Do’s & Don’ts while taking the It Girl Vitamins + the It Girl Tropical Skin Routine

Do’s while taking It Girl Vitamins:

1. Eat whole, nutrient-dense foods: Focus on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats to nourish your body and promote weight loss.
2. Increase fiber intake: High-fiber foods like chia seeds, oats, and flaxseeds help with digestion, detoxification, and satiety for weight control.
3. Hydrate consistently: Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins, support metabolism, and hydrate your skin from within.
4. Incorporate probiotics and prebiotics: Strengthen your gut health by including fermented foods (like kimchi and kombucha) and fiber-rich prebiotics (like garlic, onions, and bananas) for clearer skin and better digestion.
5. Engage in regular exercise: Strength training and cardio boost metabolism, burn fat, and improve circulation, promoting glowing skin.
6. Eat healthy fats: Incorporate avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil for tighter skin, improved metabolism, and hormonal balance.
7. Balance your macronutrients: Make sure you’re eating enough protein, fats, and carbs to keep energy levels high, support muscle recovery, and stabilize hormones.
8. Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep to regulate hormones, reduce stress, and improve skin clarity.
9. Manage stress: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or yoga to lower cortisol levels, which helps with acne and weight management.
10. Incorporate It Girl tropical products recommended by our dermatologist for complete skin, gut, and health care.

Morning Skincare Routine (Tropical-Inspired):

1. Gentle Cleanser
- Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove any overnight oils and impurities without stripping the skin.
- Tropical Tip: Look for cleansers with ingredients like coconut water or papaya enzymes to lightly exfoliate and hydrate.

2. Toner
- Apply a hydrating toner to balance the skin's pH and add an extra layer of moisture.
- Tropical Tip: Choose a toner with aloe vera, hibiscus, or cucumber to soothe and refresh the skin.

3. Antioxidant Serum (Vitamin C)
- Use a Vitamin C serum to brighten skin, protect against free radicals, and promote collagen production.
- Tropical Tip: Vitamin C is key in protecting your skin from sun damage and environmental pollutants.

4. Hydrating Serum
- Apply a lightweight hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture without feeling heavy in a humid climate.
- Tropical Tip: Look for tropical ingredients like coconut or guava extract, which are rich in hydration and antioxidants.

5. Lightweight Moisturizer
- Choose a gel-based or lightweight moisturizer to provide hydration without clogging pores.
- Tropical Tip: Opt for a moisturizer with tropical oils like passion fruit or maracuja oil, which are non-greasy and nourish the skin.

6. Eye Cream
- Dab on an eye cream with ingredients like caffeine or cucumber to reduce puffiness and brighten the under-eye area.
- Tropical Tip: Consider one with coconut or green tea extract for added hydration and cooling effect.

7. Sunscreen (SPF 40 or Higher)
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 40 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
- Tropical Tip: Choose a lightweight, water-based or mineral sunscreen with ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which won’t feel heavy or oily in hot, tropical climates.

8. Facial Mist
- Finish with a refreshing facial mist to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
- Tropical Tip: Use a mist with tropical botanicals like rosewater, coconut, or hibiscus to give your skin a dewy glow.

Bonus: Lip Balm with SPF
- Don’t forget your lips! Apply a lip balm with SPF to protect your lips from sun damage.
- Tropical Tip: Choose one with coconut oil or shea butter for soft, hydrated lips.

Nighttime Routine:

1. Double Cleanse
- First Cleanse (Oil-Based Cleanser): Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and impurities.
- Second Cleanse (Gentle Cleanser): Follow up with a gentle, water-based cleanser to deeply cleanse your skin without stripping its natural oils.

2. Exfoliate (2-3 Times a Week)
- Use a chemical exfoliant (like AHAs or BHAs) to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and brighten your complexion.
- Tip: If you have sensitive skin, exfoliate just a couple of times a week to avoid irritation.

3. Toner
- Apply a hydrating or balancing toner to prep your skin and restore its pH after cleansing.
- Tip: Choose a toner with soothing ingredients like chamomile or rosewater to calm and hydrate your skin before layering other products.

4. Essence (Optional)
- If you use an essence, apply it now. Essences are lightweight, hydrating treatments that help your skin absorb subsequent products better.
- Tip: Look for one with fermented ingredients for an added boost of hydration and skin cell turnover.

5. Serum (Targeted Treatment)
- Use a serum with active ingredients like retinol, peptides, or niacinamide to repair skin, improve texture, reduce fine lines, and boost collagen production.
- Tip: If using retinol, make sure to start with a lower concentration to avoid irritation.

6. Eye Cream
- Apply an eye cream with ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, or caffeine to reduce puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines.
- Tip: Gently pat the product around your eye area, using your ring finger to avoid tugging at the delicate skin.

7. Moisturizer or Night Cream
- Choose a rich moisturizer or night cream to lock in hydration and repair the skin barrier overnight.
- Tip: Look for a product with ceramides or hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize without clogging pores.

8. Face Oil (Optional)
- If your skin is extra dry, seal in all your products with a few drops of a facial oil.
- Tip: Oils like rosehip, argan, or marula are excellent for nourishing and repairing the skin.

9. Spot Treatment (If Needed)
- Apply a spot treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to acne or blemishes.
- Tip: Apply spot treatment last to avoid diluting its potency with other products.

10. Lip Balm
- Apply a thick, nourishing lip balm before bed to keep your lips soft and hydrated.
- Tip: Look for balms with shea butter or lanolin to lock in moisture overnight.

Bonus: Overnight Mask (1-2 Times a Week)
- For an added boost, use an overnight sleeping mask once or twice a week to deeply hydrate and revitalize your skin while you sleep.
- Tip: Choose masks with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or antioxidants.

Don’ts while taking It Girl Vitamins:

1. Avoid processed and sugary foods: They spike insulin, disrupt gut bacteria, and can lead to breakouts and weight gain.
2. Don’t skip meals: Skipping meals can slow down your metabolism, cause hormonal imbalances, and lead to overeating later.
3. Avoid excessive dairy: Dairy can be inflammatory for some and may contribute to hormonal acne.
4. Limit alcohol and caffeine: These can dehydrate your skin, disrupt your gut, and slow down metabolism.
5. Don’t overload on refined carbs: Refined carbs cause blood sugar spikes and can increase acne breakouts.
6. Avoid overeating at night: Eating large meals late in the evening can disrupt digestion and slow down metabolism.
7. Don’t forget sunscreen: Sun damage can break down collagen, causing premature skin aging and less tight skin.
8. Avoid harsh skincare products: Using aggressive acne treatments can worsen skin problems and weaken the skin barrier.
9. Don’t stay sedentary: Prolonged sitting or inactivity slows your metabolism and can lead to weight gain.
10. Avoid neglecting gut health: Ignoring gut health by not addressing food sensitivities or taking unnecessary medications (like antibiotics) can impact skin, metabolism, and weight.