Guides & basics

Start-here skincare guides — the routines, the basics, and how to use your products without the overwhelm.

• Anti-pollution skincare

  Anti-pollution skincare is a loose term for products and habits aimed at reducing the effect of airborne pollution, like smog, smoke, and dust, on your skin. The label itself isn't regulated, so it can mean very different things on different products.

• How antibiotics work for acne

  Antibiotics are prescription medicines a doctor may use for inflamed acne. They work mainly by lowering the bacteria on the skin that feed inflammation, which can reduce the number of sore, red spots.

• Cycle-syncing your routine

  Cycle-syncing skincare means loosely adjusting your routine to the phases of your menstrual cycle, since the hormone shifts across the month can change how your skin behaves. The idea is to lean into what your skin needs in each phase rather than fighting it.

• Double cleansing

  Double cleansing means washing your face twice in a row, first with an oil-based cleanser, then a water-based one. The oil step lifts off makeup and sunscreen; the second wash clears what's left.

• Fragrances in skincare

  Fragrances are scent ingredients, from plant-derived or lab-made sources, added to products to give them a pleasant smell or to cover the odor of other raw materials. They're common in skincare and most people use them without trouble.

• Ingredient combinations

  Ingredient combinations are the pairings of active ingredients you use together in a routine. Some actives work well side by side and can even support each other, while others are better spaced out or used at different times of day.

• Patch testing

  Patch testing means trying a new product on a small area of skin first, before you put it all over your face, to see how your skin reacts. It is a simple way to catch irritation or an allergic response early.

• Serums explained

  A serum is a lightweight, concentrated skincare step, usually a gel or liquid, that delivers a high dose of active ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, or hydrating agents. It sits between cleansing and moisturizing in most routines.

• Skin & mental health

  Skin conditions and how you feel are closely connected. Visible concerns like acne can affect mood, confidence, and self-image, and that emotional side is a real and valid part of the experience, not something to brush off.

• Skin barrier basics

  Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of skin, a wall of flat dead cells held together by oils and fats. It keeps water in and irritants, allergens, and germs out.

• What is a "formulation"?

  A formulation is the full recipe behind a skincare product, meaning which ingredients are in it, how much of each, and how they're combined. The star ingredient matters, but so does everything around it that makes the product work.

• Building a skincare routine

  A skincare routine is the small set of steps you do regularly to clean, hydrate, and protect your skin. A solid beginner routine is short: cleanse, moisturise, and wear sunscreen.

• Skincare tools & devices

  Skincare tools are the handheld gadgets that work on your skin physically rather than through ingredients, from simple extractors to exfoliating and microneedling devices. Some are gentle enough for home use, while others are really meant for a professional's hands.

• How to use SPF

  SPF, short for Sun Protection Factor, is a number that tells you how much longer a sunscreen helps protect your skin from burning. Using it well comes down to picking a broad-spectrum formula, applying enough, and topping it up through the day.

• UV filters explained

  UV filters are the active ingredients in sunscreen that protect your skin from UV light. They come in two broad families, mineral and chemical, which shield the skin in slightly different ways.

• UV index & sun exposure

  The UV index is an internationally used scale, running from 0 upward, that tells you how strong the sun's UV rays are at a given place and time. The higher the number, the more protection your skin tends to need.