No matter your approach to skincare, the foundation for healthy skin lies with finding products you’ll enjoy using. We polled industry pros to uncover their favorite must-haves ranging from toners (such as Thayers’ beloved toner) and serums to body washes and toners like Thayers (one of our cult favorites!).
Exfoliation
Dead skin cell removal is essential to healthy and radiant skin. Doing so helps prevent clogged pores that lead to breakouts as well as reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and allows skincare products to penetrate more deeply into your skin to maximize effectiveness.
Physical exfoliation with scrubs and body polishes or chemical exfoliation with acids such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) products depends on personal choice and skin type; AHA and BHA products provide moisturization while exfoliating, so your skin won’t feel tight after exfoliation.
Oily skin types tend to benefit most from physical exfoliation as it allows thicker cells to tolerate coarser particles such as crushed nutsshells or seashells in scrubs such as crushed nutshells or ground fruit pits. But those with dry or sensitive skin should choose chemical exfoliators instead for gentle chemical exfoliation.
Serums
A serum can be likened to an extremely potent potion. Packed with concentrated doses of ingredients to address specific skin care concerns like wrinkles or dark spots, serums often boast greater active ingredient concentrations than typical moisturizers.
Serums are oil or water-based liquids designed to be easily absorbed, making them lighter than creams. Most come packaged in small bottles with droppers so just a few drops can go a long way. If you have sensitive skin, choose a face serum containing less potent ingredients like Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (a milder form of vitamin C) or Hyaluronic acid to help soothe and revitalize.
For oily or combination skin types, opt for serums containing antioxidants like niacinamide or glycolic acid to balance excess oils and brighten up your complexion. For dry skin types, select one with hydrating ingredients like glycerin or cross-linked hyaluronic acid as these will lock in moisture for long-lasting hydration of the complexion.
Moisturizer
Moisturization is key for maintaining healthy skin, and moisturizers play an integral part in keeping it that way. Moisturizing helps manage oil levels, strengthen the skin barrier, support microbiomes and refine skin texture.
Moisturizers come in several forms: lotion, cream and ointment – each providing its own method for absorbing and holding moisture in. Ointments offer superior hydration for very dry skin by boasting higher oil contents than gels or lotions and gels do.
Moisturizer should be used after cleansing and prior to applying other products. A light moisturizer can help balance oily skin while heavier moisturizers are ideal for dry or condition-prone skin, such as those suffering from psoriasis or eczema. The ideal healthy skin products contain humectants (moisturizers that attract water), occlusives (moisturizing ingredients that keep moisture locked-in), and antioxidants (anti-ageing ingredients). This balance can prevent excess oil production or over-drying; look out for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid which can plump fine lines and wrinkles.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the most essential skin-health products you can purchase and it should be applied daily. Sunscreen protects against the damaging effects of UV radiation exposure such as sunburn and skin cancer, and helps delay premature aging like wrinkles and dark spots.
Sunscreens come in two varieties – organic and inorganic. Organic sunscreens contain ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate that absorb UV radiation, while inorganic sunscreens (typically made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) work like shields against it by reflecting and scattering ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B rays back at their source. When selecting a broad-spectrum sunscreen it’s essential that it provides both protections.
Brush On Block offers all-natural organic mineral sunscreens that are cruelty-free, vegan, reef-friendly and water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Their simple formulas can easily be rubbed on and leave no white residue behind for safe and effective sun protection without harmful chemicals found in conventional chemical sun protection.
