LÉ Blog

If you’ve ever stood in front of your skincare shelf, asking yourself, 'Can you use niacinamide with vitamin C?' you’re in good company. The mix-or-don’t-mix debate has been floating around for years, often leaving people more confused than confident. Some say these ingredients cancel each other out. Others claim they work beautifully together. Here’s what we know: both niacinamide and vitamin C are backed by solid research and show up in some of the most effective skincare formulas today. So...

Read more

Mixing active ingredients in your skincare routine can feel like a chemistry class no one prepared you for. Niacinamide and retinol are both popular skincare ingredients, but using them together in the same routine raises several questions. Is it too harsh? Will they cancel each other out? Should you be worried about irritation? It’s completely normal to feel unsure. The good news is, you don’t have to pick sides. When used thoughtfully, niacinamide and retinol can actually complement each ot...

Read more

When your skin is begging for hydration, the last thing you want is decision fatigue at the moisturizer aisle. Gel, cream, lotion, balm; every jar and tube promises plump, glowing skin, but what really separates a gel vs. a cream moisturizer? Is it just a texture thing, or does the difference actually matter for your skin? We see your SOS for hydration and raise you the chemist-approved receipts. The truth is, gels and creams rely on unique ingredient strategies that determine how they hydrat...

Read more

If you’ve spotted silymarin or milk thistle extract on a skincare label and found yourself wondering what it actually does, you’re in the right place. This plant-derived compound is gaining attention in modern formulas for its ability to calm, protect, and support the skin without adding complexity to your routine. There’s real interest right now in milk thistle benefits for skin, especially among people who want a more thoughtful, ingredient-aware approach to skincare. From its antioxidant b...

Read more

Skincare isn’t gendered; skin is skin. But let’s be honest: walk down any beauty aisle or scroll through your feed, and a skincare routine for men is still treated like an afterthought. What exists is either overly stripped down (“just soap, bro”) or drenched in heavy cologne that always smells like a tree and generally vague promises. Hence this guide. We’re not here to make sweeping claims or sell you a miracle in a bottle. Instead, we’re here to break down what a men’s skincare routine act...

Read more

You’re standing in the skincare aisle, scanning labels, and there it is again: ceramides. They show up in moisturizers, serums, and creams of every kind, usually with big promises about being the must-have ingredient for barrier care. But what are ceramides, exactly? In short, ceramides are a group of lipid molecules that are naturally found in the skin’s lipid matrix. Acting as part of your skin’s frontline defense system: In contributing to the health of your lipid matrix, they help lock in...

Read more

You might have heard that ceramides are essential to a healthy, strong skin barrier. But when you start skimming ingredient lists, you’ll soon encounter an alphabet soup of ingredients with similar-looking names like ceramide NP, ceramide AP, cramide EOP, etc. It can be pretty confusing! So in this blog, the chemists dive into what these letters all mean and if there’s a best one that you have to have in your skincare. Listen to the Ceramides Chat on the Chemist Confessions Podcast What are C...

Read more

Ceramides are quietly doing some of the most important work within your skin barrier. These lipid molecules act as part of the “brick and mortar” structure that holds skin cells together, helping to lock in moisture and maintain a strong, healthy barrier against environmental stress. So when you see terms like moisturizer with ceramides, ceramides moisturizer, or face moisturizer with ceramides, they’re not just buzzwords. They’re backed by decades of skin biology research. That said, not all...

Read more

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 ...

Read more

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) for skin is the latest "miracle ingredient" buzzing in the skincare world. Fans tout its transformative HOCl benefits from scar healing to acne. But what is this molecule, how does it work, and is it actually deserving of all the hype? Let’s break down everything the chemists think you should know before adding a Hypochlorous acid spray to your routine. What is Hypochlorous Acid? HOCl is a weak acid and potent pro-oxidant that our body naturally produces as a defense ...

Read more