Journal

Reading an ingredient list: five things worth looking for, three worth skipping
Reading an ingredient list: five things worth looking for, three worth skipping
INCI lists are ordered by concentration down to 1%, which tells you more than the front of the bottle ever will. Here is how to read one in thirty seconds. Read more...
Scalp care is hair care: why the roots matter more than the ends
Scalp care is hair care: why the roots matter more than the ends
Most hair routines spend their entire budget on the last six inches of hair, which are already dead. The interesting part is happening at the root. Read more...
What "barrier damage" actually means — and the four-week repair routine
What "barrier damage" actually means — and the four-week repair routine
Half of what people call sensitive skin is a barrier that has been over-exfoliated. Here is how to tell the difference and what to do for the next four weeks. Read more...
How to layer vitamin C, retinol and SPF without wrecking your barrier
How to layer vitamin C, retinol and SPF without wrecking your barrier
The three most useful actives in skincare are also the three most commonly misused together. Here is the order, the timing, and what to do when your skin pushes back. Read more...