Dermelloa

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Educational only — not medical advice. Links open external sites Pip found on the web; always check claims against a dermatologist.

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Skin Curious

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58 articles

intermediate
+45 XP

Acne in Men: Why It Happens and What Works

Testosterone, stress, and shaving all conspire against clear skin. The evidence-based approach to breakouts that actually fits a simpler routine.

Conditions·5 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Shaving Without Wrecking Your Skin

Razor burn, ingrown hairs, and post-shave dryness are all avoidable. The technique and products that make a real difference.

Routines·4 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Men's Skincare: Start Here

Most men use three products or fewer. Here's how to build a routine that actually works — without overcomplicating it.

Routines·4 min read
beginner
+40 XP

Which Vitamins Actually Help Your Skin

Vitamin C, D, E, A, zinc — sorted by evidence strength. What deficiencies matter, what supplementation does, and what is a waste of money.

Nutrition·5 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Skin

Oily fish, flaxseed, walnuts — the anti-inflammatory fatty acids that have the most consistent evidence for skin health, and how much you actually need.

Nutrition·4 min read
intermediate
+50 XP

The Gut–Skin Axis

Your gut microbiome and your skin are in constant communication. Here is what the research says about probiotics, prebiotics, and skin conditions.

Nutrition·6 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Sugar, Glycaemic Index, and Acne

Why high-sugar and high-GI diets are linked to breakouts — the insulin and IGF-1 pathway explained simply, and how to apply it to your diet.

Nutrition·5 min read
beginner
+40 XP

How Your Diet Affects Your Skin

The evidence for what you eat showing up on your face — what is real, what is overhyped, and which foods have the most consistent research behind them.

Nutrition·5 min read
beginner
+30 XP

Skincare as a Mindfulness Practice

How to turn a two-minute routine into a genuine moment of self-care — without turning it into an obsessive ritual.

Mental health·4 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Skincare for Teens: A Practical Starting Point

Hormonal changes, first breakouts, peer pressure around products — a clear guide for teenagers (and their parents) on what actually matters.

Mental health·5 min read
intermediate
+40 XP

Zinc in Skincare: Mineral SPF, Acne, and More

Zinc oxide in sunscreen, zinc supplements for acne, and zinc-containing serums — what each form does and what the evidence supports.

Ingredients·5 min read
beginner
+40 XP

Building Confidence with Visible Skin Conditions

A practical, evidence-informed guide to developing a healthier relationship with your skin — not waiting for it to clear before you live your life.

Mental health·4 min read
intermediate
+50 XP

Skincare for Mature Skin (40s and Beyond)

How skin changes after 40 — slower turnover, reduced collagen, shifting hormones — and how to adapt your routine to what skin needs at this stage.

Conditions·7 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Glycerin and Squalane: The Unsung Workhorses

Two of the most effective and underrated moisturising ingredients — what makes them special, their differences, and how to use them.

Ingredients·5 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Skin Picking: A Compassionate Guide to Dermatillomania

Excoriation disorder (skin picking) is more common than people think — and more treatable. What it is, why it happens, and evidence-based paths to recovery.

Mental health·4 min read
intermediate
+50 XP

Skincare for Black and Brown Skin Tones

Melanin-rich skin has distinct strengths and specific vulnerabilities — from hyperpigmentation risk to unique sunscreen needs — that mainstream skincare often ignores.

Conditions·7 min read
intermediate
+40 XP

Sun Protection for Outdoor Sports

Higher UV, extended exposure, sweat, and water demand a specific sun strategy. What athletes and outdoor enthusiasts need to do differently.

Sun protection·5 min read
intermediate
+40 XP

Bakuchiol: Retinol Alternative or Marketing Hype?

The plant-based retinol alternative — what the evidence actually shows, how it compares head-to-head, and who should consider it.

Ingredients·5 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Cortisol and Skin: The Science Behind Stress Breakouts

A deeper look at cortisol's mechanisms — how it raises oil, disrupts the barrier, and prolongs healing — and what evidence-backed stress management actually does to skin.

Mental health·4 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Outdoor Athlete Skincare: Wind, Cold, and Altitude

Running, cycling, skiing, hiking — outdoor training environments have specific skin stressors. A guide to protecting and repairing in each condition.

Athlete skincare·6 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Perioral Dermatitis: The Breakout That Is Not Acne

Small red bumps around the mouth (and sometimes nose and eyes) that look like acne but respond to completely different treatment. What it is and what helps.

Conditions·6 min read
intermediate
+35 XP

Sunscreen and Vitamin D: Setting the Record Straight

Does sunscreen block the UV rays needed for vitamin D synthesis? What the research actually shows about sunscreen use and vitamin D levels.

Sun protection·5 min read
intermediate
+50 XP

AHAs vs BHAs: Chemical Exfoliation Explained

The difference between alpha and beta hydroxy acids, which skin concerns they target, how to use them safely, and what to avoid combining them with.

Ingredients·7 min read
intermediate
+40 XP

Acne Mechanica: Managing Helmet and Equipment Friction

Helmets, chin straps, shoulder pads, and sports masks all cause friction-induced breakouts. What causes them and how to prevent them.

Athlete skincare·5 min read
advanced
+55 XP

Rosacea: Triggers, Treatment, and Long-Term Management

Rosacea is chronic, not curable — but highly manageable. The four subtypes, what triggers flares, and the most evidence-backed interventions.

Conditions·8 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Sunscreen for Darker Skin Tones

Why people with darker skin still need sunscreen, how to avoid white cast, and formulas that actually work across a range of complexions.

Sun protection·5 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Stress, Mental Health, and Your Skin

The brain–skin axis is real. How stress triggers flare-ups, why skin conditions affect mood and confidence, and gentle ways to break the loop.

Mental health·4 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Hyaluronic Acid: The Hydration Ingredient Explained

The most hyped humectant in skincare — what it actually does, why molecular weight matters, and when it can backfire.

Ingredients·5 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Post-Workout Skincare: A Practical Routine

What to do for your skin immediately after training — cleansing, moisturising, and the fastest routine that actually covers what matters.

Athlete skincare·4 min read
beginner
+30 XP

The UV Index: How to Actually Use It

What the UV index measures, why it changes throughout the day, and how to adjust your sun protection strategy accordingly.

Sun protection·4 min read
advanced
+55 XP

Hormonal Acne: What It Is and What Actually Works

Deep, jawline-centred breakouts that track your cycle have a specific cause — and specific treatments. A clear guide to hormonal acne management.

Conditions·7 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Tranexamic Acid: New Evidence for Hyperpigmentation

A newer brightening ingredient with surprisingly strong clinical evidence. What it is, what it does, and how it compares to vitamin C and niacinamide.

Ingredients·5 min read
intermediate
+40 XP

Sweat and Skin Health: What You Need to Know

Sweat is not the enemy — but how you manage it matters. The science of sweat, its effects on the skin microbiome, and when it becomes a problem.

Athlete skincare·5 min read
advanced
+60 XP

Retinoids: Mechanism and Evidence

How vitamin-A derivatives work at the cellular level, the strength ladder from retinol to tretinoin, and how to use them without wrecking your barrier.

Ingredients·6 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Azelaic Acid: The Overlooked Multitasker

Anti-inflammatory, brightening, and gentle enough for rosacea — why azelaic acid deserves more attention, and how to use it.

Ingredients·6 min read
advanced
+55 XP

Hyperpigmentation: PIH, Melasma, and Sun Damage

Not all dark spots are the same — and the type you have determines which treatments work. A clear breakdown of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, and sun damage.

Conditions·5 min read
intermediate
+35 XP

Sunscreen Reapplication: When, How, and Why

The most skipped step in sun protection — exactly when to reapply, how to do it over makeup, and practical strategies for real life.

Sun protection·3 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Moisturiser Ingredients: Humectants, Emollients, Occlusives

The three categories of moisturising ingredients, what each does in the skin, and how to build hydration that actually lasts.

Ingredients·6 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Swimming and Skin: Managing Chlorine Damage

What chlorine actually does to skin and hair, how to protect your barrier before and after pool sessions, and what matters most for regular swimmers.

Athlete skincare·4 min read
advanced
+55 XP

Eczema: Triggers, Barrier Repair, and Evidence-Based Care

What eczema actually is at the barrier level, the key triggers to identify, and the skincare and medical options with the strongest evidence.

Conditions·6 min read
advanced
+55 XP

Peptides: What They Are and What They Can (Actually) Do

Peptides are everywhere in skincare marketing. Here is what the science actually supports, which types have the best evidence, and how to use them.

Ingredients·4 min read
beginner
+30 XP

Choosing the Right Cleanser for Your Skin

Gel, cream, foam, oil, bar — what each cleanser type actually does and how to match one to your skin type without trial and error.

Routines·5 min read
beginner
+40 XP

SPF Numbers Explained: 30 vs 50 vs 100

What SPF numbers actually measure, why the difference between SPF 30 and 100 is smaller than you think, and how real-world use changes everything.

Sun protection·3 min read
intermediate
+50 XP

Skincare for Athletes

Sweat, friction, sun, and shared equipment all challenge skin. How to manage breakouts, protect the barrier, and build a post-workout routine.

Athlete skincare·4 min read
beginner
+30 XP

Morning vs. Night Routine: What Changes and Why

Your skin has different needs in the morning (defend) and at night (repair). Here is what to keep, swap, and drop in each routine.

Routines·5 min read
advanced
+55 XP

Acne Types: Comedonal, Inflammatory, Cystic, Hormonal

Not all acne is the same — and the type you have determines which treatments actually work. A clear breakdown of each type and the evidence behind treating it.

Conditions·5 min read
beginner
+45 XP

Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen: What Actually Matters

The real differences between mineral (physical) and chemical UV filters — efficacy, feel, safety, skin type fit, and the hybrid middle ground.

Sun protection·4 min read
beginner
+25 XP

How to Patch Test (and Why You Should)

The two-minute habit that prevents breakouts, reactions, and wasted products — exactly where to test, for how long, and what to look for.

Routines·3 min read
intermediate
+50 XP

Vitamin C in Skincare: Forms, Benefits, and Stability

The antioxidant superstar explained — why it works, why formulation matters enormously, and how to pick a product that actually delivers.

Ingredients·5 min read
beginner
+35 XP

The Moisture Sandwich Technique

Layering your moisturiser between two hits of water to lock in lasting hydration — the method, the science, and who it helps most.

Routines·3 min read
intermediate
+50 XP

Understanding Acne: Causes and What Helps

The four drivers of acne, which ingredients have real evidence, and the patience the process genuinely requires.

Conditions·4 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Ceramides: Your Skin Barrier's Main Ingredient

Ceramides make up 50% of the outer skin barrier. What they are, how they work, and why replacing them with skincare products actually helps.

Ingredients·4 min read
beginner
+40 XP

Skin Cycling Explained

The four-night rotation that helps you use powerful actives without overwhelming your skin — and whether the hype matches the evidence.

Routines·3 min read
intermediate
+45 XP

Niacinamide: The Multitasker Worth Knowing

Why this form of vitamin B3 is one of the most versatile and well-tolerated ingredients in skincare — what it does, what it does not do, and how to use it.

Ingredients·4 min read
beginner
+40 XP

Sunscreen: The One Non-Negotiable

What SPF and broad-spectrum actually mean, how much to apply, and why daily use is the most evidence-backed thing you can do for your skin.

Sun protection·4 min read
beginner
+35 XP

Double Cleansing: Is It Worth It?

Why two cleansers outperform one for removing sunscreen and makeup, how to do it without stripping your barrier, and who actually needs it.

Routines·3 min read
beginner
+30 XP

How to Identify Your Skin Type

Oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or acne-prone? A simple at-home method to figure out what you are actually working with.

Skin types·3 min read
beginner
+40 XP

Build Your First Skincare Routine

The three steps that actually matter, why order matters, and how to start without wasting money.

Routines·4 min read

Skin Dictionary

View all 87 terms →

Every term you will encounter in skincare — ingredients, conditions, anatomy, and mechanisms — defined plainly and linked to the full guide.

Acne Mechanica
Acne caused by sustained friction, pressure, and heat against skin — helmet straps, chin straps, backpack straps. Prevented by moisture-wicking liners and prompt cleansing.
Acne Vulgaris
Common acne — a chronic inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous unit. Involves excess sebum, follicle blockage, Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, and inflammation.
AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid)
Water-soluble chemical exfoliants (glycolic, lactic, mandelic) that loosen dead skin cells on the surface. Improve texture, tone, and fine lines. Require acidic pH to work and increase UV sensitivity.
Alpha Arbutin
A stabilised derivative of hydroquinone that inhibits tyrosinase to slow melanin production. Gentler than hydroquinone, used for hyperpigmentation at 1–2%.
Antioxidant
Ingredients that neutralise free radicals before they damage skin cells. Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, and niacinamide are antioxidants. Most effective applied in the morning before UV exposure.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
The most potent and most studied form of vitamin C. A powerful antioxidant that brightens, boosts collagen, and neutralises UV-generated free radicals. Unstable — degrades to orange when oxidised.
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
A chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by dry, itchy, inflamed skin. Often related to filaggrin gene mutations and a compromised skin barrier. Worsened by triggers like stress and certain detergents.
Azelaic Acid
A naturally-occurring dicarboxylic acid with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and tyrosinase-inhibiting effects. Treats acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. OTC to 10%; prescription at 15–20%.

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