Beauty comes from inside- metaphorically and physically. While topical skincare is the go to for results that are instant and show visibly, there are ways to double down on their benefits. Food habits and lifestyles have a great influence on our external appearance and overall health. Ingestible skincare refers to supplements and daily food you can intake to overall improve your skin and hair internally.

Often the daily food and nutrition are not entirely absorbed by the body and in such situations, we need some extra boost. Ingestible skincare products like supplements come into action at such a point. But do not skip keeping some amazing topical skincare products in your stash because their use along with supplements will give the perfect radiance.

Best Ingestible skincare and vitamins

We have shared the best and safest ingestible skincare products. Let us find out about their benefits and how they can help your skin:

1. Collagen

Collagen supplements are a must-have skin savior that is known for delaying skin aging. It is a protein already produced in our body but over the years its production gets reduced. This is when additional supplements are required. They are available in the form of collagen peptide pills and powders. Apart from ingestible collagen, you can also try out a topical application too.

2. Vitamin C

It is a collagen booster and producer that prevents the breakdown of your body’s collagen further. Today it is a powerful ingredient in many skincare serums and creams today. It works as an antioxidant that also helps to prevent the formation of free radicals that is caused by UV damage as well as from pollution. It is available as gummies and tablets in the market. This supplement is also used in our C For Yourself Face Serum. It contains L ascorbic acid which is the most potent and purest form of Vitamin C that is perfect for brightening your skin and reducing acne marks.

3. Vitamin B

Vitamin B is available in various forms like thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), Niacinamide (B3), biotin (B7) etc. Among these, in the present days, Niacinamide or B3 is a raging ingredient in many cosmetics available. It is the vitamin that helps to maintain the natural skin barrier function, reduce dryness and soothe skin irritation. It also increases lipids or ceramides to maintain skin moisture. There are ingestible supplements as well as topical products available in the market. If you are looking to add Niacinamide in your skincare topically, opt for products with a low concentration as we offer at Foxtale in our Cover Up Sunscreen.

4. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

The benefits of fish oil are widely discussed and considered one of the best ways to nourish your skin and hair internally. We get the benefits from the various daily foods we intake. But we can also take it directly as a supplement like capsules. Moreover, this is not produced by our body internally, thus requiring us to get the benefits from external sources.

The benefits of ingestible skincare are essential for all to maintain the natural beauty and overall health of our skin and hair. So, boost up your topical skincare further by nourishing your body internally with the help of such supplements.

If you have been on Tiktok for a while and are a skincare enthusiast, you have probably seen people using the term ‘Slugging’ quite often. This skincare hack started trending last year only, however, it has been there for a long time. Whether you are looking forward to ‘Slugging’ or just want to know what’s up with the beauty community these days, this article is for you. Keep on scrolling to know more about this viral hack.

What’s the deal with ‘Slugging’?

Slugging is the term used to describe the act of locking in the nighttime skincare routine with the help of an occlusive. This involves using any petroleum-based product such as Vaseline or Aquaphor as the last step in your skincare routine to create a barrier on top of your skin, prevent trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), and keep moisture in place. Although this technique is mainly used for the face, it can also be beneficial for the body, lips, knees, and other body parts.

Are there any benefits to Slugging your face?

The reason why this hack became immensely popular among people, irrespective of their age, is the instant results. When done correctly, people noticed they woke up with super hydrated and moisturized skin. Let’s take a look at what more benefits this technique can offer.

• It strengthens the skin barrier: Slugging involves using occlusives on the skin as a protectant. If you have over exfoliated your skin or damaged the skin, slugging can help you heal.
• It prevents water loss: Occlusives create a barrier on the skin and make it hard for any product to escape, even water (99%) for that matter.
• It locks in hydration: Slugging is the last step so it makes sure everything applied before is sealed. Those who suffer from dry, flaky skin can highly benefit from this method.
• It soothes and softens the skin: Petroleum provides intense moisturization and also relieves and soothes the skin from any sort of irritation or redness.

This seems intense, how to slug the right way to get the maximum results?

You must follow a proper skin care regime to get the most of Slugging. Here’s how to do it:

• Your first step should be cleansing your skin. Since the main goal of slugging is to provide intense moisture, make sure to use a gentle and hydrating cleanser like our Daily Duet Face Wash to wash off all the dirt and makeup.
• Apply a hydrating toner and follow it up with an antioxidant serum like our C For Yourself Vitamin C Serum. This will make sure to treat your skin as well as hydrate it.
• Next up is using a lightweight moisturizer like our Ceramide Supercream, a hydrating and barrier repair formula.
• Lastly, finish off by applying a thin layer of vaseline or any other petroleum-based ointment.

Things to note before you try this viral hack!

1. People who have super dry, dehydrated, flaky, mature, irritated skin with damaged skin barrier can try slugging whenever the skin demands it. Those with extreme blackheads, oily and acne-prone skin can avoid it.
2. Quite contrary to popular belief, occlusive based products, even petroleum, do not clog your pores. In fact, it can calm it down.
3. Ensure you have cleansed your skin well before because everything (even dirt, if any) is sealed in Slugging.
4. It is recommended not to slug on nights when you have used retinoids so as not to increase its potency.
5. Only slug on nights and areas of the face when you have to! Always listen to what your skin has to say.

Hailey Bieber will forever be one of our girl crushes! When our girl said, “My standard when I go to bed at night is that if I’m not getting into bed looking like a glazed donut, then I’m not doing it right”, we heard it loud and clear. We tried to grasp as much information we can while watching her video and are ready to share with you what we learned from Hailey’s skincare routine. Keep on reading because we have quite a few things to share!

Hailey Bieber’s 5 Step Glazed Donut Routine

Step 1: Oil cleansing

The first thing that Hailey uses to start her nighttime skincare routine is an oil cleanser. She says, “I don’t use makeup wipes. I started oil cleansing during quarantine and it has honestly made the biggest difference in my skin”. She uses a cleansing oil that contains 4 fruit enzymes to gently exfoliate the skin as well but any makeup remover can work as your first step of double cleansing. Not just makeup, but double cleansing ensures that all the dirt, pollution, and even sunscreen are off the table and you have a clean face.

Step 2: Hydrating cleanser

Her next step is doing a second cleanse by using a gentle, hydrating and milky cleanser. She likes cleansers that don’t foam and have nourishing properties. Since her motive is to have that glazed donut look, hydrating and gently formulated cleanser will ensure her skin doesn't feel dry and stripped off from its natural oils.

Our Daily Duet Face Wash is what first came to our mind when Hailey recommended using a gentle, hydrating cleanser because it just ticks off all the boxes! It effectively removes all the dirt, grime, and sebum while making sure it’s not harsh on the skin. And the good news is, it doubles up as a makeup remover as well. So, if you don’t want to spend 10-15 minutes every day on oil cleansing, this is your pick.

Step 3: Peptide serum

After she is done washing her face, she takes a towel and gently pats her skin without rubbing it too much. She also makes sure her face is not completely dried down and is slightly damp so that it is prepped for the next step, which is a serum. She specifically used a Peptide serum.

If you are wondering what Peptides are and what they do for the skin, we have an entire article dedicated to answering your question. Read it here: What are Peptides in Skincare?

One thing to note here is that along with Hailey, a lot of celebrities don’t use Toners and they use a serum on a cleansed face. Gone are the days when people used toners to balance their pH levels because almost all cleansers these days are pH balanced. Toners are now made to either hydrate your skin or exfoliate it. However, some people just like the feeling of using toners right after cleansing. Skincare is very subjective and one should always do what works for them. If you are one of those who loves using toner, go ahead!

Step 4: Thick moisturizer

At night, Hailey prefers using a thick cream that delivers intense moisture to the skin. The moisturizer she uses is a barrier repair cream that deeply nourishes the skin and keeps the skin barrier healthy. Dry skin beauties might enjoy thick moisturizers at night, however oily or combination skin types will not, just like Hailey’s forehead. She avoids using thick moisturizer on her face when there’s active acne as that might lead to more breakouts.

If you are looking for a lightweight, yet hydrating moisturizer that works on skin barrier repair, you are in for a treat. Our Ceramide Supercream Moisturizer is here to save your day. Did you know that Ceramides are the building blocks of your skin but due to certain factors, their production is slowed down? To have that firm, radiant, and younger-looking skin, you need to apply ceramides topically. Our girl Hailey knows this secret and that’s what she suggests doing as well!

Step 5: Facial oil

Since Hailey has a sensitive skin type that is more on the drier side, she loves pampering herself with a sweet layer of facial oil. And we believe this is what makes her skin look like a glazed donut! She takes a few drops and pats them on her skin. After this she also massages her face a little bit, focusing on her cheeks and forehead.

If you can spare a few minutes for a facial massage or a gua sha session, it can be game-changing for your skin. We have talked about a few tools and techniques that you can use to de-stress and de-puff. You can read all about them here: Skin tools to de-puff and de-stress!

Lastly, since she had a few breakouts, she used an active acne treatment that was suggested by her dermatologist followed by a pimple patch. If it was us, we would have applied the spot treatment before the moisturizer. You always want your treatments to be closest to your skin without any barrier. But then again, skincare is subjective and do what works for you! If it is effective and makes you happy, that’s what matters.

Does the thought of doing a 10- step skincare routine exhaust you even before you do it? Is following a simple yet effective skincare routine on your new year’s resolution list for 2023? Introducing J- beauty, a beauty regime that focuses on skincare that is gentle and follows a minimalistic approach to skincare. J-beauty appears much more convenient for most people and this has made it gain a widespread appeal. 

The main approach to J-beauty is to not overburden your skin with a lot of products. Only use products that are the most essential and are a necessity to your skin. Whether you are in touch with whatever’s happening in the skincare world or you’ve been living under a rock, we’re here to get you acquainted with J- beauty and why you need to incorporate it into your routine ASAP. So let's get this started!

What is J-beauty?

J-beauty (Japanese Beauty) is a line of skincare and cosmetic items that were created in Japan. The phrase "Mochi Skin" refers to the J-beauty standard, or, to put it another way, the skin objective. The key is to maintain healthy skin by properly washing, hydrating, nourishing, and protecting it. Less is more, a basic process that serves to fortify your skin and enable it to effectively perform its function is the guiding principle. It's best if you can treat your skin with as much tenderness and care as possible.

Understanding J-beauty and its Origin

Traditional and modern skincare concepts are amalgamated to form the ideal J-beauty routine. It is more focused on prevention than on cure and treatment. It primarily focuses on holistic skincare which is why it is gaining popularity rapidly.

The skincare regime of Japan is largely related to the Geishas. They were professional entertainers who painted their faces white so they needed to take extra care of their skin. They used ingredients like rice, seaweed, green tea, and camellia oil to make a skincare routine and these form the core of J-beauty. How thoughtful! 

How is it better than K-beauty?

J- beauty	K- beauty
Focuses on minimalism and functionality.	Focuses on nourishing the skin with a multi-step routine.
A blend of traditional and modern products and formulations.	Modern and unconventional skincare.
Lays a huge emphasis on double cleansing.	Lays a huge emphasis on skin hydration and exfoliation.
Aims for “mochi skin”- that's plump and soft.	Aims for “glass skin”- that's poreless and glowy.
Has a premium price range as there are fewer steps involved.	It is comparatively more affordable.

 

Steps in J-Beauty

1) Double cleanse

The method was used by Japanese Geishas to remove heavy makeup and has risen to popularity since then. It starts with an oil-based cleanser followed by a mild water-based cleanser. The oil breaks down the makeup and unclogs the pores. The water-based cleanser gets rid of all the dirt and sweat and deeply cleanses the impurities.

However, to minimize this step further, you can use a multipurpose cleanser as an alternative. Foxtale’s Daily Duet Cleanser is one such product that not only cleanses your skin well but also doubles as a makeup remover. Such a time-saver, isn’t it?

2) Exfoliation

The Japanese methods of exfoliation are much gentler compared to Western scrubs. J-beauty uses gel-like formulas that are massaged on the skin to unclog pores and gently remove dead skin cells. This is done at least 1-2 times a week to prevent any damage to the skin.

3) Hydration

The next step is the use of kesho-sui or a watery Japanese Lotion that is similar to toners. The main goal of this step is to soften and hydrate the skin. It is patted on the skin and contains ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, Panthenol, and Ceramides. All these ingredients are very soothing and hence suitable for almost all skin types. 

You can try incorporating Foxtale’s Daily Hydrating Serum with hyaluronic acid which helps fight all signs of dehydration to give plumper, tighter and brighter skin with a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin feel hydrated, smoother, and radiant.

4) Serum

Serums are target-specific products. Usually, they target wrinkles, acne, dark spots, etc, and are more dedicated to spot treatment. The different types of serums have primary ingredients like collagen, ceramides, Vitamin C, etc. which combat hyperpigmentation. Foxtale’s Vitamin C serum will aid in reducing pigmentation and scarring along with giving the perfect glow to your face!

5) Moisturization (and SPF in the daytime)

Whether it is J-Beauty or K-beauty or I-Beauty (Indian skincare!), moisturization is a must. This last step ensures that all the products applied underneath are locked! Although milky moisturizers are highly used in J-Beauty, creamy, gel, and lotion-based moisturizers are also popular. Foxtale’s smoothening moisturizer is a must-have if well-hydrated skin is on your wishlist! 

In the daytime, sunscreen is essential. You can try out Foxtale’s Dewy finish sunscreen in case you have dry skin and need that extra nourishment or Foxtale’s Matte finish sunscreen if your skin is oily and prone to acne. Not only does it give a matte finish but also reduces hyperpigmentation and regulates oil production. 

Advantages of J-Beauty

Imbibing J-beauty in your skincare routine is advantageous on so many levels. The popularity is growing rapidly in India which is why more and more Japanese skincare brands are getting introduced in the country. Here’s why J-beauty is such a growing trend:

• Compared to K-beauty, J-beauty is much simpler and easier to follow for most people as fewer products (that target specific concerns) are involved.
• As it has fewer steps, the time required is less too. Thus, maintaining a thorough skincare routine daily is much easier when J-beauty is followed.
• The expense is much less as the number of products involved is lesser too.
• It follows traditional and holistic skincare techniques using natural products. And the main focus is on overall skin health.
• It focuses on faster cell regeneration and barrier repair skincare as it includes exfoliation and ceramide-based skincare. This results in boosting skin structure along with shedding off dead skin cells so you have baby-soft skin always!

In Conclusion- 

J-Beauty is no longer limited to Japan but has become an international trend owing to its simplicity. The best part is, you can make your J-beauty routine using the usual products you use. As long as you are using high-quality products suitable for your skin, following your customized J-beauty regime is quite easy. 

FAQs

1.Why is J-beauty so popular?

Thanks to its simple and minimalistic approach to skincare, J-beauty has garnered a lot of interest and zeal from people all around the world! 

2.What is J-beauty?

J- beauty stands for Japanese beauty, a line of skincare that has been developed and curated in Japan. 

3.What is better K-beauty or J-beauty?

It depends on a case-to-case basis. If achieving soft and plump skin is your objective, J-beauty is your friend! However, if glass skin is your wish, K-beauty will help you achieve that dreamy glow.