LÉ Blog

You’ve got serums, moisturizers, and maybe even a trendy acid or two. But did you know that pretty much every product in your lineup does its best work when it’s got a clean canvas to start with? It might sound silly, but cleansing is often where things go sideways. For something we’ve been doing since childhood, figuring out when to use facial cleanser can be surprisingly tricky. Too much scrubbing can leave skin dry and cranky, while skipping or mistiming the step means your hardworking act...

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Here’s the thing about washing your face: It might seem like the easiest part of skincare, but it’s surprisingly finicky! Too much cleansing and you’re in desert-face territory. Too little and leftover dirt, grime, and daily pollution can linger—potentially paving the way for long-term skin issues. The trick is finding the sweet spot in between. So, how often should you wash your face? It depends on various factors, including your skin type, environment, makeup habits, and the products you us...

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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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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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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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If you’re someone with dry skin, chances are you’ve tried cleanser after cleanser for dry skin, only to be left with that tight feeling every time. The truth is, most cleansers just aren’t built with dry skin in mind. That’s where science (sprinkled with our chemist-level precision) comes in. In this article, we’re diving into what makes a cleanser for dry skin actually work, which ingredients deserve a permanent spot in your routine, and how a smarter approach to washing your face can transf...

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If you’ve got oily skin, you know the struggle is real: that midday shine, the clogged pores, the makeup slide. But before you declare war on your face with every mattifying product you can find, let’s take a beat. Oily skin isn’t the enemy; it just needs a smarter strategy. The truth is, how you cleanse sets the tone for everything that follows. And with the right ingredients, techniques, and routine, you can treat your skin without stripping it or triggering even more oil. So, let’s break d...

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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,...

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In this blog post: How helpful are acne cleansers? Is there such thing as over-washing? Cleanser Formulation for Dry Skin Cleanser Impact on Rosacea Why Personal Cleanser Preference is Valid Chemists' Skin Type & Cleanser Preferences Takeaways References It would be nice if there was some scientific formula that could tell us what cleanser would best suit our skin. Most of us have spent a fair part of our adult (and young adult) lives jumping from one brand to another, hoping to find the magi...

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So you’re ready to dive deeper into the world of cleansers. Well this blog post is for you! In this post, we’ll be taking a closer look at the science of cleansing ingredients, go through some popular surfactants, and answer all your questions about exfoliating cleanser ingredients. So let's put some strategy around finding the holy grail cleanser for your skintype. If you haven't already, check out Pt I for the cleanser routine 101 guidelines. The Gentle Cleanser Surfactant Guide Surfactants...

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