Frequently asked questions

Our formulas are made to be gentle: we pair active ingredients with soothing, hydrating ones, and we use stable forms of vitamin C that don't need a stinging low pH.

Our Vitamin C Clay Mask, Advanced Brightening Moisturizer and Supernutrient Oil are dermatologist tested. In repeat insult patch tests on 52 adults, supervised by a consulting dermatologist (Princeton Consumer Research, 2023), no irritation or allergic reactions were observed.

Every skin is different, though. Patch test a new product on your inner arm for a few days, introduce one product at a time, and start the Superactive Serum every other night before building up.

Yes. The Vitamin C Clay Mask, Advanced Brightening Moisturizer and Supernutrient Oil were each patch tested in repeat insult patch tests on 52 adults, run by Princeton Consumer Research in 2023 and supervised by a consulting dermatologist. No irritation or allergic reactions were observed.

Our face products, including the Vitamin C Clay Mask, Superactive Serum, Advanced Brightening Moisturizer, Supernutrient Oil, Clarifying Brightening Cleanser and Illuminating Intimate Serum, contain no added fragrance. Some body products, such as the Advanced Brightening Body Cream, do contain fragrance. It is always listed in the ingredients on the label.

Yes. Our products are gluten-free and sulfate-free.

We don't recommend it. Intimate skin is thinner and more permeable than facial skin, and strong acids or low-pH serums made for the face can irritate it. On melanin-rich skin, irritation leads to more pigment, not less. Use a formula made for intimate skin instead.

Read Face, body and intimate skin: why each needs different care.

Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin on the bikini line, inner thighs or underarms, once or twice a day. Keep it external, never inside. Wait a day or two after shaving or waxing, patch test first, and stop if it stings, itches or burns. Breathable cotton underwear and looser fits help by cutting friction.

Yes, with a gentle start. Patch test first, then use it every other night for the first week or two before moving to daily use. If your skin feels irritated, space it out again and keep your routine simple.

No. Lemon juice is highly acidic (pH around 2), which damages the skin barrier, and citrus is phototoxic: combined with sunlight it can cause burns, blisters and phytophotodermatitis, which leaves new dark marks. On melanin-rich skin, this irritation often makes hyperpigmentation worse, and it can also cause patchy light spots. Stable, properly formulated vitamin C gives the brightening benefit of citrus without the burn.

Yes, gentle chemical exfoliants help uneven skin tone by speeding up the shedding of pigmented surface cells. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic and lactic acid work on the surface, beta hydroxy acid (BHA, salicylic acid) also clears pores, and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) are the gentlest option for sensitive skin. On darker skin, start low and slow, 2 to 3 times a week, because over-exfoliation causes irritation that can trigger new hyperpigmentation. Always follow with sunscreen.

The best form of vitamin C depends on your skin. L-ascorbic acid is the most studied and potent form but is unstable and can sting. Stable derivatives are gentler: sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) is water-soluble and suits sensitive and breakout-prone skin; 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid is stable and penetrates well; tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD) is oil-soluble and very gentle, ideal in creams and oils; magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) is mild and hydrating. For sensitive or darker skin prone to irritation, a stable derivative is often the better choice.

Yes, but carefully. Using a low-pH L-ascorbic acid serum at the same time as AHAs or BHAs can irritate skin, and irritation can trigger hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones. A simple approach: vitamin C in the morning, exfoliating acids a few evenings a week. Gentle vitamin C derivatives such as sodium ascorbyl phosphate or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate combine more easily with other actives.

Vitamin C can suit sensitive skin if you choose the right form. Low-pH L-ascorbic acid is the form most likely to sting or cause redness. Gentler derivatives, such as sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, work at a skin-friendly pH. Start with a lower concentration every other day, patch test on your inner arm first, and stop if you notice burning or irritation.

Yes, vitamin C is safe and well suited to dark skin. It helps with the concerns most common in melanin-rich skin, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and uneven tone, without bleaching healthy skin. The main risk for darker skin is irritation from a very low-pH formula, because irritation can trigger new pigment. Choose a stable, gentle form, introduce it gradually and wear sunscreen daily.

Niacinamide is vitamin B3. It helps uneven skin tone by reducing the transfer of melanin from pigment cells to surrounding skin cells, while vitamin C slows melanin production itself. Niacinamide also supports the skin barrier, reduces the look of redness and helps regulate oil. It is gentle and stable, works at 2 to 5% in most studies, and pairs well with vitamin C for hyperpigmentation-prone skin.