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.
Limonene and linalool: why old fragrance can bite harder
Limonene and linalool are mild on their own but turn into stronger allergens when air oxidizes them. How that happens, what patch-test data shows, and what it means for your shelf.
Hand dermatitis: when clean hands become sore hands
Why frequent washing leads to irritant hand dermatitis, who gets it (health workers, parents, cleaners), whether sanitizer or soap is gentler, and how to protect hands.
Dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis or just a dry scalp?
Flakes can come from four different things. Learn the clues that separate dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis and plain dry skin, and when to get checked.
“Up to”, “helps”, “visibly”: the slippery words in skin care ads
Why skin care ads lean on words like “up to”, “helps”, “visibly” and “the look of”, what each one really promises, and what Canadian advertising rules say about fine print.
Hypoallergenic & sensitive skin
Cocamidopropyl betaine: the “gentle” cleanser that sometimes isn’t
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a mild, coconut-derived foaming agent in shampoos and washes. Why it was named Allergen of the Year, why impurities are often the real culprit, and what to do.
Diaper rash: what causes it and how to prevent it
Why diaper rash happens (moisture, friction, urine and stool enzymes, yeast), how to prevent it with changes and barrier creams, and when it’s time to see a doctor.
How often should you exfoliate? Signs you’re overdoing it
Why there’s no single right number, how skin type and product type change how often you should exfoliate, the signs of over-exfoliation, and how to let your skin recover.
Laundry tips when someone in the house has eczema
Evidence-based laundry habits for a household with eczema: detergent choice, dosing, rinsing, softeners, new clothes and fabrics, with honest notes on what is proven.
Centella asiatica (cica): what the evidence really shows
What centella asiatica and madecassoside are, what wound-healing research found, whether “cica” creams calm sensitive skin, and how strong the evidence really is.
“Not tested on animals” vs “cruelty-free”: what the claim actually promises
Why “not tested on animals” can mean the finished product, the ingredients or the whole supply chain, what third-party logos add, and what Canadian law now requires.
Hyaluronic acid: what it really does on your skin
How hyaluronic acid works as a humectant, what molecular weight changes, where the “1,000 times its weight” line falls short, and how to use it in a dry Canadian winter.
How products are tested for pore-clogging (and what the tests miss)
From rabbit ears to four-week patch tests on human backs: how comedogenicity is measured, why finished-product testing beats ingredient ratings, and the limits.
Baby massage oils: which help, and which may harm the skin
Olive oil, sunflower oil, nut oils: what studies on newborn skin actually found, why “natural” doesn’t mean gentle, and how to massage your baby without harming the skin barrier.
Your skin’s own moisturizer: what the natural moisturizing factor is
Meet the natural moisturizing factor (NMF): the amino acids, urea, lactate and salts your skin makes to hold water, why it drops in dry skin and eczema, and which ingredients mimic it.
Dust mites and eczema: what helps and what doesn’t
How dust mite allergy can aggravate eczema, how it’s tested, and what the Cochrane evidence says about mattress covers, hot washing, sprays and allergy shots.
The itch–scratch cycle in kids’ eczema, and how to break it
Why scratching makes eczema itchier, the role of nerves and inflammation, and practical ways to help a child scratch less: nails, cool compresses, moisturizer, sleep.
Wet wraps for eczema: what they are and when they’re used
How wet wrap therapy works for bad eczema flares, what the research shows and doesn’t, why it’s done with a doctor’s plan, and when wet wraps should not be used at all.
TEWL: the water your skin loses every day, and why researchers measure it
Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in plain words: what it is, how a probe measures it, why it rises in dry skin and eczema, and why studies use it as a barrier score.