Tag: vitamin c

layering skincare products for maximum effectiveness

Layering Skincare for Maximum Effectiveness

Posted on by Editorial Team

Achieving healthy, glowing skin isn’t just about using the right products—it’s also about applying them in the correct order. Layering your skincare products properly ensures that each one is absorbed effectively, maximizing its benefits. If you’ve ever wondered which product goes first or why certain steps matter, this guide is for you.

Why Layering Skincare Matters

Applying products in the right sequence helps them penetrate the skin properly. Lightweight, water-based products should be applied first to hydrate and prepare the skin, while heavier, oil-based products should be applied last to seal in moisture and active ingredients.

In What Order Do I Layer Skincare Products?

Step 1: Cleanser

Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. Cleansing ensures that your skin is fresh and ready to absorb the following products. If you wear sunscreen or makeup, consider double cleansing with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser.

Product suggestions:

  • For oily skin: gel or foam cleansers with salicylic acid
  • For dry skin: Cream or oil-based cleansers like our facial cleansing oil and makeup remover
  • For sensitive skin: Fragrance-free, hydrating cleansers

Step 2: Toner (optional)

Toners help balance your skin’s pH and remove any remaining impurities. They also prep your skin to absorb serums and moisturizers more effectively.

Product suggestions:

  • For oily/acne-prone skin: Astringent toners with witch hazel or BHA
  • For dry skin: Hydrating toners with hyaluronic acid or rose water
  • For dull skin: Exfoliating toners with AHAs like glycolic acid

Step 3: Serum

Serums contain concentrated active ingredients that target specific skin concerns like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or hydration. Choose a serum based on your skincare goals.

Product suggestions:

Step 4: Eye Cream

The delicate skin around the eyes is thinner and more prone to wrinkles, so an eye cream can help keep it hydrated and smooth. Apply with your ring finger to avoid tugging the skin.

Product suggestions:

  • For dark circles: Vitamin C or caffeine-infused eye creams
  • For dry skin: Thick creams with ceramides
  • For combination skin: Balancing lotions with both humectants and emollients

Step 6: Face Oil (optional) or Moisturizer

If you use facial oil, it should be applied after moisturizer to seal in hydration. Oils are especially beneficial for dry or mature skin.

Product suggestions:

  • For hydration: Rosehip or squalane oil
  • For reducing signs of aging: Argan or marula oil
  • For acne-prone skin: Jojoba or tea tree oil
  • For sensitive skin: A gentle brightening moisturizer like our age-defying Vitamin C face creme

Step 7: Sunscreen (Morning routine only)

Sunscreen is the most important step in any morning skincare routine. It protects against UV damage, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation.

Product suggestions:

  • For oily skin: matte-finished gel-based SPF
  • For dry skin: Hydrating SPF with added ceramides
  • For sensitive skin: Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide

Final Tips for Layering Skincare

  • Wait between layers. Allow 30-60 seconds for each product to absorb before applying the next one.
  • Use products with compatible ingredients. Avoid mixing strong actives like retinol and vitamin C in the same routine unless recommended by a dermatologist.
  • Adjust your routine as needed. Your skin’s needs change based on weather, age, and lifestyle.

Choosing the right skincare products to layer can be a challenge, but by following these guidelines, we hope to make it easier.

best skincare ingredients for healthy skin

The Best Skincare Ingredients for Healthy Skin

Posted on by Editorial Team

The best skincare ingredients to include in your routine are generally the ones that will address your specific skin concerns. We all have unique skincare needs and challenges, after all. However, there are a few skincare ingredients that are found to be beneficial for all skin types. Below is a list of some of the most popular ingredients used in skincare products today;

  • Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin, leaving it feeling plump and hydrated. Our Bakuchiol Serum contains skin-moisturizing hyaluronic acid, glycerin and other naturally-derived ingredients that work all day to smooth and moisturize.
  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is an AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) and antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging. If you’re looking for a natural, gentle Vitamin C face cream, try our Age Defying Face Cream.
  • Niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3) is a multi-tasking ingredient that can help to improve the appearance of dark spots, uneven skin tone, and enlarged pores.
  • Retinol, a synthetic derivative of Vitamin A, is a retinoid that can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. It can, however, be irritating to sensitive skin.
  • Bakuchiol is a Retinol alternative that is gentler, but can also help stimulate collagen production. Our latest addition is the WEBA Naturals Bakuchiol Serum with Collagen Peptides
  • Ceramides are lipids that help to strengthen the skin’s barrier, which can help to protect the skin from environmental damage. Ceramides can be obtained from plant and animal sources.
  • Sunscreen is essential for protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause premature aging, wrinkles, and skin cancer. The higher the SPF (sun protection factor), the more it protects against the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays. It should even be worn on cloudy days. There are two major types – chemical and physical sunscreens. We advocate for the use of physical or barrier sunscreens, as side effects of chemical sunscreens have not been thoroughly studied.

It is important to choose products that contain ingredients that are appropriate for your skin type and that address your concerns. You should also start with one or two skincare products and gradually add new products to see how your skin reacts. If you have any concerns about your skin, you should consult with a dermatologist.

Here are some additional tips for creating a skincare routine that works for you:

  • Cleanse your face twice a day. This will remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin, leaving it clean and refreshed.
  • Moisturize your face every day. This will help to keep your skin hydrated and prevent it from drying out.
  • Use sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days. This will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Too much sun can causes intra-cellular breakdown and other damage that will age your skin prematurely.
  • Exfoliate your skin regularly. This will help to remove dead skin cells and reveal the fresh, new skin underneath.
  • Avoid harsh soaps and detergents. These can strip your skin of its natural oils and make it dry and irritated.
  • Get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for healthy skin.
  • Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help to improve the overall health of your skin.
  • Manage stress. Stress can contribute to or worsen skin problems like as acne, rosacea and eczema.

We all want beautiful, healthy skin. By following these tips and consulting a professional when necessary, it’s possible to create a skincare routine that will help you achieve your goals.

How Stress Affects Skin and Hair Blog graphic

How Stress Affects Skin and Hair

Posted on by Editorial Team

There’s no doubt that stress has been a part of our existence over the past few years. A global pandemic, among other things, have challenged everyone to cope in different ways. In this blog post, we’ll be addressing how stress affects skin and hair, and what you can do to deal with these challenges.

How Stress Affects Skin

How does stress affect your skin? When we are stressed, our bodies undergo many changes that impact our skin. Psychodermatology studies the effects of our emotional states on our skin. Hormones like cortisol and adrenaline activate our “flight or fight” response. This can cause an increase in oil production, leading to increased acne. Excessive sweating, and decreased blood flow to the skin can provide the ideal environment for fungal infections and other skin conditions. Stress has been shown to trigger outbreaks of eczema and psoriasis.

Rosacea is another common skin condition that causes facial flushing and occasional blemishes. Its etiology is not really known, but there are many triggers that can bring on a rosacea flare-up, like alcohol, excessive heat or cold, or stressful situations. It also tends to run in families.

How Stress Affects Hair

How does stress affect our hair? While the hair shaft itself is not alive, it is attached to hair follicles, which are impacted by environmental and psychological stressors. Ever notice how our U.S. Presidents appear to turn gray almost overnight? Many have attributed this to the responsibilities inherent in their office. One Columbia University study demonstrated that, when stress was reduced, gray hair reverted back to its original color. Lifestyle factors like extreme dieting, malnutrition and sleep deprivation can also impact hair production and quality. Dehydration can affect both skin and hair, leaving it brittle and dull.

Improving Skin and Hair by Reducing Stress

While some sources of stress are beyond our control, we can find ways to mitigate the negative effects of stress on our bodies. This can help to improve skin and hair, as well as our overall health and wellbeing. Here are a few ideas;

  • Practice mindfulness – whether it’s journaling, yoga, or TM, it’s important to connect with your inner superpower to get through the challenging periods of your life.
  • Connect with your “Tribe” – no one can get through life alone, so find time to connect with the people (and/or animals) that mean something to you. Purge negative people from your life if you need to; they will only sap your energy.
  • Eat clean and healthy – Our diets can serve to mitigate the negative effects of stress. Proper hydration helps our bodies remove toxic by-products. Too much sugar can decrease immunity and stresses the skin. Ample antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, resveratrol and anthocyanins can neutralize harmful free radicals. Extreme dieting can exacerbate hair loss and leads to nutritional deficiencies. Incorporate lots of whole foods into your diet.
  • Get a good night’s sleep – The quality of our sleep is truly important in terms of our body’s ability to recover from stress. Things like avoiding blue screens late at night, comfort, a cool environment, progressive relaxation, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol will help you achieve deep, restorative sleep.
  • Keep moving – Our sedentary lifestyles don’t serve us well when it comes to stress. When our bodies move, we release endorphins (the “feel good” hormone”). Exercise can reduce blood pressure, improve circulation, and improve sleep. Whether it’s walking, yoga, or skateboarding, find a routine that you love and can maintain over time. That can include hobbies like gardening, cooking, painting or sewing. Working with our hands can be very therapeutic.
  • Find the self-care rituals that work for you – It’s important to find out what your skin responds to; when we’re living our best life, it often shows. For some it might be a massage or mani/pedi; for others, it’s lymphatic drainage or micro-needling. Or how about a bubble bath? Whatever you choose to do, make sure that it doesn’t stress out your skin and hair. Too much sun, bleaching and dermabrasion can leave skin and hair feeling dry and irritated.
  • Know what’s in your skincare and haircare products – More consumers are reading labels and that’s a good thing. It’s important to know what you’re using, in the event that you develop an allergic reaction, or if you have dry, sensitive or problem skin. Keep things simple and use one product at a time, if necessary, until you know how your skin and hair respond. Use products that include soothing ingredients like aloe, Vitamin E, castor oil, glycerin, allantoin and gentle oils and cleansers. If retinols are too harsh, try pro-retinol. Use a barrier sunscreen if you’re spending considerable time in the sun. Along with the previous steps, you’ll see (and feel) the difference during stressful times. To see our line of restorative skincare products, visit Our WEBA Naturals line.

Reference: https://www.insider.com/how-stress-hurts-your-skin-2019-5

Why Do A Nightime Routine Blog Post graphic

Why Do A Nighttime Routine?

Posted on by Editorial Team

You may love a good night-time skincare routine, but do you know what its benefits are? Read below to learn why a night-time routine can really benefit your skin.

What happens to your skin while you sleep

Your skin is the second-largest organ in your body, and as such it performs many functions. So what is happening to your skin while you sleep?

  • Your skin loses water – or “sweats” – while you sleep due to less oil production, which means that it’s important to counteract this moisture loss with a moisturizer. Oils like jojoba imitate the skin’s natural sebum, while oils like hemp and olive supply much-needed fatty acids to maintain elasticity.
  • Skin becomes drier due to this moisture loss, which makes an extra-emollient moisturizer all the more important. If your skin is normally dry, then slather it on!
  • Your skin needs the right amount of sleep in order to replenish itself. If you’ve ever pulled an all-nighter, you’ll notice that your skin is more sallow and your eyes are puffier. Lack of sleep also raises cortisol levels, which contributes to inflammation. Higher stress hormones can contribute to breakouts and other skin problems, as well. Hormones like Melatonin and Human Growth Hormone increase during sleep, making a good night’s sleep all the more important.
  • Skin is warmer at night, which can make it easier for skincare products to be absorbed. So why not take advantage of this and apply products like AHAs or BHAs to speed cell turnover while you sleep? Turnover tends to occur between about 11pm and 4 am, before body temperature drops to its lowest level during sleep. Skin is also more permeable, so products can be absorbed more easily.

What should your skincare routine look like?

We already know that a good moisturizer can counteract moisture loss while we sleep, but what else can we do to enhance our nighttime skincare routine?

  • Be sure to remove all traces of makeup and accumulated dirt gently before bed. A light oil-based makeup remover like Whole Earth Body Actives Facial Cleansing Oil and Makeup Remover is rich in Vitamin E and contains geranium oil to help balance sebum production. A gentle exfoliator will remove any dead skin cells.
  • Use products with ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, retinol and Vitamin C to help “detox” your skin, increase collagen production and reduce inflammation while you sleep. We like our Whole Earth Body Actives Age Defying Vitamin C Creme with Niacinamide. It’s gentle enough to use day and night for botanical-based antioxidant protection.
  • Get the best quality sleep that you can. Avoid electronic devices, caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals before bed. If you’re a side sleeper, a silk pillowcase can help prevent wrinkles while you sleep. Products like melatonin (which decreases as you age), or valerian extract (which can help you fall asleep) are non-habit forming and effective for some. Use a humidifier in winter and a dehumidifier/air purifier in the summer if needed to maintain a humidity level of about 45 percent and keep mucus membranes from drying out.

By spending just a little extra time at night, you can go a long way towards helping your skin to be its very best. And isn’t waking up to healthy skin worth it?