LÉ Blog

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...

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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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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...

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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...

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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...

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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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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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,...

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