LÉ Blog
Is Retinol An Exfoliant? Understanding Its Role In Skincare
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...
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The Right Way To Use Retinol And Moisturizer Together
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 moreIs Ectoin the New Niacinamide?
When it comes to trending skincare ingredients, ectoin isn’t exactly a household name. But recently, this ingredient has caught the attention of many clinical skincare brands. It has many interesting properties, particularly for skin barrier support and hydration. In fact, the early data has some people touting that this may just be the “new age niacinamide”. So let’s dive into what ectoin is, what it actually does for the skin, whether or not it can be thought of as a niacinamide replacement...
Read moreReedle Shot Deep Dive! Science of Spicules in Skincare
Spicules. You might have heard this term or the trendy VT Reedle Shot products that tout spicule technology on social media recently. But what exactly are they? Don’t worry! We gotchu. The chemists are taking a deep dive into what spicules are, how they function in topical applications in theory, any clinical testing evidence, whether you should be considering adding spicules to your skincare routine, and just how to properly use VT Reedle Shots. What Are Spicules? Spicules are structural ske...
Read moreExfoliation Treatments: Benefits, How To, and Best Products
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...
Read morePDRN Skincare: Hype vs. Reality
New skincare science is as alluring as it is mysterious. It can often be hard to distinguish between hype and science. But worry not! Let the chemists dissect everything for you. Today, we’re tackling PDRNv—van ingredient that’s been making waves in the beauty world. But what exactly is PDRN, and does it deserve a spot in your routine? Let’s break it down. What is PDRN? PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, are simply DNA fragments ranging from 50 to 1500 kDa. The concept of using PDRN for therap...
Read moreDehydrated Skin vs. Dry Skin: what is the difference and how to treat?
We polled everyone on Instagram on their top dry skin questions, and one of the most common questions we got was “just what is the difference between dehydrated and dry skin?” In a similar vein, people also wanted to know just what kind of skin deficiencies causes dry skin – lack water or oil? Understanding just what kind of dry skin you have and what your skin need can be the difference between an effective moisturizing routine and an endless loop of frustration. So in this blog post, let’s ...
Read moreBlackhead Removal - Chemists’ Step-by-Step Guide
Blackheads is a persistent skincare for many. It doesn’t matter your skin type, people from the driest of dry skin to the most oily can all be frustrated by pesky blackheads at any time. The skincare market is not short of miracle blackhead treatments - from pore strips, serums, to fancy devices. So in this blog post, let’s dive into just what causes blackheads, key skincare ingredients that can effectively clear blackheads fast, routines to prevent them from popping back up again. What are B...
Read moreHow to best use cleansers - the chemists' double cleansing guide
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,...
Read moreSalicylic vs Glycolic acid: Pros, Cons, How to Choose
When you first foray into the world of chemical exfoliation, two ingredients are bound to come up almost immediately: salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Salicylic acid is a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) often associated with acne, clearing skin congestion. On the other hand, glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that’s associated with smoother, brighter skin texture. So how do you know which one is right for your skin? Is one better than the other? Should you use one more both in your routine...
Read moreCan you use glycolic acid with retinol?
The skincare world is never short of the newest, glitziest active ingredient vying for your attention. But while trendy ingredients can come and go, retinol and glycolic acid are two workhorse active ingredients that consistently top the chart. Both of these come with a rich history of clinical data on treating uneven pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. However, given that these are both heavy hitting actives that come with a risk for skin irritation, you might be wondering: can you actual...
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