Skin Encyclopedia

An evidence-based skincare reference by SYNC Beauty.

Encyclopedia

Can I Use Retinol in Summer?

yes—retinol can be used year-round, including summer, as long as it is paired with diligent daily sunscreen and sun protection. Retinol does not make skin unsafe in warmer months, but...

Can I Use Retinol in Summer?

yes—retinol can be used year-round, including summer, as long as it is paired with diligent daily sunscreen and sun protection. Retinol does not make skin unsafe in warmer months, but...

Can I Mix Different Acids?

sometimes—combining exfoliating acids like AHAs and BHAs can be effective, but stacking too many at once raises the risk of irritation, dryness, and a compromised barrier. Some formulas are deliberately...

Can I Mix Different Acids?

sometimes—combining exfoliating acids like AHAs and BHAs can be effective, but stacking too many at once raises the risk of irritation, dryness, and a compromised barrier. Some formulas are deliberately...

Can Niacinamide Cause Purging?

generally no—niacinamide is not an ingredient associated with skin purging, because it does not accelerate cell turnover the way retinoids or exfoliating acids do. Purging is linked to actives that...

Can Niacinamide Cause Purging?

generally no—niacinamide is not an ingredient associated with skin purging, because it does not accelerate cell turnover the way retinoids or exfoliating acids do. Purging is linked to actives that...

Should I Apply Sunscreen as the Last Step?

yes—in a daytime routine, sunscreen is generally applied as the final skincare step, after any serums and moisturizer, so its protective film sits on top of the skin. If you...

Should I Apply Sunscreen as the Last Step?

yes—in a daytime routine, sunscreen is generally applied as the final skincare step, after any serums and moisturizer, so its protective film sits on top of the skin. If you...

Can You Detox Your Skin?

no—"detoxing" the skin is a marketing concept rather than a physiological process, since skin does not store toxins that need to be flushed out. The body already clears waste through...

Can You Detox Your Skin?

no—"detoxing" the skin is a marketing concept rather than a physiological process, since skin does not store toxins that need to be flushed out. The body already clears waste through...

Can I Use Niacinamide With Vitamin C?

niacinamide and vitamin C can generally be used together, and the older idea that they cancel each other out is largely outdated. Modern formulations combine the two without issue, and...

Can I Use Niacinamide With Vitamin C?

niacinamide and vitamin C can generally be used together, and the older idea that they cancel each other out is largely outdated. Modern formulations combine the two without issue, and...