True Radical Honesty From Our Community

You can have all the will (and fancy products!) in the world, but without a consistent skincare routine, you might as well kiss healthy skin goodbye.

‘Routine.’ Granted, it’s not the most glamorous word in the world, but it’s probably one of the most important ones when it comes to the health of your skin. It’s all well and good arming yourself with bazillions of skincare products and all the beauty knowhow you can lay your hands on, but if you’re not consistently nailing the important basics through a carefully thought-out daily routine, then the rest is basically pointless.

Great skin is something we all dream of. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but if we can help it to be, look and feel its absolute best then we’re happy. Great skin doesn’t just happen, however. It requires work and care. It needs to be protected from the grinds of everyday life (yes, we’re talking to you sunshine, pollution, stress and so on), and it needs to be kept clean, hydrated, balanced and moisturized. After all, if you neglect your skin and the damage is already done, it’s almost impossible to reverse it.

According to the Oxford English dictionary, the definition of routine is ‘a sequence of actions regularly followed.’ Sound pretty simple, right? Then let’s have a look at how to build an awesome skincare routine that a) you can stick to and b) is effective…  

The Importance Of WHAT You Put On Your Skin… And HOW!

While we believe the best daily routine includes cleanser, toner, eye cream, serum, moisturizer and sunscreen, ultimately, there are only three steps your skin genuinely ‘needs.’ One is cleanser; two is moisturizer and three is sun protection. Of course, the old skool routine was to cleanse, tone and moisturize but we’ve since realized that skin can probably survive without toner… but it’s much more damaging to go without sunscreen.

Don’t get us wrong, we would never dismiss all those other products that work super hard to amp up your routine and target specific concerns like dark spots, fine lines and dark under eye circles. However, when it comes down to the fundamental basics, cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen are everything.

1. Cleanser

Cleansing is the start of your routine, and choosing the right formulation is worth its weight in gold. Dermatologists recommend cleansing your skin twice daily (plus after exercising), using gentle formulations that are free of harsh, potent chemicals that can upset your barrier function. Certain alcohols like alcohol denat are best avoided as are sulfates and parabens that can irritate your skin and suck all the important oils from the surface. Instead, stick with gentle, non-abrasive products for daily use – whatever your skin type.

When you cleanse, take a few minutes to massage the product into your skin with your hands. This will help blood flow and lymphatic drainage to really up your glow factor. Oh, and don’t forget that hot water is the enemy. Use lukewarm water only, rinsing well and then gently patting with a clean, cotton towel.

2. Moisturizer

No matter what comes between your cleanser and moisturizer, this important step can make or break your routine. And consequently the state of your skin. Go too bold with thick, heavy ingredients that are too rich and you could break out lightning fast. Similarly, if your moisturizer is too light your skin can end up feeling super dry and dehydrated.

The key is to find a moisturizer that works in complete harmony with your skin type. Moisturizers need to have two main components: humectants which draw in water to hydrate the skin, and emollients or occlusives that lock in hydration and leave a certain smoothness to the skin. Oily or combination skin types should avoid occlusives like cocoa butter and coconut oil as these create a protective layer on the skin’s surface which blocks the pores. But other than that, it’s fair game. Humectants like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and glycerin? Incredible… and very important for all skin types. Emollients like jojoba oil and vitamin E? Ditto.

To get the most from your moisturizer, smooth it all over your skin in upwards strokes to lift and firm your complexion. You could also apply it when your skin is still a little damp to lock in hydration.

3. Sunscreen

We get bored of hearing ourselves bang on about sunscreen, but until it becomes the norm for everyone to apply it on the reg, we will continue. Why is sunscreen so important? Because it not only protects your skin from the perils of premature aging, but it also reduces your chances of developing skin cancer.

The sun is present all year long, and its harmful UV rays are also around every day, doing the best they can to damage your collagen, ruin your elastin and screw up your DNA. This is why sunscreen is mega important every day (not just on the beach!), and on every area of exposed skin. To ensure you get good protection from both UVA and UVB radiation, look for broad-spectrum formulations that have an SPF of at least 30 – that’s the sweet spot most derms recommend. Apply around a nickel-sized amount to ensure you get the right amount of protection.

The Importance Of WHEN You Apply Your Skincare

A good skincare routine isn’t just about knowing which products to use, you also need to know how and when to apply them.

Sunscreen obviously isn’t required before bed. Because that would be pointless. And certain retinol products, strong actives or exfoliants might only be necessary a couple of times a week. But the rest of your routine should be carried out morning and night, unless otherwise stated on the label.

Then, it’s all about getting your order right. Obviously you should cleanse first, before toning, but then what? Well, if you’re using some kind of treatment serum for acne or pigmentation this should follow your toner. Next, would be an antioxidant serum like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, followed by your eye cream, moisturizer and face oil.

Sunscreen is vital every morning and, without question, always comes last because most formulations (and especially mineral sunscreens) are designed to sit on the surface of your skin. If you apply sunscreen before your serum, for example, it’ll block all those delicious ingredients from penetrating your skin and doing their job. Money. Down. The. Drain.

If this skincare layering order doesn’t stick in your head just remember that your thinnest product should be applied first, with the thickest, most dense product going last.

Finally, The Importance Of Being Patient… & Consistent

Expecting miracles from your skincare routine right from the off is setting yourself up for failure. Most products take time before they’re able to offer you the positive results you’re after. Retinol, for example, can take weeks, if not months before you really start to see the benefits, so be patient and stick with it.

Go to bed ten minutes earlier to give yourself the time to cleanse, treat and moisturize your skin before you turn in. Similarly, set your morning alarm five minutes earlier to ensure you have enough time (and therefore no excuses not!) to apply sunscreen. 

Ensuring your routine becomes a habit is such an easy thing to do. And it's so worth it in the end.

Fall might not feel like a drastic change in the weather but to maintain glowing skin all year round, it’s wise to adapt with the seasons. Here’s how to get on that.

As you know, maintaining a consistent skincare regime is something we feel very strongly about here at TruSkin. Crushing a twice daily cleanse? Vital. Moisturizing your skin after every cleanse? Ditto. And protecting it daily from the damaging rays of the sun? Well, you know what our feelings are on that one. However, as the seasons switch it’s always wise to take a long, hard look at what you put on your skin to see if it’s in sync with the changes in the weather.

Right now, we’re talking fall – the season of pumpkins, pie, knitwear and new coats. And it’s official: fall is the best time of year. Well, try arguing that with the 41 percent of adults who cite fall as their favorite season, anyway.

Where your skin is concerned, fall is the perfect time to repair summertime damage while preparing your skin for what winter will inevitably bring – which is mainly dryness and dehydration. It’s also a great time to start out with a new retinol or antioxidant regime.

Keep scrolling for 10 ways to tweak your skincare regime so that it a) doesn’t interrupt your bang-on regime too much, but b) keeps you on top of the seasonal changes…

1. Tackle Post-Summer Dark Spots

After a summer of intense UV radiation it’s a smart move to scrutinize your skin for any patchy areas, dark spots or changes in your moles. Feel like the latter might be a concern? Then book yourself in for a check immediately, just to be sure. For any other discoloration issues, we recommend vitamin C which is a whizz at maintaining better control over melanin production, thus helping to brighten and even out your skin tone. Fan-favorite Vitamin C Facial Serum is a shoo-in. Obvs.

2. Treat Yourself To A Humidifier

Wasting money on pointless gadgets is so not our thing. But things that actually benefit the skin? Those we can get on board with. And one we’re massively into is the humidifier. Fall and winter are notoriously ‘dry’ months in which the air contains less moisture than during spring and summer. That’s bad news for skin hydration. Humidifiers, however, add moisture back into the air which means more for your skin to soak up. Get one for your bedroom, specifically, so your skin can relish in all that extra moisture as you sleep.

3. Layer Up With Hydration

Along with a humidifier, you should also add extra hydration into your daily skincare routine. And what better way than by layering up with a serum that contains one or more humectants? Humectants like glycerin, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid work like magnets to draw water into the top layers of your skin. They’re super smart. And super important, especially during fall and winter. Try Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum, layered underneath your moisturizer.

4. Keep On Top Of Your Sunscreen

Before we go any further, let’s address the elephant in the room: sunscreen. Everyone’s favorite love-to-hate product, sunscreen plays an important role in skincare – come summer or fall.

Here’s the thing: the sun is present EVERY DAY, even when it’s cruddy outside, because sunshine is about light, not just heat. Sure, you might not feel the sun on your skin on cold, cloudy days, but it’s still there. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays penetrate right through clouds. UVA rays in particular are constant all year round. And they’re the ones most responsible for deep skin aging. So don’t file away your sunscreen just because September is over. You need SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen every day. Lecture over.

5. Go All Over With Moisture

Moisturizing is your skin’s best friend, so as colder months approach it’s important not to begin and end with your face. A lack of humidity in the air can seriously contribute to dry, itchy skin on your arms, back, legs and your entire body, so get your barrier function back in order, up hydration and load up on head-to-toe moisture.

6. Be Kinder As You Cleanse

Turning up the water temperature is extremely tempting as the months turn chilly, but hot water is a bad idea for your skin as it sucks away moisture and strips away vital oils. Keep it lukewarm and use a skin-forgiving cleanser to retain hydration and replenish your barrier function. We love Soothing Cleansing Milk for the ultimate in gentle cleansing.

7. Give Your Skin A Break

If you have sensitive skin or suffer with conditions like eczema, rosacea or psoriasis, seasonal changes can be a real trigger for flare-ups and irritation. So lay off the active ingredients for a while and put a pin in exfoliation for a week or so. Instead, go back to basics by nourishing your skin with gentle ingredients like aloe vera and shea butter.

8. Start Right With Retinol

Thinking of adding retinol to your skincare routine? Well, now’s a great time to do so as you’re less exposed to strong sunlight in the fall and winter months. UV radiation can break down the efficacy of retinol which is why it’s often advised to apply it at night time only. Start now, however, and you’ll minimize these effects even more.

We love Retinol Facial Moisturizer which contains plenty of delicious moisturizing ingredients to counteract any further dryness or irritation. It’s a retinol miracle!

9. Love Your Eyes

The skin around your eyes is thin and extremely fragile so it can be greatly affected by transitions in the weather. Dryness, itching, redness and puffiness? A real thing if you don't treat this area with the love and respect it deserves. And we can help with that with our new Depuffing Longevity Eye Cream which contains bakuchiol to help strengthen the skin, as well as glycerin and aloe to hydrate, plus coffeeberry extract to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.

10. Cut Back On Exfoliation

Exfoliating regularly in the summer months is fine because all that extra humidity helps your skin remain sturd, giving it the strength to deal. However, as the air dries up your barrier function can become dehydrated and therefore less able to hold its own against all that buffing and scrubbing. The solution? Either cut down your exfoliation routine to once a week, or go for a gentler product that contains non-abrasive exfoliants like lactic, glycolic or salicylic acid. Try Ocean Minerals Super Toner which offers gentle exfoliation after cleansing to revitalize your skin without irritation.

Bloated, puffy skin is no fun for anyone. But it doesn’t have to ruin your day. Just get ahead of the game with some deft lifestyle habits and smart skincare moves.

We’re sure you’ve been there; woken up with a bloated or puffy feeling to your face that certainly wasn’t there the night before. What is that all about? All you’ve done is gone to bed… right? Well, actually you might have had a few too many wines with dinner, or perhaps not had the best night’s sleep. But still: unfair.

The good news is that, more often than not, puffy skin is a temporary bugbear – unless some other underlying condition is at play, of course, in which case it’s always wise to seek professional help.

If you're well aware that your puffy skin is self-inflicted, however, here’s what you need to know about might be its cause, plus what to do about it…

What Causes Facial Puffiness?

A puffy face is usually thanks to a build-up of excess fluids just below the surface of your skin. This happens when an imbalance of water causes fluids to leak through your blood vessels and into your skin. And don’t worry, we know that all sounds pretty horrific, but it’s totally harmless.

So, what triggers this fluid retention in your skin? Well, it can be due to any number of reasons, but the usual suspects are mostly to blame – aka emotional stress, a lack of sleep, poor diet choices, your hormones and alcohol.

5 Effective Ways To De-Puff Your Face

The good news is there are some pretty easy fixes for facial puffiness – some of which will gift you with almost-immediate results. Scroll on for five of our favorites...

1. Try A Daily Facial Massage

Massaging your face is one of the best ways to not only up your glow factor in an instant, but to help reduce swelling. If you spend just three or four minutes massaging your skin during your morning cleanse, for example, you'll instantly boost circulation and accelerate lymphatic drainage which helps remove toxins and fluid build-up. Simply use the pads of your fingers to work your cleanser all over damp skin, then press your fingers into the brow area and slide them up in circular motions to your forehead. Repeat this a few times, before moving down to your cheeks, working from each side of your nose, out towards the hairline. Again, do this a few times, then continue with the same motion around your chin and jawline. To finish, smooth your fingertips up your neck.

You could also try a gua sha stone to help sculpt your skin and reduce unwanted puffiness. Gua sha stones are flat, smooth crystals made from jade or rose quartz which you place flat against your skin and gently glide around the contours of your face. They're awesome for encouraging the transportation of excess fluids and toxins from the tissues in your skin.

Whatever you go for, try to give your face a quick massage every morning. Trust us, you'll start to notice a real difference almost immediately.

2. Enjoy The Chill Factor

Cold temperatures are incredible for constricting your blood vessels and helping to reduce puffiness and inflammation. But, while TikTok might have you believe that iced facials are the future, we’re not sure that dunking your face in a bowl of iced water for as long as you can bear it, and repeating this teeth-chattering process for 10 whole minutes is such a good idea! In fact, it can cause facial redness and irritation if you’re not careful, so we’d strongly advise against it.

Instead, try a final rinse with cool water after cleansing or keep your moisturizer in the fridge to help de-puff your skin at the end of your morning routine. You can even keep facial massage tools like a gua sha stone or jade roller in the fridge for extra de-puffing powers. And if your eyes are showing the most signs of puffiness? Lie back with a couple of cold teaspoons or slices of cucumber over each eye. It’s amazing how effective some of those old beauty tricks are!

3. Drink More Water

Since fluid retention is the issur here, it makes sense to drink plenty of water every day. The simple fact is that by keeping your body hydrated you will reduce the need for your tissues to hold on to fluids so much. It’s just common sense. And science. 

Experts agree that an average adult requires between 2.7 and 3.7 liters of fluid a day. However, it’s worth remembering that not all of this needs to come from glugging pure water. Certain foods like watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes and spinach contain a ton of water and drinks like milk, unsweetened fruit juices and caffeine-free teas all count towards you daily intake and are just a beneficial as water.

4. Embrace A Great Facial Serum

When it comes to what goes on your skin, there are some awesome ingredients out there to help keep your skin hydrated while reducing inflammation and puffiness. Green tea, for example, is a pretty good one, as are caffeine, peptides and, our current favorites, electrolytes.

Electrolytes are essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium which, when dissolved in water, conduct electricity – which is where the name comes from. Electrolytes are vital for your health as they keep your body hydrated and balanced while aiding in tissue repair and regulating nerve and muscle function. When it comes to skincare, topical electrolytes have the same moisture-quenching benefits. Their electoral charge helps drive water into the skin while simultaneously giving energy to other active ingredients to help deliver them to exactly where they’re needed. The result? Healthier, more hydrated skin. Bingo!

Try applying our new Multi-Vitamin Facial Serum daily. It's chock full of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to help keep your skin at its optimal best. You could even use a cold jade roller or some ice globes to supercharge the ingredients and further reduce swelling. But you don't have to – it's a wonder serum even without the extra help!

5. Assess Your Lifestyle Habits

Finally, think about some of your lifestyle habits and how they might be contributing to any facial bloating. Alcohol, for starters, can be terribly dehydrated for your skin so keep that in check whenever you can – or try alternating booze with glasses of water. This is a great trick and also makes hangovers much easier to bear!

A high-sodium diet is another reason your body will hang on to extra fluids so cut down on salty snacks and avoid cooking with salt. In fact, try to limit yourself to no more than 2,000 milligrams a day.

Finally, too much stress and very little sleep can be hell on your skin, causing your levels of cortisol (aptly named the stress hormone!) to sky rocket.

And cortisol is a known culprit for triggering puffy, inflamed skin. Say no more...

As skincare ingredients go, snow algae might not be top of mind, but things are about to change because this wonder of nature looks set to make a real difference for aging skin.

Nature is a wonderful thing. From the power of our oceans to the smallest cellular matter, nature is everywhere. Quite frankly, without it, life as we know it would not exist.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, surrounding ourselves with nature keeps us emotionally, psychologically and physically healthy. It’s no wonder, therefore, that ‘feeding’ your skin with nature’s greatest offerings is one of the most effective ways to optimize the health of your skin.

At TruSkin we harness the powers of plant extracts and botanical oils across all of our products, combining nature’s finest with potent, lab-created ingredients to provide you with what we truly believe is the best of both science and nature. We take pride in crafting effective treatments that are formulated with the crème de la crème of synthetic skincare (think retinol, niacinamide and vitamin C). We then blend these science-backed powerhouses with natural ingredients that provide equally as incredible benefits to your skin. Oat and rice milk are fabulous examples that immediately spring to mind – both of which are packed into our new Soothing Cleansing Milk alongside synthetic favorites such as hyaluronic and stearic acids to provide comfort and nourishment to sensitive skin.

Nature: it’s what we live for. What’s more, every now and again, a new natural ingredient comes to our attention that offers something new and exciting to skincare. And most recently we hit on a very special type of algae called snow algae.

Already proving its worth in the anti-aging world, here’s what you need to know…

What Is Snow Algae?

Snow algae, otherwise known as pink snow, red snow or sometimes even watermelon snow, is found in the ice caps and mountain tops of some of the coldest, most extreme climates in the world. The Alps, Himalayas and Arctic Coast are often covered with pink blankets of snow algae. Basically, it’s found anywhere where there is permanent snow all year round.

Although green at warmer temperatures, snow algae turns pink thanks to red-tinted carotenoid pigments which kick in when the mercury drops and levels of UV radiation increase. Without getting too technical on you, this clever defense system protects its growth, shields it from harmful UV radiation and allows snow algae to survive and, more than that, totally thrive in extreme, frigid conditions.

Kudos for that. Most other plants stand no chance in such brutal climates.

Impressive, But What Does That Have To Do With Your Skin?

Snow algae’s unique defense mechanism offers all manner of awesome skincare benefits.

Studies show that when it’s applied to the skin on a regular basis, snow algae activates certain enzymes and longevity genes which put your skin cells on a kind of diet. By restricting energy to your skin, they’re encouraged to work in a more efficient way, thus accelerating and improving DNA repair, encouraging collagen synthesis and slowing down the aging process of your skin while boosting restoration and regeneration. By strengthening the skin at a cellular level, snow algae also works hard to fortify your skin’s barrier function, helping to prevent transepidermal water loss and increase overall hydration.

But that’s not all, snow algae also has potent antioxidant properties which is how it keeps itself protected from extreme UV damage. And the same can be said when you apply it topically to your skin.

Antioxidants are a super important part of your skincare routine because they’re pretty much the only way to destroy free radicals and stop them from aging you up. Free radicals are formed when your skin is exposed to environmental bad guys like pollution, smoking and the inevitable UV radiation. If left to their own devices free radicals play havoc with your skin, ruining your collagen and elastin supplies, chipping away at your important barrier function and accelerating the visible signs of aging – most notably fine lines and pesky wrinkles.

Thankfully, antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and slow down their damaging force. And that’s why they should play a valuable part in your daily skincare routine.

As you know, we’ve long been fans of antioxidants – our whole reason for existing grew from vitamin C – and learning of new, powerful antioxidants from nature gets us very excited. This is why we’re charging two of our exciting new skincare innovations with extracts of rare but wonderful snow algae: Rejuvenating Longevity Serum and Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream.

Our NEW Longevity range provides the ideal solution for mature skin, working hard to correct the visible signs of aging while promoting more healthy aging as your skin moves forward. Alongside snow algae, each product contains bakuchiol – nature’s fabulous and super effective alternative to retinol – plus a whole bunch of nourishing, hydrating and age-resisting ingredients like lingonberry stem cells and hyaluronic acid.

Fancy seeing what all the fuss is about snow algae? And bakuchiol for that matter? Then try our NEW Longevity range today. You will not regret it.
 

Whether your skin is too oily or too dry, balancing your sebum is a major step towards healthier skin.

Sebum can be a real headache. Some of you might have too much of it, making your skin oily and annoyingly shiny. The rest of you might not have enough, causing your skin to be dry and maybe even a bit itchy. If only we could all have exactly the right amount to make our skin seem, well, normal.

Ha, normal. If only that were so easy. While normal skin is a type, just as much as dry, oily and combination, we’re not convinced that many people are actually blessed with normal skin. Know someone? Then lucky you/them.

For the rest of us, our skin type is all down to how much sebum is produced at a cellular level. Oily skin produces excessive amounts which can cause blocked pores, breakouts and excess shine; combination skin has too much in some areas and not enough in others resulting in potential pimples in the T-zone and dryness elsewhere (the worst of both worlds, some might say); while dry skin doesn’t produce enough sebum, making it sensitive, itchy, flaky and tight.

The truth is, you can’t change the skin type you were born with – because, genes – however, your sebum levels can be controlled (to a degree) by smart lifestyle habits and a good skincare routine.

So let’s delve deeper into the world of sebum, shall we?

What Is Sebum?

Sebum is a slightly yellow, clear, oily lipid that’s produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin’s dermis – the layer underneath the epidermis. Sebum is composed mostly of fatty acids, squalene, wax esters, glycerol and cholesterol and it reaches the surface of your skin via hair follicles. This is why most of it is concentrated on your face, scalp and genital area. The only area of your skin where you won’t find sebum to some degree? On the palms of your hands and soles of your feet because, surprise surprise, these are the only parts of your body that don’t have hair.

Why Sebum Is So Important For Healthy Skin

Although sebum can be super annoying because it rarely behaves itself, it’s actually extremely important in maintaining happy, healthy skin. Not only does it keep your skin lubricated and moisturized by sealing in hydration and preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) but another important function is to help protect your skin from UV damage. It does this by transporting antioxidants to the surface of your skin. Smart stuff, right? Sebum also keeps your skin’s pH level in check and has antibacterial qualities which is extremely important for fighting infection and reducing inflammation.

5 Tricks For Regulating Your Sebum Levels

The amount of sebum your skin produces is mainly influenced by genetics. However, your age, hormones, skincare regime, diet, stress levels and the climate in which you live all play an important role in helping to maintain balance. So, while you can’t change your genes or stop Father Time, there are many other ways to take charge. Read on for four of the most effective ones…

1. Cleanse Regularly, But Gently

Start off right with an effective cleansing routine and your levels of sebum stand a much better chance of being balanced and more controlled.

But what is the right cleansing routine? Well, your choice of formulation depends on your skin type. But whether you go for a lightweight gel or a rich, creamy lotion like our new Soothing Cleansing Milk, know that the kinder your cleanser is to your skin, the better this will be for your sebaceous glands. It’s tempting to go for a super astringent product to reduce excess oil, for example, but anything that’s too drying will cause your sebaceous glands to go into overdrive, thus making your skin even oilier in the long run.

Cleanse twice daily, for sure, but keep your products free of synthetic fragrance, harsh preservatives and strong detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate. Your sebum levels will really thank you for it.

2. Choose The Right Moisturizer

Hydrating your skin with serums that contain water magnets like glycerin and hyaluronic acid is vital because these draw water to the skin’s surface and help to reduce dehydration. However, to truly help balance sebum, your choice of moisturizer is far more important.

If your skin is lacking in sebum, your job is to help prevent further dryness by embracing rich moisturizers that contain occlusive ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter and botanical oils. These help create a seal over the skin’s surface to stop moisture from escaping. Oh, and we love Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer in case you were wondering.

On the other hand, skin that has sebum coming out of its ears (not literally, of course!) should avoid heavy oils and butters because they can block the pores and encourage breakouts. Instead, you want to stick with emollient ingredients like vitamin E that help smooth the skin and regulate hyperactive sebaceous glands.

3. Eat Right

Eating a balanced diet isn’t just about keeping your weight in check and your health at an optimum. It can also have profound effects on your skin. Certain studies show that foods high in sugar or refined carbs, for example, accelerate a hormone called IGF-1 whose role it is to promote growth and yes, you’ve guessed it, stimulate sebum production. Similarly, trans fats have been linked to inflammation in the skin, which also overstimulates the sebaceous glands and results in excess oil.

Healthy fats, on the other hand, like omega-3s found in nuts, seeds, oily fish and avocados, are awesome for helping to regulate sebum production while improving the fatty acid composition in your skin and strengthening your skin’s barrier function.

Whatever your skin type, its best to limit your intake of sugar, processed carbs and nasty old trans fats, while upping your fill of omega-3s and brightly colored fruit and veggies which are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for all-round healthier skin.

4. Be More Zen

Stress. Even the sound of that word can increase your levels of emotional anxiety. And it’s true that chronic levels of stress play havoc with your hormones. But how do hormones affect the skin specifically? When your stress levels are high your body produces more adrenaline and cortisol (the ‘stress’ hormone). Cortisol is well-known for screwing up your skin’s barrier function, thus causing inflammation and really messing with sebum production.

The killer blow is that this can go one of two ways. If your skin is dry in the first place, it’ll probably get even drier. Whereas if you have oily skin, this depletion of natural oils on the surface of your skin will stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce even more oil. Can’t. Win.

We get that reducing stress is easier said than done, but try introducing a little me-time into your daily schedule to address your emotional anxieties and take five. Go for a walk, do some yoga, even just read a book for 15 minutes. It’s amazing how concentrating on you for a moment can help ease your mind.

Oh, and make sure to get plenty of sleep. We can’t stress that enough. No pun intended.

Not only is bakuchiol nature’s hottest alternative to retinol, but it’s way more stable, super effective and gentler on the skin. Here’s everything you need to know.

Some skincare ingredients come and go, while others are never far from the top of every dermatologist’s recommended hit list. And if you’re into the former, we have one question for you: why? We’re not being rude but why would you even bother with flighty ingredients that, sure, might be all over TikTok for three seconds, but have zero evidence that they really work?

No, the ingredients you really need to know about are the ones that stand the test of time and are backed by proof. Clinical studies, trials, research, evidence, you know the drill. The ingredients that have been around for decades and are the stalwarts of every skincare afficionado’s beauty cabinet – think retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid.

Retinol, in particular, is a real powerhouse for skin. With years of research to its name, it’s been proven time and again as one of the best ingredients for polishing up the quality of your complexion. By ‘communicating’ with your skin at a cellular level it works hard to enhance collagen production and encourage cell turnover, therefore doing its best to improve acne breakouts, wrinkles, dark spots, sagging skin, enlarged pores, the lot.

But here’s the thing, retinol doesn’t suit everyone. It’s super effective, for sure, but it’s also pretty hardcore and can be, let’s just say, too much for some skin types. So, while we would never diss the unarguable powers of retinol – it does take center stage with a fair amount of our formulations, after all! – it’s nice to know there are some alternatives out there.

Ceramides, peptides, antioxidants and exfoliating acids all have incredible anti-aging powers that help protect and enhance the look and feel of your health. And just like retinol, they’ve been around the block a few times… because they work. But they do so in very different ways. In fact, up until now there hasn’t been much to choose from when looking to mimic the effects of retinol, with less of the downsides.

And this is why there’s such a buzz right now about new skincare ingredient, bakuchiol.

What Is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol (pronounced bah-koo-chee-awl) is the backbone of our NEW Longevity skincare range and offers a brand new, gentler approach to aging. Already being touted as nature’s answer to retinol, bakuchiol is extracted from the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant and has been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, both internally and topically to treat the skin. The reason it’s become such current hot property is because a bunch of clinical studies have come to light showing that, as well as offering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, bakuchiol offers similar benefits to retinol.

When applied regularly it’s been proven to dramatically improve the surface of the skin by stimulating collagen synthesis and accelerating cellular turnover. And all of this comes with very few, if any, of the irritating side effects.

Retinol Or Bakuchiol? The Facts

Bakuchiol may sound too good to be true, but should you really diss retinol forever more? Or can you actually enjoy them both? Whatever you choose, here are three important facts that distinguish the differences between bakuchiol and retinol.

1. A Classic Case Of Science Vs Nature

Unlike retinol, which is a chemical compound derived from vitamin A, bakuchiol is 100 percent natural. As we’re sure you know, we’re big fans of plant-derived ingredients here at TruSkin and put nature at the core of all of our formulations. At the same time, we believe that both science and nature have their place in skincare which is why we like to combine the two to offer the best solutions for your skin.

If you like to stick with ingredients that have decades of research under their belts then retinol is the one for you. Prefer to go all-out natural? Then bakuchiol is a great choice. 

2. It’s All About Tolerance

The most frustrating thing about retinol is the annoying side effects. Of course, these don’t affect everyone and if you start slowly with gentle, carefully curated formulations, you’re sure to find a retinol treatment that works for you. If you have strong skin that’s completely unphased by anything you throw at it, for example, you probably love and use retinol on the reg (in which case, have you tried our Retinol Facial Serum yet? It’s the best.)

Side effects, however, are no joke, and if you’ve ever experienced the dryness, redness, peeling or itching that can come hand in hand with certain retinol products, the knowledge that there’s a gentler alternative out there will be music to your ears.

Of course, it’s always wise to patch test any new skincare products, but past research has shown very few cases of negative side effects from using bakuchiol.

3. The Stability Game

Retinol and sunshine are a bad combination. And not because retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. The real reason is that retinol is unstable and reactive to light which means that if you apply it in the daytime, it won’t work as well. This is why retinol is most often advised for night time use only.

Bakuchiol, on the other hand, is perfectly fine to use both morning and night as it holds up well when exposed to sunlight. Furthermore, due to its gentler nature, it can be used twice daily, every day if you fancy. You could even switch it up with your retinol product if you like, applying your retinol treatment once or twice a week before bed, then a bakuchiol product on alternative nights, as well as in the mornings. Choices, choices, aren’t they the best?

The Takeaway

Retinol has long been the recommended go-to for aging skin concerns. And as much as bakuchiol continues to gain momentum in the skincare industry, this will never change. You might be reading this wondering what the problem with retinol is. And if that’s the case and you never have issues with dryness or flaking skin, then there really is no problem. Retinol is your guy and there’s no reason to change that.

However, if you’re all too familiar with the irritating side-effects of retinol and have tried and failed time and again to make it work for you, then bakuchiol might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Fancy giving it a go? Then look no further. As if by magic we just launched three new products that harness the gentle powers of bakuchiol: Rejuvenating Longevity Serum, Depuffing Longevity Eye Cream and Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream. Together, they provide the ideal solution for slowing down the aging process of mature skin.

Already. In. Love.