Ingredients Guide

Immediate Answer: Purging is a temporary increase in breakouts during the first 2-6 weeks of retinol use—it's actually a sign that the product is working. It happens because retinol accelerates...

Immediate Answer: No—not unless you have a diagnosed skin condition like eczema, rosacea, or a confirmed fragrance allergy. Fragrance has become a bit of a "big bad wolf" in the...

Immediate Answer: Active ingredients are skincare components that produce measurable changes in your skin—not just surface moisturising, but actual structural or biological changes. They're the ingredients doing the work; everything...

Immediate Answer: Vitamin C itself is actually anti-inflammatory and beneficial for acne-prone skin. But many vitamin C serums cause breakouts—not because of the vitamin C, but because of how they're...

Immediate Answer: Check three things: (1) Does the product contain proven active ingredients? (2) Is the product formulated at the right pH for those ingredients to work? (3) Does the...

Immediate Answer: Sea buckthorn (also called sea berry or havtorn in Norwegian) is one of the most nutrient-dense plant-based skincare ingredients available—rich in omega fatty acids (including the rare omega-7),...

Immediate Answer: Peptides are short chains of amino acids that signal your skin cells to produce more collagen and elastin. They're particularly effective for anti-ageing because they work with your...

Immediate Answer: Start with your primary concern (pigmentation or anti-ageing), choose your commitment level (Simple/Standard/Complete), and follow the recommended programme for 8-12 weeks before judging results. The Science: Skincare works...

Immediate Answer: Tranexamic acid is an amino acid that may help reduce melanin production by blocking plasmin (an enzyme that triggers melanin synthesis). It's gentler than hydroquinone but highly effective...

Immediate Answer: Kojic acid is a naturally derived compound that inhibits tyrosinase—the enzyme that converts tyrosine into melanin. It's been used in dermatology for decades and is one of the...

Immediate Answer: Yes, but it works differently than you might think. Hyaluronic acid doesn't add moisture to your skin—it holds moisture in your skin, plumping fine lines and improving texture...

Immediate Answer: Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is incredibly versatile—it supports your skin barrier, helps reduce sebum production, minimises pores, helps reduce melanin transfer, and improves skin firmness. It's in many products...

Immediate Answer: Retinol is vitamin A in one form. Retinoids are a broader category that includes retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, and prescription retinoic acid. They vary in strength (from gentle...

Immediate Answer: Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant that brightens skin, supports collagen production, and protects against free radical damage from sun exposure and pollution. It's particularly useful for...