The Lab

No BS skincare science

Creamy fragrance-free barrier moisturiser in a ceramic bowl, representing a ceramide-rich skincare product ingredients

Ceramides explained: why your skin barrier needs them

What ceramides actually do, the nine types in skincare, why the 3:1:1 ratio matters, and how to choose a barrier cream that works, with evidence.

June 1, 2026

Soft pink ceramic bowl with a creamy fragrance-free moisturiser, used as part of a gentle rosacea skincare routine skin-types

Rosacea skincare routine: what to use and what to avoid

A dermato-cosmetic guide to building a rosacea skincare routine. The ingredients to avoid, the actives that actually calm flushing, and how to layer them.

June 1, 2026

Amber dropper serum bottle on a marble surface, used for fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation routines

Best serums for hyperpigmentation: dark spots ranked by efficacy

A dermato-cosmetic guide to the best serums for hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Which actives fade pigment, how to layer them, and what the evidence says.

May 29, 2026

Jar of petroleum jelly next to a moisturiser bottle on a marble bathroom counter routines

Slugging with Vaseline: what dermatologists actually think

A dermato-cosmetic review of slugging with petroleum jelly. What occlusion does to your barrier, who should try it, and how to do it without breakouts.

May 29, 2026

Fluid sunscreen tube and texture swatch on a clean surface, illustrating common SPF myths science

SPF Myths Debunked: 10 Things You're Getting Wrong About Sunscreen

A dermatologist breaks down 10 stubborn SPF myths, from base tans and SPF 100 to indoor exposure and chemical filters, with the actual evidence behind each.

May 29, 2026

Skincare bottles arranged in a neat row representing a four-night skin cycling routine routines

Skin cycling: does this TikTok trend actually work?

A dermatology-graded review of skin cycling. What the 4-night protocol does for your barrier, what the evidence says, and how to build a smarter version.

May 28, 2026

A row of anti-aging serums and a sunscreen bottle on a neutral surface, illustrating evidence-based skincare science

Best anti-aging ingredients ranked by clinical evidence

An evidence-graded ranking of the best anti-aging ingredients in skincare, from tretinoin and SPF to peptides, bakuchiol and overhyped extracts.

May 27, 2026

Two cleansing bottles, an oil based balm and a foaming gel, lined up on a clean bathroom shelf science

Double cleansing: is it worth it? What the science says

Is double cleansing actually backed by science? A formulation-led guide to oil and water cleansers, who benefits, common mistakes, and what evidence shows.

May 27, 2026

Amber glass dropper bottle of vitamin C serum on a white marble surface ingredients

Vitamin C serum guide: forms, concentrations, and what actually works

A dermato-cosmetic guide to vitamin C serums: which form to choose (L-ascorbic acid vs derivatives), ideal concentration, pH, and how to layer in your routine.

May 25, 2026

Two skincare bottles side by side on a white surface, illustrating an ingredient comparison ingredients

Salicylic acid vs benzoyl peroxide: which is better for acne?

Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide? A dermato-cosmetic breakdown of how each ingredient works, which acne type it suits, and how to combine them safely.

May 24, 2026

Flat lay of acne skincare routine products including a salicylic acid cleanser, adapalene tube and a non-comedogenic moisturizer routines

Acne Skincare Routine: Dermatologist-Approved Products Ranked

A complete acne skincare routine that works. Dermatologist-approved AM and PM steps, ingredient picks by acne type, and the products ranked A by SkinScore.

May 22, 2026

Lineup of Korean skincare bottles and a sheet mask on a clean light surface routines

K-beauty Routine Explained: What Science Actually Supports

Dermato-cosmetic deep dive into the K-beauty routine: 4 essential steps backed by science, 6 optional layers, and how to build your own.

May 21, 2026

Row of identical pharmacy-style serum bottles with minimalist labels on a clean white surface guides

The Ordinary Complete Guide: Every Product Ranked and Reviewed

The Ordinary guide ranking every major product by formulation, evidence and skin-type fit. Best buys, biggest skips, conflicts to avoid and a routine builder.

May 18, 2026

Dropper of hyaluronic acid serum next to a glass of water and a moisturizer jar on a clean surface ingredients

Hyaluronic Acid Mistakes: 5 Errors Everyone Makes (and the Fix)

Hyaluronic acid mistakes can dry out your skin instead of hydrating it. Learn the 5 most common errors, the science behind them, and how to fix your HA routine.

May 16, 2026

Fluid sunscreen tube next to gel and matte texture swatches on a clean surface routines

Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin: No White Cast, No Grease

The best sunscreen for oily skin combines SPF 30 to 50, fluid texture, non-comedogenic filters and sebum control. Ingredient breakdown and application tips.

May 11, 2026

Two moisturizer jars side by side representing a luxury vs drugstore comparison product-reviews

La Mer vs CeraVe: the 350 EUR Question Answered by Science

La Mer vs CeraVe: formulation, ceramides vs Miracle Broth, per-gram cost, derm consensus, and the verdict on whether the 350 EUR is worth it.

May 10, 2026

Close-up of skincare product labels showing ingredient lists with fragrance and parfum listed science

Fragrance in Skincare: The Hidden Allergen in 60% of Products

Fragrance is the most common allergen in skincare. Which ingredients to avoid, how EU and US rules differ, and the best fragrance-free picks by category.

May 6, 2026

Two amber serum dropper bottles on a white surface representing niacinamide and vitamin C compatibility science

Niacinamide and vitamin C together: the myth is debunked

Can you mix niacinamide and vitamin C? Modern dermatology says yes. The 1960s lab study behind the myth, peer-reviewed evidence, and how to layer both.

May 3, 2026

Skincare products arranged in correct routine order on a bathroom shelf routines

Skincare Routine Order: Morning & Night Sequence That Works

The correct skincare routine order, AM and PM. Layering science, active ingredient conflicts, and a step-by-step sequence dermatologists actually recommend.

April 24, 2026

Skincare products arranged on a light surface with focus on ingredient labels, representing pregnancy-safe skincare analysis safety

Pregnancy-Safe Skincare: The Complete 2026 Ingredient Guide

Which skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, which are safe to keep, and the evidence from ACOG, NHS, and SCCS behind each decision.

April 22, 2026

Close-up of a skincare INCI ingredient list being scanned with a finger, representing comedogenic ingredient checking ingredients

Comedogenic Ingredients: The Complete 2026 List With Ratings

Top 25 comedogenic ingredients ranked on the Fulton scale, plus the ingredients wrongly feared (mineral oil, dimethicone) and the INCI position rule.

April 22, 2026

Best moisturizers for dry skin arranged on a white bathroom shelf with ceramide cream jars routines

Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin: Dermatologist Picks Ranked

Dermatologist-ranked best moisturizers for dry skin, scored by formulation. Ceramide creams, drugstore vs luxury picks, and what ingredients actually work.

April 21, 2026

Two skincare moisturizer bottles side by side representing CeraVe vs Cetaphil comparison product-reviews

CeraVe vs Cetaphil: which moisturizer is actually better?

Independent CeraVe vs Cetaphil comparison. Ceramides, niacinamide, INCI lists, clinical evidence and skin-type fit, with AAD and peer-reviewed sources.

April 16, 2026

Dropper bottle with golden serum on a clean surface, representing retinol skincare ingredients

Retinol for beginners: how to start without wrecking your skin

A science-backed guide to retinol. Which strength to pick, how to apply it, what to avoid, and why most people fail in the first month.

April 14, 2026

Serum bottle with laboratory flask, symbolising science-backed skincare ingredient research ingredients

Is niacinamide safe? What dermatology research actually says

Clinical evidence on niacinamide safety: 18 RCTs reviewed, adverse event rates, contraindications, pregnancy data, and concentration response curves.

April 12, 2026