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True Radical Honesty From Our Community

  • What's The Best Moisturizer For Your Skin Type?
    How do you know your moisturizer is ‘the one’ – not too thick, not too thin, not too oily, but just about right? Well, it’s not rocket science, you just need to a) understand your skin type and b) know your way around a few choice ingredients. Let’s get on that.

    Moisturizing is a fundamental part of any successful skincare regime. Every day you cleanse, perhaps you tone (or not!), you treat your skin with an eye cream and serum, then you moisturize and, in the mornings, finish with sunscreen. Because that’s the kind of skincare pro you are. And we love you for that.

    But just how much do you know about what’s inside your moisturizer? And are all those ingredients really doing the best they can for your skin type or maybe, just maybe, is your moisturizer a tad shy of your skin’s true needs?

    To help you find the correct moisturizer, first you need to know your skin type.

    The best way to do this is to study your skin in the mirror, when it’s completely free of makeup or skincare products. Cleanse your face with a mild formulation like Soothing Cleansing Milk, then gently pat it dry with a clean, cotton towel and leave it be. After about an hour, examine your skin and touch it with clean hands to discover how it looks and feels.

    Does it feel tight, itchy and look a little flaky in places? Then it’s DRY. Does it look shiny and feel greasy to the touch? Then it’s OILY. Is it a mixture of the two; dry and tight in areas, and greasy in others? Then it’s COMBINATION. And finally, does it feel pretty darn great all over, with no dryness or oiliness? Then you have NORMAL skin. And we’re not jealous at all. Honestly.

    It’s also worth noting that other issues you may think are your skin type, are not. Sensitive skin for example, can be dry OR oily. And the same goes for acne-prone skin. This means that anything other than dry, normal, oily and combination is a skin condition, rather than a type, usually as a result of factors like aging, your hormones, elevated stress or the products you put on your skin.

    OK, so now you know how to determine your skin type, let’s have a look at your moisturizing besties shall we?

    Dry Skin

    If you have dry skin, moisturizer is arguably the most important product for you to get right. After all, the very definition of dry skin is the lack of natural sebum (oil) which is so important for keeping skin soft, supple and moisturized.

    So what should your skin be soaking up? Well, the key for you is to use gentle products that are rich and buttery to strengthen and fortify your barrier function and help your skin retain moisture while stopping irritants from breaking through. Heavier formulations that contain occlusive ingredients are your true friends because these create a seal over the top of your skin, substituting for your lack of sebum and locking in hydration.

    Look out for things like shea butter, coconut oil, ceramides, glycerin and olive oil  – and, of course, avoid anything that’s going to cause further dryness such as synthetic fragrances, harsh alcohols and parabens.

    Try: Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer

     

    Oily Skin

    If you have oily skin it’s tempting to want to skip moisturizer altogether. Massive mistake. When you fail to moisturize oily skin, your sebaceous glands think your skin is dry so they go into overdrive, producing even more sebum to compensate for the moisturization which is lacking. The result? Way too much oil that can build up in your pores if you’re not careful, causing potential breakouts.

    The key for moisturizing oily skin types is to keep it light by looking for thinner formulations like lotions and gels. You want to avoid heavy, occlusive ingredients like butters and heavy oils because these trap oil into the skin making it feel greasy and sticky. Instead, go big on humectants to add hydration (think hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and glycerin) and combine these with gentle emollients to seal in moisture without blocking your pores. Jojoba oil is a great emollient that's noncomedogenic and ideal for oily skin types.

    Try: Firming Collagen Day Lotion

    Combination Skin

    Looking after combination skin can feel like an impossible task. If you concentrate on the dry areas are you going to make the oily ones even oilier? And vice versa? Some people swear by using two separate moisturizers to target the different areas of their face – one light, gel-based formula for the t-zone and a richer, oil-based cream for drier areas. But this is a real effort. Not to mention crazy expensive.

    Similar to oily skin types, a better (and cheaper!) option is to go for a noncomedogenic moisturizer that contains humectants to draw water into the skin and emollients to lock it there. Avoid harsh ingredients which could upset the balance of your skin and go all-in on antioxidants like vitamin C and green tea to help protect your skin from environmental damage.

    And if you find this isn’t quite enough to moisturize your dry areas? Keep it light in the daytime and amp it up overnight with a rich, nourishing night cream like our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.

    Try: Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream

    Normal Skin

    If your barefaced skin shows zero signs of dryness or oiliness then you seriously hit the skin jackpot because you’re graced with normal, balanced skin. This is the type of skin everyone else would die for because it’s able to maintain just the right level of moisture. But this doesn’t mean you should neglect it – dehydration, temporary oiliness and breakouts can still hit you at any time. And of course, skin is always going to age, whatever your skin type, but especially if you don’t look after it properly and protect it from the daily perils of UV radiation, pollution and friends.

    Normal skin can get away with most moisturizing formulations, but make sure yours contains ingredients that draw in water and hold it there. Vitamin E is great for that. And if you really want to up the ante, look for active ingredients that offer your skin so much more. Retinol, for example, works great in moisturizers and is awesome for normal, aging skin because it works at a deep, cellular level to improve collagen and encourage turnover.

    Try: Retinol Moisturizer

    Tips For Getting The Most From Your Moisturizer

    Now you know what to look for, here’s how to apply your product for the best results, every time…

    1. Apply moisturizer to damp skin

    Your skin needs plenty of hydration to remain healthy so maximize all that free water from cleansing or toning by moisturizing your face while it’s still a little damp.

    2. Moisturize AFTER applying serum

    If serum plays a major role in your routine, apply this while your skin is still damp, then leave it for a minute or so before applying moisturizer last. Serums have a smaller molecular size than moisturizers which means they sink in super fast. However, this does mean they have to be applied before moisturizer, otherwise they won’t get through to the surface of your skin.

    3. Use the correct amount

    Piling oceans of moisturizer onto your face and neck won’t make it work better, it’ll just overload your skin. Instead, use a small amount as instructed on the label and if you feel it’s too moisturizing, or not moisturizing enough, you’re using the wrong formulation. Simple as.

    Skincare Tips
    What's The Best Moisturizer For Your Skin Type?
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  • The Best Holiday Gifts For Everyone On Your List
    Check everyone off your shopping to-do list with these awesome skincare gifts. Because everyone wants the gift of great skin, right?

    ‘Tis the season for gifting. Yay! Or… maybe not! While some people thrive on nailing the perfect gift for friends, family, neighbors and colleagues, others find gift shopping to be the worst part of the festive season. And we hear you. The holidays can be tough on us all.

    But no need to panic because we’ve got your back. So if you’re in a bit of a festive frenzy right now and still have a ton of people to buy for, allow us to help you put a lid on your gift list and get your stockings stuffed with these fabulous skincare gifts.

    1. AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant

    Winter skin can be a real pain in the booty, especially when you throw in those extra festive skin enemies like rich, salty food; candy treats and eggnog. Hello dullness, my old friend! Or fiend, if you will. Thankfully, that’s where skin exfoliation comes to the rescue. Help your loved ones banish sad, holiday skin with this brand new (extra points right there!) and supremely crafted chemical exfoliant that laughs in the face of dead skin cells. Love that for them. And you, for that matter.

    2. The Exclusive Kylie Bundle by Kylie Cantrall

    This bundle of skincare joy will not be around for long, so nab it now and make someone very happy this holiday season. Containing three glow-getting top-sellers picked out by Kylie herself it includes our brand new Soothing Cleansing Milk, Rose Water Refreshing Facial Toner and everyone’s favorite (Kylie included!), the mighty Vitamin C Facial Serum. Skin friendly, with just a touch of red carpet glamor, it’s the ultimate throuple!

    3. Tea Tree Super Cleanser+

    Loved by everyone for its ultra-refreshing scent and skin-cleaning prowess, this high powered super cleanser is the perfect stocking stuffer for all. Why the ballsy statement? Because, for one thing, tea tree oil is a total skincare champ when it comes to balancing the skin. And when it’s combined with age-defying MSM, hydrating aloe and soothing chamomile it cannot fail to deliver. And, FYI, it never does. Fail, that is.

    4. Multi Vitamin Facial Serum

    Treatment serums that hone in on single, kick-ass ingredients like vitamin C and retinol are great if you know what your gift recipient is in to. But if you don’t? Then you need something a little more ‘one and done,’ if you get the drift. And have we got the best multi-use serum ever. Crammed with no less than 11 plant-derived vitamins, minerals and skin enhancing electrolytes this lightweight serum is packed, we repeat, packed with all the feels.

    5. Depuffing Longevity Eye Cream

    Looking for the cutest little stocking stuffer that’s tiny but ever so mighty? Then look no further than this newest addition to our eye cream range. Depuffing is its name and… well… depuffing is its game! Harnessing the invincible powers of coffeeberry extract to help reduce under-eye baggage, it also contains age-defying lingonberry stem cells, plus our new BFF bakuchiol – nature’s gentler alternative to retinol. Our advice? Add two to cart – one for them, one for you.

    6. Super C Duo

    This dynamic duo is like Santa and Rudolph – the perfect holiday couple. With a double dose of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, or ‘the gentlest, most effective vitamin C’ as it’s known to its friends (that includes you!) we love it for so many reasons. Fading dark spots, brightening dull skin, softening fine lines, it’s the whole kit and caboodle.

    7. Firming Collagen Day Lotion

    Know someone who is all about preventing the visible signs of skin aging? Well, aren’t we all? This was why we were psyched to launch a complete line of preventative healthy aging products earlier this fall. And this moisturizing whizz kid has already become a fan favorite. With a unique blend of collagen peptides (vegan, of course!), plus ceramides and nutrient-rich green algae, it’s the ideal day cream for restoring firmness while protecting collagen and supporting youthful-looking skin.

    8. Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream

    Anyone who knows anything about skincare is well aware that day lotions don’t always cut the mustard when it’s time for bed. The reason is that your skin has different needs when you’re asleep, requiring more intense moisturization, support and restoration, rather than sun protection and oil control. Two words: night cream. Better than that, three words: THIS night cream. Soft, satiny and ultra-hydrating, fans call it their ultimate bed partner. We’ll take that.

    9. Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser

    An absolute legend for all ages and genders, this deep cleansing face wash is ideal for balancing oily skin and drawing toxins out of gunked-up pores. Something we all need during the holidays, for sure. Its super powers are all down to activated coconut charcoal which is a highly absorbent black powder that comes from burnt coconut shells. This might not sound particularly appealing but on the contrary. Activated coconut charcoal is awesome at binding itself to toxins, oil and bacteria,  whisking them clean away and furnishing you with the ultimate in fabulous skin, all year long. Because great skin is not just for the holidays.

    10. SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C

    Nobody wants to see the damaging effects the sun can have on their skin. It’s not cool and it’s not pretty, ranging from everything from deep-set lines to hard-to-shift hyperpigmentation. The good news is that sunscreen is the cat’s whiskers for shielding skin from the wicked ways of the sun. So spread the love and watch the thank you messages flood in by popping this broad-spectrum sunscreen in everyone’s stocking this holiday season. 

    Holidays
    The Best Holiday Gifts For Everyone On Your List
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  • How Collagen Supplements Can Take Your Skincare To The Next Level
    Here, we take a look at everything ‘collagen’ to see how supplements, along with smart skincare and better lifestyle choices can help preserve your skin’s most important protein.

    With layer upon layer of intricate cells, alongside nerves, veins, fat and glands, the structure of your skin is not easy to get your head around. And that’s OK, because you don’t need to know the ins and outs of every inch of your skin. One thing you will be fairly familiar with, however, is collagen.

    Not only is collagen a huge player in your skin (more on that in a minute) but it’s an extremely big deal in the skincare world. From creams and serums to pills and powders, collagen supplements and topical formulations are often touted as the ‘fountain of youth.’ Now, that might be exaggerating just a tad – after all, nothing can stop the sands of time! – but there’s definitely something to be said for using collagen-enhancing products to keep your skin looking and feeling its absolute best. In fact, we believe in it so much we have an entire range of collagen products designed to strengthen, protect and encourage healthy aging – inside AND out.

    Here's everything you need to know about your skin’s vital protein, plus exactly how supplements, skincare and lifestyle habits can be collagen-transformingly good!

    What Is Collagen?

    Collagen is, without question, the most abundant protein in the human body. Ever present in your bones, cartilage, tendons, blood, muscles, hair and, of course, your skin, it’s made up of a combination of amino acids and has a dense, fiber-like structure which acts like a kind of glue to give tissue the strength it needs to function.

    As skin goes, collagen is produced just beneath the surface of the dermis and it works with all the other good stuff like elastin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid to support and reinforce your skin’s structure while maintaining elasticity, suppleness, volume and hydration.

    What Happens To Collagen As You Age

    Collagen is great, making your skin look plump, soft and youthful. Then, one day, it starts leaving town. Studies show that from around your mid-to-late 20s collagen production starts to slow down at a rate of 1 percent (give or take) every year. This might not sound like a massive deal, but it starts to seriously add up as you hit your 40s and 50s, resulting in significantly thinner, more fragile skin that can become lined, wrinkled and saggy as you continue to age.

    This is why it’s prudent to do everything you can to boost your collagen supplies – both internally and externally…

    So, Firstly, How Do Collagen Supplements Help?

    Collagen supplements usually take the form of powders, pills or drinks that are regularly ingested to help promote natural collagen production in the skin. The good news is they’re considered safe and are thought to not only promote healthier skin, but hair and nails as well. Many experts also believe they show promise for treating ailments such as arthritis and other joint mobility issues. However, the bad news is that most of the collagen used in these supplements is extracted from animal skin, bones or fish scales.

    Gross.

    Our new Collagen Boosting Skin Supplement, however, shuns animal-derived collagen and is formulated with vegetarian collagen only, thanks to two clinically-proven, patented ingredients called Dermaval® and Ovoderm®.

    Dermaval® is derived from marine collagen, while Ovoderm® contains eggshell membrane which is literally chock-full of collagen as well as hyaluronic acid and powerful nutrients. These patented ingredients combine with other skin-loving classics like vitamins C and E, plus biotin, a form of vitamin B known to promote cell growth and repair. All this (plus the considered omission of unnecessary fillers, binders or artificial ingredients) makes for a powerful blend that works in perfect harmony with your skincare routine, significantly and safely helping to improve your skin’s natural production of quality collagen. We’re talking a marked reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, better elasticity, superior hydration and, all-in-all, brighter, healthier-looking skin. Check, check, check.

    3 Other Ways To Improve Your Collagen

    Of course, collagen supplements aren’t going to miraculously make you look instantly younger on their own. They’re not magic pills. But if you regularly include Collagen Boosting Skincare Supplement alongside other mindful lifestyle practices and skincare choices, you'll see some pretty impressive results.

    Below, three of the best ways to get your collagen ship-shape. And our final piece of advice? Combine the lot!

    1. Use Your Skincare Routine To Your Advantage

    First up, what about what your put ‘on’ your skin? Well, in our opinion, the best skincare ingredients for collagen are peptidesretinolMSM and vitamin C which have all been studied and proven to stimulate your skin’s natural collagen production and inhibit its breakdown. Retinol, in particular, has been loved by dermatologists all over the world for decades and has an awesome track record when it comes to the quality and quantity of collagen in the skin.
    Some goodies to try include the combination of our new Smoothing Collagen Serum, followed by Firming Collagen Day Lotion or you could try some classic favorites like Retinol Facial Serum, Peptide Facial Serum or Vitamin C Super Serum +.

    Just ensure NEVER to forget to apply SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C every morning to reduce the formation of free radicals in your skin and keep collateral collagen damage to an absolute minimum. 

    2. Think About What You Eat

    Protein-rich foods are key to helping your body naturally produce collagen so make these a priority in your daily diet. Up your intake of wild-caught fish, red meat, poultry, eggs, dairy and legumes.

    3. Your Lifestyle Habits

    The rate at which your collagen synthesis slows down is greatly affected by your lifestyle. Emotional stress, excessive alcohol consumption, UV exposure and poor sleep all play their role in screwing up your collagen, causing damaging free radicals to wreak havoc. 

    So, if you want to really look after your collagen you need to take care of yourself by looking after number one. Try to get into a better routine with your sleep, exercise more regularly and test out different ways to keep your emotional stress in check. Yoga is a big winner, in our opinion.

    Oh, and If you’re a smoker, quit.

    Like now.

    Skincare ingredients
    How Collagen Supplements Can Take Your Skincare To The Next Level
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  • 5 Active Ingredients Sensitive Skin Should Try
    Under the impression that sensitive skin and active skincare ingredients were mortal enemies? Actually there are some awesome power-players that work wonders on delicate skin…

    It’s a well-known fact that sensitive skin types go gaga for gentle ingredients that care for their fragile barrier function and are moisturizing, hydrating, calming and soothing. But sensitive skin matures just like every other skin type, and oftentimes things like aloe vera and chamomile (as awesome as they are!) don’t cut the mustard when trying to soften the visible blows of aging.

    Most skin types can turn to potent, active anti-aging ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid and vitamin C without a care in the world. Of course, it’s always smart to patch test such powerful ingredients first… just in case. But once this is out of the way, most find they can introduce them into their daily routines with zero problems.

    Not everyone has such luck with their skincare, however, and sensitive skin can be a tricky type to master. But all is not lost because we’ve rounded up some of the best active ingredients that are effective, for sure, but are way kinder to the skin, making them a fabulous choice for sensitive souls.

    Keep scrolling for the five active ingredients we rate best for sensitive skin.

    1. Bakuchiol

    Retinol is awesome. We know that. You know that. But if you have sensitive skin that flares up if you so much as say the word ‘retinol’ out loud, gentler alternatives are more your style. And this is where bakuchiol shines.

    Bakuchiol (pronounced bah-koo-chee-awl) is basically nature’s answer to retinol. Says it all, right? Extracted from the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant, bakuchiol has been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, both internally and topically to treat the skin. A bunch of recent clinical studies have also shown that, as well as offering the previously well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, bakuchiol offers similar benefits to retinol, stimulating collagen synthesis and accelerating cellular turnover. Because of these skin-changing abilities, bakuchiol can dramatically improve the surface of the skin, encouraging a brighter, clearer, smoother and more even complexion. What’s more, all of this comes with very few, if any, of the irritating side effects that are so often attributed to more potent retinoids.

    Bakuchiol is the backbone of our new healthy aging Longevity range which includes Rejuvenating Longevity SerumDepuffing Longevity Eye Cream and Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream. Give them a go, sensitive skin folks. We don’t think you’ll regret it.

    2. Hyaluronic Acid

    You’ll probably know a fair bit about hyaluronic acid (HA) as it’s always in the skincare spotlight. But here’s a quick recap. Hyaluronic acid is a lubricating polymer that’s found naturally in your skin (as well as in your eyes and joints, ps). It’s what’s known as a humectant which means it has the ability to draw in moisture, kind of like a sponge. In fact, studies have shown that HA can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Don’t ask as how, it just does. Call it magic.

    Sensitive skin is often notoriously dry and dehydrated thanks to a slightly sub-standard barrier function. And this is why HA is such a good choice for hydrating, moisturizing and plumping sensitive skin, simultaneously helping to improve fine lines and wrinkles. The fact that it’s a naturally-occurring substance already found in the body also makes it very well tolerated. Love that. Try Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum for your daily hit.

    3. PHAs

    PHAs are poly hydroxy acids that work by gentle exfoliating those pesky dead skin cells that can outstay their welcome at the surface of your skin, blocking your pores and giving your skin a dull, gray palor that nobody wants. Unlike scrubs and cleansing brushes, PHAs exfoliate your skin without the need for any rough scrubbing – because sensitive skin hates that. You’ll probably be acquainted with their cousins, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) which include the likes of glycolic acid and salicylic acid. And don’t get us wrong, we’re big fans of the As and Bs, but when it comes to sensitive skin, the mighty Ps are everything.

    So how do they differ? Well, PHAs have a larger molecular size than AHAs and BHAs. This makes them way gentler on the skin because they only work at the surface, rather than penetrating the deeper, more fragile layers. Ideal for those who can’t quite bear the strength of other exfoliating acids, PHAs are awesome alternatives. They also help hydrate and moisturize the skin as an added bonus. Keen to try them out? We get that, so look out for the most common PHAs on your ingredients list: gluconolactone, lactobionic acid and galactosen.

    4. Niacinamide

    It’s a fact: niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of our favorite antioxidants for sensitive skin. Versatile, easily tolerated and wonderfully caring for a compromised barrier function, what’s not to love?

    As well as its fighting ability to ward off the damaging effects of free radicals – which your skin forms on a daily basis thanks to pollution and UV radiation –  niacinamide has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, helping to regulate oil production while calming the skin and reducing unwanted redness.

    It also has a clever way of aiding the production of ceramides in the uppermost layers of your skin. Ceramides are waxy lipids that make up somewhere between 40 and 50 percent of your skin’s composition, helping to retain moisture and protect your skin from external factors. With age, ceramides start to dwindle, so anything you do to keep them at an all-time high is going to be awesome for the strength and resilience of your skin. Try applying our Niacinamide Facial Serum twice daily for incredible results. It also contains vitamin E and HA for some extra love.

    5. Ceramides

    While we’re on the subject of ceramides, these are another great bunch of ingredients to keep an eye on if you want to improve the resilience of your skin and ensure it stays looking and feeling its best for longer.

    Synthetically produced to mimic the natural stuff that works hard within your skin’s structure, topical ceramides are kind of a big deal. They’re well tolerated by all skin types (even the most sensitive), plus they offer some extremely important benefits – especially as your skin ages. We’re talking moisturization, hydration, strengthening, repairing, protection and all sorts.

    The most commonly used ceramides in skincare are NP, AP and EOP which we’ve packed into our new Firming Collagen Day Lotion and Smoothing Collagen Serum. What’s more, the ones we use are vegan ceramides which means they’re plant-derived and totally cruelty-free. High-fives.

    Sensitive Skin
    5 Active Ingredients Sensitive Skin Should Try
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  • What Happens To Your Skin When You’re Asleep?
    It's easy to forget about your skin before bed – after all, you’re just going to sleep, right? Nothing to see here!
    Wrong. So very wrong.

    We like to think that taking good care your skin as part of your morning routine is a done deal. Cleansing, moisturizing, using a treatment serum, applying a dab of eye cream here and a good slathering of sunscreen there? All standard practice. But when it comes to sticking to a regular nighttime skincare routine, things often go a little awry.

    Of course, we’ve all encountered the odd occasion when we’ve been too tired/lazy/tipsy to fully cleanse, tone and moisturize before bed. And that's just about OK when it doesn’t happen too often. But neglecting a nighttime skincare routine on the reg can have serious repercussions on the health of your skin.

    Read on to find out exactly what goes on with your skin while you’re sleeping

    1. Cell Regeneration Hits Its Busiest Time

    Day and night, your skin is constantly turning over as part of a natural shedding process called desquamation. During this process, skin cells are created at the base of your epidermis where they mature, get pushed up to the surface and finally slough away. This system allows your skin to remain strong and healthy, and works pretty efficiently.

    Until it doesn’t.

    Many things upset the rate at which your skin turns over. For one thing, it naturally slows down as you age (surprise, surprise) and there’s nothing you can do about that. However, there are SO many other things you can control to help cell regeneration go about its business in the most efficient way possible.

    Sleep is one of the biggest factors. During this important time of rest skin turnover speeds up – potentially working up to three times faster than during the day. This is, in part due to a hormone called the human growth hormone (HGH) which is stimulated by sleep. As its name cunningly reveals, HGH stimulates growth in both the tissues and organs in your body. And when it comes to your skin, it helps accelerate cell regeneration, thus promoting repair and increasing turnover.

    How To Aid Cell Regeneration

    The obvious way to boost cell turnover? Get more quality sleep! On top of that, give it an extra helping hand by applying a gentle exfoliating formulation to clean skin before you hit the sack. Try AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant.

    2. Collagen Production Accelerates

    Various studies show that if you consistently skimp on beauty sleep, your collagen will suffer as a result. This is because your skin is constantly producing fresh collagen (although this process seriously slows down as you age), but it really amps up when you’re in the land of nods.

    When you don’t get enough sleep, however, the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol kicks in, which puts unwanted stress on your skin, playing havoc with collagen production and wrecking its ability to heal and regenerate. This often results in weaker, thinner, less springy skin that highlights fine lines, accelerates the formation of wrinkles and sagging skin, and starts to look generally a bit ‘meh.’

    Too much cortisol in your system can also cause flare-ups in chronic skin conditions like rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. So there’s that.

    How To Enhance Collagen Production

    You’ll soon get bored of this… but go to bed earlier! Also, apply an overnight treatment that contains retinol. Retinol has been proven time and again to accelerate collagen synthesis and help you achieve the heady heights of stronger, healthier skin. We love Retinol Facial Serum or you could switch it up with Rejuvenating Longevity Serum which contains bakuchiol – nature’s gentle alternative to retinol.

    3. Water Loss Becomes A Thing

    Skin becomes warmer and more permeable when you’re asleep as blood flow increases to the surface. This is great news for your skincare routine because it allows your products to go about their business super efficiently and way more effectively.

    But it’s not so good for your skin’s hydration levels. A more permeable barrier function, you see, loses water at a quicker rate than normal, leaving it feeling dryer and more dehydrated than you’d like.

    How To Reduce Overnight Water Loss

    Do NOT stay awake longer, thinking this will keep your skin hydrated. Big mistake. Instead, treat your skin to plenty of moisture before bedtime. Cleanse gently to remove debris, then apply a hydrating serum followed by a nourishing moisturizer. We’re currently all over Smoothing Collagen Serum and Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.

    4. Your Body’s Defense System Kicks In

    Free radicals are constantly trying to attack your skin’s valuable proteins throughout the day thanks to things like pollution, UV radiation, smoking and stress. So, what happens to all these free radicals at night, when you’re asleep? Well, let’s talk about melatonin for a minute.

    Not just a sleeping aid you might take before a long-haul flight, melatonin is a hormone produced by your body on a daily (well, evening!) basis. Your body makes melatonin when it’s dark to make you feel sleepy and ready to turn in for the night. It's also vital in helping to counteract environmental skin damage. It’s kind of like your body’s own natural antioxidant system, boosting repair, nixing all those pesky free rads and rebooting your skin ready for the next day of inevitable pollution and the like…  

    How To Boost Free Radical Protection  

    Two words: topical antioxidants. Our favorite antioxidant is vitamin C which is one of the hardest-working and clinically proven antioxidants in skincare. It figures, therefore that a vitamin C boost before bedtime is just what the beauty doctor ordered. Try Vitamin C Super Serum + which also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and collagen-boosting retinol.

    Skincare Routine
    What Happens To Your Skin When You’re Asleep?
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  • Can You Slow Down The Visible Signs Of Aging?
    Aging skin is a given thing. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do your best to help slow things down a little.

    The rate at which your skin ages is determined by two important factors: your genes and your lifestyle. These are otherwise known as intrinsic and extrinsic aging.

    Without getting too bogged down by science, intrinsic aging is the one that’s determined by your genetic makeup and is going to happen whatever you do and however much you look after your skin. Things like collagen and elastin naturally break down as you age, while your skin’s levels of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, fatty acids and sebum also decrease. And all this contributes to the formation of lines, wrinkles and the like. It’s like getting gray hairs. C’est la vie!

    On the flipside, extrinsic aging is totally in your hands and includes all the other stuff you throw at your skin which increases the speed and intensity at which the signs of visible aging appear. The sun is the most obvious offender, but anything that causes oxidative stress on your skin (pollution, stress, a poor diet etc.) will play its part in throwing off your skin’s natural defense mechanism, thus allowing damaging free radicals to run amok and age you up at a super-speedy rate.

    So, in answer to the question: ‘can you slow down the visible signs of aging?’  Yes… but there's a 'no' caveat. Yes, of course you can protect your skin from environmental assault and make better lifestyle choices. But no, you can’t change your genes. So let’s see how best to tackle the things you CAN control, shall we?

    5 Ways To Reduce Premature Aging

    1. Keep The Sun Off Your Skin

    Bored of hearing how the sun is the enemy when it comes to your skin? Tough. Because it’s true and the more it gets drummed into you, the more vigilant we hope you’ll be at protecting your skin from the sun’s evil UV rays.

    The stats are simple. Scary, but simple. The sun is responsible for somewhere between 80 and 90 percent of all extrinsic aging. This means that you can moisturize, treat, and preen your skin ‘till the cows come home. But if you don’t protect it with sunscreen every day, you might as well throw the rest of your skincare regime in the trash.

    Don’t do that. Instead, sneak some broad-spectrum protection into the final stage of your morning routine. Try our awesome SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C. It's way less wasteful than throwing away all your precious skincare products. 

    2. Protect Your Skin’s Barrier Function

    Your skin’s barrier is the uppermost layer that sits at the top of your epidermis and is known in the beauty biz as the stratum corneum. This brick wall-like section is made up of around 20 layers of cells and arguably works harder than the rest of your skin put together. Bold words, we know. But valid words because the function of this important layer is to act like a security guard, protecting your skin (and your entire body) from the outside world by preventing moisture from getting out and external irritants, allergens and other nasties from getting in. A strong barrier function is vital for keeping your skin strong, moisturized and healthy, whereas if it becomes weak, thin and compromised this is when issues like dryness, dehydration, irritation and the inevitable signs of aging start to creep up on you.

    Of course, it goes without saying that your barrier function naturally weakens with age, losing ceramides, cholesterol and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. But the more you look after it, the stronger it will remain and the better your skin will be. How do you do this? Simple, with gentle skincare products (harsh ingredients are killers on your barrier function), plenty of sunscreen (yes, that again!), quality sleep and lots of hydration. Our favorite serum for nourishing your barrier function is Niacinamide (B3) Facial Serum which helps boost ceramide production and fights like a dog to destroy free radicals before they get a chance to do their worst.

    3. Do. Not. Smoke

    Smoking is obviously terrible for your health. Plus it gives you smokers’ lines around your lips. But it doesn’t stop there. In fact, after UV damage, smoking is one of the worst offenders for accelerating the visible signs of skin aging.

    Tobacco contains a ton of harmful substances that screw up your skin, ruining its texture, tone, elasticity, firmness, smoothness and even altering the color of your complexion. In fact, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, it’s common for the skin of a 40-year-old heavy smoker to look similar to that of a 70-year-old nonsmoker. Eesh!

    The facts are simple: smoking increases free radical formation in your skin, breaks down collagen, accelerates inflammation, decreases blood flow and starves your skin of essential oxygen and nutrients. Just don’t.

    4. Use Proven, Age-Fighting Skincare Ingredients

    Revving up your skincare routine with hard-working, active ingredients is a great way to bite premature aging on its butt. Granted, there are so many out there, claiming to rid your skin of wrinkles in weeks, it’s hard to keep up. But don’t be fooled that they’re all going to be miracle-workers. Instead, stick with those that have the research to back them up. Ingredients like retinol; vitamin C; peptides and exfoliating acids like glycolic, lactic and salicylic have all been studied for years and been proven to offer real benefits for your skin. Also, NKOTB bakuchiol is fast making a big name for itself by giving retinol a run for its money in the anti-aging skincare stakes. Look out for these if you’re serious about getting ahead of the aging game.

    One word of warning, however. You know that barrier function we spoke of earlier? Well, overload this with too many skincare actives and it will repay you with inflammation, dryness, irritation and potential breakouts. This means you must tread carefully. Avoid piling on too many potent serums and treatments all at once and choose curated products that combine a few actives that are known to work together. All of our serums have been carefully formulated not to cause sensitivities, but it’s still wise to patch test first and avoid using more than one at the same time.

    Looking for a great all-rounder that’s packed with age-repelling goodies and gentle on your skin? Then try Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum or our fabulous new Smoothing Collagen Serum.

    5. Moisturize Like Clockwork

    Serums are great. Obviously. But you need to seal all that goodness in with moisturizer, otherwise all those active ingredients are likely to escape from the surface of your skin. Which kinda defeats the purpose, don’t you think?

    Moisturizer not only traps in moisture and ingredients like antioxidants and humectants (think hyaluronic acid and aloe vera), but it also leaves a smoothing topcoat on the surface of your skin, reducing the appearance (and premature formation) of fine lines and wrinkles.

    The truth is you must never forget to apply moisturizer after every cleanse – no matter how oily your skin. We have lots to choose from, depending on your concerns and needs, but our current favorite is Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream which is the ideal addition to any healthy aging skincare regime.

    Anti-Aging
    Can You Slow Down The Visible Signs Of Aging?
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