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Protein Power: Amino Acids

Science 101: We are all made up of protein (we bet you knew this already). 

Alright then, you ask, but what does protein have to do with keeping my skin healthy?

Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are crucial for keeping healthy skin. They are essential for several physiological functions, such as collagen synthesis, wound healing, and hydration. You can get amino acids through diet and by using skincare products to apply them topically to your skin.

This blog post will examine the effectiveness of amino acids in skin care products for healthy, glowing skin, whether you are new to skincare or an experienced pro. A concentrated dose of these potent substances can be delivered to the skin by stacking amino acid-containing products, providing maximal effects.

Role of Amino Acids in Skincare

Amino acids come in a variety of varieties and are frequently included in skincare products. The most well-known amino acids are glycine, proline, arginine, and lysine. 

An amino acid called glycine aids in the promotion of collagen formation, which is necessary for preserving the suppleness of the skin and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

The amino acid proline serves to boost collagen formation and enhance skin tone and texture. Using proline-containing skincare products can be very helpful for promoting collagen formation and keeping healthy skin. 

For instance, a collagen serum including proline can aid in raising the concentration of this crucial amino acid in the skin, promoting collagen creation and enhancing the firmness and suppleness of the skin.

Lysine, another amino acid included in Vitamin C Serums, is beneficial for collagen formation. This amino acid is crucial for the formation of new collagen fibres and aids in the support of collagen synthesis. By supporting the skin's natural moisture barrier, the amino acid lysine can aid to ward against dryness and dehydration. 

Animo acids are even stronger together. Lysine can significantly increase the production of collagen when paired with proline, which helps to enhance skin texture and lessen the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, an amino acid called arginine aids in increasing blood flow to the skin, which can improve its general health and brightness.  

Amino acids can also assist to lessen swelling and shield the skin from environmental stresses like pollution and UV rays. 

With the elaborate science aside, you know that you can easily enhance the health and appearance of your skin by using skincare products that contain these powerful substances.

Layering Skincare Products With Amino Acids

Delivering the advantages of amino acid-containing skincare products to the skin can be done effectively by layering them.

You can address certain skin issues and give a more concentrated dosage of amino acids by using products with various formulations and concentrations.

To assist the skin get ready for greater absorption of future products, you can begin with a cleanser (Pro tip: our exfoliating cleanser is a great choice). It’s important to start with a product containing Vitamin C and an amino acid called Lysine which will help strengthen and reinforce your skin. 

Next, to increase collagen production and enhance skin texture, you might use a serum with a higher concentration of amino acids, like proline or arginine. An HA Serum (Hyaluronic Acid)  would be a perfect second product to apply. 

Onto step 3. A Collagen Serum will help maintain hydration and safeguard your skin's natural barrier. This works together with the HA serum to allow your face to hold moisture, promote elasticity, and nourish the skin. If you have acne-prone skin, we’d recommend a sensitive skin option. 

You may finish your layering routine with a night cream. Our cream contains 5 peptides to rejuvenate your skin cells. 

You can improve the amino acids' absorption and potency by layering these products in order.

When goods are administered in a particular sequence, lighter items are applied first, followed by heavier creams or oils, which help the skin absorb them more effectively. You may maximize the advantages of skincare products containing amino acids and enhance the general health and appearance of your skin by layering them.

Tips For Layering Skincare Products

There are a few suggestions to bear in mind while layering skincare products that include amino acids in order to maximize their advantages. 

1. Use products correctly, beginning with the smallest weight and ending with the heaviest. This guarantees that the skin can effectively absorb each substance.

1. Wait for each product to completely soak before putting on the subsequent one. Be patient and take your time with this; don't rush through your skincare routine. You can make sure that your skin is receiving the greatest benefit possible from each component by giving each product time to absorb completely.

1. Finally, keep any possible interactions between items in mind. Certain components might not work well with others and might irritate people or lessen the potency of other ingredients. 

To make sure the products you're using are compatible, if you're unsure, speak with a skincare expert or conduct some research.

Conclusion

In conclusion, amino acids are a potent component of skincare products that can offer a variety of advantages, such as increasing the formation of collagen, enhancing hydration, and shielding the skin from external elements. 

As you look into the mirror, you might find yourself wondering about the ingredients that make up the skincare products you use daily. With so many different options available, it can be overwhelming to figure out what's best for your skin. That's why we've decided to ask experts in natural skincare for advice and take a closer look at natural skincare ingredients and how they can help to nourish, protect, and transform your skin. From coconut oil's moisturizing properties to aloe vera's soothing effects and rosehip oil's anti-aging secrets, in this article, we explore some of the most powerful natural ingredients that you should consider incorporating into your daily routine. So, join us on this journey as we discover the benefits and potentials of Mother Nature's gifts to skincare.

The Power of Nature: A Guide to Natural Skincare Ingredients

Before we start exploring all the amazing natural skincare ingredients, it's good to remember that skincare is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to achieving healthy, radiant skin. Other factors, such as hydration, diet, and exercise, play a crucial role in maintaining the overall health of your skin.

Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated will help flush out toxins and keep your skin plump and refreshed. And if you want healthy and youthful skin, it helps to stay active and be mindful of your diet on top of that. You might be wondering how exercise can give you better skin. Regular exercise can help increase blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to your skin while also aiding in eliminating toxins.

Additionally, good sleep also plays a significant role in skin health. A lack of sleep can lead to increased inflammation, which can result in various skin issues, such as acne, wrinkles, and dull skin. All these, together with a good skincare routine,are the key to healthy and beautiful skin. Now let's find out what magical ingredients Mother Nature has in store for us!

#1 Vitamin C: The Brightening Boost

Out of all vitamins for healthy skin, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an absolute must in your routine. It's a powerful antioxidant that can help to brighten and even out skin tone. It can also help to protect the skin from environmental damage and boost collagen production. Vitamin C is a key ingredient in protecting the skin from UV damage. You can find it in various forms, such as serum, oil, or cream. When looking for products with vitamin C, make sure to choose those that have a high concentration of L-ascorbic acid. This is the most stable and effective form of vitamin C.

#2 Coconut Oil: The Multitasking Moisturizer

Coconut oil is a versatile and nourishing ingredient that can benefit all skin types. It's rich in fatty acids, which help to moisturize deeply and protect the skin. Its antibacterial properties make it an excellent choice for fighting acne, and you can also use it to soothe eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, coconut oil can also be used as a makeup remover and as a hair conditioner. On top of that, it's also one of the most common ingredients in natural sunscreens.

#3 Peptides: The Anti-Aging Solution

Peptides are small chains of amino acids that play a crucial role in the health of our skin. They can help to boost collagen production and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Peptides can be found in various forms, such as serums, creams, and masks.

#4 Amino Acids: The Moisturizing Marvel

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and they are essential for maintaining the health of our skin. They can help to retain moisture and improve the skin's texture and elasticity. They can also help to reduce inflammation and improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

#5 Tea Tree Oil: The Acne Fighter

Tea tree oil is a powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent that can help to clear up acne and prevent future breakouts. Its antimicrobial properties make it effective against a wide range of bacteria and other skin irritants. You can use it as a spot treatment or add it to your cleanser or moisturizer for added benefits. Keep in mind that tea tree oil is quite strong. Therefore, you should use it in dilution and always patch test before applying it to the whole face.

#6 Hyaluronic Acid: The Hydration Hero

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it an excellent ingredient for hydration. It can help to plump up the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and improve skin elasticity. Nowadays, you can find it in the form of serums, creams, and masks.

#7 Silver Carp Collagen: The Collagen Booster

Collagen is a protein that makes up a significant part of our skinand is responsible for keeping it firm and elastic. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin. Silver carp collagen is a marine collagen that is known for its high bioavailability and efficiency in supporting skin, hair, and nail health. You can use it in the form of a serum or as a part of a different skincare product. Or, you can even take it as a supplement.

#8 Aloe Vera: The Calming Agent

Aloe vera is a well-known ingredient for its soothing and healing properties. It is packed with vitamins and minerals that can help reduce inflammation, hydrate the skin, and even improve skin tone. It can also help to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Aloe vera is gentle enough for sensitive skin and can be used to treat sunburns and other types of skin irritation.

#9 Rosehip Oil: The Anti-Aging Secret

Rosehip oil is a natural source of antioxidants, which are known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Rosehip oil is light, fast-absorbing, and non-greasy, making it suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. It can be used as a standalone oil or added to your existing skincare routine.

What Natural Skincare Ingredients Will You Start Using?

There's no denying the benefits of natural skincare ingredients and their power to improve your skin's overall health and appearance. Lucky for us, nature has provided us with an abundance of ingredients that can effectively nourish, protect and transform our skin. So don't be afraid to explore and experiment with these miracle workers and find what works best for your skin type.

But the real magic happens when you make a choice to go natural. When you start using natural ingredients on your skin, you not only take care of yourself but also take a small step towards preserving the environment. Nature has provided us with everything we need to have healthy, glowing skin, and it's time we start taking advantage of that. So, let's make the conscious choice of going natural, and in doing so, not only will we achieve the skin of our dreams but also play our part in preserving the earth for future generations.

We know that finding skin care for oily skin can be confusing, especially when so many products claim to be “good for oily skin” but really aren't. 

So today, we're going to break down exactly what your perfect skin care routine should look like if you have oily skin (including products!).

Cleanse & Exfoliate

The first step in good skin care for oily skin is cleansing and exfoliating your face. You should wash your face twice daily using warm water and a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and makeup. 

Try to find a cleanser that works well for your specific skin type; this will ensure that it won't dry out your skin or leave behind residue after use. 

Next, make sure to exfoliate twice a week to remove oil and dead skin cells that can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.

Finding a good cleanser and a good exfoliator can be a difficult process. At Aiona Alive, we’ve made this decision easier by creating an award-winning exfoliating cleanser that can be used on any skin type. 

Our E-Citrus Exfoliating Cleanser penetrates deep into your skin to remove blackheads and makeup. The lather easily washes off without residue. Another benefit is this exfoliating cleanser will last you a year if you use it twice a day!

Anti-Oxidant

Having a high sebum output (in other words: having oily skin) can increase lipid peroxidation. This means that more sebum can be turned into free radicals which cause acne and premature aging. 

The good news is that this can be prevented by using an anti-oxidant in the form of a Vitamin C serum. The antioxidants effectively block the effect of lipid peroxidation and prevent wrinkles and acne.

At Aiona Alive, we made Vitamin C even better by combining it with peptides and amino acids into one powerful serum. 

Vitamin C and peptides enhance each other's collagen-producing effects and work together to fight wrinkles. Within a few days, not only will the Vitamin C prevent acne in oily skin, but you’ll also notice a drastic improvement in your skin’s elasticity and texture.

Moisturize

All skin types need to moisturize. However, if you have oily skin, you must be careful about the type of moisturizer you use. Try to find a moisturizer that is

• Oil-free
• Water-based
• Lightweight 

We know it’s hard to find skin care for oily skin with all these criteria, so we created our own moisturizer. Our E-Sensual Moisturizer is a lightweight, all-natural formula that easily absorbs into your skin to create a breathable moisture mask.

To Summarize

If you have oily skin, one of the best things you can do is create a skincare routine that works specifically for your skin type. Good skin care for oily skin can not only reduce visible shine on your face, but it can also minimize breakouts and prevent wrinkles.

If you’re interested in natural skincare products suitable for all skin types, visit our shop. 

We can all agree that the last few years were incredibly stressful. The pandemic made us all anxious and scared. So many things were happening at once it was hard to keep up and cope with everything. Though things have slowed down a bit in the last few months, we are out of lockdown. However, the consequences of that time are still visible. Long periods of stress like that usually leave a mark on both our bodies and our minds. But nowhere is it more visible than on our skin. When a person goes through a challenging stress-filled period, it can lead to skin fatigue. It’s a common occurrence, but not everyone always knows what it is, how to recognize and, even more important, how to combat it. So we decided to shine a little light on this issue that affects many people.

Skin Fatigue – What is it?

First, let us explain what skin fatigue is and how it manifests. Skin fatigue is not a thing that happens overnight. It occurs over a period of time, and the causes are usually stress and an unhealthy lifestyle. There are a few characteristics of an unhealthy lifestyle. It’s typically bad sleep patterns, lack of physical activity, or a bad diet. In addition, smoking or drug abuse are very detrimental to the health of your skin. You may not see it immediately, but these bad habits are wreaking havoc on your body. Specifically, they damage your collagen.

Collagen gives our skin hydration and elasticity, keeping it from sagging and making us look younger. So when we spend a lot of time living unhealthily, collagen can’t do its job properly. In turn, our skin starts looking dull and tired. Dark circles that don’t seem to go away form around our eyes, and our eyes start to look puffy. These are the signs that you are experiencing skin fatigue.

How to prevent it?

Before we get into how to combat skin fatigue, we will start with how to prevent it. Prevention is better than cure, right? Well, prevention is directly tied to the cause of the issue, which is stress and an unhealthy lifestyle. While we can’t always avoid stress because we can’t control what happens to us all the time, we can do something about our lifestyle. To prevent skin fatigue, first, you must make sure you have good sleeping habits.

Sleeping just two hours a night or sleeping all day isn’t going to cut it. You need to have at least 8 hours of sound sleep per night. Physical activity is a must, not just for skin fatigue but for our general well-being. Your diet needs to be healthy and balanced, which means more vegetables and proteins and cutting back on added sugars. Also, quitting smoking is necessary if you want to protect your skin.

How to combat it?

Now that we covered the basics of skin fatigue, the next important question is, “How to combat it?” And luckily, there are some simple things you can do to make it better. Here are some things to implement in your skincare routine to make your skin glow again.

Get rid of dead skin cells

As we said previously, skin fatigue manifests by making your face dull and tired. One of the reasons for that is a layer of dead skin cells that diminish the natural glow of your face. Luckily you can solve this by using a good exfoliator. The only issue is people don’t always know what makes a good exfoliator.

If you’re a beginner, we strongly recommend starting with chemical exfoliation instead of manual exfoliation. The main reason is that you don’t know how your skin will react at first. Manual exfoliation is harsher on the skin and can do more damage than good.

However, don’t let this scare you into not giving exfoliation a go. It is a perfect way to depuff your face and return its glow. Additionally, it will clear clogged pores and allow your skin to grow in a healthier way. But remember, exfoliating is not something you should do every day, as too much can harm your skin. You should not do it more than two to three times per week.

Moisturize

There is no surprise that the next step is moisturizing. Even if you do everything else on this list but skip moisturizing, you won’t get excellent results. Without good moisturization, your skin will look dull, tired, and dry. Depending on your skin type, dry, oily, or standard, find a deep moisturizer that you will use daily. A good day and night cream go a long way in skincare and combating skin fatigue.

Face mask

Face masks are growing increasingly popular in the skincare world. And there is a good reason for that. They give your face a quick boost whenever you may need it. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to be at an important event and look presentable, but your face looks tired, you can give it a quick boost with a face mask. It will only take about 15 minutes, and you will immediately see the effects. Of course, face masks aren’t a replacement for a good skincare routine, just a great tool when you are in a time pinch.

Be consistent

What makes a skincare routine successful is consistency. If you skip it too many times, you won’t see the results you want. That being said, the key here is planning. For example, long-distance moving to Vancouver and hiring movers can take a long time, and you will probably spend a lot of time traveling. And while experts can make it stress-free, it is up to you to take care of your skin during that time. So if you know you will spend a whole day in the car or a plane while traveling to your new home, prepare an overnight bag with all your skincare products. That way, you will still be able to keep up with your routine. No matter the situation, prepare that bag just in case.

In conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this article, you now have the answers to the question “Skin fatigue- What is it and how to combat it?” As you can see, it is crucial that you are consistent with your routine and don’t make excuses. Also, combining your skincare routine with a healthy lifestyle would be best. Only then will you have the best possible results.

Let’s face it, we all want glowing skin. 

And if you’ve been keeping up with skincare trends, many people are raving about Vitamin C serum and it’s amazing properties.

From brightening dull skin to protecting against free radical damage, Vitamin C is an all-around great addition to your skin care routine.

But while many of us are aware of these benefits, knowing how to use Vitamin C serum in your routine can be tricky.

To help you out, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to use Vitamin C serum in your skincare routine.

In this blog, we’ll be using the Aiona Alive System. This system incorporates a full skincare routine with natural ingredients that complement and enhance each other’s effects. This maximizes the benefits of each ingredient and produces visible results in your skin. To experience the full benefit of each product, use our carefully curated step-by step system.

A Quick Note About The Order Of Skincare

Before we jump into our step-by-step guide, let’s briefly dicuss the order of applying skincare.

Skincare products should be applied in a specific order so you can experience the maximum benefits of each product. The order makes a difference in the way your skin looks and feels.

To apply skin care products, follow the rule of “thinnest to thickest.” Start with the skin care product with the thinnest consistency and end with the product with the thickest consistency.

The Aiona Alive system is already numbered with the order of each product. If you’re ever confused, check the instructions for the “step number” of that product.

Prepare Your Skin

Before you start adding products to your skin, it's important to make sure your face is clean. 

Cleansing removes dirt and impurities from your skin so they don’t get stuck under your skincare products and clog up your pores.

A good cleanser should feel gentle on your skin and be suitable for your skin type. At Aiona Alive, we strongly believe in natural skincare products. Our award-winning E-Citrus Exfoliating Cleanser includes natural ingredients that won’t cause burning or irritation. 

Step 1 - Use Vitamin C Serum

After your face is washed, make sure it’s completely dry before applying Vitamin C serum. This is because Vitamin C absorbs best on clean, dry skin. 

To apply, place a few drops into your palm or directly on your face. Then, gently pat it on your skin.

Let the serum completely absorb into your skin before moving on to the next step.

How To Enhance The Effects Of Vitamin C

Pairing Vitamin C with peptides enhances the effects of both products.

But what exactly are peptides and where can you find them? 

Peptides are made up of amino acids. Amino acids stimulate the dermis layer of your skin to make collagen. Collagen improves your skin’s elasticity, fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. 

When Vitamin C and peptides are used together, they strengthen each other's collagen-producing effects. This amplifies the benefit to your skin and produces visible improvement.

At Aiona Alive, we combined Vitamin C, peptides, and amino acids into an effective Vitamin C serum. In this way, you can experience the amazing combination of peptides and Vitamin C in one powerful product. Within a few days, you’ll notice a visible improvement in your skin’s elasticity, texture, and brightness.

What To Avoid When Using Vitamin C Serum

While Vitamin C serum is pretty adaptable, there are a few ingredients you should avoid when using it:

• Retinoids 
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Hydroxy acids
• Niacinamide

When combined with Vitamin C, these ingredients can lead to skin irritation or cancel out the effects of both products.

When To Use Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C serum can be incorporated into your morning or evening skincare routine – or even both!

When used in the morning, Vitamin C’s UV-protectant properties help prevent premature aging caused by free radicals.

At night, your skin starts its repair process: blood flow increases to your skin and repairs fine lines, wrinkles, and UV-ray damage. Because of this, using Vitamin C at night has a very effective impact on reducing fine lines and evening out skin tone.

To experience the full benefit of Vitamin C serum, we recommend using it both morning and night.

Step 2 - Apply Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Step 2 in the Aiona Alive system is the Moisture HA Serum.

Mixing Hyaluronic Acid serum and Vitamin C serum in your skincare routine creates powerful results.

Vitamin C improves your skin’s texture, decreases pigmentation, and boosts radiance.

At the same time, Hyaluronic Acid draws in moisture to your skin. This plumps the skin and decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

However, many people struggle with how to use Vitamin C serum and Hyaluronic Acid in the same routine. This is because both products have a different method of application:

• Vitamin C should be applied on clean, dry skin
• Hyaluronic Acid should be applied on clean, damp skin

So, Which Order Should You Apply These Serums?

Vitamin C should always be applied before Hyaluronic Acid.

This is because Vitamin C is very unstable and loses potency when it comes into contact with air, light, and water. To avoid this, it’s best to apply Vitamin C right away to clean, dry skin.

If you apply Hyaluronic Acid after Vitamin C, your skin does not need to be damp. This is because Hyaluronic Acid can absorb moisture from the environment – you don’t need to provide it yourself.

Step 3- Collagen Serum

We’re almost done!

Step 3 in the Aiona Alive system is the E-ternal Collagen Serum - All Skin.

Collagen works synergestically with Hyaluronic Acid by enhacing the water holding properties of Hyaluronic Acid. Because of this, adding Collagen serum after Hyaluronic Acid ensures your skin experiences the amazing benefits of both.

To apply, pump some collagen serum into the palm of your hand and then gently pat it into your face.

For maximum benefits, wait until the collagen serum is completely absorbed into your skin before continuing to the next step.

To get the most out of this serum, use it both in your morning and evening skincare routine.

Step 4 - Apply Moisturizer

In this last step, lock in all of your skincare by applying a moisturizer.

When choosing a moisturizer, pay attention to its ingredients. Avoid harsh chemicals and too much fragrance because these will irritate the skin.

The Aiona Alive system emphasizes using complementary ingredients together. That’s why we recommend using a moisturizer with amino acids and peptides in this routine. Layering amino acids and peptides leads to effective results on your skin.

We’ve already looked at the positive effects of using peptides with Vitamin C, but what about with Hyaluronic Acid?

The peptides work with Hyaluronic Acid to retain moisture in the skin – resulting in increased hydration and plumping effects.

You can find all these ingredients in our Moisturizing Night Crème. This cream contains 5 different types of peptides that work together to create smooth, supple skin.

To Summarize 

Vitamin C serums are becoming increasingly popular among skincare enthusiasts for their numerous benefits such as improved complexion and brightened skin.  

To experience its benefits, knowing how to use Vitamin C serum correctly in your skincare is important. If you’re ever confused about the order, just remember the rule of “thinnest to thickest.”

Lastly, remember that everyone’s skin is different. So what works for one person may not necessarily work for someone else. This is why it’s important to listen to your skin and respond accordingly by modifying your routine or adding new products.

If you’re interested in natural skincare products suitable for all skin types, visit our shop. 

Happy Glowing!

Whiteheads,the bane of our existence.

They might pop up when you're about to go on a date or before an important meeting at work. 

But what are whiteheads? Is there a way to get rid of them? Does everyone get them? We'll answer all these questions and more in this article.

What Are Whiteheads?

Whiteheads are a type of acne that is typically caused by a buildup of dead skin cells, oil and bacteria in one of your pores. Whiteheads are characterized by a small, white bump on the skin that is filled with pus and other matter. They can be located indifferent areas of the face, including the nose, chin and cheeks.

Whiteheads are not painful and do not cause any pain or irritation. However, they can be annoying to deal with!

What Causes Whiteheads?

Now that we’ve answered “what are whiteheads,” let’s discuss what exactly causes them.

Whiteheads are caused by clogged pores and there are many reasons pores can become blocked. The most common reason for a blocked pore is excess sebum, which is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. 

Excess sebum can be influenced by hormone changes during:

• Pregnancy
• Menstruation 
• Certain birth control pills

Whiteheads can also can be caused by exposure to dirt and by dead skin cells. These culprits block your pores and cause a whitehead to form.

How To Treat Whiteheads

Some of you may have skipped the “what are whiteheads” section and jumped straight to this section. If you did – we understand!

However, after this section we recommend going back and reading about the causes of whiteheads and exactly how they form. We’ll be referencing the material we discussed in this section.

Now, let’s dive into whitehead treatments. 

Hyaluronic Acid

As we discussed in “what are whiteheads” (we told you that section will come up!), whiteheads can occur due to overproduction of sebum that can clog pores. 

Hyaluronic acid not only helps increase moisture in your skin, but it also controls excess sebum production. This makes hyaluronic acid a great ingredient for whitehead prevention and treatment.

At Aiona Alive Skin Care, we offer hyaluronic acid serum with handpicked ingredients that are specially designed to absorb fast without clogging pores.

Exfoliate

If you have white heads,  no matter how small or large, you need to exfoliate. 

Exfoliation is the key to getting rid of whiteheads because it removes dead skin cells that clog your pores and cause acne.

At Aiona Alive, our award winning E-citrus Exfoliating Cleanser penetrates deep into your pores to remove oil and dirt build-up. It also exfoliates with decyl glucoside – a natural surfactant made from raw materials.

We’re Here To Help

At Aiona Alive, we’re here for any questions you may have. You can also shop our natural skin care collection on our site. 

So whether you’re still wondering “what are whiteheads” or have any other questions, please contact us!

Skin care started in the teen years results in healthy and glowing skin later in adulthood. Although your skin is currently bouncy and has strong elasticity, it doesn't mean you don't need moisturizer in your cosmetic kit. Also, rest assured it doesn't take long to prep your skin for the day. However, it's important to learn how to do it right. Our tips to effective skin care tips for teenagers are here to help you build a simple skincare routine that keeps your face fresh and nourished - even after all-night study sessions.

1 - Wash and moisturize your face daily

Make your morning skincare routine a ritual you won’t skip. First, wash your face with a mild face wash. If you have an acne-prone skin, you can use a gentle exfoliating cleanser once a day, before going to bed. Next, apply a decent amount of rich moisturizer. Teen skincare routine doesn’t necessarily involve active ingredients. Therefore, it’s enough to use a daily glycerine-rich moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid - a humectant that retains skin moisture all day.

Keep in mind your skin needs a proper moisturizer in summer and winter:

• Gel moisturizer - Rich winter moisturizers won’t help in the summer heat and humidity. That’s why you need gel creams your skin will absorb quickly. If not sure which gel creams to choose, ask a pharmacist or dermatologist for recommendations.
• Dense moisturizers - Skin gets dry faster in winter than in summer. That’s why gel creams might not be enough. Therefore, swap them for rich, thick moisturizers.

2 -  Introduce SPF to your skincare routine

The Sun doesn't make a difference whether you're at a beach, hiking outside, or moving - sun protection (30 and higher) is a must. Moving to a new city in Canada, especially in summer, is way more challenging. That's why it's important for your skin to stay healthy through this demanding endeavour. Regular moisturizing and SPF will maintain its glow. 

Of course, wearing SPF isn't the only thing you will have to worry about during relocation. This process is a lot more complicated than that, regardless of the season. Summer moves are the more popular option, but they don't come without their challenges. 

Moving experts at Professional Movers Canada advise regular communication with the movers to have a smooth relocation in every way possible. Therefore, don't hesitate to remind them to tackle one box at a time to avoid mess and chaos. Moreover, less mess and dust flying around minimize the risk of skin irritations. 

3 – One of the most effective skin care tips for teenagers is to make sure the products you use are oil-free

Don’t buy any product until you are sure it doesn’t contain oils. What you need is a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer. Ask a dermatologist or pharmacist for recommendations.

4 - Sleep on a clean pillowcase

Dirt and dead skin flakes accumulate on our pillows faster than you might think. If you want to have clear, acne-free skin, make sure to change a pillowcase more often.

5 - Treat acne on time

Acne is a common problem among teenagers, but not unsolvable. Instead of looking for random online advice, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. A professional will give you sound advice and recommend proper skin treatment for your skin type. The sooner you tackle your acne breakouts, the faster you’ll get rid of them for good.

6 - Exfoliate once in two weeks

Exfoliation makes the skin smooth and free from dead patches. However, make sure not to over-exfoliate, or else your skin will suffer irritations. Also, choose chemical exfoliants over aggressive scrubs containing granules (they're better for body exfoliation). Contrary to mainstream opinion, exfoliation is best done once in ten days or two weeks, according to professional dermatologists. That way, you keep your skin fresh and allow it to renew. Constant exfoliation could make your skin dry, prone to irritations and infections, and super red. 

7 - Keep caffeine and sugar intake low

Sugary foods and coffee consumed once in a while won’t do permanent damage to your skin. However, they might tamper with the quality of your skin in the long run. Alcohol dehydrates your skin, while sugar breaks down elastin and collagen - the two main components that make your skin firm and healthy. Try to stay away from caffeine and sugar for a week. You’ll notice an improvement in your skin texture.

8 - Don’t go to bed before you wash makeup or face paint off your face

Good sleep is the only thing you have in mind after a friend's birthday or Halloween party. However, you should remember to take your makeup or face paint off and go to bed with a clean face. Sleeping with makeup and paint clogs pores and cause acne to break big time. So, do your best to muster extra effort to clean your face and wake up without the uncomfortable feeling of having an extra layer on your face.

Here’s how to do it right:

1. Remove makeup/face paint with either balm or oil-based remover.
2. Wash your face thoroughly with face wash.
3. Apply moisturizer.

9 - Test the products before you purchase them

Spot test will show you whether a product is right for your skin:

• Apply a generous amount of a test product on the inside of the arm or neck slide.
• Do this for at least a week and apply a thick amount each time.
• In case you sense itchiness or notice redness, wash off the product immediately.

 If your skin experiences frequent irritations and redness, know it’s nothing to be concerned about. Too many actives in one product usually cause these issues. However, don’t take this for granted. After all, everyone's skin reacts differently to even a common ingredient like hyaluronic acid. That’s why the fastest route to an established skincare routine starts with an appointment with an expert dermatologist. They will help you find what works for you so you can carry on with your skin routine without worries.

10 - Don’t forget to hydrate

You’ve probably heard countless times how water benefits your skin in the long run. And be sure it’s not an exaggeration. Drinking water is one of the most common indirect skin care tips for teenagers one can give you. Daily water intake (around 2L) regulates the digestive system, combats brain fog, and maintains a fresh skin appearance.

Final words

As you may notice, the most effective skin care tips for teenagers are about regular hygiene, a healthy lifestyle, and a couple of quality products in your cosmetic bag. Furthermore, skincare is far from being expensive. Nowadays, you can obtain cheap yet quality products that do the work just fine. And remember - it takes prolonged use and lifestyle changes to start noticing positive results. That's why skincare should be a habit!

Exfoliation; it's a crucial component of any skincare regimen since it allows active ingredients to penetrate the skin, removes dead skin cells, lessens fine lines and wrinkles, and promotes overall healthier, more radiant skin. And because it's considered an "additional" step that most people don't really make time for on a daily basis, it's frequently disregarded. However, excessive exfoliation has its own risks. What are some of the signs of over exfoliation, and how can you heal the skin? Stick around to find out.

Why Should You Exfoliate?

The primary purpose of exfoliation is to assist in removing an outer layer so that fresher, healthier cells can emerge. And if you do it properly, there are lots of advantages. For starters, exfoliation can clear clogged pores. Doing so also removes acne-inducing bacteria and helps you achieve that clean, healthy look inside-out. Moreover, exfoliating helps you get rid of dark spots, dry patches, and other unusual textures by improving your skin tone.

Finally, The quantity of collagen you naturally produce starts to decrease as you get older. On the other hand, exfoliation induces moderate stress in the skin, causing it to restart, ultimately aiding in plumping, tightening, and reducing fine lines.

How Frequently Should You Exfoliate?

How frequently should your skin be exfoliated? There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Still, you should start once or twice per week. Make it a part of your weekly routine, especially in the summer.

For beginners, chemical exfoliation is often a little kinder on the skin than manual exfoliation. Also, manual exfoliation can sometimes produce micro-tearing that can have terrible consequences over time. So, start slowly and observe how your skin responds. Look out for the signs of over exfoliation, then make adjustments. However, even if your skin looks good, don't exfoliate your skin more than three times a week. Some believe that exfoliating every day will make their skin healthier but will actually, in turn, make it worse.

Signs of Over Exfoliation

Some typical signs of over-exfoliation include redness, itchiness, and even peeling in some cases. Furthermore, you might experience breakouts with smaller pimples than hormonal ones and increased sensitivity to your usual products.

One sign of excessive use is trickier to identify: the skin may take on a tight, waxy texture that can be mistaken for a healthy glow. It's anything but that in reality.

How to Heal the Skin?

The first thing you need to do to heal the skin from over exfoliation is to stop exfoliating. Don't use scrubs or chemical exfoliators until your skin has recovered and is at its baseline texture. Depending on the individual, 'baseline texture' simply refers to the skin's texture before overexposure. Your default texture will be that if you've always been prone to acne. All you're doing is waiting for the over-exfoliation symptoms to go away. However, keep in mind all the other lifestyle changes you made recently. Your skin might have trouble returning to its baseline texture if other things are affecting it in the meantime. For example, in some cases, moving to a new place or a warmer climate can have consequences you didn't expect. Although it sounds strange, changes like this can affect your skin in numerous ways that seem similar to over exfoliation.

Calm Irritation in the Moment

You can use a cold compress to soothe burning right away after an episode of excessive exfoliation. Moreover, hydrocortisone cream may also aid in reducing inflammation and redness. Aloe gel is well recognized as healing capabilities if you have one on hand. However, depending on how exposed and raw the regions are, it can occasionally be irritating. In the instance of severe damage, applying a natural aloe plant might be the best option.

Moisturize & Protect Your Skin

After you've stopped exfoliating, you should switch from foaming to mild cleansers and eliminate all highly scented products in your routine. However, you should also keep your routine as close to your regular routine as possible. Moisturize regularly using quality products, and don't forget to put on sunscreen every day.

Instead of a regular moisturizer, consider using hyaluronic acid since it's a highly effective moisturizer that can hydrate the skin and relieve any tightness, flaking, or irritation that may have resulted from over-exfoliation.

Additionally, you'll require occlusives, which create a barrier on the skin to protect it, keep moisture within, and assist your natural barrier recovery. Using face oils with jojoba, marula, and squalane is a good idea since they are less prone to irritate or produce acne.

When picking out sunscreen, make sure you know what ingredients to avoid since they can bring more damage to your sensitive skin. Nevertheless, SPF is generally essential after exfoliating since it breaks down the skin barrier that usually protects you from UV rays.

Avoiding Stress

As we already said, many things can affect your skin, not just your beauty products and regimens. So, if you want to help you heal your skin after over exfoliating, you should try to avoid stress as much as possible. If you're going through life-changing events, such as relocation, you should still find ways to de-stressand consider relaxing after the move. You can do this by taking some time for yourself, meditating, journaling, etc. Believe it or not, this can make a massive change for both your skin and your mental health.

In Conclusion

While it's easy to get carried away and over exfoliate, you must know the signs of over exfoliation and what you need to do to heal the skin afterward. When you notice your skin is itchy, red, or waxy, it's time to stop exfoliating and focus on healing your skin back to its baseline texture. You can do this by cutting out harmful beauty products and focusing on hydrating your skin and protecting it from UV rays while it's still sensitive. After it's returned to normal, you can continue exfoliating, but not more than once or twice a week.

Meta:

Redness, itchiness, flakiness – look out for the signs of over exfoliation and learn how to heal your skin after it happens.

The secret to beautiful skin is in your kitchen.

That's right—you don’t need Kardashian money to have great skin. The right nutrients can help your skin repair itself, fight free radicals, and look younger for longer. 

So, if you want an easy way to boost your beauty while you eat, check out our list below!

Vitamin D

We’re going to kick off this list with vitamin D - or as we like to call it: the sunshine vitamin. 

Before we jump into the benefits of this vitamin for healthy skin, we’re going to have a (very brief!) crash course. 

Vitamin D 101

There are 2 sources of vitamin D: the sun and your diet.

The sun is your biggest source of vitamin D production. When UV rays hit your skin, they convert the cholesterol in your body into vitamin D. 

You can also get vitamin D in your diet through foods like salmon, chestnut, mushrooms, egg yolk, or fortified milk. 

However, since there are so few foods with vitamin D, you may need to take supplements if the sun isn’t shining where you are. 

Our BIGGEST piece of advice for vitamin D supplements: take them with a meal containing healthy fats. This is because vitamin D is absorbed in fat and not water. Therefore, taking vitamin D with fat can significantly increase the benefits of this vitamin for healthy skin. 

Benefits Of This Vitamin For Healthy Skin

If you're trying to achieve that perfect, healthy glow, there's nothing like vitamin D.

The benefits of this vitamin for healthy skin are numerous so let's dive in.

Benefit #1: vitamin D helps increase blood flow to the surface of the skin. This promotes cell turnover and keeps your complexion looking smooth and glowing.

Benefit #2: it reduces inflammation and redness. In fact, it’s used clinically to alleviate symptoms of psoriasis and eczema. 

Benefit #3: topical vitamin D protects your skin from premature aging. This is due to vitamin D’s antioxidant properties which protect your skin from environmental toxins.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the most popular vitamins for healthy skin. Once you see the benefits, we’re sure you’ll become a fan as well.

Let’s start with a (brief) crash course.

Vitamin C 101

There are three important facts you need to know when using this vitamin for healthy skin.

First, vitamin C must be taken through your diet or supplements. Unlike vitamin D, our bodies don’t naturally produce it.

Secondly, because vitamin C is water-soluble, your body tissues don’t store it as well as vitamins D and E. Therefore, make sure you're meeting your daily vitamin C requirements. 

Lastly, vitamin C breaks down when exposed to air or light. So, make sure the vitamin C you use is stored in a dark container.

Benefits of this vitamin for healthy skin

Vitamin C is the ultimate beauty vitamin. It's a potent antioxidant, it helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and it helps keep your skin looking young and fresh.

Let’s discuss the benefits of this vitamin for healthy skin:

Benefit #1: vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps your body fight off free radicals. Free radicals are toxins that can either come from outside your body (like air pollution) or inside your body (during metabolism). Vitamin C combats these free radicals so they don’t damage your skin. This helps prevent the signs of aging on the skin.  

Benefit #2: it helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. When applied topically, vitamin C blocks the production of a pigment in our skin (melanin). 

Benefit #3: vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the redness and swelling of acne. 

If you’re itching to get your hands on this vitamin for healthy skin, we have you covered!

You can get all this goodness from our E-sensual moisturizer. 

Our proprietary blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and plant extracts work together to give your skin all the benefits you need to look young and radiant.

Vitamin E

The benefits of vitamin E for skin care are endless and we can’t wait to talk about them!

But first, our last crash course.

Vitamin E 101

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that acts as both an anti-inflammatory and an anti-aging ingredient. It's also hydrating, so it helps keep your skin moisturized.

Similar to vitamin C, you’ll find this vitamin in a dark container since it breaks down when exposed to light or air. 

It’s easy to add vitamin E to your diet since it’s found in so many foods: plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits.

Benefits of this vitamin for healthy skin

Vitamin E is essential for healthy skin and can help you maintain a vibrant complexion.

In fact, many people consider vitamin E to be one of the best vitamins for healthy skin. But don't just take our word for it—look at these amazing benefits:

Benefit #1: similar to vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant and prevents the negative effects of free radicals. In other words: it has anti-aging properties.

Benefit #2: since it’s fat-soluble, this vitamin is extremely moisturizing. Vitamin E penetrates deep into your skin and provides up to 16 hours of hydration!

Benefit #3: vitamin E is a photo-protectant. So, if you use it with sunscreen, you can increase protection against sun damage. This means preventing dark spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and all the other negative effects of sun damage. 

We’re Here To Help!

If you're like most people, you've probably spent more time than you'd like to admit obsessing over your skin.

And it's no wonder—with so many products and services out there promising to give you the perfect complexion, it's hard to make a decision. 

We’re here to help. Aiona Alive skin care was made without any of the harsh chemicals and with all of the intense nutritional and hydrational benefits. If you have any questions about our products or any skin concerns, please contact us!

We all like to believe that all our skin concerns and issues can be whisked away by fancy bottles and a few of our favorite beauty magazine’s promises. That would explain why we’re so quick to write a blank check and happily walk out of the beauty store, hoping it’s worth the splurge. Deep down, however, we all know that it’s never that easy. Sure, skincare routines are important – but approaching our skin maintenance from the outside alone cannot deliver the results we’re looking for. How our skin looks and feels today and in the future can also be traced back to what we eat and drink, how we handle stress, how much we sleep, exercise, et cetera. Therefore, the next time you step into the skin care aisle, remember that beauty begins from within. Aiona Alive gives you eight tips for healthy skin from the inside out.

Topical skincare products are essential today for healthy-looking skin. But that’s not the be-all-and-end-all of skin maintenance.

Alt-tag: A woman at a spa using cream.

Best tips for healthy skin from the inside out

1. Eat your way to glowing skin

Our waistlines aren't the only reason we must be more conscious about our food intake. Making healthier food choices is a massive part of achieving that gorgeous, healthy, glowing skin. So, whether you want to address particular skincare concerns or issues, slow down your skin’s aging process, or revitalize your dull-looking, lackluster complexion, it matters what you put on your plate.

Your skin craves fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, protein-rich foods, foods with healthy oils, and omega-3 fatty acids. This will boost your skin's collagen production, making it smoother and suppler while preventing premature wrinkles and skin sagging.

2. Mega omegas

Case in point: the importance of fatty acids in omega-3s for skin can't be ignored. Research suggests these essential nutrients play a hugely significant role in determining how your skin behaves. For instance, they regulate your skin's oil production, boost hydration, minimize signs of aging, soothe breakouts, and even improve the skin's immunity to damaging environmental factors like UV damage.

Where can you find omega-3s? Plant-based sources include flax seeds, chia seeds, and soybean oil. There is also fish oil and other seafood. Avocados, olives, cashews, and macadamia nuts have omega-9s, which are just as crucial if you want to look and feel good.

Omega-3 is proven to have undeniable benefits for overall skin health.

Alt-tag:  Fish and lemon on a white ceramic plate

3. Vital vits

Once you've found the best diet for you, one of the best tips for healthy skin is to fortify it with essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, & E. Serums, skin treatments, and moisturizers can do a lot for your skin. Still, you need these nutrients to work their magic throughout the body rather than just on your face. Your primary source of vitamins and minerals should be your diet and food. To achieve maximum benefits, you can rely on vitamin supplements as your secondary source, and finally, there’s topical application.

4. Beef up on your protein

As one of the skin tissue’s fundamental building blocks, protein plays a significant role in keeping your skin healthy, plump, and glowing. Thebest source of this macronutrient will depend on your personal dietary preferences, ethics, tastes, intolerances, and allergies. For instance, animal protein sources are known as “complete proteins” because they contain a complete amino acid profile. Plant proteins, on the other hand, do not. For this reason, vegans and vegetarians tend to boost their protein intake by combining various plant protein sources.

5. Water, water, water

Dry skin? Just drink more water! That makes sense, right? Unfortunately,there isn't enough research to support that idea. Experts agree that increasing your water intake is no magic bullet, despite what we’re led to believe by our darling celebrities. As we age, our skin undergoes gradual changes; it’s natural, and one more glass of water won’t change that. The only caveat is that only severe dehydration will translate to your skin, which then becomes dry and flaky, and loses its elasticity, making it more prone to wrinkles, irritations, and blemishes.

But there’s more to the story. Research shows that water consumption can positively affect your overall health. So, it may not fix your crow’s feet, but it is certainly necessary for your body to run optimally, flushing the system and helping the essential nutrients reach the skin through proper blood flow.

If you're unsure how much water you should drink, divide your weight in half. Then, drink the amount you get in ounces. Averse to drinking water? Luckily, you can also hydrate through water-filled fruits and vegetables, fresh juices, smoothies, green tea, and coconut water.

6. Manage stress levels

If you’re under a lot of stress all the time, your skin is likely to show it. According to research, acute and chronic stress can negatively impact overall skin wellness and even make skin problems flare up or cause new issues to develop. And although stress is a normal part of life, and we cannot avoid it altogether, it matters that we learn how to cope.

Of course, not all coping techniques are created equal. For instance, knocking back a drink or lighting up a cigarette may seem to help at the moment. But in reality, these are some of the unhealthiest ways of handling stress and can alter our skin in the worst ways. On the other hand, maintaining good lifestyle habits, scheduling time for relaxing activities, learning stress management techniques, talking to someone, etc., can do wonders for your health.

7. Exercise

Expensive creams and lotions can only do so much. That’s why maintaining certain healthy lifestyle habits, such as staying active and getting regular exercise, is one of the best pieces of advice for healthy skin we can give. Keeping up a regular fitness routine helps you lower stress hormone levels and replaces them with so-called feel-good hormones that boost your energy, mood, and outlook. That doesn't directly affect the skin, but it can improve its overall appearance.

Treat your body right, and it will show immense gratitude.

Alt-tag: A woman holding red dumbbells showing that working out is a way to have healthy skin from the inside out

Note that it’s essential to have pre-and post-workout skincare. This is because exercise can also put your skin under a lot of stress: sweat, dirt, bacteria, sun, etc. So, if you have a set routine, all the better. Prepare your skin before every workout by removing makeup and cleaning up your face. Then, it's time to hit the shower as soon as you finish working out.

8. Get some shut-eye

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. During a solid eight-hour sleep sesh, your body and mind recharge, restore, and heal themselves. For one thing, your skin cells switch into full recovery mode, regenerating three times faster than during the day. Next, your body starts producing growth hormones. These guys ensure that your skin generates enough collagen, which is crucial for smoother, more elastic skin. Finally, your skin can de-stress and take that much-needed environmental break from elements such as sun exposure, pollution, and blue light. Therefore, our suggestion for healthy skin? Tuck yourself in and get ready to REM – your skin deserves some downtime!

That was the last of our tips for healthy skin from the inside out. Hope we they are helpful!

Meta Description: We often forget how important it is to care for ourselves properly. Here are eight tips for healthy skin from the inside out.

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 In recent years, ACV has been gaining popularity with skincare enthusiasts for its all-natural skin benefits and is often hailed as a wonder product. What’s all the hype about?

 What is ACV?

 ACV is a common abbreviation for apple cider vinegar, a common liquid household ingredient that’s been used in cooking and cleaning for centuries. It’s often incorporated into things like salad dressings, sparkling drinks, marinades, homemade disinfectants and cleaning solutions, but this everyday ingredient has several little-known alternative uses in the realm of natural skincare.

 Apple cider vinegar is typically made with three incredibly rudimentary, all-natural ingredients: apples, yeast, and water. To make it, apples are chopped and combined with yeast and then covered with water to ferment. The fermentation process is where the magic happens—the yeast breaks down the natural sugars found in the apples to create ethanol, and then bacteria converts the ethanol into an acidic solution.

 You will often notice the “mother”, a byproduct of fermentation, hanging out near the bottom of a container of apple cider vinegar. This is completely natural and doesn’t need to be discarded, as it’s part of the live culture of your vinegar. However, if it does bother you, you can strain it out with a fine mesh strainer or a coffee filter.

 You can easily find ACV in its simplest form in your local grocery store, and it’s often kept near the salad dressings with other vinegars and oils. Many natural skincare brands also use it as an ingredient in cleansers, toners, masks, and other products.

 Is ACV Good For Skin?

 Natural skincare junkies, holistic estheticians and dermatologists alike will attest that yes, ACV is good for your skin — in the right amounts and used at the right frequency. Just like many other skincare ingredients, there are appropriate times to use ACV and it’s possible to overuse the ingredient in your routine. As long as you watch for reactions and monitor your skin for unwanted results, ACV is perfectly safe to use on almost all skin types, oily and acne-prone skin included!

 Apple cider vinegar offers a range of skin benefits, is fairly inexpensive and easy to source, and can be incorporated into your skincare routine in a whole host of ways. Plus, the vinegar in its simplest form is 100% natural and contains no fillers or preservatives, so you don’t have to worry about questionable extras sneaking their way onto your skin.

 Benefits of ACV

 Apple cider vinegar offers a range of benefits and can be an asset to almost every skin type. When used correctly, ACV can fight acne-causing bacteria, balance the skin’s surface PH levels, prevent skin infections and other conditions, and exfoliate the skin to reveal a smooth, bright, even complexion free of blemishes.

 PH Balancing

 Balancing your skin’s PH is crucial to maintaining proper skin functions like regulating oil production and promoting a healthy microbiome. Apple cider vinegar is acidic, and when diluted can help balance the surface PH of your skin.

 Prevents Infections

 A natural byproduct of the fermentation process is the acetic acid found in ACV, which gives the vinegar antibacterial properties and can help prevent infections and treat certain skin conditions like eczema and rosacea. Because it helps to clear bacteria from the skin, it can also help with acne.

 Natural Exfoliant

 Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid, a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acid (also known as an AHA) that gently dissolves dead skin and debris when applied topically. Using ACV as an exfoliant 2-3 times a week can help even skin pigmentation, unclog pores, and brighten your overall complexion.

 Combats Acne

 The combination of the vinegar’s natural antibacterial properties, exfoliating properties, and PH balancing effects work together to unclog pores and eliminate acne-causing bacteria. The result? Dissolved blackheads, potentially reduced pore size, regulated oil production, and fewer breakouts.

 How to Use ACV for Your Skin

 Apple cider vinegar is unbelievably easy to incorporate into your skincare routine in a number of ways, but there are a few things to keep in mind no matter which route you take.

 First, know your skin type and any special skin conditions you have that may be irritated by vinegar. If you have especially sensitive skin, very dry skin or skin that is easily irritated, consult your dermatologist before using ACV to ensure it doesn’t make your condition worse or cause a reaction.

 Secondly, no matter what type of skin you have, you should always do a patch test to make sure you don’t react poorly before diving into regular use. Apply diluted ACV to an inconspicuous area and wait an hour to monitor your skin for signs of irritation.

 Lastly, always, always, always dilute your ACV! Apple cider vinegar is very acidic when fully concentrated, so follow the specific instructions for whatever application you are using it for and dilute accordingly with water, cleanser, oil, etc. It’s safe to use 2-4 times per week, but you may have to adjust accordingly to your skin’s needs.

 Here are 5 different ideas on how to use ACV in your skincare routine:

 Swipe on diluted ACV with a cotton pad as a toner after cleansing.

1. Add 1-2 cups to a bath and soak for softer skin.
2. Use diluted ACV as a mixing medium for clay masks or other powdered treatments and apply to your whole face (avoiding your eyes and mouth as you usually would when masking) or stick to problem areas for a spot treatment.
3. Clean your makeup brushes! Add 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to one cup of warm water and let brushes soak bristle-side down for a few minutes before gently scrubbing to remove build up and debris.
4. Use diluted apple cider vinegar post-shave to soften skin and prevent ingrown hairs!

 ACV is also beneficial for your health! When ingested, ACV has been shown in studies to be effective in helping manage blood sugar, assisting in weight loss, and can also help improve cardiovascular health. Consult your physician to discuss managing your health with apple cider vinegar.

 Possible Side Effects

 Just like with other skin care ingredients, no matter how natural they are, it’s possible your skin could disagree with using apple cider vinegar in your routine. Be vigilant for redness, irritation, dryness, flaking, or other signs that your skin is reacting poorly to the acidic properties of ACV. You may try diluting it further to lessen harsh effects or discontinue use altogether to give your skin some time to recuperate.