Note: I made a related video, with some updates! Here it is – scroll down for the written version. For more on working out your skin type and conditions, building a routine, choosing products that fit your skin and lots more, check out The Lab Muffin Guide to Basic Skincare. What’s the difference between dry and dehydrated skin? Now that …
Since writing this post on the influence of pH on exfoliating acid skincare ingredients, I’ve had a lot of questions on how much active free acid there is in specific formulations. The calculation is a bit fiddly to do every time, so I’ve developed an easy spreadsheet to help you predict the free acid content for a product, if you …
You might have noticed that your skin looks plumper and brighter when you wake up in the morning compared to at night. It’s not just that you’ve gotten some rest, and you’re not simply imagining it! Peer-reviewed studies have found that your skin is actually thicker in the morning than at night, and wrinkles are less pronounced in the morning …
A question I get asked a lot is: Does a moisturiser with SPF give your skin the same sun protection as a sunscreen with the same SPF? The short answer is yes! All products with labelled SPF values, including moisturisers and foundations and powders, go through the same testing procedures as sunscreens to determine their sun protection ratings (the exact …
What’s a make-up remover cloth? Make-up remover cloths are usually a soft fleecy flannel with dense, fluffy fibres about half a centimetre long. To use a make-up remover cloth, you simply wet it with warm water and rub on your face in small circular motions – and your make-up comes off, without using any “chemicals” (well, except for dihydrogen monoxide …
If you have mild to moderate acne, one of the first treatments your doctor or pharmacist will recommend is benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide (also known as BPO or BP) has been used for treating acne since the 1930s, and it’s still going strong! Here’s why: How Does Benzoyl Peroxide Fight Acne? Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful antimicrobial Benzoyl peroxide kills …
Have you ever wondered whether heat protectant sprays were worth the effort and cost? Here’s the science behind how they protect your hair from heat styling damage! Related Post: How do air-activated heat packs and eye masks work? What damage occurs when you heat style hair? Straighteners and curling irons heat your hair to somewhere between 95 and 170 °C. When …
An ugly pimple crops up on your face and you have an interview the next day? You could put a little tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide on it, but the spot treatment of the moment are acne patches. Long gone are the days of trying to dry your pimples out with toothpaste and baking soda (both are irritating and …