LÉ Blog

Understanding the order of skincare isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about helping your products work smarter, not harder. The right skincare order supports absorption, minimizes irritation, and makes even a simple routine more effective. And yes, it applies whether you're using two steps or ten. We understand that with a growing lineup of skincare treatments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed between cleansers, serums, and moisturizers. But with a little science and a lot of compassion, you ...

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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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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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If your skin turns into a slip-and-slide by noon, we hear you. Oily skin needs hydration just as much as dry skin does, but the wrong kind of moisturizer can tip things into greasy territory fast. That’s where water gel moisturizers come in. Lightweight, oil-free, and packed with hydration, these formulas offer a refreshing alternative to thick creams that might leave your pores feeling smothered. In this post, we’re diving into why water gel moisturizers are a smart swap for oily skin and ho...

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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...

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All of us have had to watch a commercial in which a smiling model applies a single product to their already-perfect skin? But you know this. We know this. Skincare commercials can definitely be fake news! There’s no magic cure-all formula that will be perfect for every inch of every single person’s face. More importantly, our skin is a dynamic creature, both person-to-person and zone-to-zone. In fact, most of us will experience skin change and experience different skin types in our lifetime. ...

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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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Glycolic acid and lactic acid have long been the gold standard chemical exfoliants with strong proven track records in anti-aging and hyperpigmentation skincare routines. But a newer option, mandelic acid, can be worth considering. As cosmetic chemists, we cut through the hype to analyze the clinical evidence on this lesser known AHA. In this comprehensive guide, we decode the specific benefits of mandelic acid, compare its efficacy against classics like salicylic and glycolic acid, and expla...

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