The change of season is nearly here! Let’s celebrate! The UK has had a stinking hot summer. And I just hate any winter. I shouldn’t complain because- as you know- I spent most of this winter in Las Vegas. But I am always happy to see the back of the cold! Our team was hard at work sorting out Afterpay Day and I launched my new podcast, WELL on Mamamia. We cover all things health but definitely a lot of skin stuff too! Have a listen and let us know your thoughts. Meanwhile- here were some nice new studies that caught my eye!!
Reddit, Rosacea and the Rise of "Crowd-Sourced Dermatology"
If you've ever found yourself deep in a Reddit rabbit hole trying to figure out why your face is suddenly red, you're definitely not alone. A new study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology looked at the r/Rosacea subreddit, home to around 74,000 users, to see what people are talking about and whether the advice being shared lines up with expert guidelines.
Most posts weren't asking "Do I have rosacea?" They were from people already living with it and sharing treatment experiences, routines and product recommendations. The biggest concerns were redness and flushing, emotional impacts, moisturisers, triggers, bumps and breakouts. SPF, cleansing and azelaic acid also featured heavily.
The really interesting finding wasn't what people were talking about. It was what happened to the advice. The researchers compared comments against established rosacea treatment guidelines and found that the Reddit crowd wasn't particularly good at separating expert-backed recommendations from personal opinions.
We're increasingly turning to social media for health information, particularly when specialist wait times are long and the cost of seeing a dermatologist can feel out of reach for so many people. The good news is that online communities can provide support, practical (and even evidence-based) tips and reassurance that you're not alone. The less good news is that the most upvoted advice isn't necessarily the most accurate.
This study is a timely reminder that social media is brilliant for finding people with the same problem as you. It's much less reliable for figuring out the best way to treat it. When it comes to rosacea, look for advice that aligns with established guidelines and clinical evidence, not just the comment with the most upvotes.
With evidence-based ingredients to help hydrate, calm and support the skin barrier. This kit includes: Finally, our Ultimate A Gold (retinal) night cream with Retinal, the most gentle and effective form of Vitamin A and PHAs to gently hydrated and exfoliate. Thoughtfully designed for calm, clear, and comfortable skin. Key Features: We've swapped Ultimate A with the new Ultimate A Gold. If you prefer Ultimate A, you can build your own kit here.
Rosacea Skincare Kit - Anti Redness
*Ultimate A Gold (Retinal) may transfer onto white or light-coloured fabrics. For best results, we recommend using darker clothing or surfaces to avoid visible marks.
Vitamin C for Skin: It's Not Just Vitamin C
Vitamin C has been a skincare darling for decades, but a new systematic review published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology suggests we've been asking the wrong question. Instead of asking "Does vitamin C work?" we should be asking "Which vitamin C, in what formulation, delivered how?"
The researchers reviewed 44 clinical studies published since 2020, covering topical vitamin C, injectable vitamin C and dietary supplementation. The biggest takeaway is that "vitamin C" isn't one thing. The review found that different forms of vitamin C have very different strengths, stability profiles and clinical uses. The gold standard remains L-ascorbic acid, particularly when combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid, which consistently improved photo-ageing, pigmentation and skin quality. But it has to be formulated with a pH of <3.5
But newer derivatives are carving out their own niches: There is some emerging evidence (finally) for Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (ATIP), which shows some promise for wrinkles and collagen support and it's much more stable than pure vitamin C. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THDA) looks promising for sensitive skin because it can be formulated at a skin-friendly pH, although it needs stabilisation to perform well and the evidence is still patchy. Ascorbyl Glucoside may be a gentler alternative for long-term pigmentation concerns such as melasma and solar lentigines. Again- still small, less reliable studies.
Evidence-based formulation isn't just about efficacy. It's also about choosing ingredients that have the best balance of performance, stability and tolerability. Sometimes the safest ingredient is the one nobody is talking about on TikTok.
Microneedling, mesotherapy, jet injection and laser-assisted delivery all improved penetration of vitamin C into the skin and produced improvements in pigmentation, redness and texture.
The review also found evidence that relatively modest amounts of dietary vitamin C (40-80 mg daily) may improve hydration, elasticity, wrinkle appearance and even provide a small amount of extra photoprotection, particularly when combined with other antioxidants. Some studies of supplements looked good- again around 80mg a day looked good.
This review reinforces something we've been saying for years: not all vitamin C products are created equal. The label on the front of the bottle tells you very little. The real questions are: Which form of vitamin C is it? Is it stable? What's the pH? What else is it paired with? And can it actually get into the skin? In the case of our vitamin C serums, rest assured we’re sticking with the evidence and delivering scientifically validated formulations and pH.
C Forte Morning Serum is packed with 16% L-ascorbic acid, the purest form of Vitamin C, combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid for maximum results. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is an anti-oxidant helping neutralise free radicals (associated with exposure to the sun). The result? A brighter, firmer, plumper looking skin with fewer fine lines apparent and a more even skin tone. Formulated at the ideal pH (2.5-3.5) and housed in airless, opaque packaging, C Forte ensures stability and effectiveness, delivering radiant skin with every use.
C Forte
Featuring;
- Evidence based ingredients and formulations for superior efficacy.
- Potent skin brightening ingredients
- A plumper, more hydrated and even toned skin.
Note: C Forte can exacerbate acne and may be too strong for irritable skin.
Why Small Chemical Tweaks Can Create Big Skincare Wins
We often talk about ingredients as if they're completely different molecules. But sometimes the difference between a good ingredient and a great ingredient is surprisingly small. A new review in a seriously geeky chemistry journal caught my eye. The review looked at resorcinol, a naturally occurring chemical that forms the backbone of several modern pigment-fighting ingredients.
When it comes to pigmentation, plain resorcinol has only modest pigment-inhibiting activity. But the authors specifically highlight 4-n-butylresorcinol as one of the most effective resorcinol derivatives studied. In fact, the authors note that 4-n-butylresorcinol outperformed both 4-hexylresorcinol and 4-phenylethylresorcinol in its ability to inhibit human tyrosinase. That's important because tyrosinase is the enzyme that drives the first steps of melanin production. Less tyrosinase activity means less excess pigment being produced in the first place.
The researchers found that 4-n-butylresorcinol binds more strongly to tyrosinase than plain resorcinol. The two hydroxyl groups help anchor the molecule to the enzyme, while the butyl side chain fits into a hydrophobic pocket, strengthening the interaction. If that all sounds like chemistry gobbledygook, think of it as upgrading from a standard key to one that's been precision-cut for the lock.
This isn't a breakthrough study, but it's a nice reminder of why ingredient selection matters. When we talk about evidence-based skincare, we're not just choosing ingredients based on marketing claims. We're choosing molecules with a clear biological rationale. And, in the world of pigmentation, 4-n-butylresorcinol continues to stand out as one of the smartest upgrades ever made to the humble resorcinol molecule.
Meet your new secret weapon against uneven skin tone. Enlighten Gold is a lightweight moisturiser designed to help reduce the appearance of pigmentation. We've blended high strength 4nB (a gentle, and highly effective pigmentation fighter) with PHAs (think of them as a soft exfoliant that plays nice with sensitive skin) and niacinamide to support your skin’s barrier to effectively improve your skin. Whether your skin is oily, dry, or somewhere in between, this pigmentation moisturiser fits right in. Why you'll love it: For best results, use Enlighten Gold in the morning and Ultimate A Gold at night (available together in our Golden Duo). This AM/PM approach targets pigmentation while supporting long-term skin change.
Enlighten Gold