LÉ Blog

“Barrier repair” has become one of those phrases that gets tossed around a lot in skincare marketing, but not every skin barrier cream that slaps it on the label has the formula to back it up. If your skin’s been feeling more reactive, tight, or just off its game, chances are your barrier is calling for help. That’s where a skin barrier cream comes in—one designed with ingredients that do more than just sit on the surface. Every formula the chemists create starts with understanding the scienc...

Read more

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...

Read more

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...

Read more

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...

Read more

When your skin starts feeling a little off, it might be trying to tell you something: It’s time to exfoliate. Exfoliation plays a crucial role in keeping your skin barrier functioning properly, especially when dead skin cells start piling up and clogging the system. But before you reach for the nearest scrub or acid, it’s worth taking a step back and learning what your skin is actually asking for. In this article, you’ll gain insights straight from the chemists behind Chemist Confessions. We’...

Read more

If your skin leans oily, chances are you've dealt with clogged pores, midday shine, or the endless game of blotting paper roulette. While it might be tempting to strip your skin with harsh products, the smarter route is a balanced routine that clears buildup without triggering oil rebound. The right exfoliator (at the right concentration) can help keep pores clear, smooth out texture, and bring back that glow without tipping your barrier into chaos. In this article, we’ll explain what makes a...

Read more

When it comes to skincare ingredients that know how to multitask, retinol is in a league of its own. Whether you're dealing with fine lines or leftover dark spots, this vitamin A derivative has likely popped up on your radar — and for good reason. But despite its reputation, many people still wonder: What does retinol actually do for your skin? In Chemist Confessions fashion, let’s bring it back to the science and review why retinol continues to hold onto its popularity, even decades after it...

Read more

Retinol has been a well known overachiever of the skincare world for quite some time, praised for tackling everything from fine lines and pigmentation to enlarged pores and uneven texture. Basically, it’s doing the most. But if you’ve just started using it and your skin still looks... exactly the same, you're probably wondering: how long does it take for retinol to work? Spoiler alert: not overnight. As much as we all wish it came with instant glow-up powers, retinol is more of a long-game ki...

Read more

Retinol gets a lot of credit for smoothing skin, fading dark spots, and tackling fine lines — but is it technically an exfoliant? It’s a common assumption, especially since retinol can cause flaking or peeling in the early stages of use. But here’s the thing: retinol isn’t actually exfoliating your skin. At least not in the way traditional chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid or lactic acid do. In this post, we’ll clear up the confusion and break down how retinol really works, why it’s ofte...

Read more

Retinol is skincare’s beloved overachiever and, let’s be honest, a bit of a diva. It’s one of the most well-studied ingredients for tackling fine lines, uneven skin tone, and breakouts, but it also comes with a bit of baggage. Namely, redness, flakiness, and an attitude if you don’t introduce it properly. Enter moisturizer, the trusty sidekick that can help keep irritation at bay while letting retinol do its thing. But here’s the million-dollar question: Do you apply retinol before or after m...

Read more