LÉ Blog

Key Takeaways: Visible Results Timeline: Retinol typically delivers noticeable improvements within 4 to 12 weeks with consistent use and a little patience. Key Influencing Factors: Skin type, product formulation, retinol concentration, and routine consistency all impact how quickly you’ll see results. Application Best Practices: Starting with lower-strength retinol and a lower use frequency can boost effectiveness while minimizing irritation. Retinol has been a well known overachiever of the ...

Read more

Key Takeaways: Retinol Is Not An Exfoliant: Retinol isn’t a traditional exfoliant; it’s intended to trigger a receptor response to promotes skin renewal and stimulates collagen production. Deeper-Level Benefits: While retinol helps increase cell turnover and smooth skin texture, it works deeper than surface exfoliants and can be paired with them for more comprehensive results. Smart Onboarding: Gradual introduction, consistent hydration, and daily sun protection are essential to getting the m...

Read more

Key Takeaways: Optimized Skincare Routine: Using retinol and moisturizer together enhances retinol’s skin renewal ability to fight wrinkles and hyperpigmentation while reducing irritation for a more effective regimen. The Sandwich Method: Layering moisturizer before and after retinol helps reduce irritation, especially for beginners or sensitive skin. Beginner-Friendly Approach: First-time retinol users should start with a gentle concentration, apply sunscreen daily, and introduce retinol gra...

Read more

When it comes to trending skincare ingredients, ectoin isn’t exactly a household name. But recently, this ingredient has caught the attention of many clinical skincare brands. It has many interesting properties, particularly for skin barrier support and hydration. In fact, the early data has some people touting that this may just be the “new age niacinamide”. So let’s dive into what ectoin is, what it actually does for the skin, whether or not it can be thought of as a niacinamide replacement...

Read more

Spicules. You might have heard this term or the trendy VT Reedle Shot products that tout spicule technology on social media recently. But what exactly are they? Don’t worry! We gotchu. The chemists are taking a deep dive into what spicules are, how they function in topical applications in theory, any clinical testing evidence, whether you should be considering adding spicules to your skincare routine, and just how to properly use VT Reedle Shots. What Are Spicules? Spicules are structural ske...

Read more

Exfoliating skin, sloughing off dead skin cells, buffing out skin roughness, etc. are all concepts that are probably deemed incredibly “old school” and the least glamorous rituals in a skin routine. But experts like us will always give this arena the dedicated spotlight it deserves because it is just that important to skin health. What is Exfoliation? Exfoliation is the act of removing overdue dead skin cells (keratinocytes). Factors like age, climate, and skin diseases can all impact the lev...

Read more

New skincare science is as alluring as it is mysterious. It can often be hard to distinguish between hype and science. But worry not! Let the chemists dissect everything for you. Today, we’re tackling PDRNv—van ingredient that’s been making waves in the beauty world. But what exactly is PDRN, and does it deserve a spot in your routine? Let’s break it down. What is PDRN? PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, are simply DNA fragments ranging from 50 to 1500 kDa. The concept of using PDRN for therap...

Read more

We polled everyone on Instagram on their top dry skin questions, and one of the most common questions we got was “just what is the difference between dehydrated and dry skin?” In a similar vein, people also wanted to know just what kind of skin deficiencies causes dry skin – lack water or oil? Understanding just what kind of dry skin you have and what your skin need can be the difference between an effective moisturizing routine and an endless loop of frustration. So in this blog post, let’s ...

Read more

Blackheads is a persistent skincare for many. It doesn’t matter your skin type, people from the driest of dry skin to the most oily can all be frustrated by pesky blackheads at any time. The skincare market is not short of miracle blackhead treatments - from pore strips, serums, to fancy devices. So in this blog post, let’s dive into just what causes blackheads, key skincare ingredients that can effectively clear blackheads fast, routines to prevent them from popping back up again. What are B...

Read more

How to use a cleanser sounds like almost a silly question. It’s something that most of us have been doing since we’re kids. But! Being mindful in how you approach your cleansing routine can make a huge difference in your skincare routine. After all, a thorough cleanse can help prevent skin damages caused by enironment pollutants, minimize breakouts, and maxmize the efficacy of your active ingredients. So in this blog post, we’ll go over what are the two main staples in your cleansing routine,...

Read more