Articles
Plain-language explainers on the ideas behind the claims the panel reviews: what the words on a label mean, how skin works, and what the evidence says. No product names, just the concepts.
Scented laundry products: how fragrance ends up on your skin
Laundry fragrance is engineered to survive the wash and cling to fabric that touches you all day. What the research says about dryer sheets, softeners and skin reactions.
Baby acne: why newborns get pimples, and why it passes
Newborn pimples, yeast-related pustules or milia? How to tell the common newborn face bumps apart, why scrubbing and creams make things worse, and when acne in a baby is worth a doctor’s visit.
Towels and skin: how often to wash them, and why they get stiff
What lives in a damp towel, why drying matters more than you’d think, when sharing towels is a real risk, and why softener and residue make towels stiff and less absorbent.
Why an independent review of a product’s evidence matters
Conflicts of interest, what arm’s-length reviewers do, what a third-party review of a skin care claim examines, and what it doesn’t do (it isn’t a safety approval).
Eczema on darker skin: why it can look different
On brown and Black skin, eczema may look purple, grey or dark brown rather than red, show up as tiny bumps, and leave light or dark patches. Here’s what to look for and why it matters.
Hypoallergenic & sensitive skin
Trying a new product? Test it on a small patch of skin first
How to test a new cream, cleanser or cosmetic at home: where to put it, how often, for how long, what a reaction looks like, and why a home test can miss slow allergies.
AHAs and BHAs: chemical exfoliants explained
How glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid exfoliate, which one suits which skin, why they make you sun-sensitive, how often to use them, and Canada’s rules on strength.
When to moisturize: the timing that actually makes a difference
Does moisturizer work better right after a shower? How often should you apply it, does bedtime matter, and in what order should it go with a medicated cream? What the research says.
Choosing hypoallergenic products for your baby
What “hypoallergenic” means on a baby product, why fewer and fragrance-free wins, what paediatric guidance says about bathing and moisturizing, and what the eczema-prevention trials found.
How often should you wash your hair? What your scalp actually needs
There’s no single right number. Here’s how scalp oil, hair texture and dandruff should shape how often you shampoo, and what the limited research on wash frequency found.
Hand sanitizer or soap and water: which is kinder to your skin?
What studies show about alcohol hand rubs versus soap and water for dryness and irritation, why rubs with emollients are gentler, and the times when only washing will do.
HE detergent: why high-efficiency washers need it
What the “HE” symbol means, why low-water washers need low-sudsing detergent, how excess suds leave residue on clothes, and how to dose it, with the skin angle.
INCI names decoded: why “aqua” and “butyrospermum parkii” are on your label
Why Canadian ingredient lists say “aqua” instead of water and use Latin plant names: how INCI names are built, what the brackets and slashes mean, and how to use them.
Probiotics and eczema: what the studies show so far
The gut–skin idea behind probiotics for eczema, what trials in children and Cochrane found for prevention and treatment, and what an NPN on a probiotic means in Canada.
“Oil-free”: what it promises for breakout-prone skin
What “oil-free” means on a moisturizer, why it has no legal definition, how oils differ from oily-feeling ingredients, and why “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” aren’t the same promise.
Protecting your skin from wind, cold and dry indoor air
Why Canadian winters dry out skin (low humidity outside, furnace air inside), and a practical routine for the season: showers, moisturizer, humidifier, gloves, lips.
Hypoallergenic & sensitive skin
Why you can suddenly react to a product you’ve used for years
A cream or shampoo you’ve used for ages suddenly gives you a rash. How allergies build up over time, why formulas and old bottles change, how your own skin changes, and what to do next.
Ingredients on the “free from” list
Propylene glycol: humectant, solvent and occasional irritant
Propylene glycol is in thousands of creams, deodorants and prescription ointments. Here is what it does, why it was named Allergen of the Year in 2018, and why concentration matters.