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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Cleansing might sound like the most straightforward part of your entire routine, but even seasoned skinthusiasts can fumble the first step. Dig a little deeper into foam levels and surfactant systems, and you’ll quickly realize how much the details matter and why getting them right can set the tone for everything that follows. Why is it so tricky? The simplest answer is that there’s no such thing as a “correct” way to wash your face; only what works best for you. Maybe your mornings start wit...

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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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(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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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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The hotter days are here and that means you’re probably getting bombarded with sunscreen content. Sadly, more often than not, you’ll see more scary misinformation, conflicting recommendations than actual helpful guidelines on just what to do to protect yourself from the sun. Fear not! We’re here to help tackle all of your sunscreen application questions with evidence-based suggestions. In this guide, we’ll cover the correct sunscreen application amount, just how should you layer foundation wi...

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