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 on the back of their respective bottle - there will be a little jar outline with how many months each product lasts for e.g. '12M'

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.

How to clean your makeup brushes:

1. Wet the brushes
2. Apply a gentle shampoo or brush cleanser
3. Repeat if necessary
4. Allow the brushes to air dry

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:

1. Alcohol: Avoid if you have dry or sensitive skin as it can be drying and irritating, leading to redness or sensitivity.
2. Artificial Fragrances: Avoid if you have sensitive skin as it can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation
3. Essential Oils: Avoid if you have sensitive or reactive skin as they can cause irritation and sensitivity in some people.
4. Sulfates: Avoid if you have sensitive or dry skin as they can be harsh and drying, stripping the skin of its natural oils.
5. Physical Exfoliants: Avoid if you have sensitive and acne-prone skin as they can cause micro-tears in the skin and exacerbate acne or sensitivity.
6. Retinoids: Avoid if you have dry or sensitive skin, especially in high concentrations, as they can cause dryness or irritation.
7. AHA's & BHA's: If you have sensitive skin you should be cautious with AHA's and BHA's as they can cause irritation.
8. 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.

Even though it is full of antioxidants, you don't have to worry about our Australian Jojoba oxidising as it has properties that help it resist rancidity!

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.

Reduce Waste:

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:

10. Follow an essential daily routine, then target where you need to

Having an essential daily skincare routine is crucial for maintaining healthy and radiant skin.

Everyday you should be cleansing, moisturising (we like to use Australian Jojoba as our moisturiser) and applying sun protection. These are the essentials for your daily routine. Then, if you have any skin concerns you'd like to target like acne, pigmentation or an rosacea, you can start to include treatments that will help you reach your skin goals.

• Eye treatments
• Serums
• Spot treatments
• Exfoliants
• Day creams
• Night creams

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 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 Probiotic Jojoba Milk or Overnight Multi-biotic Moisture Cream for skin-barrier-loving ingredients.