10 Golden Rules For Healthy Skin
Taking care of your skin encompasses so much more than skincare. Factors like lifestyle, hygiene practices and the way you apply your products need to be considered if you aim to nurture good skin health. That's why we've put together 10 golden rules for taking care of your skin, so you can achieve skin that not only looks good but is healthy too!
1. Always check product expiry dates
To ensure your skincare products remain effective and safe, it's crucial to check their expiration dates regularly and avoid using products that have passed their expiry date. If you use expired skincare you're more prone to breakouts, infections or allergic reactions.
- We suggest using our Australian Jojoba within 2 years once it has been opened.
- The rest of our products should be used within 12 months once opened. You can find each product's expiry date by looking at the PAO (period after opening) symbol on the back of the bottle.
2. Patch test new products, especially if you have allergies or sensitive skin
Patch testing new skincare products will help to identify potential allergic reactions to specific ingredients in skincare products. Even if you are not allergic to a particular ingredient, you may still experience skin irritation or sensitivity. Patch testing allows you to determine whether the product is suitable for your skin type and condition.
To patch test a new product, apply a small amount to the underside of your jaw or corner of forehead (or a place that can easily be covered) and wait 48 hours to see if you have a reaction.
3. Regularly clean your makeup brushes
Makeup brushes can accumulate dirt, oils, bacteria, and dead skin cells with each use. When not cleaned regularly, these contaminants can build up and potentially lead to skin issues, breakouts, or infections, especially on the face where makeup brushes are most commonly used.
- Wet the brushes
- Apply a gentle shampoo or brush cleanser
- Repeat if necessary
- Allow the brushes to air dry
4. Avoid ingredients that may not suit your skin type
Skincare ingredients can have different effects on various skin types. While some ingredients work well for one skin type, they may cause irritation or other issues in another. Here are some common skincare ingredients that certain skin types should avoid:
- Artificial Fragrances: Avoid if you have sensitive skin as it can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation
- Sulfates: Avoid if you have sensitive or dry skin as they can be harsh and drying, stripping the skin of its natural oils.
- Retinoids: Avoid if you have dry or sensitive skin, especially in high concentrations, as they can cause dryness or irritation.
- AHA's & BHA's: If you have sensitive skin you should be cautious with AHA's and BHA's as they can cause irritation.
- Benzoyl Peroxide: Best avoided by those with sensitive skin as it can cause excessive dryness and irritation.
5. Ensure skincare is stored in the right environment
Ensuring skincare products are stored in the right environment is crucial for preserving their efficacy, safety, and shelf life.
Prevent Oxidation:
Certain skincare ingredients, such as antioxidants, are susceptible to oxidation when exposed to air or light. Oxidised products lose their effectiveness and may even cause skin irritation. Proper storage can slow down the oxidation process, preserving the product's benefits.
Did you know? Our Jojoba has properties that help it resist rancidity! Jojoba is at the heart of every product we produce, so it is able to assist in protecting the antioxidant properties in every formulation.
Increase Shelf Life:
Proper storage can significantly extend the shelf life of skincare products. This is particularly important for products that contain natural or organic ingredients, as they may have shorter shelf lives compared to products with synthetic preservatives.
Our products have been tested to have a shelf life of 3 years unopened, which is the result of the high percentage of Jojoba and our highly effective natural preservative.
Reduce Waste:
By storing skincare products correctly, you can ensure they remain usable until their expiration date, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
5 Tips For Storing Skincare
- Keep products away from direct sunlight. Instead, store products in a cool, dry place.
- Close containers tightly after use to minimise air exposure.
- Check product labels for specific storage instructions as some products may need to be refrigerated.
- Use a clean spatula or scoop to remove product from jars to minimise the risk of contamination.
- Don't share skincare products as this can introduce bacteria from one person to another.
6. Remove your makeup before bed
Removing makeup before going to bed is essential for maintaining healthy skin and preventing various skin care issues.
Makeup acts like a barrier on the skin, trapping dirt, oil, and environmental pollutants. Removing makeup allows your skin to be properly cleansed, removing impurities and allowing it to breathe.
Additionally, when makeup is not properly removed, it forms a barrier that hinders the penetration of your skincare products.
Here's how to effectively remove makeup before bed:
- If you wear makeup, SPF or waterproof products, consider a double cleansing routine. Start with an oil or balm cleanser to remove the makeup, then follow with a cream or gel cleanser to cleanse the skin.
- Avoid tugging or pulling at the skin and be especially careful around the delicate eye area. Use gentle circular motions and pay attention to the eyes and lips.
- After makeup removal, follow with your regular nighttime skincare routine. If it's a late night, or you're too tired to do your full routine, try to apply moisturiser at the very least.
7. Wear SPF daily for skin health
Wearing sunscreen daily is crucial for maintaining skin health and appearance.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays increases the risk of developing skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
SPF protects your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays, specifically UVA and UVB rays. These rays can cause sunburn, premature ageing, and skin damage, including wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.
Apply SPF generously to all exposed areas of the skin at least 15-30 minutes before sun exposure.
8. Use the right amount of each product
Using the right amount of each skincare product is essential for ensuring that the products work effectively and deliver the desired results.
Here's a rough guide for how much of each product you should be using:
- Cleanser - a coin-sized amount
- Eye Treatment - a pea-sized amount
- Serum - 2-3 drops
- Oil - 2-3 drops
- Moisturiser - a coin-sized amount, spread across your face, neck and décolletage
- SPF - at least half a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears
9. Lifestyle factors are important for skin health
Several lifestyle factors can significantly impact skin health. To maintain healthy, radiant skin, it's essential to avoid or minimise the following:
- Sun exposure, as it leads to premature ageing, sunburn, and an increased risk of skin cancer
- Smoking & tobacco use, as it damages collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin
- Unhealthy diet, as processed foods, sugar and unhealthy fats can contribute to inflammation, acne and other skin issues
- Dehydration, as insufficient water intake can lead to dry, dull skin
- Poor sleep, as lack of sleep can disrupt the skin's repair process, leading to puffy eyes, dark circles and an overall tired appearance
- Stress, as chronic stress can trigger skin issues like acne, eczema and psoriasis
- Excessive alcohol consumption, as alcohol can dehydrate the skin, leading to dryness and inflammation
- Dirty phone screens and pillowcases, as they can transfer bacteria, leading to breakouts and skin irritation
10. Search for skincare ingredients suited to your skin concerns
Below are examples of ingredients you may want to chase if you are looking for target specific skin concerns:
- Dryness – Australian Jojoba is the closest botanical match to our skin’s own natural oils, so it will work in harmony with the skin to calm and soothe. This means it will also help irritation, redness and inflammation as it deeply moisturises.
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles - Ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin will hold moisture in the skin. Try our Ultimate Serum if you're looking to increase hydration in the skin and reduce the signs of ageing.
- Irritation and Redness - Ingredients like Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Canadian Willowherb and Niacinamide are great for soothing and calming the skin. Try our Citrus Gel Cleanser to cleanse and calm the skin.
- Compromised/Irritated Skin Barrier – Microbiome balancing ingredients will help to restore the ideal ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria on the skin. Incorporating pre, pro and post-biotics in your skincare routine will help to keep the microbiome healthy and balanced. Try our Probiotic Jojoba Milk or Overnight Multi-biotic Moisture Cream for skin-barrier-loving ingredients.
