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If you’ve often wondered how to properly care for the skin around your eyes, the answer is ‘gently’ and ‘with care.’ Read on for seven of the most effective ways to look after this thin, fragile skin.

You may hate your crow’s feet, frown lines and dry skin around your eyes but the skin in this super expressive area is like flipping through a storybook of your life. Every laugh, frown, squint and sleepless night over the years leaves something behind. You’ve gotta love that. It’s proof of a life well lived. And one must never take that for granted.

Sure, the skin around your eyes ages faster than the rest of your face but there are reasons for this. Not only is it thinner, but the skin in this area contains fewer sebaceous glands and less underlying fat and collagen which makes it prone to dryness, dehydration, fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. Add to this the facts that you blink around 10,000 times a day; make countless facial expressions; rub your eyes constantly AND subject this area to environmental exposure on the daily and, well, frankly, it’s a wonder the skin around your eyes fairs as well as it does.

So, how do you make sure you’re doing everything you can to ensure this vulnerable skin gets the love and care it deserves? Simple. You follow these important rules. To. The. Letter.

1. Know That Sleep Is Everything

Around 30-40 percent of us get less than seven hours of sleep a night. And that’s way short of the recommended sweet spot – which is somewhere between seven and nine hours.

Sleep is extremely important for the health of your skin because this is the time when skin regenerates, repairing environmental damage before it hits hard and strengthening itself in preparation for another day.

Studies show that if you miss out on your important shut-eye, the skin around your eyes, in particular, suffers big time, showing signs of redness, swelling, dark circles, dryness and even hanging eyelids. According to sleep.com sleep deprivation is one of the most common causes of dark circles under the eyes because it causes tiny blood vessels under the eyes to dilate, creating a darkish tone to the skin.

Want to help the skin around your eyes avoid all that? Then get yourself to bed at a decent hour in order to enjoy your fill of a good quality seven hours of sleep. Oh, and treat your skin to a nourishing eye treatment to give the skin some overnight love. Try Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream.

2. Be Careful When You Cleanse

Whacking on your face wash, rubbing it all over your skin and smooshing it around your face, neck and eyes may seem like a good way to ‘wake up’ your skin and get a good, thorough cleanse, but it can cause dragging. And this kind of heavy-handed approach is bad enough for the rest of your face, but the thin, fragile skin around your eyes? Disaster. Apply your cleanser gently and yes, massage it into the skin with circular motions, but use only the pads of your fingers when it comes to your eyes and go extremely lightly.

3. Don’t Overload Your Eyes With Regular Moisturizer

Reckon eye creams are all stuff and nonsense, and moisturizer is just fine for the skin around your eyes? For some people this can be true, but mostly, regular moisturizer will be too heavy or potent for this area, overloading it and causing puffiness exactly where you don’t want it.

A targeted eye cream is so much better. C'mon now, the clue is right there in the name.

Also, eye creams contain ingredients intentionally crafted to deal with specific eye concerns like dark circles, puffiness, sagging, lines and loss of volume. Moisturizers can't promise all that, they have other jobs to do.

4. Invest In An Effective Eye Treatment

Speaking of eye creams, think about what you’d specifically like to target, then look around and find one that suits your needs. 

Our Peptide Eye Gel, for example is extremely lightweight and awesome for waking up the eye area as its gel formula sinks in almost instantly. Top tip: we don’t subscribe to keeping skincare in the refrigerator as a rule, but this one works perfectly when chilled. It also combines a special peptide complex with licorice extract to hydrate, nourish and support collagen and elastin production.

If you’re looking for something to help reduce the visible signs of skin aging, we highly recommend Depuffing Longevity Eye Cream which not only gets to work on puffiness but also contains lingonberry stem cells and green coffee bean to brighten dark circles.

5. Learn How & When To Apply Your Eye Cream

When it comes to the order of your skincare routine, cleanser obviously comes first, but then what? Well, the general rule of thumb is to start with the thinnest in texture and finish with the thickest. Taking that into account, after cleansing comes toner which is thin and watery, then serum which is silky and kind of slippery. Your thicker, heavier formulas like moisturizer and sunscreen come last. And your eye product? This slots in the middle, between serum and moisturizer. 

When applying your eye cream, use just a very small amount – too much will overload your skin – and tap it lightly around the orbital bone using the pad of your ring finger. Using your ring finger ensures a delicate touch. That's crucial. 

6. Pair Down Heavy Eye Makeup

It makes sense that the more makeup you apply to your eyes, the more effort is required to remove it. And harsh rubbing damages the delicate skin in this area, significantly accelerating the visible signs of aging.

We don’t want that for you so try to either cut down on the amount of makeup you wear regularly, or if you can’t do without your daily fix of mascara, use a gentle eye makeup remover that’s formulated for sensitive skin. Apply it to a cotton pad and hold it over your closed eye for 30 seconds before gently wiping in an outward direction. This helps to break down the makeup and cuts down on the amount of rubbing required.

7. Wear Sunglasses Every Day

Who said you should only where your shades on super bright days? Sunglasses reduce squinting, plus they help protect the skin around your eyes from the perils of UV radiation. And just because the sky’s not blue and the temperature’s not up in the 90s, the sun is still there. So, we say wear your shades as often as you can.

Your eyes will thank you for it.

Want to help your skin in its relentless battle against the harmful rays from the sun? Then zinc oxide may be the exact skincare ingredient you’ve been looking for.

Sunscreen might not be the most glamorous product in your skincare arsenal, but if you truly care about slowing down the signs of visible aging, it's undoubtedly the most effective. How so? Because the sun's dastardly UV radiation is seriously bad news for your skin.

Research shows that UV radiation directly affects the structural integrity of your skin by causing oxidative stress to the cells, damaging DNA and breaking down collagen and elastin fibers. In fact, studies have shown that exposure to the sun is potentially responsible for around 80 percent of visible skin aging. Maybe even more.

Not only that, but UV radiation is also the biggest cause of skin cancer – the most common cancer in the US which affects around one in five Americans during their lifetime.

What can you do about all this doom and gloom? Apply sunscreen. Specifically one that harnesses the proven powers of the mighty zinc oxide.

The Importance Of Sunscreen For Healthy Aging

We constantly stress the importance of applying daily sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin. It just makes no sense not to. You see, sunscreen works like an invisible shield on your skin, safeguarding it from the wrath of UV radiation. This protects the barrier function and helps to keep your DNA, collagen and elastin levels in check, thereby reducing the formation of premature wrinkles, sagging, dullness, dehydration, even dark spots.

But we get it, sunscreen can be oh-so-tiresome. It’s no fancy retinol serum or satisfying face scrub, after all. So if you’re going to go there – which you are, of course ­– you need reassurance that the sunscreen you’re applying is doing the best it can for your skin. 

This begs the question: are certain sunscreen ingredients better than others? Actually yes, we believe they are. And one that sits heads above the rest? Zinc oxide.

Your Sunscreen Options ­– Explained

There are two types of sunscreen: chemical and mineral.

Chemical sunscreens utilize, yes you guessed it, chemical ingredients to protect your skin. These chemicals work by absorbing UV radiation like a sponge, then breaking them down into heat and releasing them back out through the skin. Examples of chemical sunscreens include oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate and octinoxate.

Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, use ingredients that sit on top of the skin where they physically block UV radiation from penetrating the surface. The most common mineral sun blockers are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which, consequently, the FDA currently propose are the only two safe and effective sunscreen ingredients in the beauty industry.

While chemical sunscreens are often deemed more elegant and ‘better’ in texture and wearability than their mineral cousins, technology has improved mineral-based sunscreens leaps and bounds in recent years. Furthermore, questions are constantly being asked about the potential environmental impact of certain chemical sunscreens. Oxybenzone and octinoxate, for example, are banned in the entire state of Hawaii because studies have shown they may cause damage to the marine environment and ecosystems.

Mineral sunscreens, however, are a much better friend to the environment. They’re also very well tolerated by the skin and many skin experts actually believe them to be more effective than their chemical alternatives. We like that. Another thing: you know that age-old complaint about mineral sunscreen being thick, goopy and leaving a white cast on the skin? Ancient history. Thanks to modern formulations, many are now lightweight, almost invisible and a joy to use.

This moves us neatly onto zinc oxide, one of, if not the most reliable mineral sunscreen used in the sun care industry. Read on for five reasons why we believe this powerful defender deserves the spotlight in your daily skincare routine. Other than the fact that it kicks UV ass, of course!

5 Reasons Why Zinc Oxide Stands Out From The Rest

1. It’s A Physical Blocker

As mentioned, we believe mineral sun blockers are far superior to chemical sunscreens. They physically block UV from getting under your skin – what can be better than that? Zinc oxide is also extremely photostable which means it doesn’t degrade or loss efficacy when it’s exposed to sunlight.

Our reef-safe SPF30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C uses non-nano zinc oxide at the ultimate level to safeguard your skin and respect our oceans.

2. It Protects From UVA AND UVB Radiation

Did you know that SPF is only an indication of UVB protection? It has no relevancy when it comes to UVA radiation which is just as damaging. This is why it’s important to choose a ‘broad-spectrum’ sunscreen for year-round use. Broad-spectrum indicates that a product defends your skin from both UVA and UVB, and zinc oxide is the literal queen of broad-spectrum protection.

Great news: our SPF30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C is broad-spectrum all the way. 

3. It Works Straight Away

Because it sits on top of the skin’s surface, zinc oxide provides instant protection against sun damage. Chemical sunscreens need to be applied a good 20 minutes before exposure. We don’t know about you but we don’t have time for that kind of waiting around.

4. It’s Highly Unlikely To Irritate Your Skin

Zinc oxide is super gentle on the skin. This makes it an excellent choice if you have sensitive, dry or acne-prone skin. It’s also often the choice for babies and individuals who have eczema or other chronic skin conditions.

Of course, it’s always wise to patch test any active skincare formulation on a small area of skin before using it regularly for the first time, but if you’re looking for a relatively safe sunscreen bet, we highly recommend zinc oxide.

5. It Provides Even More Skin Benefits

Not only is zinc oxide an absolute powerhouse in the defense against sun damage but it also offers other benefits to your skin.

First up are its anti-inflammatory properties which are great for soothing sensitive skin issues like redness and irritation. Zinc oxide also shows antibacterial qualities and, when you couple this with the fact that it’s non pore-clogging, you get a pretty fantastic sun protective ingredient that won’t cause congestion or, worse yet, encourage pesky breakouts.

Finally, its protective barrier helps promote healing and is a great shield from other external aggressors like wind and pollution. This makes it a very useful tool in preventing unwanted dryness and dehydration.

It makes you wonder, therefore, why more skincare products don’t harness the powers of this gentle, sun protective giant, right? Well, we can reveal a very exciting new zinc oxide product coming to the TruSkin range very soon. Hint: it’s a facial serum… but it’s also a sunscreen. 

Excited? Us? You bet we are.

Combination skin is the most common skin type in the world but the blend of excess oil in some areas and parched dryness in others can feel like a beauty curse. Honestly, it’s not. You just need to know how to deal with it.

When it comes to your skin type, the saying ‘the grass is always greener’ has never been more true. If you have oily skin you probably crave for the shine-free existence that dry skin types take for granted. And if you’re of a drier persuasion we bet you’d give your right arm for a little more sebum in certain areas. Are we right, or are we right?

Just like your height, eye color, shoe size and sporting prowess (or lack thereof!) your skin type is predetermined by your genes. Sure you can work on it, maximizing the good stuff and using clever tricks to hide or improve the not-so-good stuff, but at the end of the day, your skin is what it is – normal (rare), dry, oily or combination. Your role is to understand the best ways to manage whatever nature gave you. And no matter your skin type, this takes time and patience.

So let’s take a look at combination skin which is arguably the toughest skin type to deal with. Neither oily nor dry, but a mixture of the two, combination skin is a tricky little customer, which makes finding the right skincare routine feel like an impossible task. 

Do You Have Combination Skin?

The best way to check your skin type is to wash your face with a mild cleanser, then pat it dry and leave it for an hour or so without applying any other skincare product. After this time, the tell-tale signs of combination skin are greasiness and noticeable pores in the t-zone area (forehead, nose and chin), combined with dryness or a tight feeling around the cheeks and/or hairline.

It's also common for combination skin to experience breakouts in the t-zone area. This is thanks to excess sebum building up at the surface and getting unnecessarily up close and personal with your pores.

As previously mentioned, whether or not you have combination skin is very much the luck of the draw. However, many factors trigger excess oiliness in the t-zone and dryness elsewhere which can prompt certain changes throughout the year. Poor choices in your skincare routine can worsen the situation, while dietary choices, emotional stress and even the climate in which you live all have their say in the ever-changing characteristics of your combination skin.

The Most Common Triggers For Exacerbating Combination Skin

Your Hormones: Fluctuations in your hormones (think puberty, your monthly cycles, pregnancy, the contraceptive pill, menopause) raise your testosterone levels, thus causing sebum production to amp up. Hello, super greasy t-zone.

Your Diet: Too much sugar and too many processed carbs in your diet can also trigger your hormones to go all over the place. See above!

Your Environment: Extreme temperatures and humidity send your sebaceous glands crazy. Raging central heating, scorching showers and frigid temps outside, for example, suck moisture from the skin making oily skin play up and dry areas feel doubly worse.

Your Skincare Routine: Over-exfoliation, too many active ingredients, switching up your daily regime quicker than your underwear, all these things mess up your barrier function and unbalance your sebum levels.

6 Skincare Tricks To Help Restore Harmony To Combination Skin

The key for combination skin is not to concentrate on sucking the life from your oily areas. It’s way better to treat the entire surface of your skin like a delicate flower, sticking with gentle, hydrating formulations and calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients that balance both dryness and oily areas.

Read on for some of the best tried and tested ways to manage your combination skin.

1. Say No To Bar Soaps & Sulfate-Heavy Cleansers

Cleansers that work too hard at whisking away every last scrap of dirt, makeup and oil from the surface of the skin are, frankly, never a good idea – no matter your skin type. You see, ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are pretty common in cleansers, but they can disrupt the skin’s important barrier function, potentially making it vulnerable to dryness and irritation. This is particularly bad news for combination skin because it could make dry areas drier and oily areas oiler.

Instead, look for formulations that are packed with calming ingredients that help to balance sebum production. We love our Soothing Cleansing Milk which gently cleanses and removes makeup without disturbing the integrity of your barrier function.

2. Steer Clear Of Scorching Hot Water

While we’re on the subject of cleansing, never wash your face with hot water. Hot water strips away important oils and nutrients from the surface of your skin, exacerbating both dryness and oiliness. Not fun. 

3. Embrace The Wonders Of Exfoliating Acids

When it comes to exfoliating combination skin, less is more. Overdo it and the extremes of your oiliness and dryness will reach stratospheric levels.

Scrubs can also be a little abrasive for your sensitive areas, so your best bet? Go for a leave-on exfoliant, instead. Specifically our 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant. This gentle exfoliating toner combines salicylic acid to balance sebum and keep your pores clear along with glycolic acid, vitamin C and reishi mushroom to boost cellular turnover while brightening and soothing the skin.

4. Gently Spot-Treat Breakouts

If your oily areas are causing your skin to break out, try spot-treating them with our Tea Tree Super Serum +. Oily skin types love applying this treatment serum all over but if have combination skin you might be better off applying it just two or three times a week to your t-zone only. This will help to mop up excess oil and decongest the skin exactly where you need it.

5. Switch Things Up With The Seasons

Everyone’s combination skin is different but, generally speaking, your drier areas will need more of a focus in the winter, while the oily sections will have their moment to shine (no pun intended!) come the summer months.

During winter, layer on extra hydration by applying a non-pore-clogging serum like Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum. Then smooth on a rich moisturizer to your dry areas only, using a lighter gel or lotion on the t-zone. The good news is that in the summertime, this lightweight formulation might work all over, but listen to your skin and switch up or dial down your moisturizing game as needs be.

6. Make Multi-Masking A Weekly Must

To give combination skin a weekly boost of exactly what it needs, get involved in some multi-masking.

What is multi-masking? Well, this clever trick involves applying two face masks to your skin at the same time. You apply a clay or charcoal face mask to your t-zone to purify the skin and absorb excess oil, then elsewhere you apply a hydrating or soothing mask to moisturize and calm dry areas. This might sound like a bit of a headache, but it’s a really simple way to help balance your skin. Plus it forces you to relax for 20 minutes while you let you masks do their thing.

And that’s golden.

Skin redness is no joke, especially when it just won’t go away. But there are plenty of ways to deal with a red face – whatever the cause.

Facial redness is one of those things that’s so… very… frustrating. Of course, temporary flushing can be attributed to all manner of daily triggers like a vigorous workout or a particularly embarrassing/nerve-wracking/thrilling event. But that kind of redness isn’t the end of the world – it is temporary, after all. 

When red skin becomes more of a permanent issue, however and, worse still, comes complete with other irritating concerns like itching, heat, bumps or flaky skin, something else is clearly going on.

What Is Facial Redness?

Also known as erythema, skin redness occurs when blood vessels beneath the skin dilate, causing blood to the rush to the surface. This increased blood flow can be caused by many factors but when it’s persistent or severe it’s usually a sign of some kind of inflammation or irritation.

The 5 Most Common Culprits Of Facial Redness

1. Rosacea: This chronic (and surprisingly common) inflammatory condition causes persistent redness along with bumps, hard pimples and itching. Rosacea is often genetic and can lay dormant until triggered by external factors.

2. Irritation: Some skin types are way more reactive making them prone to redness from things like potent skincare, dietary choices and emotional stress, to name just a few.

3. Acne: Acne is the most common skin problem in the US, affecting around 50 million individuals every year. It occurs when the pores becomes blocked by oil, dead skin cells and bacteria.

4. Psoriasis: According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis is a chronic disease where skin cells build up too quickly, causing redness and scaly, itchy patches.

5. Dermatitis: Two main types of dermatitis lead to facial redness – atopic and contact. Atopic dermatitis (aka eczema) is a genetic condition and results in itchy, sudden rashing, whereas contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an irritant or allergen.

How To Reduce Redness At Home

Let’s get one thing straight: if you can’t find relief from your facial redness, it’s wise to consult a physician for a proper diagnosis on your skin health. Conditions like rosacea can’t be cured, you see, and they require careful management. Plus, if you try to self-diagnose you could get things all kind of wrong – often making matters worse.

There are also plenty of proven strategies for calming facial redness and skin inflammation with smart, sensitive skincare choices. Read on for the most important must-dos and don’ts.

DO Avoid Potentially Irritating Ingredients

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis which makes it a massive no-no in your skincare regime.

Of course, most people have no issues with fragrances in their beauty products, but if you have sensitive skin that’s easily prone to redness, you’d be wise to avoid synthetic fragrances completely. You should also tread carefully with natural fragrances. Although rare, certain essential oils can cause reactions on extremely sensitive skin.

Synthetic dyes, parabens (preservatives) and strong sulfates like SLS and SLES can also be irritating for some people so look out for these on skincare labels and avoid them if you think they’re causing your skin to flare up.

DON’T Over-Exfoliate

One of the biggest mistakes you could make ­is to exfoliate sensitive skin too often and too vigorously. Don’t get us wrong, exfoliating is a fantastic way to encourage healthy cell turnover, remove dead skin cells and boost the results from the rest of your skincare routine. But too much exfoliation can weaken your skin’s protective barrier, stripping away all the good stuff that helps your skin remain strong, hydrated and healthy. This makes your skin extremely vulnerable to the outside world and basically asks irritation and redness to do their worst. 

Listen to your skin (it’ll tell you when it’s unhappy!) and limit your exfoliation to whatever your skin is able to tolerate. Once a week is often enough. Also, choose gentle exfoliating formulations that avoid harsh grains or high percentages of potent acids. Both of our exfoliators are super kind to the skin and can be used as little or often as you like. We particularly love our Vitamin C Gentle Face Scrub which uses ultra fine Bora Bora white sand to gently buff your skin. 

DON’T Underestimate The Powers Of A Soothing Toner

The right toner can really supercharge your skincare routine, without needing to pile on too many active (and potentially irritating) ingredients.

The basic role of toner is to remove lingering makeup, cleanser and other debris from the surface of your skin while preparing it for the next stage in your routine. But they can be so much more than that. Their high water content makes them an ideal way to cool down inflamed skin, and if you search for ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, chamomile and gotu kola these are masters at hydrating, soothing and calming the skin.

DO Apply Sun Protection Every Day

UV radiation is seriously bad news for sensitive skin that’s prone to unwanted redness flare-ups, so make sure the sun stands zero chance of getting even close to your face. We recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains an SPF of at least 30. Every day, for that matter. This ensures you’re well protected from both UVA and UVB rays all year long. With a hefty helping of aloe leaf juice plus 21 percent zinc oxide, our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C is literally made for sun sensitive skin. It’s so good you will want to apply it every day.

PS: Sun-induced flushing may also be a red flag (no pun intended) that you have a sun allergy, so if your redness is persistent and comes coupled with itchiness, stinging, bumps and/or blisters seek professional advice from a dermatologist.

DO Make Calming Ingredients Your BFFs

What are the specific ingredients to look out for in a successful, sensitive skincare routine? Aloe vera is the obvious choice because it’s naturally cooling, healing, hydrating and packed with anti-inflammatory qualities. And, as a sidenote, almost all of our products contain this gentle powerhouse. Because yes, we love it that much.

Green tea is another must-have for red skin because it’s incredibly soothing and chock full of polyphenols which contain all manner of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Then there’s milk – specifically oat and rice milks ­– which contains tons of nourishing compounds and is great if your skin is particularly dry and sensitive.

Finally, a big shout out to niacinamide which works hard to increase the production of ceramides in the uppermost layers of your skin. This helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier function making it a game-changer for reducing inflammation and evening out red skin. Word is, niacinamide can even be an effective treatment for controlling rosacea or eczema, but if you're a sufferer of either of these conditions you should always seek professional advice before diving in head first.

Fancy introducing some of these sensitive skin, redness-reducing wonders into your skincare routine? Then try our Soothing Cleansing Milk followed by Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum – a winning combination for red, irritated skin if ever we knew one.

DON’T Forget To Moisturize

Like a comforting hug for your skin, moisturizer is non-negotiable for all skin types. And it’s especially important if you suffer with chronic redness. A good moisturizer not only hydrates your skin but it holds all that moisture in while simultaneously ‘feeding’ your skin with essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that help to keep your barrier function ticking along nicely.

We recommend ceramide-rich formulas like our Firming Collagen Day Lotion, alongside healing and soothing topicals. When it comes to moisturizing, some of the best ingredients for sensitive skin are aloe (wait, did we mention that already?!), vitamin E, shea butter, squalane, glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

Choosing the right skincare is extremely important. Especially when it comes to moisturizing.

Reckon you’re doing everything you can to help your skin stay healthy and strong… yet it still seems unhappy? It could be something as simple as using the wrong moisturizer. Because while it’s common to concentrate on the potent retinol, glycolic acid or vitamin C treatments in your routine, moisturizers are often given little thought. They’re all the same, right? Wrong. In fact, slapping ‘any old cream’ on your face can do more harm than good.

The good news is if your moisturizer is all kinds of wrong, your skin will not be shy in coming forward. You just need to look out for the red flags. 

Why Your Choice Of Moisturizer Matters

Moisturizing keeps dryness and flaky patches away and, of course, that’s super important – whatever your skin type. However, your moisturizer’s true role is to strengthen your skin’s barrier function so it’s able to naturally protect itself by holding in moisture while repelling environmental nasties that might, otherwise, cause irritation.

Of course, back in the day, the best moisturizer was thought to be petroleum jelly. And fair’s fair, things like Vaseline are pretty unbeatable when it comes to sealing moisture into the skin – just ask all those slugging fans on TikTok! But creating a seal on the surface of your skin is about all they offer. Nowadays, moisturizers are so much more than that, furnishing your skin with all kinds of goodness like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, natural botanicals and antioxidants. Combined with emollients and occlusives like shea butter and jojoba oil, these ingredients not only to help reduce water loss but they bring extra moisture, nutrients and environmental protection to the table. 

So, how to find the right moisturizer for you? Well, we believe that first and foremost you must look for the gentlest formula for your skin type; one that avoids common irritants like synthetic fragrance or parabens. Then it’s about listening to your skin and switching things up when your moisturizer isn’t quite hitting the mark.

Finally, remember that your skin changes all the time, so what worked for you in the summer might not be enough come the cold, dry winter months. Similarly, an age-old favorite you’ve been using since 2005 is not going to deliver the same moisturization your skin needs 20 years later. And your skin will give you fair warning with some not-so-subtle hints.

5 Signs Your Skin Is Begging For A Moisturizer Update

1. Your Skin Feels Crazy Dry – Even After Applying Moisturizer

If you experience tightness, peeling skin, flaky patches or tiny cracks in your makeup these are all tell-tale signs that your moisturizer is not offering the amount of water and oil-boosting TLC your skin is crying out for. 

Dry skin lacks oil, while dehydrated skin is short on water so make sure your moisturizer contains ingredients that work hard to replenish both. Avoid strong actives such as retinol and exfoliating acids, and stick with humectants like hyaluronic acid which draw water to the surface of your skin. These should ideally be combined with ingredients that balance sebum and help repair tiny cracks in the skin in order to keep TEWL (transepidermal water loss) to a minimum.

Our Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer and Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream are particularly great as they offer all-day AND all-night moisture replenishment while bringing harmony to dry, unbalanced skin. 

2. Oiliness Is Taking Over Your Face

If you have oily skin that’s way greasier than normal, or normal (ish!) skin that’s feeling kind of slick, your moisturizer could definitely be to blame. But don’t give up on it altogether. Do this and your skin will keep on producing more and more sebum to counteract the lack of moisturizer you’re offering. Bad move.

The key to successfully moisturizing oily skin is to keep your products light – gels and lightweight lotions are always winners. Avoid heavy ingredients like cocoa butter and coconut oil because these will trap oil at a surface level, making your skin feel sticky and greasy. Not to mention the havoc it can potentially create in your pores. One word: breakouts.

Again, go big on humectants and choose products containing jojoba oil which helps seal in moisture without blocking your pores. It’s also wise to layer up with a lightweight hydrating serum like Smoothing Collagen Serum if your skin needs a little extra love. 

3. Your Skin Is Red & Itchy

Facial redness can be down to all manner of issues, from chronic skin conditions like rosacea and psoriasis, to more temporary concerns like breakouts and irritation. 

If you feel like your red skin is thanks to the latter, you’re going to want to reduce the number of active ingredients in your skincare routine. Stop exfoliating for a while and lay off the retinol to see if that helps. You should also check the ingredients in your moisturizer because chances are there’s something in there of which your skin is not a fan. The most common irritants in moisturizers are fragrance, preservatives (notably parabens), benzyl alcohols and propylene glycol so avoid these if you can. Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream is a good choice because it contains a gentle, retinol alternative called bakuchiol and is specifically formulated for sensitive skin.

4. You’re Breaking Out More Than Normal

Instincts tell us not to moisturize the skin when it’s oily and breaking out, but this is a mistake. As previously mentioned, oily skin still needs moisture replenishment in order to remain balanced and healthy.

Of course, you must avoid rich, heavy balms, butters and creams as these can worsen acne by clogging up your pores. But look for water-based formulas that are oil-free or contain only the ‘right’ kind of oils – aka those that are noncomedogenic (less likely to block your pores) – and you’ll be on a much better path to balanced, harmonized skin. Noncomedogenic oils include jojoba, sunflower, grapeseed and rosehip seed. Niacinamide, retinol and salicylic acid are also awesome for balancing sebum and accelerating sluggish cell turnover. Try Retinol Moisturizer.

5. Sun Damage Is So Very Real

If dark spots are becoming more and more noticeable (heck, even if they’re not!), you should seriously think about upgrading your moisturizer to one that contains broad-spectrum SPF and, even better, protective antioxidants. There are some fantastic formulas out there that not only shield your skin from UV radiation but add moisturization, boost collagen production or help to brighten dull skin. And they’re a far cry from the thick, hard-to-apply formulas you may remember from years gone by.

Our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen, for example, is beautifully wearable and goes on like a dream. It can also be applied alone or over your favorite day cream depending on the level of moisture your skin needs.

(PS: Big sun protection news is coming from us real soon. One word: serum. We literally can’t wait.)

Witch hazel has been a skincare staple for centuries, but have you ever wondered why it crops up in so many products? Here’s what we know about this natural beauty.

We love a good botanical extract here at TruSkin. Combined with expert knowhow, awesome technology and other tried and tested ingredients (natural AND synthetic) botanicals truly furnish the skin with the best nature has to offer.

And witch hazel is no different. Found in all kinds of different skincare formulations, from cleansers and toners through to serums and moisturizers, unless you’re allergic (which is rare) it can be an extremely effective addition to any skincare routine.

Here’s why witch hazel deserves pride of place in your skincare routine.

What Is Witch Hazel?

A flowering shrub native to parts of Asia and the Atlantic coast of North America, witch hazel (whose scientific name is hamamelis virginiana) has been used for medicinal purposes for, like, ever. And the twigs, bark and leaves are where the magic happens. You see, when these are extracted and distilled from the plant, they become a natural astringent with tons of anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant qualities. 

How Exactly Witch Hazel Benefits The Skin

Have an annoying zit to deal with? Witch hazel’s got your back. Want to minimize the appearance of pores? Witch hazel is here for you. In fact, when it comes to relieving irritation, inflammation and tightening the skin, witch hazel is hard to beat. Read on for five of our favorite witch hazel benefits...

* It Keeps Enlarged Pores In Check

Witch hazel has a high tannin content which gives it natural astringent properties. What does that mean? Well, an astringent is a substance that draws out water, causing a restricting and tightening effect on the skin. This, in turn, helps to temporarily minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. You must tread carefully, however, because astringents also have a drying effect which can stimulate oil production and make your skin feel greasy. The solution? Make sure you stick with a balanced formulation like 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant, which won’t dry out your skin entirely. And always follow with moisturizer. 

* It’s A Trusted Ally For Oily Skin

Witch hazel can be an effective way to keep sebum production under control. By compressing proteins in the skin, the tannins create a kind of invisible shield on the skin’s surface which makes the skin look and feel less oily. Of course, this makes it tempting to douse your oily skin with witch hazel on the reg, but do this and you could cause all sorts of irritating skin issues. Dryness and actual irritation being odds-on favorites.

Our advice is to use carefully crafted skincare formulations that use just the right amount of witch hazel to help keep oil under control without stripping your skin completely dry. Our Ocean Minerals Super Toner is a great choice post-cleanse as it’s blended with powerful peptides and MSM to boost your bid for healthy, balanced skin. It also contains double-distilled witch hazel which produces a richer witch hazel that contains less alcohol.

* It’s A Big Deal In the Acne-Fighting World

Acne occurs when excess sebum hooks up with dead skin cells and bacteria, then gets stuck at the surface of your skin where it sits in your pores and clogs them up. It makes sense, there, that if you apply a product containing witch hazel (which works to keep sebum under control), you’ll simultaneously help minimize breakouts.

But that's not even the half of it because another good thing about witch hazel is that it has antibacterial properties which which work hard to eliminate acne-causing bacteria. And then there are its anti-inflammatory qualities which help to reduce the angry redness that often comes hand-in-hand with breakouts.

Be afraid, pimples and blackheads, be very afraid.

* It Helps Minimize Facial Redness 

Speaking of inflammation, if you suffer with facial redness, the soothing and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel can be a real life saver. Just know that it’s best used in conjunction with soothing and/or moisture-boosting ingredients.

(As a sidenote, some people swear by witch hazel for sunburn relief. But we know you never get sunburn so we figure that's a moot point.)

* It's Great For Reducing Puffy Eyes

Great news if you suffer with under eye bags: witch hazel’s astringent and soothing properties can work wonders on this often frustrating area, reducing fluid retention under the eyes and also minimizing redness. The skin around your eyes is extremely sensitive, however, so make sure you go slow and low with a gentle formula like Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream.

Puffiness often doesn’t stop around the eyes, so if you also suffer elsewhere on your face thanks to a build-up of excess fluids below the surface of your skin, look out for witch hazel in your daily facial serum. Our Caffeine Facial Serum, for example, contains a smidge of witch hazel, combined with caffeine, EGCG, ginseng, matcha tea and niacinamide to strengthen, energize, tighten and brighten tired, puffy skin. It’s a new fan favorite and a must-try if you’re yet to feel the love.

Before You Leave, Here's 5 Witch Hazel Facts To Remember

1. Pure witch hazel is mega potent. Sure, it can be applied direct to the skin in its pure, undiluted form to spot-treat pimples, but it’s often better to use formulations that blend witch hazel with other ingredients for a more all-round approach to skincare.

2. If you have sensitive skin, opt for products that blend witch hazel with calming, soothing and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and vitamin E. Try Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum.

3. While generally safe for everyday use, witch hazel has the potential to dry out or irritate the skin if used too often. Listen to your skin when introducing it to your routine and if it feels drier or more sensitive than normal, apply it less frequently.

4. Look for alcohol-free, or at the very least low-alcohol, formulations to minimize dryness.

5. Always patch test before using products containing witch hazel. Apply a small amount to a discreet area of your skin and allow it to sit for 24-48 hours. If you don’t have a reaction in that time, you’re good to go.