True Radical Honesty From Our Community

As you probably know, we’re big fans of using natural ingredients like essential oils and plant extracts in our skincare formulations. How so? Because we believe Earth’s finest offerings are worth so much more to your skin than the alternatives…

Essential oils can be contentious ingredients in the beauty and wellness space, but we truly believe the pros of using essential oils in skincare far outweigh the cons. However, this is only if you know what you’re doing. Low concentrations, blended with care and attention into serums, moisturizers, toners and cleansers can not only have positive effects on your skin, but also your emotional wellbeing. Whereas pure, undiluted essential oils are highly potent and can produce all manner of adverse skin reactions.

So, if you ever fancy playing around with pure essential oils without doing a LOT of homework first, well, don’t.

Instead, let the reputable manufacturers do all the blending for you. Then you can make some executive EO (that’s essential oil, btw) decisions without worrying that your skin might break out quicker than you can say ‘pass the tea tree oil’.

Here’s what we know about the wonderful world of essential oils…

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that contain volatile aromatic compounds and are obtained from either the flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, stems or even bark of a particular plant. They can be extracted by many different methods, but the most common way is through steam distillation.

According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), an essential oil is defined by its chemical, physical, aromatic and spiritual make up and these are entirely dependent on the specific plant from which it was extracted.

There are around 300 essential oils used in aromatherapy across the world and it’s believed they’ve been harnessed by humans since around 4500BC when ancient Egyptians used them in cosmetics, fragrance and medicines. Many people swear by EOs for treating both emotional and physical health concerns such as stress, anxiety, pain and insomnia.

Why Essential Oils Are Important In Skincare

Because of their countless benefits for the skin, essential oils are used in a variety of skincare products and due to today’s consumers being way more interested in adopting a more natural beauty routine, their popularity continues to grow. Many oils have healing, toning, brightening and hydrating benefits and some even offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. Aromatherapy skeptics often suggest that essential oils do more harm to your skin than good, yet countless studies suggest that when they’re diluted at safe levels, they have very little cause for concern.

But just because they’re natural, this doesn’t mean all EOs are good for your skin – and especially the delicate skin on your face. Certain oils like cinnamon and mint, for example, may help stimulate circulation when used in the correct concentration on your body, but they can be risky on your face and cause irritations or an allergic reaction.

This is why you should always read your skincare label carefully and contact the manufacturer if you have questions about their essential oil ingredients, processing and levels of concentration (around 1 percent is seen as the safest for most skin types, btw). Make sure to also perform a patch test with any new product, leaving it for at least 24 hours (preferably 48) to test for adverse reactions before applying it all over your face. In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction may occur so always seek advice and a diagnosis from a skincare expert or allergist if you have concerns. 

8 Of Our Favorite Essential Oils For Your Skin

We truly believe blending and diluting essential oils is best left in the hands of the experts, but it’s still worth knowing the benefits some of the most common EOs have up their sleeves, right?

Here are some of our favorite essential oils here at TruSkin HQ.

1. Geranium

According to research, geranium EO is a real find for treating dry skin, reducing the visible signs of aging, calming inflammation and fighting infection. It also has anti-bacterial properties so is often used on acne-prone skin to keep pores clean and pimples at bay.
Find It In: Eye Cream, Hylauronic Acid Serum

2. Helichrysum

The helichrysum italicum plant is most commonly found in southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Its oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties and has long been used for treating inflammation and accelerating wound healing.
Find It In: Eye Cream

3. Lavender

One of the most commonly used EOs in skincare and aromatherapy, lavender’s antiseptic and antibacterial qualities make it a hugely popular choice for reducing acne and soothing the skin. Lavender’s spa-like fragrance has also been proven to alleviate stress and calm both the body and mind.
Find It In: Charcoal Face Wash, C-Plus Super Serum, Tea Tree Clear Skin Super Serum

4. Lemongrass

Lemongrass essential oil is a big player in the antioxidant world so it’s a neat ingredient for fighting free radicals and reducing the signs of premature aging. Lemongrass is also purifying, balancing, healing and has an awesome citrus fragrance that gives a lovely scent to skincare products.
Find It In: Eye Cream

5. Pink Grapefruit

Brimming with vitamins A and C, pink grapefruit is another antioxidant-rich essential oil that’s fabulous for mature or dull skin. It contains lycopene which is a natural exfoliant and has a naturally uplifting scent that helps brighten and lift both your skin and your wellbeing.
Find It In: C-Plus Super Serum

6. Rose

While the benefits of pure rose EO are never-ending (think moisturizing, regenerating, stress relieving and healing for starters), it takes around 250lb of rose petals to produce just 1oz of oil which makes it crazy expensive. Another by-product of the distillation process, however, is rose water which contains up to 20 percent of the water-soluble oils that get left behind after the distillation process. Rose water is a fabulous skin tonic and its anti-inflammatory properties are great for preventing pimples and reducing redness.
Find Rose Water In: Daily Facial Rose Water Toner

7. Tea Tree

Due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, tea tree essential oil is a go-to for anyone suffering with acne, enlarged pores or super-oily skin. It may also help relieve itching and speed up the healing process, and it’s pretty well tolerated by most skin types.
Find It In: Tea Tree Clear Skin Super Serum, Vitamin C Daily Facial Cleanser

8. Ylang Ylang

Ylang ylang essential oil is a very effective cleansing agent due to its anti-bacterial properties. It also helps balance oil production so, similar to tea tree EO, it's great for treating and helping reduce acne and other unwanted skin blemishes.
Find It In: Charcoal Face Wash, C-Plus Super Serum, Tea Tree Clear Skin Super Serum

This year has been tough on everyone, so with stress affecting more people than ever we felt it was time to talk about how stress and anxiety affects your skin. And, most importantly, what you can do about it.

Stress: a word that gets thrown around so much in today’s world. But true stress is so much more than worrying fleetingly about which photo to post on Instagram or what to put on your oatmeal (banana and maple syrup, btw, no contest). According to the Mental Health Foundation, stress is defined as: ‘the degree to which you feel overwhelmed or unable to cope as a result of pressures that are unmanageable.’

There’s no doubt about it, 2020 has been a particularly stressful year across the entire world. Research carried out by the American Psychological Association shows that around 70 percent of employed adults in the US say work is a significant source of stress right now and 67 percent of all Americans feel that Covid-19 and the government’s response to it is currently causing them to feel more stressed than normal.

That’s a lot of stress for one nation to deal with. So, if this is a feeling that’s ringing true for you – and your skin and health are suffering because of it – it’s definitely time to take control of your emotional wellbeing.

But first let’s take a step back to see how stress affects your body, and consequently your skin.

What Happens To Your Body When You’re Stressed

Stress is all about hormones. When you feel stressed about something, your brain decides to send in the big guns to help prepare your body to go into fight or flight mode. Your nervous system releases a whole bunch of hormones into the bloodstream (think cortisol and adrenaline) which causes your heart to pump faster, your breath to quicken and your muscles to tense and get ready for action.

In all fairness, this isn’t a bad thing but a pretty smart way for your body to prepare itself to react quickly to a threat or emergency. Think about the time you crushed that scary job interview – that was your body being motivated and driven by the adrenaline caused by stress.

The problem, however, is that when these stress hormones go into constant overdrive your body never has a chance to relax and go back to normal. This plays havoc with your emotions, affects your sleep and can result in any number of physical implications including headaches and nausea. In serious cases, chronic stress can cause major negative impacts to your health including problems with your digestion, immune system, reproduction and even increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Stress can also impact the health of your skin.

Stress And Your Skin

Studies shows that stress sees skin as one of its main targets. Skin conditions like psoriasis, acne, rosacea and eczema can be seriously exacerbated by emotional turmoil, and even a small amount of stress can cause you to drink more alcohol, eat more processed foods and generally stop looking after yourself as well as you should. It also plays havoc with your sleep patterns and we don’t need to remind you that lack of sleep is seriously bad news for your skin (hello dark under eye circles, fine lines and sagging skin).
 
Those stress hormones don’t help, either. Higher levels of cortisol have been shown to increase the skin’s production of sebum which can result in blocked pores and make you more prone to pimples and blackheads. Cortisol also encourages inflammation, depletes collagen and elastin, and interferes with your skin’s healing process which is disastrous for anyone with sensitive, troubled or aging skin. Can that, it’s disastrous for everyone.
 
If you have dry skin and think stress can’t affect the dryness of your complexion, think again. Research suggests that stress can also impair your skin’s protective barrier which reduces its ability to hold in moisture to keep it supple, soft, hydrated and youthful-looking.
 
All in all, stress and its evil side-kick cortisol can take a hike.

But that's often easier said than done, so if you’re feeling completely overwhelmed by stress, please get help from a qualified mental health professional. If it’s manageable, however, here are a few simple ways to destress at home. 

How To Deal With Stressed Out Skin

There are many ways to reduce your levels of cortisol and give your skin the best chance of being stress-free. 

Below are five of the most tried and trusted tricks for destressing your life… and of course your skin.

1. Know Your Stress Triggers

According to non-profit mental health and wellness website, HelpGuide, one of the most important ways to manage stress is to know what causes it and how you react to it.

“Look closely at your habits, attitude and excuses. Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining anxiety, your stress levels will remain outside your control,” recommend HelpGuide experts.

A great way to do this is to keep a stress journal, then every time you feel stressed, make a note of what caused it, how you felt, how you reacted and what you did to make yourself feel better. Doing this will help you notice themes or patterns that you may be able to change or at least control.

2. Up Your Sleep Game

When it comes to decreasing stress, raising positivity and replenishing your mind, body and skin, there are few things as effective as a good night’s sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours every night, yet the truth is that most of us get far less than that. More like six or seven on a good day.

But why is sleep so important for controlling stress? Well, remember that stress hormone we talked about earlier? Cortisol, yes, that’s the one. Well, your levels of cortisol drop dramatically when you’re asleep, allowing your whole body to heal and repair itself. Reduce your hours of zzzs and cortisol levels remain high, therefore interfering with this period of restoration. This spells disaster for your skin because continually high levels of cortisol encourage inflammation, accelerate the aging process and exacerbate conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and rosacea.

For a better night’s sleep, try to go to bed at the same time every night and ensure your bedroom is dark and not too warm. Reduce your smartphone time for a few hours before bed, limit caffeine in the afternoons and evenings, never watch TV in bed and don’t eat too late.

3. Evaluate Your Skincare Routine

Our number one rule for helping stressed out skin with skincare? Don’t overload your face with a bunch of new actives that your skin might not be used to. This will just make issues doubly worse, because if your skin’s natural protective barrier has been compromised, potent ingredients will be much more easily absorbed which sounds great in theory, but can do more harm than good. Instead, stick with what you know while upping your moisturizing game to combat itching and dryness. Products containing emollients and humectants such as jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid are excellent in times of need.

If your skin is suffering from specific stress-induced problems like redness and irritation, you could also try introducing soothing or anti-inflammatory ingredients into your skincare routine. We love the likes of aloe vera, green tea, rose water and niacinamide which are all super gentle on your skin. 

Concerned about more serious issues like eczema, psoriasis and the like? Then always seek professional help for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

4. Eat Well

You really are what you eat, people, and a healthy diet goes a long way for helping you lead a stress-free life.

Drink plenty of water – dehydration can increase your levels of cortisol – and reduce caffeine, sugar and refined carbs as these are all major stressors for your body. Swap them out for antioxidant-rich foods like leafy green veggies, beetroot, nuts, carrots, whole grains and kale. Bananas and avocado are also great because they’re packed with potassium which helps keep your blood pressure down. Meanwhile, oily fish like salmon and tuna are pretty awesome for managing adrenaline levels.

Going back to sugar for one minute, let’s talk chocolate. Hells yeah. While cheap chocolate that’s low in cacao and high in sugar might not be ideal (although often just what you crave), dark chocolate has been proven to lower levels of stress hormones while releasing serotonin which stabilizes your mood and gives you a general feeling of happiness. Just make sure to choose chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cacao.

5. Finally, Take Some Time Out

Setting some time aside in your daily schedule for fun, relaxation and exercise is a very effective way to reduce stress and handle whatever life throws at you. Whether this means going for a bike ride, enjoying a soak in the bath or doing something as simple as reading a book for 15 minutes, whatever it is you enjoy, do it. No excuses. Just remember: what works for you might not work for the next person. Love golf? Then a round of 18 in the great outdoors is an awesome way to clear your mind and give your brain and body something to focus on. But if you literally can’t bear it, then it’s probably better to give golf a wide berth.

Also, learn how to breathe properly. This may sound stupid, but poor breathing means your body won’t take in enough fresh oxygenated blood and your health, skin and wellbeing will suffer because of it. Meditation is super effective for relaxing your body and mind while making yourself aware of your breathing. But we get it, meditation is not for everyone. However, even some simple breathing exercises will lower your stress levels almost immediately as slow, deep breaths naturally decrease your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.

Check out some breathing exercises, courtesy of academic medical center the Mayo Clinic here.

Vitamin E is one of those skincare ingredients that’s been loved forever. A potent antioxidant and moisturizing master, here’s everything you need to know.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re all for trying out new ingredients in our skincare routines. But oftentimes, the oldies are the best. Take, vitamin E, for example. Used for over 50 years in cosmetics, vitamin E offers a whole bunch of benefits to the skin and for us, it’s up there with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, retinol and, well, we could go on. But we won’t.

We’re sure you already have a little vitamin E in your daily regime, but how well do you know this unassuming but revered skincare ingredient? Not well at all? Then allow us to introduce you to everything vitamin E has to offer.

First Things First, What Is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that’s found naturally in your skin where it supports cell function and helps maintain the overall health of your skin. But guess what happens as you age? You’ll never gue… OK, you totally will because we know you’ve heard this one before. Yes, just like your natural levels of collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and all the other good stuff found in your skin, vitamin E depletes with time. Age is, for sure, a vicious, vicious beast.

In better news, vitamin E can be found in various food sources including nuts, leafy green veggies, avocado, pumpkin, olive oil and sunflower oil, so try adding more of these into your diet to help keep your levels up.

It’s also produced synthetically and formulated very successfully in skincare products such as serums, oils and creams which is music to the ears of dry or aging skin. There are around eight difference forms of vitamin E, but the most common ones you’ll see on the labels of your products are tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate and alpha-tocopheryl acetate.

The Benefits Of Vitamin E In Skincare 

1. Vitamin E Is A Highly Researched Antioxidant

Its powerful antioxidant properties make vitamin E one of the best ingredients for fighting those bad guys known as free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms produced by the skin when you subject it to too much heat, light, pollution or other nasties such as alcohol and a poor diet. In order to stabilize themselves, free radicals snatch electrons from vital skin components such as DNA, connective tissue, collagen and elastin, which damages them and accelerates premature skin aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, discoloration, the works. This is why we hate free radicals.

Antioxidants, on the other hand, are clever little cookies which offer up electrons to free radicals while maintaining their own stability. This means all the good stuff in your skin gets left alone to care, support, protect and heal your skin while the antioxidants do the hard graft in fighting those pesky free radicals. As we said, clever.

2. Vitamin E Helps Fight Sun Damage

When it comes to fighting the damaging effects of that great big ball of fire in the sky, its antioxidant powers aren’t the only thing going in vitamin E’s favor. Studies also suggest that vitamin E has photoprotective properties. What does that mean, we hear you ask? Simple, photoprotection = sun protection.

Anything that offers some kind of defense from UV damage comes under the photoprotection umbrella – think broad-rimmed hats, clothing and sunscreen. Oh, and vitamin E. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are partly to thank for its photoprotective qualities, but research shows that vitamin E can also absorb some of the energy from UV light, further preventing UV damage and helping reduce the likes of sun-induced dark spots (aka solar lentigines if you’re feeling fancy).

One small problem: some forms of vitamin E lose their stability on the skin when exposed to UV light which means they become way less effective. Vitamin C, however helps it maintain its efficacy (and vice versa), so look for serums containing both vitamins C and E, and apply this underneath your broad-spectrum sunscreen for seriously potent protection. Sidenote: these two antioxidant powerhouses are also a great combination for brightening and strengthening the skin and can be found in our hugely popular Vitamin C Serum.

3. It’s One Helluva Moisturizer

Vitamin E has awesome emollient properties, meaning that when you apply it topically it helps fill in, repair and smooth the tiny cracks in your skin that are so often produced by dryness and dehydration. Sealing these cracks helps strengthen your skin’s natural protective barrier to reduce trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) – the process in which water evaporates from the surface of your skin. TEWL is so not what your skin wants in life, btw, so keeping it at an all-time low by protecting your skin’s barrier function is vital for retaining moisture and keeping your skin soft, supple and healthy.

But that’s not all: vitamin E boasts humectant as well as emollient properties which means it not only seals in moisture, but draws more water into the surface of your skin – either from humidity in the air, or from deeper levels below the skin’s surface. We combine vitamin E with hyaluronic acid in our Hyaluronic Acid Serum for a real hit of moisture that’s perfect for most skin types.

Is Vitamin E The Right Choice For Your Skin Type?

The good news is vitamin E is tolerated by most people, but it’s a particularly great shout for normal, dry or aging skin. Pure vitamin E may cause reactions and/or breakouts if you have very sensitive, super-oily or acne-prone skin but the more diluted forms – which are what you’ll find in most skincare products – are generally very well tolerated.

That being said, if you’re a vitamin E newbie, always start with a moisturizer rather than a serum to help reduce irritation. Moisturizers are made up of larger molecules than serums which means they absorb into the skin slightly more slowly. They’re also likely to contain a lower concentration of active ingredients making them less likely to cause flare-ups.

Whatever product you choose, however, always perform a patch test on your skin before slathering it all over your face. Not sure how a patch test works? We can help with that, right here.

Niacinamide is one of the most effective skincare ingredients for improving the overall health of your skin. Retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and friends all love to steal the limelight, but niacinamide is right up there and also deserves its fair share of attention. So, we're here to do just that...

Otherwise known as nicotinamide, niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that’s found in many foods including meat, fish, poultry, beans, whole grains and green veggies. It’s an essential nutrient for your health and well-being, and plays a vital role in your diet by converting fats and sugars into energy. 

As a topical treatment, niacinamide can also be used to treat a whole bunch of skin types and concerns, making it a total powerhouse in our minds. Here’s what we know about the water-soluble vitamin that’s having a big moment in skincare right now...

1. One of our favorite things about niacinamide is that, along with vitamins C and E, it’s an effective antioxidant that works hard to help your skin neutralize free radicals. Not sure what free radicals are? In short, they’re highly reactive molecules that have unpaired electrons in their outer shells. Free radicals are produced in the skin when you over-expose it to things like light, heat and pollution, and in order to stabilize themselves they snatch electrons from other molecules such as DNA, collagen and elastin. This results in major damage to the skin through a process called oxidative stress.

The good news, however, is that antioxidants are able to donate the odd electron to free radicals without losing stability. This means that skin damage is dramatically reduced and free radicals lose both the battle and the war.

This is why antioxidants such as niacinamide are such an important part of your skincare routine.

2. Niacinamide also has the power to increase the production of ceramides in the uppermost layers of the skin which helps maintain a strong, protective barrier and improves the overall resiliency of your skin.

Ceramides make up over 50 percent of the skin’s composition making them pretty darn important. They're waxy lipids that work like glue to hold your skin together to help retain moisture and protect it from external factors like pollution and dry air. The problem is that ceramides become depleted with age – no surprise there, right? They also feel the hit from things like harsh skincare products and a poor diet.

And this is where niacinamide comes to the rescue. Studies show that niacinamide can increase the biosynthesis of ceramides and various other lipids which makes it a super-effective ingredient for improving the moisture levels in your skin. By maintaining top notch hydration, it also helps reduce the visible signs of aging such as dryness, dehydration, fine lines and wrinkles. Win win.

3. Great news for anyone concerned with aging around the eyes: niacinamide is a perfectly safe (and effective) treatment for the delicate skin around the eye area. It may even help improve crow’s feet, dark circles, dryness and sagging. That’ll be due to its clever way of boosting ceramide production.

4. Acne-prone skin loves niacinamide and various research seen in the International Journal of Dermatology and The Dermatology Times proves it. How so? Because niacinamide has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it helps reduce unwanted redness, inflammation and swelling. Something acne-sufferers know a lot about.

Patients with mild rosacea may also find relief from skincare containing niacinamide, but it’s always wise to speak to a derm beforehand if you’re concerned.

5. Topical niacinamide is an effective ingredient for improving texture, regulating oil production and helping to reduce enlarged pores. This makes it perfect for oily or combination skin types because it works hard to balance the skin without stripping it of essential moisture and protection.

6. Anyone with sensitive skin knows how tough it can be to find effective skincare that doesn’t cause your skin to breakout. Well, niacinamide could be just the ingredient you’re looking for...

As antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients go, niacinamide is a bit of a dark horse. Unlike retinoids and vitamin C (which we love, btw, they’re just not for everyone), niacinamide is very well tolerated by almost all skin types. It can even help soothe and calm irritation caused by other ingredients or skin conditions such as rosacea or eczema. Just remember not to overuse it or it could have the reverse effect and exacerbate redness. So not what anyone wants.

7. Speaking of other skincare ingredients, niacinamide is a great way to help reduce the drying effects of active ingredients like retinol and salicylic acid due to its innate ability to strengthen the skin and help prevent moisture loss. Our advice, however? Either stick with a retinol/AHA/BHA at night and apply your niacinamide formulation in the morning, or let the professionals do the ingredient cocktailing for you. This will help prevent any amateur mishaps from causing your skin to flare-up. 

8. Niacinamide can be a good alternative for reducing hyperpigmentation if your skin is sensitive to stronger actives such as tretinoin. And similar to the cocktailing tricks mentioned above, it can also be combined with various brightening or lightening ingredients such as arbutin or kojic acid to help reduce sensitivities while targeting unwanted pigmentation. Neat, huh? 

9. The New England Journal of Medicine has produced some interesting research on the effects of niacinamide on skin cancer. Namely that niacinamide, when taken orally, can potentially help prevent new non-melanoma skin cancers from developing on previous skin cancer patients.

According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM), skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US and the annual cost of treating it is estimated to be in the tens of billions. Non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas are primarily caused by over-exposure to UV radiation which is why wearing a daily, broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or above is so important. Because of the studies as mentioned above, many top derms also recommend a daily dose of oral niacinamide to patients with a high risk for non-melanoma skin cancers.

10. There’s a lot going for niacinamide and very little reason to doubt it as an effective anti-aging, anti-inflammatory ingredient… with benefits. Obviously, it’s no miracle-worker, but then again, no skincare ingredient can completely turn back time and give you the baby-soft skin you were born with.

And it’s always worth remembering that.

Are you suffering with flare-ups around your chin and cheeks? Chances are they’re all down to wearing a face mask for prolonged periods of time. The good news is we can help with that.

The world in which we currently live has created so many challenges to our health it’s hard to keep up. But it doesn’t look like Covid-19 is going away any time soon and the impacts of this extremely complicated virus are very real. We’re not qualified to go too deep into this horrible disease, but what we can do is help with one issue that’s become a real struggle for many people: acne on the cheeks, chin and jawline that's caused by the constant mask-wearing we're faced with for the foreseeable future, otherwise known as maskne.

What Is Maskne?

Maskne is not a new phenomenon. Any healthcare worker can tell you that wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) 24/7 can cause nasty reactions on the skin. It’s just that you and we are not used to it and so, with the help of Instagram and Twitter, we’ve given it a new name;)
 
The real medical term for maskne, however, is acne mechanica.
 
Acne mechanica is a term given to localized acne spots caused by pressure, friction and/or continued rubbing against the skin. This stress irritates the hair follicles and results in a build-up of oil, dirt, sweat and bacteria. And there are no prizes for guessing what all those nasties end up doing to the skin. Breakouts galore.

As well as healthcare workers, footballers often feel the brunt of acne mechanica across the tops of their backs and shoulders thanks to constantly wearing shoulder pads. Truck drivers may also suffer with it where their backs rub against their seats. And now, the nation is feeling their pain thanks to the necessity of wearing a face mask in public to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

But friction isn’t the only cause of maskne. All that warm, moist breath creates a delicious environment for bacteria to breed on your skin. And when you couple this with the synthetic materials most masks are made of (yes, we’re talking to you nylon, rayon, polyester and acrylic)? Well, your skin stands literally no chance of fighting maskne.

Actually, we take that back, because with a little know-how and some top notch skincare swag, you can totally win the maskne war. Here’s how…

5 Ways To Prevent & Treat Maskne

1. Keep Your Skin Clean And Moisturized

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the number one way to prevent mask-related skin irritations is to cleanse and moisturize your skin well and often.

Keep some fragrance-free, biodegradable cleansing wipes in your purse for quick, on-the-go cleansing, and thoroughly wash your skin both morning and night with a gentle, non-pore clogging cleanser. We love our Charcoal Face Wash which contains activated coconut charcoal to absorb oil and balance your complexion, plus soothing aloe and antibacterial lavender.

And word on the street is that you folks love it, too…

“I noticed a big difference after using this for three days,” explains TruSkin customer, Liz Brown.
 
“I had started breaking out in my mask area around my chin and jaw line. I’m 41 and was breaking out like a teenager. <But this> works great! I plan on keeping using this and even made a Facebook post telling all my family and friends,” she adds.

Thanks Liz, we're so glad you love it as much as we do.

For an effective clean, always wash your hands first, then massage the cleanser over your damp face and neck using the pads of your fingers to gently work it all over. Rinse thoroughly and gently pat dry with a clean towel.

After cleansing, whatever other skincare serums and treatments you like to use and however oily your skin is, never forget to moisturize as this will not only strengthen your natural protective barrier, but will help reduce friction and irritation from your mask. Go for light, but effective moisturizers that contain humectants and emollients rather than heavy occlusive ingredients like butters and oils.

2. Be Mask Savvy

Having the right kind of mask to best protect yourself from Covid-19 is obviously the most important thing here and experts agree that those with at least two tightly woven layers of fabric are the most effective.

To help reduce maskne, swap out masks made from synthetic fabric for 100 percent cotton. Cotton is lightweight, washable, breathable and allows moisture and heat to escape way more easily than its synthetic counterparts, so make sure you stock up on a few so you’re never without. Also, ensure your mask fits snugly, but comfortably, as this will offer further protection while reducing irritation at the same time.

Another important piece of mask advice is to clean yours after each use and especially after exercising. This will help get rid of saliva, nasal secretions, dead skin cells and microbes from hanging around in your mask and doing their dirty deeds. Pop yours in the laundry regularly – using a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent – or hand wash it after every use using mild soap or shampoo.

3. Skip The Heavy Makeup

In an ideal sitch, we’d say go makeup-free whenever you need to wear your mask. But we know many of you would rather eat your own toenail clippings than venture into the outside world with no makeup on. Caking your skin in heavy foundation, however, will just exacerbate flare-ups, so try to go light and oil-free all the way.

Tinted moisturizers are great if you like wearing a light dose of color to even out your skin tone, but if your skin craves more coverage, try mineral foundations. These are generally non-pore clogging so are perfect for oily or problematic skin types. They also protect your skin from the sun as an added bonus. Woot.

4. Go Easy With Active Skincare Ingredients

When your skin is irritated and sensitized its barrier function has been compromised. This means strong, active ingredients such as retinol, antioxidants, AHAs and BHAs could cause even further problems to the surface of your skin including redness, itching, dryness and peeling.

To keep irritations to a minimum, curb your actives for a short while by applying them on a less frequent basis (perhaps every two or three days, rather than daily) or choosing gentler formulations that contain lower concentrations of active ingredients.

Also, if your skin is really suffering, the AAD recommends sticking with what you know rather than introducing new, potentially irritating products into your daily routine.

“To reduce skin problems, avoid trying harsh products such as chemical peels, exfoliants or retinoids for the first time,” recommends board-certified dermatologist Daniela Kroshinsky, MD, MPH, FAAD.

5. Remember, No Touching

Avoid transferring even more bacteria, dirt and oil to your skin by keeping your hands well away from your face. Yeah, yeah, we know your hands have probably never been so clean, but still, they have no place touching your skin. End of.

Finally, if you’ve tried everything but your skin is still suffering, please don’t hesitate to contact a skincare professional for advice. It may be that your breakouts are being caused by something other than your face mask, but an expert will be able to diagnose this far better than you.

As we celebrate World Vegan Day on November 1, we thought you might like to know a bit more about what makes a beauty product truly vegan. 

Skincare and cosmetics can be a confusing game sometimes. The words ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ often get thrown around without any true meaning, and phrases like ‘against animal testing’ can be super misleading. But if you live a vegan life (and record numbers of you are making that switch) we know you’ve got no time for such BS. That's why we’re here to take the guesswork out of the equation.

Here’s what you need to know about going vegan with your beauty routine. And good news: it’s actually much simpler than you might think.

1. What Does ‘Vegan Beauty’ Really Mean?

Unlike other misleading terms used in cosmetics labelling, vegan beauty is relatively straight forward. It simply means that the formulation does not contain any kind of animal by-product or ingredient. Do you eat and live a vegan lifestyle? Then it makes sense to also avoid animal products in your beauty regime.

2. But Hold On, Because Vegan Beauty Products Are Not Always Cruelty-Free

One of the most common concerns about the beauty industry is animal testing. In China, animal testing is required by law, but we know that most of you agree it’s a horrific industry we must try to eradicate. Well, you may think that buying vegan skincare means you’re also buying cruelty-free – and this is exactly what it should mean – but sadly, this isn’t always the case. The truth is, unless it’s stated on the packaging, it’s possible a vegan product (or some of its ingredients) might have undergone animal testing at one point in its creation. We know it doesn’t make sense, but that’s the way it is.
 
Thankfully, there’s an easy way to know what you’re letting yourselves in for. Simply look for the Leaping Bunny logo on your product label – the only internationally recognized symbol that guarantees no animal tests were used to formulate a product bearing its logo. We’re proud to say all TruSkin products are Leaping Bunny approved (*pats selves on backs).

3. Vegan Skincare Is Not Necessarily Free Of Chemicals

Again, you may be under the assumption that vegan products are completely natural and free of synthetic chemicals. Wrong. Yes, some vegan products use only plant-based formulations, but others are often combined with synthetically-produced ingredients. Of course, these ingredients won’t be derived from animal sources and the thing is, not all chemicals are bad. Quite the opposite, in fact. We source most of our ingredients from nature, but sometimes blend them with safe, synthetic substances such as carbomers to produce the best formulations, textures and results for your skin.

4. What Are The Benefits Of Going Vegan With Your Beauty Routine?

As well as the obvious benefits of being kinder to animals – especially if you go vegan and cruelty-free – a vegan beauty regime is much more caring for the world.
 
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), animal products are the key cause of environmental issues such as climate change and water depletion. Farmed animals must be fed substantial amounts of grain and water before being killed, processed, stored and transported. All of which accounts for a substantial amount of global water consumption, land use and greenhouse emissions.
 
The production of plant-based ingredients, on the other hand, requires much less energy, land and water. Simple math.

5. Common, Animal-Derived Ingredients To Look Out For

OK, so what animal ingredients should you look out for in your beauty products? Well, that list is dang long so for a full run down, check out PETA’s comprehensive checklist. The most common ones to avoid, however, are carmine, collagen, gelatin, lanolin, squalene and stearic acid.
 
Here are some of the facts:

Carmine is a red pigment produced from crushing female cochineal beetles. According to PETA, 70,000 beetles are killed for just 1lb of carmine. It’s often used in cosmetics and shampoo.

Collagen is a protein that’s produced naturally in the skin and hair. In skincare, it comes mostly from cows or fish, so look for plant-based collagen instead.

Gelatin can be obtained from plants but is usually the result of boiling skin and bones from either cows or pigs. It sounds gross, but is often used as a thickening agent in skincare.

Lanolin is almost always derived from sheep’s wool. It very softening and moisturizing so is commonly found in lip balm and hair products. Plant-based lanolin is worth looking out for, but it’s rare.

Squalene is most often derived from shark liver oil, but good news: it’s becoming more and more rare as a skincare ingredient in the US. Instead, look for its plant-derived alternative, squalane (with an ‘a’ not an ‘e’) which is just as great for moisturizing dry skin.

Stearic Acid is found in animal fats and often used in soaps, cleansers, creams and lotions to improve their texture and help moisturize your skin. Instead, look for vegan-alternatives such as those derived from palm oil, soy oil, cocoa butter and shea butter.
 
Finally, let's talk a bit about bee by-products – the subject of much debate in the world of vegans. Bee by-products (including honey) are a complicated business which we’re not going to get into right now, but the truth is they’re never likely to be considered ‘officially’ vegan. Why do we mention them? Because all of our products are vegan-friendly apart from four that contain bee by-products: Retinol Serum, Retinol Moisturizer and Charcoal Face Wash which are formulated with propolis extract, and Eye Cream which contains beeswax.

Propolis is an incredible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance that’s made from a combination of beeswax and tree sap. It has many healing and moisturizing benefits and is known to help reduce the unwanted bacteria that often leads to breakouts. Meanwhile, pure beeswax does all this while offering extra emollient qualities to help form a protective barrier over the skin to retain moisture and promote soft skin.

According to The Vegan Society bee by-products are not strictly vegan-friendly, but many vegans eat honey and have no qualms using products containing beeswax and propolis. The debate continues...