LÉ Blog

Let’s set the record straight: Retinol purging isn’t your skin “rejecting” a product. It’s more like a sped-up reveal of breakouts that were already in your skin’s pipeline, triggered by the introduction of retinoids accelerate cell turnover. But not every flare-up is a purge. Sometimes, it’s just plain old irritation or a bad match. Being able to tell the difference helps you stick with the right plan or switch gears when needed. The chemists have spent years getting up close and personal wi...

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In true Chemist Confessions fashion, it’s worth saying that a cleanser for combination skin can do a lot more than just wash off the day. With a well-formulated cleanser, cleansing can help manage oil levels and play a notable role in how your skin barrier holds up. With the wrong balance, you might be looking at even more oil production, dry patches, or both. Get it just right, and you’ve got a well-hydrated, cooperative canvas for all of the skincare goodness that follows. As the first step...

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Bisabolol might not sound like a glow-inducing hero, but it has a surprisingly solid track record when it comes to soothing irritation and brightening complexions. If you’ve ever dealt with flare-ups, overeager retinoid experimentation, or mysterious tightness, bisabolol might be worth adding to your wishlist. This under-the-radar overachiever is best known as the calming, isolated compound in chamomile. That means, it’s the main compound that has given chamomile its claim to fame as a skinca...

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3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, or “ethylated ascorbic acid” is a vitamin C derivative that’s risen quickly in the popularity ranks in recent years. But just because it’s a structural cousin of hte famed ascorbic acid doesn’t automatically mean that it’s going to delivery all those vitamin C skin benefits you’re looking for. So let’s break down the science - chemist style - and get the the bottom of just whether or not ethyl ascorbic acid is the stable, gentle, age-prevention superstar worthy of rep...

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Finding the right cleanser can be surprisingly tricky. You want something that gets rid of daily grime, sunscreen, and makeup without leaving your skin feeling tight or dry. But many cleansers overshoot the mark, stripping away the good stuff right along with the bad. Cleansers can also undershoot the mark by being so gentle that it no longer holds up its basic function of cleaning. A good gentle cleanser for face should cover the basics while keeping your natural lipids and proteins intact. ...

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While retinol is often hyped up as the gold standard for tackling fine lines, uneven tone, and texture, it can feel more like a risk for those of us with sensitive skin. If you’ve ever eyed a retinol bottle with a mix of excitement and “please don’t ruin my face” panic, you’re in good company. Retinoids are tricky territory—between all the long ingredient names, cryptic label claims, and conflicting advice, it’s normal to hesitate. But here’s the thing: having sensitive skin doesn’t mean you ...

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Today’s ingredient under the chemist's microscope is panthenol. This unassuming humectant has been quietly supporting dry, irritated, and temperamental skin for decades. Whether you've begged your moisturizer to “just do more” or wondered if “soothing” skincare products really work, chances are you could benefit from panthenol for skin. The truth is, skin can be fussy. Stress, weather shifts, overzealous exfoliation—it all adds up. Enter panthenol: a versatile multitasker with a reputation fo...

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Let’s be real: Almost every skincare enthusiast has accidentally irritated their face at least once. There’s no shame in it; even the chemists have been there before! Maybe it was the excitement of a new active or going a little too hard with retinol. Suddenly, you’re dealing with stinging, redness, and that dry, tight feeling. It’s enough to send anyone into a 2 AM deep dive sesh Googling “skin barrier repair.” The journey to your healthiest skin is paved with good intentions... and the occa...

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(90+ Sunscreens and Counting) We’ve reached the third year of our 30 for 30 sunscreen challenge! Every year, we test 30 sunscreens in 30 days across our two faces (one chemist with dry skin and the other with oily, acne-prone skin). We initially created this challenge to see if we could help compare how these sunscreens applied, how they held up over time, and even how they washed off. With sunscreens under constant scrutiny, the ultimate goal was to promote healthy sunscreen habits and ultim...

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What is double cleansing? (And why Victoria did a 100 day experiment) *To help readers learn more about products showcased in this challenge, we built out and organized these results in Shop My Shelf. We do receive a small commission for using our affiliate links to complete your purchase. Thank you for feeding a chemist! Double cleansing is a skincare method that involves using two types of cleansers: an oil-based cleanser to break down long-wear makeup, followed by a water-based cleanser to...

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