6 Tips for Glowing, Nourished, Youthful Skin

Few things are more important than finding the right products for your skincare. Thankfully, developing a self-care routine that works for you doesn't need to be a shot in the dark. Modern research tells us what works and how, so we can protect and improve our skin with confidence. Now, not everybody loves digging through scientific research and clinical trials. But we do! And we love sharing what we find. These are our hot takes on the best ways to protect and improve your skin, inside and out, all backed by science.

FROM THE INSIDE

Let’s start with the ABC of beauty from the inside.

A stands for BAKUCHIOL Wait, what? Well, it used to stand for retinol (vitamin A) but there’s a new kid in beauty-town! With the same incredible anti-aging benefit, minus those negative side effects - scientists & beauticians alike are loving bakuchiol as a natural, safer alternative in beauty products. Gone are the days of dry skin and redness in the name of wrinkle-reduction. Bakuchiol oil can be found in a range of skincare products, from serums, creams and oils, and is proven to work internally below the skin to increase the collagen (types I and IV) found in healthy, glowing skin. Always patch test before slapping something new on your entire face; try a small corner on your jaw for example to see how you react. No adverse reactions? Then you can add bakuchiol to your skincare routine twice daily, in the morning and evening, as a separate step in form of a serum, or find products that contain it, such as a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, etc. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol is safe to layer!

Chaudhuri, R K, and K Bojanowski. "Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti-aging effects." International Journal of cosmetic science vol. 36,3 (2014): 221-30. doi:10.1111/ics.12117

B stands for Vitamin B-3

Vitamin B-3, known in the industry as Niacinamide, is one of those proven ingredients to work below the surface to help boost your skin and provide a healthy glow. If you’re new to vitamin-b, make sure you patch test on a small part of your skin to see how you respond! You can buy it as a separate serum to use on its own as a separate step in your skincare routine or mix through your moisturizer. There are also moisturizers, toners, masks, and even sunscreens that are rich in niacinamide to help clear your skin and boost your glow. Look for the product that works best in your skincare routine. Vitamin B-3 has been proven to reduce hyperpigmentation, build up keratin, and reduce inflammation*. This active ingredient is absorbed through your pores and works to rejuvenate your skin from the inside - leaving you with that fresh, full glow. B-eautiful!

Bissett, D L et al. "Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented spots in aging facial skin." International Journal of cosmetic science vol. 26,5 (2004): 231-8. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2494.2004.00228.x

C is for COLLAGEN

The buzzword of the year, and for very good reason. Collagen plays a vital role in the structure, elasticity, and strength of your skin, hair, and nails. Our natural production decreases with age and exposure to factors such as UV light. This decline becomes visible in the form of wrinkles and sagging skin. Yikes! While many topical products include collagen, research has found that collagen supplements are most effective when ingested*. However, when you ingest collagen, you also digest it. Meaning it simply becomes another food protein source. Jodi Sanders is a biologist and woman in STEM. As the Brand Ambassador of BioSil®, she interprets clinical trials into digestible content for curious consumers. Jodi explains: “Why consume foreign sources of collagen when you can help your body make more of its own collagen naturally? Collagen products contain collagen peptides: small, broken-down pieces of collagen protein from animal sources like bovine, eggs, and fish. BioSil® works differently. It activates enzymes in your body to produce AND protect more of your own collagen.” How? BioSil® is not a collagen product. Instead, it has an active, patented ingredient called ch-OSA®, enhancing your body’s natural ability to generate collagen. And the best part? It’s clinically proven to work!**

* Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/n...

** https://www.biosil.beauty/us-e...

FROM THE OUTSIDE

While we believe firmly in supporting your beauty from the inside, your skin is exposed to the outside world and could do with some help. These are 3 proven products we recommend adding to your daily skincare routine for youthful-looking skin.

Clean your skin

Glowing, healthy skin can only be achieved if your skin is kept clean and fresh. Research suggests that the best way to clean your face is to use lukewarm water and apply a cleanser in circular motions over your whole face, focusing on your T-zone (forehead and nose) and U-zone (cheeks and chin) before rinsing it all off*. Cleaning your skin properly like this also enables other topical skincare products to work correctly.

Jacoby, Jenn Sinrich and Sarah. "8 Easy Ways to Wash Your Face for Healthier Skin." SELF, 25 Sept. 2017, https://www.self.com/story/how....

MMMM MOISTURIZER

Moisturizing your skin is not the same as hydrating it, but it is a vital step towards soft, smooth skin. Hydration comes from within - by drinking water and ensuring your hormones and enzymes are well balanced. Moisturizing your skin involves applying a moisturizer on top of your skin. Moisturizers can be oil-based or water-based. Is your skin dehydrated? Choose a water-based moisturizer because those often include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or other humectants. These help to lock in water and slow evaporation. Is your skin dry? Go for an oil-based moisturizer. Dry skin often has a damaged barrier or lacks sebum. Oil-based moisturizers have their ingredients dissolved into an oil base, like jojoba or almond oil, and will help to replenish the skin’s barrier function.

The biggest difference between the two bases is texture. They feel different on the skin and mix differently with other products (serum, make-up, sunscreen). Choosing a moisturizer that feels good on your skin and blends well with the rest of your morning and nighttime routine is essential. Apply a moisturizer in the morning and night to nourish your skin!

Sunscreen, seriously!

The final step in any morning skincare routine should be sunscreen. We could even argue that if you do nothing else, you should still use sunscreen! It’s so important to protect your skin. A recent study found that daily use of sunscreen dramatically reduced the effects of aging on the skin when compared to those who didn't use SPF daily over a 4,5-year time frame*. So lather up, even if you’re not planning on being in the sun! There is a wide variety of sunscreen, from chemical filters to mineral filters, with different textures and SPFs. Whatever you choose, make sure it has broad-spectrum protection and is reef-safe, and that you re-apply at least once throughout your day.

Hughes, Maria Celia B, et al. "Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial." Annals of internal medicine vol. 158,11 (2013): 781-90. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002

Whether you're 25 or 50, it's never too early or too late to take care of your skin. And by picking a routine and products that are scientifically proven to work, and taking care to find made-to-measure advice on the exact type of product for your skin, you know you’re doing everything you can to keep a healthy glow!