True Radical Honesty From Our Community

#1: Yes, you absolutely DO need to apply sunscreen on cloudy days.

You all know the importance of generously slapping on sun protection before heading out for a day at a beach/park/backyard bbq. But what about the rest of the year? Must you? So, what’s the correct SPF value? And if you apply an SPF 30 are you doubly protected than if you were to apply SPF 15? 

The facts about sun protection can be fairly mind-boggling. But it's vital you know what's what. Not only is the sun accountable for around 90 percent of skin aging, but according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common cancer all over the world (including right here in the US). A staggering 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day and two people die of it every hour of every day. Now, we don’t know about you, but we find those statistics very worrying. 

The good news, however, is that most cases are totally preventable simply by protecting your skin. Of course, we know you’re not silly enough to use tanning beds, so we’re going to scratch that from the equation straight away. But even the most skincare savvy among you might not be aware of the real truth when it comes to looking after your skin in the sun. How so? Because there are way too many myths floating around about what you should and shouldn’t do. Sigh.

Thankfully, there’s a simple solution to that. Dispell these myths with pure, unadulterated facts. And we're so on that…

Myth #1: You Only Need Sunscreen On Super Sunny Days

The Real Truth: While it might sound like an urban myth, a whopping 80 percent of the sun’s rays pass right through clouds, causing just as much damage to your skin on gray, dreary days as they do on sunny ones. Just remember, sun damage is caused by UV radiation from the sun, not heat, so even though it feels cooler on cloudy days, those nasty rays are still very much there, just waiting to do a number on your collagen supplies and cause havoc to the DNA in your skin cells. UVB rays are certainly stronger in the summer (they’re the ones that burn), but UVA rays are the same strength all year round and they’re the long-term damagers that age you up and are the main cause of skin cancer. You have been warned.

Take Action: Apply sunscreen to any unprotected parts of your face and body every day of the year. Your face, in particular, is constantly subject to exposure and it's very susceptible to aging so look after it with sunscreen and antioxidants. Try Vitamin C Facial Serum every morning before moisturizing for a super-powered hit of antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. Then finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. No arguments.

Myth #2: SPF 30 Is Twice As Effective As SPF 15

The Real Truth: Put your math skills aside here because standard principles don’t apply when it comes to sun protection factors. It’s kinda confusing, but the main thing to remember is that SPF 15 blocks around 94 percent of UVB radiation, then anything above that is incremental. An SPF 30, for example, blocks around 97 percent, while SPF 50 gives you approximately 98 percent protection. Even an SPF 100 doesn’t offer 100 percent protection, more like 99 percent.

Take Action: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises sticking with something around the SPF 30 mark for day-to-day use, maybe SPF 50 if you’re out in the sun all day. We agree. Also, make no mistake that a higher SPF means you don’t need to frequently reapply. The truth is, ALL sunscreens last for the same period of time. This means that no matter what SPF you’re using, you must always reapply every two hours and immediately after swimming or sweating.

Myth #3: The Sun Can’t Damage Your Skin If You Stay In The Shade

The Real Truth: This is so very wrong. For sure, staying under an umbrella or tree is going to reduce your risk of burning, but while you might be shielding yourself from visible sunlight, those pesky UV rays are still able to reflect off nearby surfaces and hit you where it hurts. Sand, for example, reflects around 25 percent of UV radiation.

Take Action: By all means, sit in the shade (in fact, we advise it), but don’t think you can do this and get away with not wearing sunscreen. You must still regularly and generously apply your SPF. Oh, and try to find solid rather than dappled shade as any holes or gaps will allow a certain amount of radiation to penetrate your skin.

Myth #4: You Don’t Need Sun Protection If You Have Dark Skin

The Real Truth: Sun damage can get to everyone in the end. It’s true, skin cancers like melanoma are less common for darker skin types because dark skin contains a higher level of protective melanin. However, nobody is 100 percent safe from skin cancers because they can attack any skin color. What’s more, they're harder to detect in black or brown skin which means they often go undetected and can become more life-threatening.

Take Action: The same advice applies here: use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 for every day use and SPF 50 for full-on days in the great outdoors. No matter your skin color. Also, be vigilant when it comes to checking for unusual moles or dark spots and get anything you're unsure of checked out immediately.

Myth #5: The Sun Can’t Damage Your Skin When Driving

The Real Truth: Oh, if only this one were true. However, glass does not block UVA radiation. We repeat, glass does not block UVA radiation. You’re pretty safe from burning UVB rays (unless you have the windows open, of course), but the sun’s nasty UVA rays can still penetrate through glass, causing all manner of cellular damage and premature aging like dark spots, fine lines and sagging skin. Tinted windows offer a small about of protection but you can’t legally tint your whole front window anyway, so that’s kind of a moot point.

Take Action: Again, protect, protect, protect with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s nothing less than SPF 30. The term ‘broad-spectrum’ means a product will protect your skin from UVA rays, not just UVB, and that’s super important here.
 
 

Because if your routine is all over the place, your skin could easily end up in the exact same boat.

Do you love your skin? And we’re not talking about your so-called imperfections because you’d be kind of weird if you truly loved your dark spots, lines and pimples. No, what we’re actually talking about is your skin as a whole. That massive and super important organ which accounts for around 15 percent of your entire body weight, covers an average of 20 square feet and is your body’s first line of defense against the world and everything it throws at you.

Understanding your skin and coming to terms with the fact that it may not be what it used to be is the first step to loving your complexion. And the second? Working diligently every single day to help protect, treat and maintain what you now have.

We believe that looking after your skin with a consistent regime is the single most important way to help balance your skin, prevent acne, treat dryness, reduce the visible effects of aging and so on and so forth. By sticking to a routine that includes gentle cleansing, targeted treatments, smart moisturizing and, of course, that all-important sun protection, you can rest assured you’re doing everything you can to manage the effects of time. And by doing this you automatically maximize your skin’s full potential. Which is all you can ask for, right?

So, how do you know what’s the correct routine for you? Well, first you need to understand your skin type.

What’s Your Skin Type?

Sure, you may have days when your skin feels oilier than others, but do you honestly have oily skin? And yes, your skin may feel a little irritated sometimes (don’t we all!), but is it genuinely sensitive?

To work out your true skin type, wash your face with a mild cleanser, then pat it dry and leave it completely bare for an hour or so. After this time, study it in the mirror and feel it with clean hands. If it feels tight and a little itchy it’s dry; if it looks shiny and feels greasy – especially around your t-zone – it’s oily; if it’s a bit of both it’s combination and if it looks the same as it did an hour ago – ie: peachy keen – then we hate you (jokes) because you’ve been blessed with the much-coveted normal skin.

Once you know your skin inside out, you can then tailor a smart routine that caters for both your skin type and your current concerns. Trust us, this knowledge is worth its weight in gold.

How To Build An Awesome Skincare Routine

Here’s how to nail the five most important steps…

1. Cleansing

No matter your skin type, gentle is always the way to go when it comes to cleansing your skin. Choose products that are free of irritating ingredients like sulfates, phthalates, silicones and bad alcohols, and make sure you cleanse every morning and night – without fail. Your skin is subject to all manner of toxins, chemicals and pollution throughout the day, not to mention the natural oils and sweat that blend with your makeup and build up on the surface of your skin. All this simply has to go before turning in for the night if you want to keep your skin clean, clear and healthy.

When you cleanse, use lukewarm water only as hot water could cause redness and irritation. Massage your face and neck (don’t forget your neck, people) using the pads of your fingers to boost blood flow and lymphatic drainage, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel. That communal hand towel the whole family uses to dry their hands? Unacceptable for the delicate skin on your face.

2. Toning

After cleansing, don’t forget to spritz your skin with toner. Long gone are the days when toners stripped your skin of every last drop of oil, claiming to be the cat’s whiskers for getting rid of acne spots but often making matters worse. Nowadays, toners are formulated to flood your skin with hydration, antioxidants, minerals, peptides, exfoliating acids, the works.

Even the most sensitive of skin can benefit from toner. Take our Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner, for example. This 100 percent pure and natural Moroccan rose water gently balances, hydrates, calms and heals the skin, making it ideal for all skin types, but particularly great for irritated skin.

Simply mist it all over your skin immediately after cleansing. So easy, but so effective.

3. Treating

Now’s the time to apply your eye treatment and serum. Serum should come first, straight after toning, and remember, less is more. Apply just one or two drops to your fingers, then smooth or press it all over your face and neck. Take care not to massage it in too much as serums are formulated to penetrate your skin without too much effort on your behalf.

Think about what niggles you about your complexion and choose your serum accordingly. Are you concerned with dehydration? Then something with hyaluronic acid or glycerin should be your first port of call. Perhaps you want to target the visible signs of aging. Then you can’t go wrong with retinol. Or maybe your skin is looking dull and you want to up your radiance game. Say hello to vitamin C. We have a whole team of serums just waiting to help deal with your skin woes. You’re welcome.

After applying your serum, allow it to settle for a few minutes while applying an eye cream or gel to moisturize this notoriously dry area and target issues like dark circles or puffiness. The skin around your eyes is around 10 times thinner than the rest of your face, so avoid applying your regular moisturizer here – it could overload the skin and cause irritation or bags.

Again, a tiny amount of eye treatment is plenty, so dispense just one pump between the pads of your ring fingers, then dab it gently all around your eyes, taking care not to apply too much pressure or drag the skin. Big no-no, right there.

4. Moisturizing

Give your serum and eye treatment another minute to settle before applying the next stage in your awesome routine: moisturizer. This will help avoid pilling –  those annoying balls of product that build up on the surface of your skin.

Your moisturizer should be formulated with a blend of humectants (to hydrate) plus emollients and/or occlusives (to smooth and seal in moisture) and should be targeted to your specific skin type. Look out for oil-free, gel formulations if your skin is super oily, and richer butters or balms if you’re extremely dry.

Lotions and creams are ideal for normal or combination skin types, but if they’ve been formulated cleverly they can be great all-rounders for all. Our Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer, for example, is an awesome choice for hydrating, moisturizing, brightening and protecting most skin types. Same goes for Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.

Apply a dime-sized amount all over your face and neck, using the palms of your hands. Start either side of your nose and sweep it out towards the hairline. Repeat this a few times, then work in the same motions over your forehead, chin, jawline and neck.

5. Protecting

Your nighttime regime is now complete. Not so for the morning because there’s one vital component missing here: sun protection. Of course, great serums and moisturizers will be packed with antioxidants to help protect your skin from sun-induced free radical damage, but you must further protect it with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day of the year: rain or shine.

Unlike the rest of your regime, sun protection is not something you can afford to scrimp on. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a good nickel-sized dollop for your face, so don't be tight and apply it evenly and generously.

Now, Stick With It, People

You know your skin type, you’ve pinned down an awesome routine, now all that’s left to do is to stick with it. Of course, the odd lazy evening when you’re too tired to spend 10 minutes on your skin is OK, but try to keep up with a consistent routine as much as you can. And no matter how tired you are, at least cleanse and moisturize your precious skin before bed.

Your skin will thank you for it, we promise.

Consistently recommended by dermatologists, skincare acids can exfoliate, brighten, hydrate and even control pesky breakouts. Here, we take a look at five of the absolute best…

Who knew acids could be so awesome for your skin? Actually we did, which is why we formulated some of the most clinically researched and pretty dang effective skincare acids into your favorite TruSkin products.

So, no matter your skin type, age or concerns, it’s time to climb aboard the acid train. Not sure where to start? Then take a peek at these five absolute gems which promise to work hard to keep your skin looking (and feeling) totally awesome.

1. Citric Acid

Often overshadowed by the glycolics and lactics of this world (more on those in a jiffy), citric acid is a fully paid member of the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) club. AHAs are chemical exfoliators that work by dissolving the ‘glue’ that binds dead skin cells together on the surface of your skin so they can shed more easily. This helps renew and revitalize your skin, improving the texture and tone of your skin and simultaneously softening the signs of aging.

Extracted from, yes you guessed it, citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges, citric acid has a fairly large molecular structure which makes it way less potent than its AHA cousins. For sure, this makes it less immediately effective, but on the bright side it makes it a great choice for sensitive or problematic skin types looking to improve cell turnover without causing irritation.

Citric acid is also a natural, but gentle astringent which means it’s awesome at balancing excess oils, plus it contains antioxidant properties to help protect your skin from external baddies like pollution and sun damage.

A Great Choice For: Acid virgins, sensitive or oily skin types.

Find It In: Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser.

2. Glycolic Acid

One of the most effective AHAs available in skincare, glycolic acid has the same exfoliating prowess as citric acid – to the power of ten. This is all down to its small molecular structure which allows it to penetrate your skin way quicker and deeper than other AHAs. Its mini-me molecules also work to stimulate collagen production which is always a winner for firmer, younger-looking skin.

Glycolic acid is extracted from sugar cane or fruit and is often used in professional chemical peels due to its exfoliating super powers. Derms highly recommend it for helping to reduce the visible signs of aging like lines, wrinkles, dullness and dark spots, but it also makes a mean anti-acne treatment by helping to keep those pores of yours clean and clear.

A Great Choice For: Anyone looking to improve tone and texture. It’s a potent acid, however, so start low and slow and always patch test any glycolic acid formulation before using it for the first time.

Find It In: Ocean Minerals Super Toner and Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream.

3. Hyaluronic Acid

You’ll be no stranger to hyaluronic acid (HA) and its benefits to your skin – after all, it's completely stolen the limelight in recent years. And rightly so.

HA is a naturally-occurring humectant that’s found in abundance in your body where it helps keep your eyes and joints lubricated, and your skin hydrated. Humectants are clever little cookies because they work like sponges to attract and retain water from their surroundings. HA has the capacity to soak up around 1,000 times its weight in water. Not good at visualizing such math? Then let’s just say that’s a LOT. In fact, topical HA is hands down one of the best ingredients for boosting hydration in your skin. With age, however, your natural levels of HA decline (of course it does *eyeroll), which is one of the reasons your skin becomes dehydrated and less plump as time rolls by. And why topical HA is so important for younger-looking skin.

A Great Choice For: Dry, dehydrated skin types, or, in fact, any of you looking to up your skin’s moisture levels. So, that’ll be all of you, right?

Find It In: All of our facial serums, plus Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream and Retinol Moisturizer.

4. Lactic Acid

Back to AHAs and one of the most widely-used acids in skincare, lactic acid. When formulated in skincare, lactic acid is extracted from sour milk. Now, if that sounds a tad weird, think about Cleopatra and her propensity to bathe in milk. If it was good enough for her…

As a chemical exfoliant, lactic acid is another one of the gentle guys. In terms of its molecular structure, it’s smaller than glycolic acid but bigger than citric acid which makes it a great all-rounder for most skin types, offering light peeling and brightening benefits without too much disruption to your skin’s delicate barrier.

As well as its exfoliating effects, lactic acid is known to have anti-bacterial benefits (see-ya, annoying breakouts). It’s also a humectant, so, like hyaluronic acid, helps your skin retain moisture.

A Great Choice For: Dull skin that needs a little pick-me-up. It also works well for brightening dark circles around your eyes.

Find It In: Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream.

5. Salicylic Acid

Unlike most exfoliating acids, salicylic acid is a beta rather than an alpha hydroxy acid. What’s the difference between AHAs and BHAs? Well, they kind of do the same thing, boosting cell turnover and collagen production, but BHAs are oil-soluble whereas AHAs are water-soluble. This means BHAs like salicylic acid can penetrate deeper through the lipid layers of your skin and into your sebaceous glands where they help loosen sebum and unblock your pores.

Salicylic acid is derived from willow tree bark and not only exfoliates and unblocks your pores, but has anti-bacterial properties so is ideal for reducing redness and inflammation. It also helps heal as well as prevent breakouts. You’ve got to love it for that.

A Great Choice For: Zapping pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and excess oils. Just remember to go steady with it – overusing salicylic acid can irritate and dry out your skin.

Find It In: Vitamin C Super Serum+ and Tea Tree Super Serum+.

Spending time on your skin reaps fabulous rewards, but the good news is you can make a hassle-free routine just as beneficial. So, for those of you wanting to look awesome without too much effort, we got you…

Oftentimes, a low-maintenance skincare routine is the best one of all. Sure, a 10-step Korean regime might work for some of you, but are countless masks, scrubs, serums, oils, tinctures, essences and balms entirely necessary? We don’t think so. In fact, overloading your skin can be disastrous – ruining your skin’s protective barrier and causing all kinds of problems with dryness, sensitivities, breakouts and more.

That being said, a quick swipe with a ‘moisturizing’ face wipe before bed is never going to give you great skin, either. Poor cleansing? Not cool. Insufficient moisturizing? Ditto. And don’t even get us started on failing to apply SPF every day…

But if you do fancy cutting a few skincare corners – without compromising the look, feel and health of your skin – you can totally do so. You just need to know a few tricks of the trade.

Double Up Your Cleansing & Exfoliating Game

Cleansing is the absolute foundation of great skin and we will never tell you to be slap dash about the way in which you cleanse. It’s simply not worth it. However, one thing you can do if you’re in a rush is to exfoliate at the same time.

Simply apply your favorite cleanser to damp skin, then grab a clean facial mitt or washcloth and massage this all over your face and neck, using small circular motions. This is a great way to gently remove dead skin cells and boost circulation without irritating your skin. Just one word of warning: don’t use an exfoliating glove – they’re way too rough for the delicate skin on your face.

To Tone Or Not To Tone?

Never sure whether to bother with toner? Well, if you like the thought of firming, refining, balancing, hydrating and reviving your skin, a toner should be an important part of your regime. However, if you can’t be doing with the hassle of applying it with a cotton pad (and hate the thought of what those white fluffy things are doing for the environment), use a spritz toner instead. Both of our Ocean Minerals and Rose Water toners come in handy spray bottles and it takes just seconds to mist them over your face after cleansing. No brainer. Oh, and if you have a toner that doesn’t come in a spray bottle, buy a little reusable spritzer from Amazon and decant yours into that. Simple.

Invest In Products That Do More Than One Thing

You’ve got to love a product that offers your skin more than one benefit. Skincare that’s both time- and cost-effective? Hells yeah! After all, why should you apply six serums when one can do the exact same thing? Plus, by using just one professionally blended formulation, you get the benefit of knowing you’re not blindly cocktailing active, potent ingredients that don’t belong together. And that’s super important for the health of your complexion – especially if you have sensitive skin that flares up at even the mention of retinol, AHAs and friends. 

In our humble opinion, the best products that work overtime and serve more than one purpose are face serums. Light and fast-absorbing, serums are made of smaller molecules than regular lotions or moisturizing creams which means they're not only packed with active ingredients, but they’re able to deliver them right where your skin needs them. Of course, you can choose a serum to target one main concern, but any serum worth its weight should offer more than one benefit.

Take our Tea Tree Super Serum+, for example. Supercharged with a whole bevy of skin-loving ingredients, this serum deep cleans your pores and wallops excess oil, yet won’t dry out your skin like other tea tree oil products. How so? Because it’s also packed with hyaluronic acid and aloe to hydrate, niacinamide to soothe and botanical oils to strengthen and heal your skin. Even better news? You need only apply it two or three times each week, making it a mightily quick fix for your weekly routine.

Our Vitamin C Super Serum+ is another multi-correctional gem of a serum that’s packed with antioxidant properties thanks to vitamin C and retinol which together fight the signs of aging from all angles. It also contains salicylic acid to regulate oil production and boost cell turnover. Great for all skin types, it’s another serum you need only apply two or three times a week, yet it still manages to do so much for your skin.

No, this is not a drill.

Make Your Skin Work Hard While You Sleep

You’ll love this one, girls, because one of the most important things you can do for your skin is the least taxing activity of all: sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends between seven and nine hours of sleep every night, so try to hit that sweet spot of eight hours as often as you can.

Also, while you’re catching your zzzs, this is the best time to help your skin renew and regenerate itself. Skin goes into overdrive while you’re sleeping: blood flow increases, cell turnover almost doubles and your natural antioxidant defense system amps up to heal and repair your skin from the daily onslaughts of environmental damage.

To help these functions work like clockwork, make sure your skin is fully cleansed before you hit the hay and apply a serum and/or moisturizer like our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream. Enriched with vitamin C, aloe, cocoa butter, botanical oils and vitamin B5, this rich moisturizer works hard to restore your barrier function to help heal, hydrate, strengthen and support your skin – while you do absolutely nothing at all.

And frankly, that’s got to be the BEST, most effective lazy girls’ skincare money can buy.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Whether you’re off to college, back at the office or doing the morning school run, life’s about to get busy. But don’t let your skin suffer; just 10 minutes is all it takes to get your skin ready to face the world again…

Summer is almost over and the goose is getting fat. No wait, sorry, wrong season. Thankfully, there are no fir trees and holiday lights to contend with quite yet, but still, with the kids going back to school, college life beginning and offices opening up for business, life is certainly moving up a gear. 

With the start of new beginnings comes the stress of juggling your morning skincare routine. And when time is of the essence, spending 30 minutes looking after yours truly is often the first thing to go. But your skin shouldn’t suffer simply because you have a million other things to do before getting out of the house by 8 am. You just need to hone your morning routine to maximize your time.

And that’s exactly what we plan to do with this 10-minute super-speedy step-by-step skincare routine that’s short on time, but big on benefits. Because even the minimum amount of effort can make the world of difference to your skin… and when you look good, you feel great.

Step 1: The 2-Minute Cleanse

Start strong by spending a good two minutes cleansing your face and neck. You shouldn’t have too much grime to contend with after washing your face before bed, but still, cleansing is a great way to boost blood flow and lymphatic drainage to bring oxygen and nutrients to your skin while flushing away toxins.

Use a radiance boosting cleanser like Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser which contains potent antioxidants and aloe vera to maximize your glow and set your skin up for success. Massage the pads of your fingers over your skin in circular motions, then rinse with lukewarm water and gently pat dry with a clean towel.

Step 2: Tone In 30 Seconds

Don’t be tempted to dismiss toner, just because you can’t be bothered. This is the speediest step of all and toning’s a great way to drench your skin with extra moisture and feed it with nutrients and antioxidants. What’s more our Ocean Minerals and Rose Water toners both come in handy spray bottles, so all it takes is a few spritzes over your face and you’re done. In all honesty, 30 seconds is being generous. You could probably nail this step in 10.

Step 3: Set Aside 2 Minutes For Your Serum

As soon as you’ve toned, apply your favorite treatment serum straight away, while your skin is still damp. This will help lock all the moisture and goodness into your skin – plus that’s an extra 30 seconds saved, right there!

Dispense just two or three drops of serum to the pads of your fingers, then gently pat and press it evenly over your face and neck. You don’t need to spend too much time massaging it in because its small molecular makeup should allow it to absorb into your skin with very little effort.

We have many serums to choose from, depending on your skin type and concerns, but our current go-to for instant get-up-and-go skin is Vitamin C Super Serum+. How so? Because it’s literally chock-full of everything your skin needs to face the day. We’re talking vitamin C to brighten and protect; hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate; niacinamide to strengthen and plump up your skin, plus a list of skin-loving essential oils as long as your arm. It also contains salicylic acid to exfoliate your skin into the bargain – so no need to add that extra step into your morning routine.

Step 4: A Minute On The Eyes

Next, spend just a mere minute dabbing a moisturizing treatment around your eyes. Much better than slapping moisturizer all over the eye area which can be too heavy and cause puffiness, a targeted treatment will hydrate and moisturize the skin around your eyes while attacking things like dark circles and bags at the same time.

Pat or press Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream all around the eye area, using your ring fingers to reduce unnecessary pressure and remember, a tiny amount goes a long way.

Step 5: Multi-Task For One And A Half

OK, now’s the time to breathe and relax for a couple of minutes to allow your serum and eye cream to fully absorb into your skin. This is super important if you don’t want to end up with pilling – that’s when too many products build up on the surface of your skin and form annoying little flakes or granules.

Take this time to brush your teeth, make some coffee, shout at your kids, pack your bag or whatever else might float your boat.

Step 6: Moisturize In 2 Minutes

After a few minutes resting time, apply moisturizer to feed your skin with oils and nutrients and to help seal in hydration.

We love Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer as a morning skin pick-me-up. Work a quarter-sized amount between the palms of your hands and fingers, then place your hands in a prayer position on either side of your nose and smooth your hands up and out towards your hairline. Repeat this a few times to ensure an even coverage, then repeat the same action over your forehead, chin and jawline.

Step 7: 60 Seconds For The Finishing Touches

Great skincare means you shouldn’t need much makeup, but good news, you have a whole minute left to use as you please. SPF is vital, of course, so apply this first, then finish with lip balm, gloss, mascara or whatever you need to face the day.

And stop the clock, you’re done!

If your skin is seeing red and you don’t know why, finding the root cause is everything. 

A little facial redness is normal. Rosy cheeks after a few too many red wines? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Slightly flushed skin during your weekly hot yoga class? Check. But if you’re facial redness simply won’t quit, chances are there’s more going on with your skin than you might realize.

Facial redness happens when blood vessels beneath the surface of your skin dilate, causing blood to rush to your skin and the inevitable redness that comes with it. If you have fair skin you’re more likely to be afflicted with redness because your skin is genetically thinner and more fragile than darker skin types. But that being said, anyone can suffer – whatever your skin type or tone.

So, what causes your blood vessels to dilate? Well, the short, slightly vague answer is many, MANY things. But that’s pretty unhelpful, we know, so here are six of the most common causes of facial redness, plus what you can do to help soothe, treat and care for your pesky flare-ups.

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

What It Is: The most common form of eczema and often hereditary, atopic dermatitis (AD) affects around 16.5 million adults in the US. It occurs when your immune system becomes compromised, triggering inflammation in your skin that damages your barrier function.

Symptoms: Along with the obvious redness, atopic dermatitis is typically defined by the amount of itching you will experience. In fact, according to the National Eczema Association, 85 percent of people with AD suffer itching on a daily basis. Dryness and discoloration is also a common symptom.

How To Treat It: A board-certified dermatologist should be your first port of call to truly diagnose and treat atopic dermatitis. They may prescribe an anti-inflammatory or cortisone treatment to help control the redness and reduce any sensitivities. At home, keep your skincare regime simple and free of potential irritants such as synthetic fragrance, sulfates and bad alcohol. Also, try to reduce stress and make sure you eat a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep. The usual, all-round, smart lifestyle choice are super important here.

Acne

What It Is: Acne occurs when your pores becoming blocked with dead skin cells and excess oil. This blockage then breeds bacteria, causing swelling, pimples and inflammation.

Symptoms: Oily skin coupled with red bumps that may be filled with pus are a sure-sign acne is in town. However, what sometimes looks like acne, isn’t, so it’s always best to see a dermatologist for a professional diagnosis.

How To Treat It: Severe acne should always be treated by a derm or doctor, but for mild acne, topical treatments and smart skincare choices can reap great rewards. Ingredients like retinol, salicylic acid and tea tree oil are all proven to help reduce and prevent breakouts. Our Tea Tree Super Serum+ is formulated with all of these, plus hyaluronic acid to hydrate and niacinamide to soothe. What’s more, you only need to apply it two or three times a week to see visible improvements in your skin. Gotta love that.

Contact Dermatitis

What It Is: Certain irritants can cause the skin on your face and neck to flare-up including fragrance, hair dye, jewelry and chemicals or preservatives in skincare products. This is a condition called contact dermatitis and it comes in two forms: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, irritant contact dermatitis is the most common and occurs when your skin is exposed to something it doesn't like which then damages and irritates your skin’s outermost layer. Allergic contact dermatitis, on the other hand, triggers an immune reaction in your skin and can be caused by eating certain foods as well exposing your skin to irritants in personal care products.

Symptoms: Contact dermatitis usually results in redness, itching, dryness, swelling and sometimes burning, bumps or blisters. It can also lead to infection, especially if you scratch the affected area.

How To Treat It: The best way to deal with contact dermatitis is to identify what’s causing your reaction. And word to the wise: don’t even bother trying to do this at home – you’ll just waste time and energy. Instead, check in with an allergist who will perform various patch tests to pinpoint the exact allergen that’s doing a number on your skin. Going forward, avoid this, look after your skin with gentle formulations, moisturize twice daily and you should be laughing.

Over-exfoliation

What It Is: Exfoliating is a great way to boost cell turnover, deeply cleanse your skin and help the rest of your skincare penetrate your skin more effectively. However, too much exfoliating can weaken your skin’s barrier function, stripping away essential ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol and other nutrients that work hard to keep your skin soft, supple, healthy and hydrated. Without this protective barrier, your skin becomes vulnerable to the outside world and is easily irritated by external aggressors such as pollution, chemicals and toxins. Cue the inevitable facial redness.

Symptoms: How can you tell if you’re over-exfoliating your skin? Well, your skin will become red, dry, tight, itchy and even sting a little when you apply other skincare products. You may also break out. Shock, horror.

How To Treat It: First, stop exfoliating so much. If you like to use a physical scrub or facial mitt, limit these to two or three times a week. Better yet, use a gentle chemical exfoliator that breaks down dead skin cells without you physically having to buff them away. Our Ocean Minerals Super Toner contains glycolic acid which does just that.

Psoriasis

What It Is: Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects over 7.5 million adults in the US. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation its cause is kind of unclear, but it’s all down to a dysfunction of the immune system which causes inflammation and a build-up of skin cells on the surface of the skin. Psoriasis not only affects the skin, but can also impact the joints and other organs and tissues in the body.

Symptoms: Normal skin cells go through a cycle of around a month, in which they form, grow and then shed. However, if you have psoriasis, this process goes into overdrive and happens lightning fast – usually in around three or four days. This results in dead skin cells piling up on the surface of your skin, causing raised scaly patches, itching, burning and severe redness.

How To Treat It: Diagnosing psoriasis isn’t something to be done in the comfort of your home, but it’s easy for your doctor to do so. Therefore, you know the score – get yourself to a doctor or dermatologist quick smart. There are many treatments available for psoriasis, including steroid creams, retinoids and light therapy. Moisturizing your skin is also imperative for reducing flaky patches and dryness, but always patch test new products to check for irritation first.

Rosacea

What It Is: Rosacea is an extremely common, but treatable skin condition that’s flummoxed skin experts for decades. How so? Because its cause has never been fully understood. Rosacea is linked to your vascular system and causes redness and visible blood vessels on the face, usually around your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead. It often comes and goes and is triggered by environmental or lifestyle factors such as diet, alcohol, stress, extreme temperatures, exercise and certain medications.

Symptoms: Redness is the main symptom here, but it’s often coupled with pimple-like bumps that can be itchy and crusty. You may also experience swelling and a burning sensation on the surface of your skin, as well as dry eyes and blurry vision. These symptoms will come and go depending on your triggers.

How To Treat It: There are various options available including light therapy, antibiotics and prescription topical treatments, but as with all redness concerns, it’s vital to see a doctor for a professional diagnosis. You must also protect your skin from the sun as this is a devil for rosacea flare-ups, and think about keeping a diary to help identify your triggers. Your skincare regime should be simple, gentle and minus too many active ingredients like AHAs and retinol. Niacinamide could be an option for you because it has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, but again, patch test any new product before using it for the first time.

PS: The main takeaway for concerns with any kind of persistent facial redness is to see your doctor or a skin specialist for a diagnosis and plan of action. Trying to figure out what’s causing yours will just stress you out. And this will do nothing but make the issue worse in the long run.