While the concept of skin types isn’t medical, there are still moments when it can be useful. Skin type is basically a question of how much or how little sebum (i.e., a protective blend of lipids or “oils”) your skin excretes. Skin types aren’t a per
Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and mango. What do they all have in common?. Yeah, you guessed it. They’re all orange. They’re also rich in vitamin A. They contain vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, a vitamin A precursor that doubles as a vibr
It’s the secret to correcting just about any skin imperfection. Retinoids are proven to increase collagen production, resulting in a visible reduction in wrinkles and fine lines. Beyond that, retinoids can also help with blemishes and clogged pores (
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient also known as “ascorbic acid” in its pure, naturally-occurring form. Internally, we need vitamin C dearly. It’s an important molecule in a few of the body’s repair functions, including collagen production. It also s
Retinol is vitamin A, an essential nutrient in our diet and a valuable ingredient in our skincare routines. As a skincare ingredient, retinol has proven itself again and again as a potent anti-aging, clarifying, and skin-smoothing ingredient. It stim
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. While vitamin B3 doesn’t occur naturally in the human body, we get plenty of it in our diet because it’s in just about everything. It plays a major role in how our body metabolizes nutrients and creates or repairs
AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid, which is a category of water-soluble chemical exfoliants. Before you run away from AHAs because they’re “chemicals,” remember that water is a chemical. Heck, your body is made of chemicals! Chemicals are just any pu
Eye creams/serums are a marketing gimmick and a sure sign that a company does not have your best interest in mind!. The skin around your eyes is very different from the rest of the skin on your face. It's much more reactive and delicate and...it's ne
The idea behind skincare holidays or courses came from our dermatologist partners. To keep the actives in your skincare routine at maximum efficacy over the long term, you can shift to a simple, affordable routine for 4 months (your holiday), and the
The term “natural skincare” sounds nice. It brings to mind this idyllic image of someone lovingly harvesting leaves or mixing plant oils in their kitchen, to create pristine serums or lotions. But is natural skincare really that great? Is it truly a
The truth is that there are many skincare brands out there that market themselves as “natural” and still make excellent products. That said, there are also irresponsible brands that don’t adhere to safe formulation standards and make harmful products
While there are certainly synthetic ingredients that can be dangerous, we have a lot of data about the safety of mainstream ingredients. In the US, the industry follows guidelines set by the Cosmetic Ingredients Review Panel which advises the FDA. Th
Natural or green beauty is a manufacturing philosophy where brands only use natural or naturally derived ingredients. The idea behind this is that natural is better and that synthetic or human-made ingredients are somehow harmful. The terms “natural
Most shoppers switch to natural beauty brands because of the belief that they’re safer. They assume that synthetic ingredients are dangerous because they’re synthetic, and that natural ingredients are safe simply because they're natural. As any Philo
For an article with a lot of criticisms, the truth is that there are many skincare brands out there that market themselves as “natural” and still make excellent products. That said, there are also irresponsible brands that don’t adhere to safe formul
Skincare pilling is what happens when your skincare product clumps up in tiny balls or flecks after you’ve rubbed it on. It’s pretty annoying, especially in the daytime when you’re hoping to look presentable. It usually occurs when you layer several
Skincare pilling usually happens when different skincare layers refuse to play nice because they’re different types of emulsions. It’s more likely to occur when you apply too much product since, normally, skincare layers shouldn’t interact with one a
You won’t be surprised to discover that the best way to stop skincare from pilling is by avoiding all of the common pitfalls that lead to it in the first place. Here are some key tips:. Buy complementary products. Products with similar formulations a
Pilling can decrease the effectiveness of your skincare, and it can also be a sign that you’re not using your products in an optimal way. Once your products break down and clump, your skin may not absorb some of the beneficial ingredients in the form
We find that most of our clients experience very noticeable and impressive results within just a few months (and often within weeks!), especially if using the full Protocol range. But then, after a few months, the dramatic improvement in the skin jus
As explained by cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski, “1% line refers to the place in the list of ingredients which indicates where the concentration of ingredients is less than 1%.”. Product labels list ingredients based on the concentration, from high