerned about excess oils? Then try using our Skin Clearing Charcoal Face Wash on your t-zone at night.

2. Avoid Hot Water On Your Face

Never, EVER wash your face with scorching hot water. Hot water makes your skin look flushed and red thanks to excess heat forcing your blood vessels to dilate. It also strips the skin of essential healthy oils, which compromises your barrier function, causing your skin to feel tight, dry and irritated. For combination skin types this will make dry areas doubly worse, and oily areas, well, ditto.

3. Embrace A Balancing Toner

Some skin types are happy to skip toner, but if you have combination skin, we cannot recommend this step more. A good toner that’s high in antioxidants (rather than alcohol) can help balance and nourish your skin, while minimizing oiliness without making those dry areas drier.

Looking for the perfect fit for your combination skin? Then try our newly packaged but same great formula Ocean Minerals Super Toner (formerly referred to as Daily Facial Super Toner). Packed with MSM, vitamin C and skin-loving peptides like Matrixyl 3000, it’s a great way to finish your cleansing routine and leave your skin fresh and glowing. Oh, and it also contains glycolic acid to boost cellular regeneration plus witch hazel to deal with enlarged pores and excess oils. And if you think this sounds like it could irritate those pesky dry patches? Think again, aloe vera, jojoba oil are also included to take of that.

4. Spot Treat Your Oily T-Zone

When it comes to treating your complexion Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is always a great shout for combination skin. Hyaluronic acid is a clever little cookie that draws water into your skin like a sponge, making it great for hydrating your skin without overloading it with pore-clogging oils. Apply it morning and night before moisturizing to balance and soothe your skin.

If your combination skin is super oily in places, you could also try Tea Tree Clear Skin Super Serum over your troublesome t-zone. Apply one drop to the tips of your fingers, then gently apply it to your cheeks, nose and forehead two or three times a week.

5. Choose Your Moisturizer Carefully

Moisturizing your skin is probably the trickiest area to nail if you’re a combination type. Go too light and dry patches won’t get enough help, but choose a super heavy cream and you could end up blocking your pores and exacerbating oiliness. Decisions, decisions.

You have two options here. Your first is to invest in two moisturizers: one light, gel-based formula for your t-zone and a richer, oil-based cream or balm for your dry areas. This kind of sucks in terms of effort and money, but it’s often the best recipe for many combination skin types, especially if have extreme combination skin (aka very oily and very dry).

Your other option is to look for a noncomedogenic moisturizer that contains humectants to draw water into the skin and emollients to lock it there. And we have just the guy for the job: Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer which contains aloe and glycerin to hydrate thirsty skin without weighing it down, plus jojoba oil and shea butter to seal in moisture – again, without blocking your pores.  

“Deep hydration with no greasiness,” explains one customer review. Literally everything combination skin wants in a moisturizer.